Pittsburgh Pirates

The club began major-league play in the American Association as the Alleghenys.⁠[1]

The club joined the National League, winning its first game 6–2.⁠[2]

After Pittsburgh signed Louis Bierbauer, the Philadelphia Athletics accused the club of piracy, giving rise to the Pirates nickname.⁠[1]

Barney Dreyfuss acquired about 47 percent of the club. The transaction also transferred Louisville player rights to Pittsburgh, including those of Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke.⁠[3]

Following a boardroom dispute, Dreyfuss bought the holdings of William Kerr, Phil Auten and others, becoming the club’s sole owner.⁠[3]

The Pirates lost the first modern World Series to the Boston Americans, three games to five.⁠[2]

The club defeated the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball club in Detroit, Michigan.Open the full entry in seven games for its first championship.⁠[1]

Trailing the World Series three games to one, the Pirates won three straight against Washington’s American League club for their second championship.⁠[1]

A Frank McKinney-led group purchased the club, with John Galbreath, Bing Crosby and Thomas Johnson among its members. Galbreath initially held a minority interest.⁠[4]

John Galbreath and Thomas Johnson bought McKinney’s interest, and Galbreath became president. Branch Rickey joined as general manager in November.⁠[4]

Bill Mazeroski’s ninth-inning walk-off home run in Game 7 defeated the Yankees. It was the first home run to end a World Series.⁠[5]

The club played its first game at Three Rivers Stadium, ending its time at Forbes Field.⁠[2]

Against the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a professional baseball team in Philadelphia, playing at Citizens Bank Park.Open the full entry, the Pirates fielded the first entirely Black and Latino starting lineup in American or National League history and won 10–7.⁠[6]

The club beat the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland, competing in MLB’s American League East.Open the full entry in a seven-game World Series.⁠[6]

The club retired Roberto Clemente’s number 21 on Opening Day, following his death in a plane crash while taking earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua.⁠[5]

The Pirates again beat the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. Willie Stargell earned Series MVP honors.⁠[5]

Dave Parker, by then with the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, competing in MLB’s National League Central and playing at Great American Ball Park.Open the full entry, testified under immunity in a federal drug trial in Pittsburgh. He acknowledged regular cocaine use from 1979 until late 1982.⁠[7]

A Pittsburgh business and civic group purchased the club, ending the Galbreath family’s ownership.⁠[4]

The Pirates sued Parker to avoid over $5 million in deferred payments under his 1979 contract, alleging that drug use impaired his performance.⁠[7]

The parties settled without announcing the terms.⁠[7]

The club won the NL East in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In the latter two seasons it lost Game 7 of the NLCS to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball team in MLB’s National League East, playing in Cobb County in the Atlanta metropolitan area.Open the full entry.⁠[2]

Kevin McClatchy’s group bought the club from Pittsburgh Associates.⁠[2]

The club hosted the Cincinnati Reds in its first regular-season game at PNC Park, on Pittsburgh’s north shore of the Allegheny River with views of the downtown skyline.⁠[8]

Bob Nutting became principal owner.⁠[9]

The club reached the postseason for the first time since 1992.⁠[10]

Paul Skenes won NL Rookie of the Year after going 11–3 with a 1.96 ERA.⁠[5]

Don Kelly replaced Derek Shelton as manager.⁠[11]

The club finished the season 82–80.⁠[12]

PNC Park has two seating decks and a limestone exterior. Its 21-foot right-field wall honors Roberto Clemente’s jersey number, while the River Walk follows the river side.⁠[8]

Pittsburgh Pirates: Official website: https://www.mlb.com/pirates (opens in a new window).⁠[13]

Pittsburgh Pirates: X: https://x.com/Pirates (opens in a new window).⁠[14]

Pittsburgh Pirates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pittsburghpirates (opens in a new window).⁠[15]

Pittsburgh Pirates: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/pirates (opens in a new window).⁠[16]