One of Major League Baseball’s most illustrious teams is the Pittsburgh Pirates. They actually played in the American Association for five seasons prior to joining the National League in 1887.
The Pirates were once a dominant team with some of the best hitters in baseball history, but the current iteration of the team has struggled in the National League Central and has only made it to the postseason three times since the 1993 season began.
In their lengthy existence, the Pirates have won five World Series. Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell led them to comeback seven-game victory over the Baltimore Orioles in 1971 and 1979, respectively.
When Bill Mazeroski blasted a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of the seventh game against Mickey Mantle and the formidable New York Yankees, the 1960 Pirates pulled off what may have been the most spectacular World Series victory in the Fall Classic’s history. The seventh and final game ended on a game-winning home run for the only time in the event’s history.
It should come as no surprise that this team has produced a number of outstanding players over the years. This article examines the top ten players to have ever donned a Pirates uniform.
Roberto Clemente, 1955-1972
Among the greatest baseball players in history was Roberto Clemente. He was also a great humanitarian who died in 1972 while attempting to provide food and emergency relief supplies to the Nicaraguan people after a severe earthquake.
Clemente was a fantastic all-around talent who had led the Pirates for many years. He performed the five traits that distinguished the best players in the history of the game and on-field genius. Clemente was able to toss, run, field, and hit with force.
Many individuals were frequently in awe of Clemente because of the latter group. He could have had the greatest outfield arm in the game’s history. on the 1971 World Series, he demonstrated his proficiency on that field. In the seventh game in Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, Clemente hit a game-winning home run against the Orioles, carrying the Pirates on his shoulders and winning MVP of the World Series.
Months after his untimely death, Clemente was voted to the Hall of Fame in 1973. He was a 15-time All-Star, a 12-time Gold Glove winner, a four-time batting champion, and the National League MVP.
He concluded his career with 3,000 hits, a .317 batting average, 240 home runs and 1,305 runs batted in.
His MVP season came in 1966 when he batted .317 with 28 home runs and 119 RBI.
Willie Stargell, 1962-1982
Willie Stargell led the Pirates and was a powerful batter. He had only played ten games with the Pirates when he joined them in 1962, just a few years after the team’s historic World Series victory over the Yankees.
Two years later, Stargell built a name for himself as a regular, and his incredible strength made him a constant on the team. He was renowned for hitting the ball a startling distance and for his extraordinary strength. Baseball fans still reminisce about his big home runs at Dodger Stadium and Jarry Park in Montreal, which was the original home of the Montreal Expos, now known as the Washington Nationals.
In 1988, Stargell was voted into the Hall of Fame. In addition to winning the National League MVP Award in 1979, he was voted within the top three three times. He was the MVP of the 1979 Series and a member of the club that won the 1971 World Series. Like Clemente, he hit a home run in the game’s deciding seventh inning, which was played in Baltimore on the road. Stargell was named an All-Star seven times.
Stargell received the respect he had long deserved thanks to his leadership on the ’79 team, which was noted for its “We Are Family” concept, which was inspired by the Sister Sledge hit song.
Barry Bonds, 1986-1992
During his first seven years with the Bucs, the controversial Barry Bonds set the tone for his stellar career, even though he is more famous as a member of the San Francisco Giants.
Although Bonds leads Major League Baseball in home runs, his contentious career has been tainted by allegations of drug use. His all-around skill, which shown throughout his early Pirates tenure, is undeniable, though. He was among the best five-tool players in the game’s history, which began in Pittsburgh.
With the Pirates, he took home two of his seven Most Valuable Player Awards. Bonds had a stellar 1992 season, hitting.311/.456/.624 with 34 home runs, 103 RBI, and 39 stolen bases.
Bonds, the Godson of the legendary Willie Mays and the son of former San Francisco Giant Bobby Bonds, was renowned for his skill at the plate and his dominance on the field.
Honus Wagner, 1897-1917
Perhaps the greatest infielder the sport has ever known, Honus Wagner carried the Pirates on his back from 1897 through 1917.
Wagner played first base and right field during his career, but his primary position was shortstop. During his career, he earned eight batting titles and was admitted into the first class of the Hall of Fame in 1936.
With 3,420 hits, including 643 doubles, 252 triples, 101 home runs, and 1,732 RBI, “The Flying Dutchman” concluded his career with a lifetime batting average of.328.
From 1899 to 1909, he never hit below.330 and had a career-high batting average of.381 in 1900.
Dave Parker, 1973-1983
Dave Parker holds a key role on the Pittsburgh Pirates as a result of his outstanding leadership legacy. He joined the Pirates soon after Clemente’s untimely death, and throughout most of his time with the Pirates, he worked alongside Stargell to keep the team at or close to the top of the National League.
For six years, from 1975 to 1980, Parker was perhaps the best player in baseball and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously in 2025.
Parker earned the MVP Award in 1978, was the first Home Run Derby champion, a 7-time All-Star, a 3-time Gold Glove winner, a two-time batting champion and a 3-time Silver Slugger.
He helped the Pirates with the ’79 World Series and later helped the Oakland A’s sweep the ’89 World Series.
Ralph Kiner, 1946-1952
In his heyday, Ralph Kiner was one of the National League’s best home run hitters and one of the finest sluggers in Pirates history.
He also played for the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs after leaving the Pirates.
He had a 51-home run season in 1947 and a 54-home run season in 1949, and he hit 40 or more home runs in five straight seasons with the Pirates.
After his playing days ended, the Hall of Famer, a six-time All-Star, would have a great career as a play-by-play commentator for the New York Mets.
Al Oliver, 1968-1977
During his tenure with the Pirates, Al Oliver was one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball.
His ability to slash the ball to all fields made his superb left-handed swing on par with those of Rod Carew and Tony Oliva.
Oliver had 1,490 hits and 717 RBI at the end of his Pirates career, with a.296 career average. He was a seven-time All-Star and a member of the 1971 World Championship squad.
After leaving Pittsburgh, “AO” played for six other teams, including the Texas Rangers for four seasons.
Andrew McCutchen, 2009-2017, 2023-present
Despite the fact that the Pirates have not fared well in the present age, Andrew McCutchen has been the epitome of elegance, dignity, and skill on the field.
For the first seven years of his career, McCutchen was a dynamic performer. When he hit.317/.404/.508 with 21 home runs, 84 RBI, and 27 stolen bases in 2013, he was named MVP.
A five-time All-Star, he has received the Roberto Clemente Award, four Silver Sluggers, and a Gold Glove.
Andy Van Slyke, 1987-1994
Andy Van Slyke was one of the game’s best defensive outfielders and he was also a big-time offensive contributor during his run with the Pirates.
Van Slyke, a talented centerfielder for the Bucs, began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He received two Silver Slugger Awards, five Gold Gloves, and three All-Star selections.
With a.288 average, 23 doubles, a league-high 15 triples, 25 home runs, 100 RBI, and 30 stolen bases, he had an outstanding 1988 season.
Bill Mazeroski, 1956-1972
The World Series-winning home run that Bill Mazeroski hit off Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry at Forbes Field stands out as his best moment.
Throughout his lengthy career, he was a vital member of the Pirates and a superb defensive second baseman.
Mazeroski was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001 and he was a 10-time All-Star. He played on both the 1960 and 1971 World Series winning teams and he won 8 Gold Glove Awards during his career.
Leave a Reply