A Checkered Past For The Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been in the National League since 1887. During their existence the Pirates have had some of the greatest players in baseball history suit up for them. Honus Wagner, Paul Waner, Pie Traynor, Lloyd Waner, Bill Mazeroski, Ralph Kiner, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Andy Van Slyke, Barry Bonds (before the Clear & Cream), & Andrew McCutchen are a few of their past greats. However these great players have not resulted in team success. In their 134 year existence the Pirates have only appeared in seven World Series.
- 1903 Pittsburgh Pirates 3 Boston Americans 5 (Best of 9 in those days)
- 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates 4 Detroit Tigers 3 (Pirate pitchers held Ty Cobb to a series .231 Batting Average)
- 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates 4 Washington Senators 3 (Pirates beat Walter Johnson in Game 7)
- 1927 Pittsburgh Pirates 0 New York Yankees 4 (Murderers’ Row Yankees)
- 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates 4 New York Yankees 3 (Bill Mazeroski made Mickey Mantle cry with a game 7 walk-off home run)
- 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates 4 Baltimore Orioles 3 (Roberto Clemente hit .414 for the series)
- 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates 4 Baltimore Orioles 3 (Phil Garner hit .500 with 12 hits in the series)
Since 1979 the Pirates have appeared in the post season in 1990, 1991, 1992, 2013, 2014, & 2015. The farthest they advanced has been the National League Championship Series in 1990, 1992, & 1993. In their last two playoff appearances in 2014 & 2015 they’ve lost in the Wildcard Game without scoring a single run.
2020 A Season Best Forgotten in Pittsburgh
In 2020 The Pittsburgh Pirates finished with the worst record in the Major Leagues as they only won 19 out of 60 games. Their team Batting Average last season was a woeful .220 and their team ERA was a mediocre 4.68. Their closer Richard Rodriguez actually led the team in wins (that should be a stat never seen in baseball) with a grand total of three (yes, I really said 3). It’s also been rumored that Rodriguez is presently on the trading block.
The Hope for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021 is Youth
Even with the recent acquisition of Todd Frazier the Pirates in 2021 will be one of the youngest teams in baseball. Not counting the aforementioned Frazier the only non-pitcher over 30 years old expected to be on the Pirates roster this season is catcher Jacob Stallings who is 31 and didn’t appear in the Majors until he was 26.
Perhaps the Pirates potential brightest star is Ke’Bryan Hayes (pictured above) who is expected to start at 3rd base. Last season (his first in the Majors) Hayes batted .376 with 5 Home Runs and 11 RBI’s in 24 games. While nobody anticipates him batting .376 again (he’s never hit .300 before except in Rookie Ball) he just turned 24 in January and the Pirates are expecting him to be a solid Major Leaguer for a long time.
Alternative Fantasy Baseball – Pittsburgh Pirates Under 62.5 2021 WINS
I believe the Pirates and their young roster will struggle in 2021. The Pirates are also in a Division with the Cubs, Cardinals, Reds, and Brewers each of whom could improve this season. So unless a lot of youngsters step up batting and pitching this season could be a long one in Pittsburgh. However it will give Management time to evaluate their youngsters over a full season of action (instead of last year’s 60 game abbreviated season) which could bode well for future Pirate teams. For 2021 we are predicting the Pirates will finish under 62.5 Wins.
StatementGames gives Pittsburgh Pirate fans and Major League Baseball fans a chance to play Fantasy Baseball days before the season starts. We invite all readers to try our MLB OVER / UNDER wins total tournament!
To play this alternative form of Fantasy Baseball – log into www.statementgames.com and join the 2021 MLB OVER / UNDER WINS Total Tournament.
- Review a list of all MLB teams and their OVER / UNDER WIN Total Odds
- Select 10 OVER / UNDER WIN Total Props
- Rank your picks in order of confidence from 10 Through 1
- Play in leagues of 8-12 MLB fans
- At the conclusion of 2021 MLB Season – the individual with the most points from correct picks WINS.
- FREE 2 Play – Play for CREDITS that can be exchanged for CASH REWARDS.
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