When the Bucs Were Really Black and Gold

The Pirates introduced the knit uni with the opening of TRS in 1970 (click for ESPN's Paul Lukas story). The reached their height of MLB chic from 1977-79 with the unveiling of the mix-and-match outfits (striped, yellow, black) and the black pillbox hat, which outlasted the knits and was sported by Buccos until 1986. The cap's Stargell stars became famous, although when the Pirates tried to reinstate them in 2013, the league stepped on them because of licensing issues. And they call pro football the "No Fun" league!

While the uniforms remain iconic among baseball buffs, not everyone was enthralled by them. John Candelaria claimed that the all-yellow version "Made me look like a big canary." C'est la vie; they remain the most memorable Bucco outfit ever donned.

The Big Canary (photo via SABR)