9/8 Through the 1960s: 3XRoberto, Sweeps, Garms Flex, Earl & Jimmy's Streaks, 2-for-1, Game Days, Fred Retires, HBD Jimmy, Jim, Frank, Foy, Buck, Val, Rosie & Russ

1852 - OF Russ McKelvy was born in Swissvale. The local lad was on the Alleghenys first roster in 1877 when they were a member of the minor league International Association (the Alleghenys carried just 12 players and all of them made it to the majors) before moving on to the Indianapolis Blues. That move made McKelvy the first ballplayer from Allegheny College to make it to the show (Glenn Beckert of the Cubs/Padres and Josh Sharpless of the Pirates later joined him). He then spent a year with the short-lived NL Indianapolis Blues, and then Josh’s minor league record goes MIA (it seems he played in the local leagues, possibly as a semi-pro player), but he did get one more shot in the majors. His old club, the Alleghenys, now a big-league team in the American Association, played him on August 24th, 1882. Russ started in right field and went 0-for-4, taking his final bow in the show. He shuffled off to Omaha after that where he became a successful businessman and civic mover.

1875 - LHP Eli “Rosie” Rosebraugh was born in Charleston, Illinois. Out of Oberlin College, he tossed briefly for Pittsburgh in 1898-99, working six games (four starts) with an 0-3/4.55 line. Eli, also known as Zeke (his middle name was Ezekiel although he later used Ethelbert) or Rosie, then spent the following campaign in Ohio, tossing for Dayton, Mansfield and Youngstown in the Interstate League. His trail grew cold after that until he shot himself at the age of 54.

1886 - Alleghenys’ manager Horace Phillips decided to go against tradition and schedule a doubleheader at Recreation Park with one admission price; before this date, twin bills had been separate day-night games with stand-alone tickets. It wasn’t an artistic success, with the Alleghenys of the American Association getting whipped by 8-4 and 6-2 scores by the St. Louis Browns. But the Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette noted that “...every chimney top, roof, telegraph pole and fence within seeing distance of the diamond seemed to be covered with human beings” as the single ducat (and maybe the lure of the Great Western Band performing before and between the games) drew a then-record Pittsburgh crowd of 11,000 fans to the park and helped usher in an era of regularly scheduled doubleheaders that lasted for decades. The gathering was so large that the paper tipped its cap to the Allegheny skipper, adding “...it certainly proved to be one of the best experiments Manager Phillips has tried, from a financial point of view.” 

1896 - C Val Picinich was born in New York City. Picinich caught for 18 seasons, never cracking the 100-game mark in any one of them. Though he was mostly a caddy, during his five-year stint with the Senators he was Walter Johnson’s personal battery mate, catching all but two of his starts. Val finished his career with Pirates in 1933 at the age of 37 when the Bucs were looking for some relief for regular catcher Earl Grace, who was battling nagging injuries. He hit .250 in 16 games to end his career. Picinich retired to become a chicken farmer after a couple of shots at managing in the minors, then worked in a shipyard.

Jimmy Williams - 1900 team photo clip

1899 - Pittsburgh's 3B Jimmy Williams, who had just set a MLB rookie record by hitting in 26 consecutive games, ran his franchise-record string to 27 games before he was stopped by Deacon Phillippe of Louisville, who also ended Williams’ May/June 26-game run, as Louisville won 5-3. Deacon joined the Pirates a year later, much to William’s relief. Kenny Lofton (2003) and Danny O'Connell (1953) also strung together 26 game streaks to hold down the second spot with Jimmy. (The longest Corsair streak was 30 games by Charlie Grimm, but it was over two seasons, 1921-22). His big league rookie mark lasted until 1987, when it was bested by Benito Santiago. Williams also set the Bucco high water mark for RBIs by a rookie with 116, later matched by Maurice Van Robays in 1940. He also banged out 27 triples, still an MLB rookie record.

1905 - As written by the Pittsburgh Press “(Cincinnati pitcher) Charlie Chech was touched up for fifteen safeties, including six two-baggers, and allowed eight bases on balls, but still the Pirates could get but three little runs out of all that swatfest” as Pittsburgh lost 8-3 to the Reds at Exposition Park. The Bucs stranded a National League record 18 men in the loss.

1907 - 1B Walter “Buck” Leonard was born in Rocky Mount, NC. He played 15 years for the Homestead Grays (1934-48), batting ahead of Josh Gibson, and the pair were often likened to Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. The Grays won nine consecutive Negro National League pennants (1937-1945) with the Thunder Twins in the middle of the order. Leonard finished his Grays’ career with a .320 BA and was selected to the HoF. In 1994, when the All-Star Game was held in Pittsburgh, the then 88-year-old Leonard was named an Honorary Captain.

1908 - Howie Camnitz tossed a five-hitter with seven whiffs and made two first-inning runs chased home by Honus Wagner stand up as the Bucs swept a four-game set from St. Louis at Exposition Park, 2-0. The Pirates set a MLB record v the Cards by posting only two assists in the field, both by 2B Charlie Starr. 

1908 - OF Foy Frazier was born in Fresno, California, and his tale was uncovered by John Drecker of Pittsburgh Baseball History. Foy’s only big league time was with the Bucs in 1930, and it was hardly any time at all - he broke camp with the team, was sent down in early May and recalled in late July. He finished the campaign with Pittsburgh, but never saw one minute on the field (The Buccos rostered nine outfielders that year, not counting Frazier). He spent seven years playing on the farm, mostly in the Pacific Coast League, retiring after the 1932 campaign to become a Fresno cop.

Frank Oceak - 1960 Top's Diner

1912 - Long-time Pirate coach and minor league manager Frank Oceak was born in Pocahontas, Virginia. He was with the organization from 1942-1972 for all but one season, managing everywhere in the minors from the Class D Oil City Oilers to the AAA Columbus Clippers. Oceak also served for 10 seasons as one of Danny Murtaugh’s coaches and finished his career on Bill Virdon’s staff, with the 1960 (he’s the coach wearing #44 who’s running down the third base line with Maz) and 1971 World Series teams part of his resume.

