1909 Pittsburgh Pirates

pirates generic

The 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates arrive into the Great Teams Season carrying a 110-42 record, a World Series victory over the Detroit Tigers, and the highest winning percentage of any team to ever win the fall classic. The Pirates are led by first class Hall of Famer Honus Wagner who, in 1909, led the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and RBI’s. In the year that saw the Pirates first play at Forbes Field, the 1909 Bucs are looking to destroy all comers and be crowned champions once again.

Starters:

C: George Gibson
1B: Bill Abstein
2B: Dots Miller
SS: Honus Wagner
3B: Jap Barbeau
OF: Tommy Leach
OF: Fred Clarke
OF: Chief Wilson

4 Man Starting Rotation

Vic Willis
Howie Camnitz
Nick Maddox
Lefty Leifield

GTS-1946 Boston Red Sox at 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates

Jordy Mercer

1946 Boston Red Sox-4
2013 Pittsburgh Pirates-5

Both pitchers got off to a rough start with the Red Sox scoring three runs in the first two innings and the Pirates scoring three in the bottom of the 1st. From there on out both starters settled down, but Pittsburgh remained one step ahead throughout the game. A leadoff homer by Jordy Mercer in the 4th put the Buccos up by one until the top of the 6th when a Wagner single for the Red Sox tied up the game until the bottom of the inning when a Russell Martin hit gave Pittsburgh the lead 5-4. The final three frames saw goose eggs for both teams and the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates took the final game of Interleague Play and the league competition 9 games to 7. The Pirates scored 5 runs on 9 hits with 1 error while the Sox came up short with 4 runs on 8 hits and zero errors. Jordy Mercer takes star distinction going 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, a homer, and an RBI. Looking to bounce back from the defeat, Boston will take on the 1962 Dodgers in a game that sees both teams tied for 7 place at the moment.

Notes: Played at Soothing Meadows on 26 Feb 2019.

GTS-1992 Pittsburgh Pirates at 2001 Seattle Mariners

Brett Boone

1992 Pittsburgh Pirates-4
2001 Seattle Mariners-7

The Mariners, who have struggled thus far offensively this season, tallied 10 hits on their way to a 7-4 victory against the 1992 Pirates. Seattle struck first in the 1^st with a run and added single run innings in the 4^th and 5^th as well, but Pittsburgh fought back with a run in the 4^th, two in the 5^th, and another in the 6^th to lead the game 4-3 going into the bottom of the 7^th. A leadoff walk by Suzuki started a Mariners rally thanks to a base hit from McLemore and two errors on the Bucs that saw Pittsburgh give up three runs and the game in the inning. Seattle added another run in the following frame and shut down the Pirates with four strikeouts in the final two innings. Bret Boone is named the game’s star going 2 for 4 with two doubles, two runs, and an RBI in the 5^th. Seattle improves their record to 4-2 and sit in 5^th place with 7 runs on 10 hits and 2 errors. The Pirates came up short with 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 errors as well. In Round 6 the Mariner hope to keep their bats alive as they take on the 11^th place Indians.

Notes: Played at Soothing Meadows on 25 Jan 19.

GTS-1954 Cleveland Indians at 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates

Al Rosen

1954 Cleveland Indians-3
1991 Pittsburgh Pirates-6

In the classic matchup of Cleveland versus Pittsburgh, the 1991 Pirates accept the victory. Despite Al Rosen of the Indians taking home player of the game honors going 4 for 3 and only a triple short of the cycle, the rest of the Cleveland roster could only manage 2 hits among them. The Buccos only managed one extra base hit the entire game, but took advantage of a Strickland error in the 3^rd, strung together a walk and four singles for 3 runs in the 4^th, and added 2 runs in the 6^th from a Jay Bell triple. Twenty game winner John Smiley takes the win after the Pittsburgh offense gets 9 hits for 6 runs and an error. The Indians put 3 runs on the board, all from Rosen, 5 hits, and giving up the previously mentioned error from Strickland. The 1954 Cleveland Indians stand in 11^th place and take on the 2001 Seattle Mariners in round 6.

