The Pittsburgh Pirates: A History of Home Parks, Championships, Legends and the Stars They Let Get Away The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of Major League Baseball’s oldest and most historically important franchises. Their roots reach back to the 19th century, and the club has been home to some of baseball’s greatest players, including Honus Wagner, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, the Waner brothers, Ralph Kiner and Bill Mazeroski. The Pirates have won five World Series championships—1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979—and have played in seven World Series, including the first modern World Series in 1903. They have also experienced one of baseball’s most frustrating traditions: developing talented players and, at various times, trading them away before those players reached their greatest accomplishments elsewhere. From the Alleghenys to the Pirates The franchise’s history begins before the name “Pirates” was officially adopted. Professional baseball came to Pittsburgh in 1876, when the Pittsburgh Alleghenys played at Union Park. The club that became the modern Pirates was formally established in 1882 as a member of the American Association. The club joined the National League in 1887. The famous “Pirates” nickname came from an incident involving second baseman Lou Bierbauer. Pittsburgh signed Bierbauer after he had played in the Players’ League. Officials of the American Association accused Pittsburgh of acting “piratically” in taking the player. Pittsburgh eventually embraced the accusation, and the Pirates nickname became official in 1891. The name proved appropriate. Pittsburgh soon became one of baseball’s most aggressive and successful franchises. Every Major Home Park in Pirates History The Pirates’ ballpark history is unusually complicated because several early facilities carried the name Exposition Park. 1. Union Park — 1876 and early Pittsburgh professional baseball Union Park was one of the earliest important baseball grounds in the Pittsburgh area. The franchise’s roots include professional games there in 1876, before the modern Pirates franchise entered the American Association in 1882. 2. Exposition Park I — 1882-1883 The Alleghenys began their American Association existence at the first Exposition Park. The park was located along the Allegheny River in what was then Allegheny City. Flooding and a fire contributed to the construction of another facility. 3. Exposition Park II — 1883 A second Exposition Park was constructed in 1883. The Alleghenys played there for part of the season before moving to Recreation Park. 4. Recreation Park — 1884-1890 Recreation Park became the Alleghenys’ principal home for much of the 1880s. It was farther from the river and less vulnerable to flooding. When Pittsburgh entered the National League in 1887, Recreation Park became the first home of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys in the NL. 5. Exposition Park III — 1891-1909 The Pirates returned to the Exposition grounds in 1891. This third Exposition Park became one of the most historically significant parks in baseball. It was here that the Pirates played the home games of the 1903 World Series, the first modern World Series. Pittsburgh won National League pennants in 1901, 1902 and 1903 while playing at Exposition Park. But the 1903 World Series ended in disappointment. The Pirates lost the best-of-nine series to the Boston Americans, 5 games to 3. Deacon Phillippe started five games for Pittsburgh. 6. Forbes Field — 1909-1970 Forbes Field opened on June 30, 1909. It became the Pirates’ home for more than six decades and witnessed three Pittsburgh World Series championships: 1909 1925 1960 It was also the site of perhaps the most famous home run in Pirates history: Bill Mazeroski’s ninth-inning home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, which gave Pittsburgh the championship against the New York Yankees. Forbes Field also became famous for another historic event: Babe Ruth hit the final three home runs of his career there in 1935. 7. Three Rivers Stadium — 1970-2000 The Pirates moved into Three Rivers Stadium in 1970. The multipurpose stadium stood on Pittsburgh’s North Shore near the site of the old Exposition Park. Its first Pirates game was played July 16, 1970. Three Rivers became the home of the Pirates’ championship teams of: 1971 1979 The 1971 championship was especially memorable because Roberto Clemente was spectacular throughout the World Series, batting .414 and winning Series MVP honors. 8. PNC Park — 2001-present PNC Park opened in 2001 and returned the Pirates to the North Shore. It is dramatically different from Three Rivers. Rather than being a huge multipurpose concrete stadium, PNC Park was designed specifically for baseball, with a grass field, intimate seating and views of downtown Pittsburgh. It has become one of baseball’s most highly regarded settings. The Pirates’ World Series History The Pirates have appeared in seven World Series and won five. Year Opponent Result 1903 Boston Americans Lost, 5-3 1909 Detroit Tigers Won, 4-3 1925 Washington Senators Won, 4-3 1927 New York Yankees Lost, 4-0 1960 New York Yankees Won, 4-3 1971 Baltimore Orioles Won, 4-3 1979 Baltimore Orioles Won, 4-3 The Pirates have therefore won five World Series and lost two. 1909: The First Pirates Championship The 1909 Pirates won a franchise-record 110 games. The team featured perhaps the greatest player of the early 20th century, Honus Wagner. But the World Series hero was a young pitcher named Babe Adams. Adams went 12-3 during the regular season and then won three games in the World Series against Detroit, including the deciding Game 7. 1925: The Great Comeback The 1925 Pirates defeated the Washington Senators. Pittsburgh fell behind three games to one but won the final three games to take the championship. The comeback included a remarkable Game 7 victory against legendary pitcher Walter Johnson. The 1925 club included future Hall of Famers Pie Traynor, Kiki Cuyler, Max Carey and Rabbit Maranville. 1960: Mazeroski’s Home Run If you ask baseball fans to name the most famous Pirates moment, many will immediately mention Bill Mazeroski. The 1960 World Series was dominated by the powerful Yankees in several games. New York won Games 2, 3 and 6 by a combined score of 38-3. Yet Pittsburgh kept winning the games that… Continue reading HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH PIRATES