1915 - Fred Clarke resigned as manager after leading the club to four pennants in 19 years, citing a desire for more family time (and probably nudged along by back-to-back losing seasons). He wanted to step down earlier, after the 1909 World Series campaign, but was talked out of it by owner Barney Dreyfuss. Jimmy Callahan replaced him at the helm in 1916.

1916 - RHP Jim Bagby Jr. was born in Cleveland. Jim closed out his 10-year MLB run with Pittsburgh in 1947, going 5-4/4.67. Jim, a two-time All-Star earlier in his career, joined his dad to become the first father and son combo to pitch in the World Series when Jim Jr. appeared for the 1946 Red Sox; Jim Sr. had appeared in the Fall Classic with the 1920 Indians. In another feather in his cap moment, Junior and Al Smith were the Cleveland pitchers who ended Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. Following his baseball days, Bagby became a pro golfer and in 1992 was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. 

1932 - C Earl Grace had his errorless streak end at 110 games. The errant throw was his only miscue of the season out of 413 chances, a NL record. He did his penance by smacking a homer but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Brooklyn Dodgers embarrassed the Pirates 12-2 at Ebbets Field. 

Earl Grace - 1933 press photo

1937 - The Bucs swept Cincinnati at Forbes Field. Pittsburgh had to score three times in the 10th inning to pull out a 7-6 win in the opener on a Tommy Padden walk-off single. The rap was an act of atonement for Padden; he threw away a bunt in the top half to allow the Reds two runs. Woody Jensen had four hits to lead Pittsburgh. The Pirates took the nightcap easily by an 8-2 count. Jensen had two more knocks to support Jack Tobin’s four-hitter.

1940 - The Pirates brought their sticks to Sportsman’s Park, taking a doubleheader from the Cardinals by 16-14 and 5-4 tallies. Pittsburgh banged two homers (Maurice Van Robays & Debs Garms), and triple and seven doubles (two by Frankie Gustine) to overcome Johnny Mize’s three homers to take the opener. The Pirates scored five in the shortened five inning nitecap, tallying three times in the last frame for the win. Bob Elliott and Arky Vaughan went 4-for-6 in tandem, with a double, two triples and all five RBI, driving in Garms, who went 3-for-3 with two doubles, three times before darkness ended the second game.

1954 - SS Jimmy Smith (not to be confused with Greenfield Jimmy Smith) was born in Santa Monica, California. After six years in the minors with Baltimore and the Mets, he was purchased by the Bucs in 1981. After a year at Portland, the 28-year-old spent the 1982 campaign as the Pirates back-up shortstop to Dale Berra and pinch-runner, batting .238. He played in the White Sox org at AAA Denver the following year before hangin’ up the spikes. 

1958 - Roberto Clemente tied a modern day record (post 1920) held by many with three triples against Cincinnati at Forbes Field, leading the Pirates to a 4-1 win. He was stranded after the first three-bagger, thrown out at home trying for an inside-the-park HR after the second, and finally scored after the third when Dick Stuart singled him home. Curt Raydon got the win, his last in MLB, and banged out his only major league hit in 49 plate appearances. Arm troubles kept him out of the majors following a solid 8-4/3.62 debut, and he called it quits following the 1961 campaign after treading water in the minors for three seasons. Roberto and Raydon snapped a five-game winning streak of the Reds and with the victory, Pittsburgh finished 12-10 v Cincy, their first winning record against the Reds since 1949.

9/8 From 1960: Cobra & Jose Slams, Scoop Swats, Game Days, Lonnie & Ramon Go, Bonds POTW, SI Cutch, HBD Gerrit & Mike

1960 - A special meeting of the County Commissioners set the estimated date for a new North Side stadium for 1964 after talks with the railroad to relocate its yards, with an estimated price tag of $18M. That was just a little off; it took until 1970 for TRS to open, and the bill was $55M.

1966 - RHP Mike Dyer was born in Upland, California. He spent the middle of his four-year MLB tenure with the Pirates in 1994-95, getting a lot of work in the second campaign (55 appearances, 74+ IP) but put up a disappointing line of 5-6-4/4.60 as too few K’s and too many BBs took their toll. Mike got one more chance with Montreal in 1996, put up another so-so slash and that ended his big league run, with his last year (2000) spent in the indie leagues.

1967 - The Pirates and Cardinals were in frustration mode, combining for 23 hits and 13 walks while stranding 25 runners and going 2-for-24 with RISP. But they put together a pretty interesting ballgame at Forbes Field, with the Bucs taking a 10-inning 4-3 decision from the Redbirds. Trailing 3-1 going into the seventh, Manny Jimenez doubled Billy Maz home to cut the lead to one and then Gene Alley tied it in the eighth, doubling home Roberto Clemente. Pittsburgh left the bases loaded in the ninth and the Cards stranded a pair in the 10th. Alley was the hero again in the Pittsburgh half. He led off with a triple and two intentional walks loaded the bases before Maury Wills singled to give Bruce Dal Canton the win.

1968 - Bob Veale outdueled the Mets Tom Terrific at Forbes Field, scattering six hits in a 3-0 Bucco victory. His main support came from an unlikely source - 33-year-old Jose Pagan, batting just .212, banged a solo homer and singled home Donn Clendenon, whose triple had plated Willie Stargell, to push the attack.

Jose Martinez - 1970 Topps

1969 - The Bucs fell behind 2-0 in the first against Montreal at Jarry Park and it stayed that way for most of the chilly night. The Pirates warmed up just in time, plating an unearned run in the eighth and scoring five times in the ninth to rally past the Expos, 6-4. A single, intentional walk and two errors tied the game for Pittsburgh and loaded the bases for rookie utilityman Jose Martinez, who entered the game as a pinch runner and stayed to play short. He banged his first (and only) big league homer into the left field seats to give Chuck Hartenstein the win, with Bruce Dal Canton picking up the save. Gene Alley stretched his hitting streak to 21 games; it reached 22 before the Cards ended his run.