GTS-1990 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1942 St. Louis Cardinals

Andy Van Slyke

1990 Pittsburgh Pirates-5
1942 St. Louis Cardinals-4

The strength throughout the season for the Cardinals has always been their never say die attitude. You cannot keep them down for long as they have a unique ability to stay in every contest and oftentimes snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Sadly for them, despite a solid comeback, they could not get the W in this one. The 1990 Pirates got off to an early 1 run lead in the top of the 1^st before the Cards came back and tied it in the bottom of the 2^nd. The Bucs added 2 more runs in the 6^th and the 7^th before St. Louis battled back again with a 2 run pinch hit triple by Walker. In the top of the 8^th, following four singles, the Pirates added 2 more runs to go up 5 to 3. Some more pinch hit majesty came from Sanders in the bottom of the 9^th as he blasted one deep to bring St. Louis within a run of sending the game to extra innings, but Pirates closer Bill Landrum closed out the game with a whiff on the following batter. Pirates Centerfielder Andy Van Slyke takes home the player of game prize going 2 for 4 with an RBI triple and scoring a run himself. The Pirates eek out a win with 5 runs on 13 hits after committing 1 error. The Cardinals lose their second game of the season and drop into 6^th place with 4 runs on 5 hits and no errors. In the next round the 1942 St. Louis Cardinals stay at home to take on the 1984 Detroit Tigers.

GTS-1906 Chicago Cubs at 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates

Willie Stargell

1906 Chicago Cubs-4
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates-5

What was expected to be an easy win by the 1979 Pirates became interesting after some Bert Blyleven fastball chin music on Cubs first baseball Frank Chance caused a bench clearing brawl in the 3^rd. When all was said and done the Pirates saw their starting pitcher, Dave Parker, and Bill Robinson ejected. The Cubs lost their starting pitcher Pfeister, the aforementioned Chance, and Joe Tinker, all three sent to the locker room for the remainder of the game. When things calmed down and with a 1 to 0 score going into the 5^th the Cubs added 3 runs off of a Schulte home run that gave the underdog Cubs a 4 to nothing lead. The Pirates looked on the verge of defeat in the 9^th inning, down 4 to 1, when a timely error by Harry Steinfeldt saw the Pirates score the eventual tying run off of a Phil Garner triple to send the game into extra innings. Both teams put up goose eggs in the 10^th, but in the bottom of the 11^th, Pittsburgh captain Willie Stargell launched an opposite field solo home run to walk off the game in style. The Cubs suffer their 5^th, most heartbreaking loss yet, and currently hold onto a weak 15^th place in the standings after 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 disappointing errors. The “We are Family” Pirates of 1979 walk off with 5 runs on 9 hits without an error. Going 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a game winning HR, Willie Stargell gives himself a Stargell star as player of the game. In the next round the Cubs face off against the 1909 Pirates.

Game Notes

Date Played: 14 Dec 2018
Venue: Soothing Meadows
Game Duration: Unknown
2B: Ed Ott
3B: Phil Garner
HR: Frank Schulte, Willie Stargell
TB: Willie Stargell (5), Frank Schulte (4), Phil Garner (4), Jimmy Sheckard (3), Ed Ott (3), Tim Foli (2), Johnny Kling, Frank Chance, Orval Overall, Bill Madlock
SH: None
SF: None
IBB: None
HBP: None
With RISP: Chicago 2-10, Pittsburgh 3-6
GIDP: Doc Gessler
RBI: Frank Schulte (3), Phil Garner, Johnny Kling, Willie Stargell, Bill Madlock, Steve Nicosia
R: Willie Stargell (2), Jimmy Sheckard, Frank Schulte, Johnny Kling, Orval Overall, Bill Madlock, Phil Garner, Lee Lacy
Team LOB: Chicago-13, Pittsburgh-5
E: Harry Steinfeldt, Johnny Evers
DP: Romo-Foli-Stargell
Outfield Assists: None
PB: None
SB: None
CS: Harry Steinfeldt
Picked Off: None
Win: Grant Jackson
Loss: Orval Overall
Save: None
Balks: Enrique Romo
WP: None
HBP: None
IBB: None
Pickoffs: None
Additonal Notes: 3rd inning bench clearing brawl resulted in the following ejections: Bert Blyleven, Frank Chance, Bill Robinson, Joe Tinker, Dave Parker, and Jack Pfeister

GTS-1975 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1962 Los Angeles Dodgers

