Pittsburgh Pirates: Facts, History, Stats, and Resources

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History of the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Alleghneys played their first National League Game on April 30, 1887. They won against the Chicago White Stockings (Chicago Cubs), however their first season was not as fortunate as their first game. The team struggled for their first few seasons, but began to gain ground and turn winning seasons by the end of the 19th century. In 1901, 1902 and 1903, Pittsburgh won the National League pennants. However, it was not until 1909 that the team won their first World Series championship. During the 20th century, the Pirates went on to win the World Series again in 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979.

Fun Facts about the Pittsburgh Pirates

What are Pittsburgh Pirates team colors?
Black, Gold, White

Where did the Pittsburgh Pirates get their name and why are they called it?
The Pittsburgh Pirates were originally known as the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. In the 1890s the Alleghenys signed Lou Bierbauer to their team. He had previously played on the Philadelphia Athletics AA team, and the Athletics forgot to include Bierbauer on their reserve list. Their oversight was the reason that the Alleghenys got their eventual name “Pirates.” When the team signed Lou, the Athletics were angry and called the actions of the team “piratical.” In 1891, after receiving the criticism from the AA Athletic team, the Alleghenys nicknamed themselves the Pittsburgh Pirates. The nickname stuck, and almost 25 years later, in 1912, the team officially changed their name.

Who designed the Pittsburgh Pirates logo?
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ logo designer is unknown. Since the team was formed, the logo has changed a number of times, from different fonts of the letter “P”, to a number of pirate portraits. The current logo features the image of a Jolly Roger flag, with baseball bats in place of the typical crossbones.

Who is the mascot for the Pittsburgh Pirates?
Captain Jolly Roger is one of the two Pittsburgh Pirates’ mascots. He is a cartoon pirate and he is named after the skull and crossbones flag commonly flown by pirates, and called the Jolly Roger.
Pirate Parrot is the other mascot for the team. He was introduced in 1979 and wears the team’s official uniform.

Who owns the Pittsburgh Pirates?
Robert Nutting

What numbers have been retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates?
1 Billy Meyer
4 Ralph Kiner
8 Willie Stargell
9 Bill Mazeroski
11 Paul Waner
20 Pie Traynor
21 Roberto Clemente
33 Honus Wagner
40 Danny Murtaugh
42 Jackie Robinson (all MLB)

What players from the Pittsburgh Pirates are in the Baseball Hall Of Fame (only includes players who wore Pittsburgh Pirates hat on plaque)?
Jake Beckley
Max Carey
Fred Clarke
Roberto Clemente
Barney Dreyfuss
Ralph Kiner
Bill Mazeroski
Pie Traynor
Arky Vaughan
Honus Wagner
Lloyd Waner
Paul Waner

How many World Series have the Pittsburgh Pirates won?
Five (1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, 1979)

Fun Facts about PNC Park

What is the Pittsburgh Pirates stadium called?
PNC Park

What is the address of PNC Park?
115 Federal Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

How many seats are in PNC Park?
38,496

Items NOT allowed in PNC Park
Hard-sided coolers
Briefcases
Ice packs
Cooler inserts
Alcoholic beverages
Carbonated beverages
Sports drinks
Cans
Glass bottles
Thermoses
Hazardous or disruptive items
Boom boxes
Inflatable balls
Balloons
Frisbee discs
Laser pointers
Fireworks
Footballs
Weapons of any kind

When was PNC Park built?
Ground was broken for the park on April 7, 1999

How far is it down the right field line in PNC Park?
320 feet

How far is it down the left field line in PNC Park?
325 feet

How far is the center field wall in PNC Park?
399 feet

Travel Information if You’re going to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates

Best restaurants in the area of PNC Park
1. Max & Erma’s Restaurant
630 Stanwix Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 471-1140
maxandermas.com

2. Mullen’s Bar & Grill Inc
200 Federal Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 231-1112

3. McFaddens Pittsburgh
211 North Shore Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(12) 322-3470
mcfaddenspitt.com

Best hotels near PNC Park
1. Hyatt Place
260 North Shore Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 321-3000
hyatt.com

2. Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel
107 6th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 562-1200
marriott.com

3. Residence Inn by Marriott North Shore
574 West General Robinson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 321-2099
marriott.com

Top 5 Players of all time for the Pittsburgh Pirates

5. Willie Stargell
Willie Stargell played first baseman and left fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates during his entire Major League Baseball career, from 1962 to 1982. During his 21 season career, Stargell became one of the team’s best hitters. While playing for the Pirates, he helped them to win the National League East division title six time, while securing two National League pennants and two World Series championships. Individually, Willie Stargell was a champion, as a seven-time All-Star selection, 1979 National League MVP and 1979 World Series MVP. In the same year, he won the Babe Ruth Award and the NLCS MVP award. He is the Pittsburgh Pirates’ all time home run leader. His number, 8, was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and in 1988, Stargell was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Batting Average: .282
Home Runs: 475
Runs Batted In: 1,540

4. Ralph Kiner
Ralph Kiner was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ left fielder from 1946 until 1953, when he became a Chicago Cub. He was a six-time All-Star selection with the team. Kiner was a slugger. He set the single-season home run record in 1949, a Pirates record that still stands today. He hit a total of 301 home runs while playing for the team, which is the second highest number of career home runs hit by a Pittsburgh Pirate. The Pirates retired his number, 4, from their roster after Kiner retired from the sport. In 1975, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Batting Average: .269
Home Runs: 369
Runs Batted In: 1,105

3. Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner played the position of Shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1900 to 1917. He later went on to become the team’s coach from 1933 to 1951. Wagner was nicknamed “The Flying Dutchman” because of his speed and ancestry. During his time as a Pittsburgh Pirate, Wagner helped the team to a World Series championship in 1909. He was the National League Batting Champion in eight of his years as a Pirate. Wagner’s number, 33, was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates and he was induced into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
Batting Average: .327
Hits: 3,415
Runs Batted In: 1,732

2. Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente was a career-long Pittsburgh Pirate, playing with the team from 1955 until he was tragically called in a plane crash in 1972. In 1966, Clemente won the National League MVP award. He was a 15-time All-Star selection. He helped Pittsburgh to two World Series championships and won 12 Gold Glove Awards for his outstanding performance as the team’s right fielder. In 1971, Roberto Clemente was named the 1971 World Series MVP and he was presented with the Babe Ruth Award. After his untimely death, Clemente’s number, 21, was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates and he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. Clemente was the only player in the history of Major League Baseball for whom the required 5-year wait period was waived.
Batting Average: .317
Hits: 3,000
Home Runs: 240
Runs Batted In: 1,305

1. Paul Waner
Paul Waner was the right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates from the beginning of his career in 1926, until he was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941. He remains the team’s all-time leader in hits, with a single-season batting average of .340. He became the first Pittsburgh Pirate to win the National League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1927, and in the same year he held the team record for most hits and RBIs in a season. His number, 11, was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1952.
Batting Average: .333
Hits: 3.152
Home Runs: 113
Runs Batted In: 1,309

Resources about the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Official Site of the Pittsburgh Pirates
website

Pittsburgh Pirates – Pirates Baseball Clubhouse – ESPN
website

Pittsburgh Pirates News, Schedule, Photos, Stats, Players, MLB Baseball – SI.com
website

Bucs Dugout – For Pittsburgh Pirates Fans
website

Resource by A.Moore

I just moved to Michigan from South Carolina. This is my first winter here and so far it's freezing. I enjoy traveling, drawing, camping, writing, and doing community service in my spare time. I work for a education company and help them with their outreach to teachers and students. Hope everyone enjoys my articles.

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