1971 - Steve Blass provided the arm and Al Oliver the muscle as the Bucs rolled over the Cub 10-1 at TRS for their ninth win in 10 games. Blass tossed a complete game six-hitter while Scoops drove in the first four runs - he had five RBI on the night with three hits, including a homer and double - as the Pirates whittled their magic number against the Cards down to 13.

1974 - Dave Parker broke up a tight game with an eighth-inning grand slam off Tom Walker (yep, Neil’s dad; he pitched in six MLB campaigns for five different teams, although never for the Pirates) as the Bucs beat the Montreal Expos 8-2 at TRS. It was the Cobra’s only at-bat; he came in as a pinch hitter for Frank Taveras. Jim Rooker tossed a six-hitter for the win. It marked the Pirates sixth straight victory and 25th win in the past 31 games.

1976 - 35-year-old LHP Ramon Hernandez, who was dangled on waivers after being a Bucco backend bullpen mainstay since 1971, had his contract sold to the Chicago Cubs. He was on his way out the MLB door; the Cubs traded him to the Red Sox and he was released in 1977.

Ramon Hernandez - 1976 Topps

1988 - The Pirates fell into a September swoon that continued at TRS with a 5-4 loss to Montreal despite Barry Bonds homering on the first pitch as the Bucs leadoff guy. But the fans never gave up on their 85-win (NL East runnerup to the Mets) Buccos, breaking the 1960 attendance record when 1,707,481 rooters spun the turnstiles (1,866,713 was the season-ending total). The record was short lived; the 1990 playoff team became the first Pirates club to draw over 2M fans. 

1990 - RHP Gerrit Cole was born in Newport Beach, California. The UCLA grad was selected by the Pirates with the first overall selection in the 2011 MLB Draft and signed to an $8M bonus minutes before the deadline. He made his debut in the show on June 11th, 2013, going 6-1/3 IP to beat the Giants, 8-2, and found a home in 2020 tossing for the Yankees after being traded to Houston in early 2018 for RHP Joe Musgrove, 3B Colin Moran, RHP Michael Feliz and OF Jason Martin. In five years, he posted a Pirates slash of 57-42/3.50.

1992 - OF Barry Bonds was named the NL Player of the Week. He went 7-for-14 with four homers and 13! walks, scoring 10 runs and chasing home seven Buccos while swiping two sacks. BB had an OBP of .741, reaching base 20 times in 27 appearances. He continued to be hot by collecting three hits, including a homer, on the same day his award was announced to lead the Pirates to a 5-3 win over Chicago and a streak of six wins in seven games.

1993 - OF Lonnie Smith (.286, six HR) was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for PTBNL: OF/1B Stanton Cameron and LHP Terry Farrar. Smith, who the Bucs had signed in January for $1M, did next to nothing for the O’s and was out of baseball after the 1994 season while the Bird’s duo were both playing indie ball by 1996.

Lonnie Smith - 1993 Upper Deck

1998 - Things looked bad for the Buccos; after four innings at TRS, it was already 7-0 in favor of Milwaukee. But the Pirates pen was stellar, spinning five innings of two-hit, seven-K work in relief of Francisco Cordova and allowed the bats time to warm up. Pittsburgh tallied a pair in the fifth and then got serious in the seventh, scoring four times (Emil Brown’s two-out, bases-loaded double was the big blow) to make it a 7-6 contest. In the eighth, a double steal put Pirates at second and third with two gone, and Jose Guillen’s first-pitch knock sent them both home. Rick Loisell tossed a scoreless ninth to save the 8-7 win for Mike Williams.

2000 - Pittsburgh swept the Reds 7-3 and 3-1 to run their season-best winning streak to eight games at Three Rivers Stadium (it ended the next day, beginning a nine-game losing streak). Todd Ritchie won the opener and Marc Wilkins, one of seven Pirate pitchers, took the nitecap victory. Alex Hernandez had three hits on the day, including a homer and triple. Adam Hyzdu made his MLB debut in the second game, going 1-for-3 and banging out his first MLB hit, a third-inning single off Ron Villone in his first at bat.

2005 - Jason Bay hit a two-run homer with one away in the ninth frame to knot the count after Arizona scored three times in their half to take a 7-5 lead. The Bucs took advantage when Humberto Cota delivered a walk-off single in the 12th inning to score Rob Mackowiak as the Pirates defeated the Diamondbacks, 8-7, at PNC Park. Nat McLouth added three hits and Rick White, Pittsburgh’s seventh pitcher, stranded a runner at third to claim the victory.

2014 - Andrew McCutchen was the cover boy on Sports Illustrated for the second time in his career. He was featured in Albert Chen’s article “Andrew McCutchen Goes Deep.” It was almost a year to the day after his first SI cover shot on September 9th, 2013. And he did go deep 25 times in ‘14.

2015 - In the first game of a doubleheader against the Reds, Aramis Ramirez made his first career start at first base. Before that, A-Ram had played 18 seasons and 2,096 games at third base and nowhere else other than DH or pinch hitter. He lasted six innings, going 3-for-3 in the field and later appeared at first base four more times during the campaign.

Weekly Report: Winning Series Streak, Konnor Back, Calls Up & Down & All Around, Jared & Paul Win, Pirates HoF, Khristian's 1st Win

September already...?

Pirates Stuff:

• To open Tuesday's homestand, the Pirates called up LHP Brian Eisert from Indy and added C Christian Bethancourt from the taxi squad as the roster additions for September. The club moved Endy Rodriguez from the 10-day IL to the 60-day list so that Bethancourt had a 40-man roster spot. The moves lasted until Friday when Bethancourt was DFA'ed so SS Konnor Griffin could return to action and Eisert was returned to Indy with RHP Isaac Mattson getting the call up.