Ron Perranoski

1975 Pittsburgh Pirates-3
1962 Los Angeles Dodgers-4

How the Dodgers pulled this one out I will never know. The 1975 Pirates dominated in every facet of the game except the scoreboard and, despite a valiant attempt, came up a single run short of victory. With an RBI single from Roseboro and a 2 RBI base hit to left from Maury Wills, the Dodgers took an early 3 run lead in the 2^nd. Despite solid pitching from Jerry Ruess of the Pirates, Los Angeles added a fourth run in the 6^th. The Pirates attempted the comeback, scoring runs in the 6^th, 7^th and 9^th, but ultimately failed in their attempt when, with runners on second and third, Manny Sanguillen grounded out to short to end the game. With their victory the Dodgers improve their record to 3 and 3 and move into ??? place. Los Angeles scored 4 runs on only 5 hits without an error while the 1975 Pirates could only put up 3 runs on 13 hits and no errors. Despite giving up a run, Ron Perranoski is named player of the game thanks to earning the save in spite of the Buccos comeback. Round 6 sees the 1962 Dodgers facing off against the 1946 Red Sox.

GTS-1909 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1974 Pittsburgh Pirates

Honus Wagner

1909 Pittsburgh Pirates-4
1974 Pittsburgh Pirates-3

In the 50^th game of the Great Teams Season, two Pirates teams separated by 65 years battled it out in an exciting contest. The 1974 Pirates looked primed to take the game after an RBI single from Willie Stargell in the 1^st, an RBI double in the 4^th from Taveras, and another RBI single in the 5^th from Richie Hebner. Down 3 to 2 in the top of the 9^th, the 1909 Bucs saw a leadoff single from Fred Clarke start a comeback that ended with RBI singles from Dots Miller and Chief Wilson to put Pirates of the first decade of the 20^th century on top 4-3 before a fly out to right ended their half of the inning. With runners on first and third with 2 outs in the bottom of the inning, Babe Adams secured himself a win after Al Oliver groundout to Honus Wagner to end the game. Wagner closed out the game and also takes player of the game distinction going 2 for 3 with 2 RBI’s, a double, a triple, and scoring the winning run. The 1909 Pirates take the victory with 4 runs on 10 hits and 1 error and move back into 4^th place in the standings. The 1974 Pirates lose with 3 runs on 9 hits without an error. In Round 6 the 1909 Pirates take on the 1906 Cubs in a dead ball era battle.

GTS-1972 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1975 Cincinnati Reds

Bob Moose

1972 Pittsburgh Pirates-13
1975 Cincinnati Reds-1

In what was expected to be one of the most exciting matchups in interleague play, the 1975 Reds took on their 1970’s playoff rival Pirates. Defeating them in both the 1972 and 1975 NLCS, the Reds expected a hard fought game, but with a victorious outcome. Sadly, they were mistaken as the 1972 Pirates routed the Big Red Machine, 13-1. With the exception of the pitcher, every Pirate scored a run during the game thanks to a 3 run 4^th, a 2 run 9^th, and a devastating 8 run 7^th for which Cincinnati could not answer. Three Pirates hitters tallied 3 hits apiece, Richie Hebner led the team with 4 RBI’s and Roberto Clemente scored 3 runs himself. The only standout for the Reds was first baseman Tony Perez who went 4 for 4 with a double. With all of the offense on display from the Bucs it was difficult to pick a single standout player, but Pirates pitcher Bob Moose earns the honor pitching a complete game while surrendering 1 run on 6 hits and accounting for 12 strikeouts. The Reds drop to ??? place with a record of 2 and 4 after putting up 1 run, 6 hits, no errors, and suffering an embarrassing loss. The 1972 Pirates scored 13 runs on 15 hits without an error. The 1975 Reds try to get back into the season as they take on the 1-5 Twins in Round 6.

GTS-1962 San Francisco Giants at 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates

Steve Blass

1962 San Francisco Giants-1
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates-6

For a team averaging 6.4 runs a game so far this season, the 1962 Giants looked deflated as they faced off against Steve Blass and the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates. Managing only 1 run on a Tom Haller home run in the 7^th inning, the Giants sat back and watched as the Pirates score 3 runs in the 3^rd from a Dave Cash ground out to third and a Willie Stargell 2 run home run just over the fence in right field. Dave Cash added another RBI from a 1 out double in the 5^th and Manny Sanguillen blasted a 2 RBI triple to center field in the 8^th to account for the Pirates’ fifth and sixth runs. Pirates’ pitcher Steve Blass went 8 innings giving up 1 run on 7 hits with 8 strikeouts and is awarded player of the game. The 1962 Giants scored 1 run on 7 hits with 1 error while the Bucs score 6 runs on 9 hits with no errors. The 1962 now stand at 2-4 and currently drop into 12th place. Things do not get easier for them as they take on the 1^st place Mets in Round 6.