Konnor - 9/4/2026 photo Pirates

• On Sunday, the Bucs recalled OF Ronny Simon, who has been on fire since returning to Indy, and optioned UT Nick Yorke back.
• For a team hyped to be deep in catching, the Bucs are casting their net far and wide for backstops. They just signed 29-year-old Jose Herrera, who in 187 games for Arizona from 2022-25 had hit .200.
• No, it never ends: The Bucs recalled RHP Khristian Curtis when RHP Kirby Yates was placed on the 15-day IL (right shoulder impingement), retroactive to Monday (8/31). The club also brought up RHP Wilber Dotel and optioned LHP Evan Sisk to Indy.
• SS Konnor Griffin got in a rehab game for Altoona, then reported to Pittsburgh on Monday and was off to join Indy at Toledo on Tuesday. On Friday, he was placed back on the active roster after having been out since July 5 with a finger injury.
• After being waived by the Twins, the Pirates signed 26-year-old Kyler Fedko to a minor-league deal. Fedko, 26, is a Vincentian Academy grad whose dad is John Fedko of "Fedko Zone" fame; Kyler chose Pittsburgh because it was a chance to come home. He debuted for Minny this year after hitting .272/25 HR for AAA St. Paul in '25-'26 but had pretty serious ligament damage in August, and after surgery will spend most of 2027 on the IL.

Jared Jones back in Victory Lane - image Sportsnet.Pgh

• Overdue weekend: Jared Jones hadn't started a game that ended up in a Pirates win since July 18, a stretch of seven starts. Paul Skenes joined him, winning for the first time since July 19, also over seven starts.
• John Candelaria, Wilbur Cooper and Jack Wilson were inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame on Thursday evening with jackets, speechifying and a free meal, then honored pre-game the next night. 
• The 2027 Spring schedule was released - it gives the opponent and home/away status, but the times are still TBD.

Game Stuff:

• Paul Skenes couldn't make it through the fifth and the Pirates blew five & six run leads, but a nine-run third inning and 19 hits were enough to pull out a 13-12 win over the Giants at PNC on Tuesday night. Oneil Cruz had four hits/RBIs and Brandom Lowe homered among his four raps & scored three times. The seventh Buc pitcher, Mason Montgomery, got the dub; he's been Superman since July.

Oneil stirrin' it up - 8/30/2026 photo Pirates

• The Bucs went into overime again, but with reverse results, dropping a 5-4 contest. Bubba Chandler pitched well but a lost no-man's land bloop (twilight sky) ultimately led to a couple of runs. Carmen Mlod kept them alive with three zeroes/30 pitches, but the G-Men scored twice off Camilo Doval in the 10th; the Bucs could only push one more run home, going through a 2-for-13 w/RISP outing. 
• The Buc bullpen pitchers have become the team's ace. The six of them gave up two runs on two hits (five walks by two guys) and nine K's as Pittsburgh took another series with a 5-2 dub (Khristian Curtis' first MLB win) to close out the Bay set. Pgh only had five hits (they waited out seven walks themselves), but enough for Jared Triolo to drive in a couple and Jake Mangum to score twice (1-for-1, walk, RBI).
• Jared Jones went six three-hit, nine-K, no run innings - and left with just a 1-0 lead. But no prob; Wilber Dotel and Mason Montgomery held it with three frames of one-hit ball. Jake Mangum doubled home Konnor Griffin in the second for the only tally; KG flew around the bases and scored on a Superman dive. All in all, a pretty neat way to celebrate the Pirates Hall of Fame night.

Mason Montgomery has been aflame - August photo Sportsnet.Pgh

• Not great outings by Braxton Ashcraft - innings may be catching up to him - and Isaac Mattson as the Bucs were bonked 6-1 by the Halos. Bryan Reynolds solo homer was the Pirates attack; another lefty shut them down - they're 11-26 v LH starters.
• Paul Skenes got into the sixth, the pen was money, Henry Davis hit a solo shot, Oneil Cruz-to-Brandon Lowe-to-Davis relay gunned out a guy at home and Cruz made a nifty diving grab. The end result was the Bucs took their fourth straight series, beating LAA 1-0 again in a set that they scored a total of three runs.
• The Bucs had a holiday on Monday and then six days of labor in the Windy City, with three-gamers v the White Sox & the Cubbies.

MLB Stuff: 

• TSN is halfway through their "Greatest Players" teams with the release of The Showmen." No Buc made the squad but Cool Papa Bell, who spent five years with the Crawfords and five more with the Grays, did.

Cool Papa made the TSN roster...

• The DC Nats DFA'ed RHP Trevor Williams last week, and he got through waivers unclaimed. They released him this week, making him a free agent, and he signed with the Texas Rangers.
• The Chicago White Sox picked up OF Tommy Pham from the Phils, who had him stashed in the minors.
• RHP Tanner Rainey, who was with the Bucs for a bit last year, was DFA'ed by the Detroit Tigers.
• 29-year-old OF Dominic Fletcher, who spent most of the summer with Indy,  signed a minor league deal with the Reds. He became a free agent in mid-August after triggering a release clause with the Pirates.
• C Shawn Ross made his debut in Pittsburgh in July, was waived when the regular backstops returned and was claimed by the Mets. They just let him go, and his journey continues as Toronto claimed him.

9/7 Through the 1960s: Maz Muscles Up, Friend 1-Hitter, Sweeps, 17-of-20, Hans Six, Game Days, HBD Fred, John, Charlie & Ed

1874 - RHP Ed Poole was born in Canton, Ohio. Ed was with the Bucs off-and-on from 1900-02, going 6-4/3.22 on the hill and batting .221 with a couple of homers (he saw a little action at 2B, 3B and the OF). He was sold to the Reds and lasted two more years with Cincy and Brooklyn. He became somewhat famous as the defendant in The People of New York v. Poole when he was arrested for pitching for Brooklyn on a Sunday, in violation of the state’s Blue Laws.

1879 - RHP Charlie Case was born in Smiths Landing, Ohio. Charlie had a four-year MLB career with the final three seasons (1904-06) spent in Pittsburgh, posting a line of 22-17-1/2.81, compiled mostly as a starter. Charlie worked in the minors afterward through the 1914 season and tossed a no-hitter in 1909 for the Nashville Volunteers of the Southern Association.

1883 - 1B John Flynn was born in Providence, Rhode Island. Flynn had a three-year MLB run with 1910-11 spent with the Pirates. He was solid in '10, batting .274 with 52 RBI, but faded the following campaign. John toiled in the minors during the next 15 years as a player and manager.

1891 - C Fred Blackwell was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Fred got into 35 games from 1917-19, all with the Pirates, and hit .205. His career was interrupted as he was in the service in 1918-19; 1921 was his last year of organized ball with Kansas City of the American Association.

1901 - The Pirates had their 10-game winning streak ended by Philadelphia, who was equally hot and on a nine-game undefeated string of their own, by a 5-1 count at the Baker Bowl. 20-game winner Al Orth shut down Pittsburgh on four hits in his battle against Deacon Phillippe. But the Bucs bounced back to take the next pair of games from the Phils behind Jesse Tannehill (with a Jack Chesbro save) and Sam Leever on their way to a 90-49 record and NL title. Two teams with nine-or-more game winning streaks wouldn’t clash head-on again until 2021, when the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees met.

Lefty Leifield - Harwell Collection/Detroit Public Library

1905 - In his home debut, rookie Lefty Leifield gave up three runs in the first, then settled into a groove until tiring and surrendering three more runs in the ninth frame as the Bucs rolled to an 11-7 win over the Reds at Exposition Park. Fred Clarke banged out four hits while Honus Wagner and Heinie Peitz added three apiece, with Hans swatting a double and triple.

1908 - Led by Honus Wagner’s 6-for-7 day at the plate, including five straight hits with a double, triple and sacrifice, the Pirates swept St. Louis 9-7 and 7-1 on Labor Day at Exposition Park to move to 1/2 game behind the league leading NY Giants. Sam Leever won the opener while Vic Willis scattered eight singles to claim the dub for the second match.

1925 - Pittsburgh won for the 17th time in 20 games when they defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-5 at Forbes Field in the opener of a twin bill. Kiki Cuyler went 4-for-5 with a double and triple while every Pirate in the lineup had a hit. Red Oldham gave up 15 hits, but went the distance for the win. The Cubs banged out 16 more hits in the second game to gain a 9-8 split.

1930 - For the sixth time during the season, the Pirates overcame a three-run deficit to rally past the Cubs 9-7 at Wrigley Field. It looked like the Bucs were going to do the romping, jumping out to a 3-0 lead before Chicago even got to bat, but by the fifth frame, Glenn Spencer had surrendered the lead and fallen behind, 6-3. Pittsburgh started to chip away in the seventh; they scored six times in the final three innings to outlast the Windy City club by a 9-7 finale. Paul Waner had three hits, including two triples, and drove in four runs to lead the comeback. Erv Brame, the Buccos last twirler, stranded three Cubbies over the last two innings to earn the win. The Pirates joined seven other modern era clubs that overcame a three-run hole against a single opponent in a season.  

Tommy Thevenow - 1931 Exhibits

1931 - The Pirates swept a Labor Day twinbill at Forbes Field from the Reds 6-1 and 4-3. Woody Jensen homered and was one of five Corsairs with two hits to back Larry French’s mound work in the lidlifter. The news wasn’t all good, though, as the Bucs lost SS Tommy Thevenow, who fractured his ankle in two places sliding in the sixth frame, to end his season. Pittsburgh scored three times in the eighth inning of the nightcap to sew up the double dipper when George Grantham & Tony Piet singled around Pie Traynor & Paul Waner doubles to make Erv Brame a complete-game winner. Brame had two hits and a run scored to help himself.

1940 - The Bucs scored eight runs in the eighth and three more in the ninth to rally past the Cardinals, 14-9. Arky Vaughan, Terry Moore, and Vince DiMaggio all homered as Vaughan and DiMaggio combined for seven RBI at Sportsman’s Park.

1942 - The Pirates scored 11 runs in the sixth inning, reaching safely 10 straight times with two outs to top the Cards 11-6 in the first game of a Forbes Field twin bill. The Bucs had a runner on third when the seven-hit, three-walk outburst erupted, setting the franchise mark for most runs in a frame, and Pittsburgh didn't have an inning that big again until 1992. Bud Stewart led the attack with two hits in the frame, three RBI and a pair of runs. Rip Sewell was the fortunate recipient of the big frame, leaving the game on the wrong end of a 5-0 count for a pinch hitter. Apparently the barrage wore them out - they only had three hits during the rest of the game, and then dropped the nightcap 6-4 for a Labor Day split. 

1948 - The Bucs chased Jim Hearn after two innings on the way to a 6-2 win at Forbes Field. Stan Rojek had twos across the board - two hits, two doubles, two runs, two RBI - to support Fritz Ostermueller. The game was noteworthy as it took Pittsburgh six more years on the nose and a dozen losses before they could defeat the St. Louis righty again.

Eddie Pellagrini - photo via Baseball Birthdays

1953 - The Pirates swept a twinbill for the first time during the year, beating the NY Giants 9-7 and 5-3 at the Polo Grounds. Eddie Pellagrini had four hits including a HR to back Bob Friend in the opener. Lefty LaPalme was the winner in the nitecap as the Bucs beat Jim Hearn after 12 straight defeats at his hands. His last loss to the Bucs was exactly six years ago to the day.

1955 - Bob Friend allowed only one baserunner via a fourth-inning infield single by Frank Baumholtz in a 2-0 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, striking out eight and facing just 28 batters. The righty was a one-man show; he also broke up a scoreless tie with a two-out single in the seventh, with Johnny O’Brien’s ninth-inning double adding an insurance run. For Friend, it was the highlight of his first double-digit win season with the Pirates as he finished the year 14-9/2.83 for a Pirates team that went 60-94 and finished in last place.

1962 - Bill Mazeroski hit a grand slam and drove home six runs to prime a 10-1 Bucco win against LA’s Stan Williams at Dodger Stadium. Earl Francis tossed a four-hit, complete game victory against the league-leading Dodgers. LA wasn’t totally left in the dust - with four steals, Maury Wills broke the modern NL record for stolen bases in a season with his 82nd swipe.

1969 - The Cubs were an out away from dropping the Pirates at Wrigley Field before Willie Stargell broke their hearts. With two outs and two strikes, Pops banged a homer off Phil Regan to knot the score and two innings later claimed a 7-5 victory when a two-out Cubbie boot led to a pair of Bucco runs. It was a close, back-and-forth game until the eighth when Jim Hickman put Chicago up with a two-run homer served up by Chuck Hartenstein. In bonus time, an error allowed a Buc run to plate and Richie Hebner’s knock added an insurance run. Manny Sanguillen chipped in a two-run dinger while Bruce Dal Canton earned the win with 1-1/3 shaky but scoreless innings, stranding three Cubs.

9/7 From 1970: Trevor's 1st, Boot-y Call, Failing Mark, Cutch Call, Duffy Day, Jeff Immac, JT's #30, Danny's Helm, Game Days, Dave Gone/Frank In, HBD Gorkys

1973 - With a runner on first and two outs in the ninth, Al Oliver banged a single, beginning a Bucco run of six straight hits that would produce six runs and turn a one-run deficit into a 10-5 lead. The Pirates weren’t the only team with some rally left in them; the Phils answered with three runs of their own and had the tying run at the plate before Ramon Hernandez could shut the door at the Vet and secure a 10-8 win, with Bob Johnson earning the victory. Willie Stargell had four hits during the contest, including a game-tying, two-strike single against the shift. It was a wild beginning to Danny Murtaugh’s fourth and final stint as Bucco skipper. He had just replaced Bill Virdon, who was fired after the previous game. It was the first time he had won the opening game while managing, and the papers didn’t know whether “...to call it magic or call it luck.”
 
1974 - Pittsburgh overcame a 4-0 deficit with a five-run seventh against Montreal at TRS, with seven straight Bucs reaching base. The Expos came back to take the contest into extra innings against Dave Guisti, but Dave Parker’s 12th-inning two-out walkoff single plated Richie Hebner for a 6-5 Bucco win. Ramon Hernandez worked the last two frames for the win.

1975 - Jerry Reuss earned his 16th victory of the year after spinning a tape-to-tape, four-hit shutout at Parc Jarry as the Pirates defeated the Expos, 6-0. The Pirates jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Montreal batted and the score stayed that way until the eighth, when another three-spot iced it. Art Howe led with three RBI, Al Oliver homered to chase home two more runs and Dave Parker added a solo shot as the Bucs cruised through September to the NL East title.

1978 - The Pirates tried to set up a homecoming with LHP Wilbur Wood, claiming him off waivers from the White Sox, but the vet, citing his 5 & 10 year rights, vetoed the move. He had been with the Bucs in 1964-65 before being traded to the ChiSox for Juan Pizarro, and spent 12 campaigns with Chicago. Wood had a couple of rough years at the end following arm surgery, with ERA’s in the 5.00 range, and he retired rather than hook up with another club.

Jason Thompson - 1982 Donruss

1982 - Jason Thompson hit his 30th home run of the season off Mike Scott in a 9-5 win over the Mets, becoming just the eighth player in history to hit 30 home runs during a season in each league. (He hit 31 home runs for the Detroit Tigers in 1977.) Richie Hebner and Mike Easler also went long at TRS. The day was a double blessing for JT; his baby son arrived the night before.

1987 - Closer Jeff Robinson tossed an immaculate inning, the first in Bucco history (Ross Ohlendorf, Juan Nicasio, Colin Holderman and Johan Oviedo would later join him), when he K’ed Cubs Leon Durham, Andre Dawson and Rafael Palmeiro on nine pitches in the eighth. It was the first time since Bruce Sutter in 1977 that an immaculate inning was posted. Of Robinson’s nine strikes, six were swinging, two called, and one fouled. He worked a scoreless ninth to earn a save for Brian Fisher in a 3-2 win at Wrigley Field. It was his first save as a Pirate after joining the team on August 21st as part of the Rick Reuschel trade with the Giants. The Bucco runs came in on a Terry Harper homer, his first as a Pirate, and Bobby Bonilla’s eighth inning, two-out double that scored Barry Bonds and Jose Lind with the game-winning tallies.

1987 - OF Gorkys Hernandez was born in Guiria, Venezuela. He was blessed with good wheels and a great glove, but his bat limited him to a couple of cups of coffee in Pittsburgh in 2012 and 2015 (he went 2-for-29), playing for three other organizations in between. He was with Boston in 2019, released in 2020 by the White Sox and has played in the Latin leagues since 2022.

1988 - Three Pirates stole four bases and all resulted in runs as the Bucs jumped off to a 5-0 lead at TRS against the Expos and then held off Montreal to take a 5-4 win in front of 16,494 “Buck Nite” fans. In the opening frame, RJ Reynolds hit into a force, swiped second and third, and came home on a Bobby Bonilla sac fly. The next inning, Mike LaValliere and Felix Fermin executed a double steal; Spanky scored when the throw to third ended up in left field and Felix plated a batter later when starter and winner Doug Drabek dropped a liner into center. The Expos also committed two errors, and both contributed to runs. The freebies proved big when the Bucs had to outlast two-run rallies in the fifth and seventh frames before Jim Gott put the contest to bed.

Jeff King - 1990 Topps '89 Rookies

1989 - It took a little luck, but rookie Jeff King, who was batting .181 at the time, had the key blow in a 7-4 Pirates victory over the Expos at Parc Jarry. Facing ex-Bucco John Candelaria with Pittsburgh up 4-3 in the eighth frame and Barry Bonds on third, King tried to lay off a Candy curve but was too late. His check swing made contact, sending the ball bounding softly inside first base and into the corner, where the right fielder, after a long run, couldn’t quite find the handle on the horsehide (the play was scored a triple and error) to allow Jeff to touch ‘em all. Bill Landrum came on to earn his 32nd save, closing out for winner Bob Walk. Andy Van Slyke had three hits while Bonds and Jay Bell added two raps.

2006 - Chris Duffy had himself a day against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He went 4-for-4 (and all against LHP) with a homer, three runs scored and three RBI in Pittsburgh’s 7-5 win. He and Xavier Nady hit solo shots in the ninth to break a 5-5 tie to give Jonah Bayless the win. He didn’t break a sweat to earn it, facing just one batter in the eighth to get the final out. Salomon Torres, the sixth Pirates hurler, collected the save; the Cubs burned through seven twirlers.

2007 - GM Dave Littlefield was fired and Brian Graham, the director of player development for the Pirates, served as interim general manager. Neal Huntington took over three weeks later, hired away from Cleveland by new President Frank Coonelly. Coonelly had replaced Kevin McClatchy as Bob Nutting put his own front office in place after becoming principal owner in January.

2009 - The Pittsburgh Pirates set a new North American standard for consecutive losing seasons by a major sports franchise with their 4-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs (Daniel McCutchen took the L), extending their string of sub-.500 years to 17 in a row. The Pirates had shared the record of 16 consecutive losing seasons with the 1933-48 Philadelphia Phillies. The Bucs would extend the record by three more seasons until finally finishing with more wins than losses (94-68) in 2013.

Cutch - 2011 Bowman

2011 - Brian Burres made the final start of his MLB career, and it wasn’t going well at PNC Park as he gave up three homers to Houston and was down 4-1 in the fourth. But the Bucs had a couple of aces left up their sleeve. Andrew McCutchen provided the muscle, driving in four runs with a pair of homers, and the Pittsburgh bullpen (featuring the debut of Jared Hughes) hung zeroes on the Astros for the final 5-1/3 frames. The winning run was plated in the eighth when Jason Jaramillo smacked an RBI single/DP. His one-out knock plated Chase d’Arnaud with the lead run before two catchers running the bases at the same time provided a predictable ending - JJ was thrown out at second trying to stretch his hit, and Ryan Doumit, who had gone from first-to-third on the rap, try to sneak home on the play, and he was gunned down, too. But the Pirates’ fifth hurler, Joel Hanrahan, kept his focus and tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to save Tony Watson’s win.

2012 - The Buccos committed seven errors, one shy of the franchise mark set in 1939, in front of 32,699 dismayed fans at PNC Park and lost to the Cubs, 12-2. Six of the Chicago runs were unearned with Starling Marte in the pasture and Brock Holt at second both misfiring on a pair of plays.

2014 - Pirate bats ran wild over the Cubs at Wrigley Field as the Bucs ran away with a 10-4 decision. Their 19 hits were the most in a game since 2012. Every starter, including the pitcher, had a hit; seven players had multiple hits. Jordy Mercer & Andrew McCutchen banged back-to-back homers while Neil Walker and Gerrit Cole also went long. Cole lasted six innings, plenty long enough to pick up the win. It gave the Pirates a three-game sweep of Chi-Town, the first time Pittsburgh had swept a series at Wrigley Field since 2000.

2016 - Pittsburgh snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 4-3 win against St. Louis at PNC Park. It was a gritty performance coming off the heels of a two-out, two-strike loss the night before. The score see-sawed back and forth until the eighth inning when Jung Ho Kang hit his third home run in two nights to put the Bucs ahead. After being chased in the last loss, Tony Watson got back on the bike to earn the save for Trevor Williams, who made his first MLB appearance a winning one. JHK had three hits, with Josh Harrison and Gregory Polanco each collecting a pair of knocks to drive the attack.

9/6 Through 1964: Bob's 1st Zippo, Hound Hot, Leather-Fest, Krackin' Kiki, Coop Debut, Sweep. Game Days, Groat Hurt, Wood Joins, HBD Jack, Vince, Tommy & Johnny

1892 - 2B Billy Gleason was born in Chicago. He played sparingly in the majors, spending two of his three years with Pittsburgh (1916-17) and batting .159 in 26 games before being traded to minor league Chattanooga. Billy was a career farm hand, beginning in the bushes in 1913 as an 18-year-old and still playing as late as 1934, mostly in the Eastern League.

1901 - The Pirates swept a doubleheader from the NY Giants 15-2 and 13-4 to win their ninth and 10th straight games (they played four twin bills in five days and swept all four, with three straight two-fers v New York). The Bucs pounded out 22 hits in the opener, led by Ginger Beaumont’s 5-for-6 day, with a homer, 2B and five RBI to grease the wheels for Sam Leever’s win. The Pirates rapped out 14 more hits in the six-inning nitecap (darkness-shortened), with Tommy Leach going 3-for-3 with a 2B. George Merritt got the win in his MLB debut. It was the third straight double dipper they took from the Giants in three days, outscoring NY 80-23. The sweep was part of a 26-of-30 victory roll as the Pirates bullied their way to the NL title, entering September up by 2-1/2 games before pulling away from the pack with a final 7-1/2 game pad. 
 
1903 - IF Tommy Thevenow was born in Madison, Indiana. He played five years for the Pirates from 1931 until 1935, and then came back to spend his last big league season, 1938, as a Bucco. Tommy batted .251 with 201 RBI for Pittsburgh as a good glove, so-so bat SS/3B. Tommy retired to his hometown after that campaign and ran a grocery store until he passed away at age 53.

1910 - RHP Johnny Lanning was born in Asheville, NC. He tossed for the Pirates from 1940 until 1943, went in the service and returned for the 1945-46 seasons, finishing with a Pittsburgh line 33-29/3.44. Lanning wasn’t a flame thrower; his best pitches were variations of the curve, one hard, the other soft. Lanning came from a family of Carolina tobacco farmers, reflected by his nicknames of “Tobacco Chewin’ Johnny” and “Johnny Tabaccy.” 

Our DiMag -  1941 photo Bettman/Getty

1912 - OF Vince DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California. He played center field for Pittsburgh from 1940-44 and hit .255 as a Bucco. He was named to the All-Star Game roster in 1943 and 1944, lighting it up in the ‘43 Classic with a home run, triple and single in three at-bats. Vince and his siblings, Joltin’ Joe and Dom, are the only brother trio to become All-Stars.

1912 - In his major league debut, Wilbur Cooper shut out the St Louis Cardinals, 8-0, at Robison Field. He gave up nine scattered hits with a walk and three K to earn the first of his 216 career wins. Chief Wilson had three hits and scored twice to lead a balanced, 13-hit attack against the Redbirds. Coop won a franchise-record 202 games, spun 33 whitewashes in his 13 years as a Bucco and was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2026.

1921 - 1B Jack Phillips was born in Clarence, New York. Jack put nine years in the show and spent from 1949-52 with Pittsburgh, hitting .264. Following his playing days, Phillips managed in the minors from 1960-64. Jack then became baseball coach for 24 years at his alma mater, Clarkson College of Technology, retiring after the 1988 spring season. The college honored Phillips by re-naming its baseball facility "Jack Phillips Stadium at Snell Field" in 2008.

1924 - Pittsburgh took two from the St. Louis Cards by 5-1 and 12-5 scores at Forbes Field behind the pitching of Emil Yde and Jeff Pfeffer. Kiki Cuyler provided the firepower with a homer and three RBI in the opener. Cuyler had another homer and three more runs batted in in the nitecap, Pie Traynor tripled and had three RBI, Rabbit Maranville homered with two runs batted in and Glen Wright drove in two more tallies and bopped a double. Max Carey scored once in the first game and three times in the second to touch home for his 15th straight game, a franchise record. He tallied 21 runs during the span.

1935 - Brooklyn took its lumps at Forbes Field as the Pirates pounded out a 13-6 win, whacking 21 hits and scoring in every inning against the Dodgers. Woody Jensen led the parade with four hits; Tommy Thevenow, Arky Vaughan and Paul Waner each added three while Bud Hafey homered. Cy Blanton earned his 17th victory, the first of four straight double-digit win campaigns.

Woody Jensen - 1936 Goudey Wide

1942 - The Bucs took a twinbill from the Cubbies at Forbes Field the easy way, tossing a pair of shutouts to take 6-0 and 5-0 decisions from Chicago. Hank Gornicki spun a four-hitter in the lid lifter, backed by Elbie Fletcher & Bud Stewart with three hits and Vince DiMaggio & Jimmy Wasdell with two raps. Luke Hamlin scattered seven hits in the nightcap, supported by Frankie Gustine, Bob Elliott and Al Lopez with a pair of knocks (Stewart was walked four times). The attack was balanced; five different players scored while five chased home runs. 

1947 - The Pirates banged four home runs, the last from Wally Westlake in the bottom of the 10th inning, to take a 7-6 walkoff victory from the Chicago Cubs at Forbes Field. Joining Wally in the long ball parade were Billy Cox, Jimmy Bloodworth and Clyde Kluttz. Rip Sewell worked eight innings in relief of starter Tiny Bonham, giving up one run on six hits to earn the win.

1948 - A lotta glove work was going on as the Pirates swept a pair from the Cardinals, winning 2-1 and 4-1 at Forbes Field. The two teams struck out just twice in the doubleheader, an MLB record (the Pirates pitchers didn’t fan a soul in the two games). They also turned 13 double plays (eight by Pittsburgh) to tie the MLB mark for a twinbill. Pittsburgh turned a then record-tying six DPs in the opener, with 2B Danny Murtaugh in on five of them to equal the mark set by Detroit's Charley O'Leary. It wasn’t all roses for Murtaugh; his 23-game hitting streak ended when he went 0-for-2 with a walk in the opener. Bob Chesnes was the recipient of the glovely play, scattering seven hits to defeat Murry Dickson, who would become a Bucco next season. The winning blow was Ralph Kiner’s two-run homer. The big guns in the nightcap were Vic Lombardi, who spun a five-hitter, and 3B Eddie Bockman, who had two hits and three RBI. 

1954 - After losing 10 straight games, the Pirates took both ends of a twin bill from the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on "Back the Dodgers Day‚" winning the opener 9-6 in 12 innings and the second match by a 9-7 score. It was the Bucs first doubleheader sweep of the Dodgers since 1951. Vern Law and Jake Thies were the winning hurlers. Bob Skinner had a homer and four runs chased home in the lidlifter while Frank Thomas went long in the nightcap.

John Powers - 1958 Topps

1958 - The Pirates scored a lot of ways - on a bad throw from the outfield, a wild pitch, a sac fly, and a couple of two-out singles, but it took just one swing from Johnny Powers, who banged a solo pinch-hit homer in the eighth, to finally nail down a 7-6 win at Forbes Field against the Milwaukee Braves. Bob Friend and Bob Buhl were both chased early, and the bullpens restored order - Bob Smith (winner) and ElRoy Face (save) tossed four innings of one-run ball for the Bucs, and the Braves Humberto Robinson went 3-1/3 frames with his only miscue being the Powers blast. The Pirates had five players collect two hits - Bill Virdon, Ted Kluszewski, Billy Maz, Dick Groat and Bill Hall - and seven different Corsairs either scored, chased home runs, or did both. 

1960 - All-Star SS Dick Groat broke his wrist after being hit by a Lew Burdette pitch. The Pirate captain, second in the batting race, was sidelined until the final weekend of the season. Dick “Ducky” Schofield, his replacement, had three hits as the Bucs rallied for a 5-3 win. Ducky, a reserve infielder with a career .227 BA, hit .333 for the Pirates in 1960 to keep the club on track.

1963 - Bob Veale picked up his first MLB shutout, downing the St. Louis Cards 5-0 at Forbes Field. Veale gave up just six hits and was backed by Bill Virdon and Ducky Schofield with three hits apiece. The big blow that opened up a 2-0 game was Willie Stargell’s two-run, eighth-inning rap. It was only Big Bob’s third start of the year; he had spent until mid-August working out of the bullpen. He also finished his career as a reliever because of arm woes, but in between managed to toss 20 shutouts in seven full seasons as a Bucco starter.

1964 - The Red Sox sold RHP Wilbur Wood to the Pirates. The knuckleballer went 1-3/3.28 with the Bucs out of the bullpen in 1964-65. Pittsburgh sent Wood to the White Sox in the 1966 off season after he spent the year with AAA Columbus for Juan Pizarro. Wood saved 55 games in four years for Chicago, then was converted to starter where he won 106 games from 1971-75 and earned three All-Star berths in his dozen campaigns with the South Siders.