The
Pittsburgh Pirates are a
Major League Baseball (MLB)
franchise based in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the
National League Central division. Originally known as the Alleghenys, they played in the
American Association from 1882 through 1886, and have played in the
National League since 1887. The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starter is an honor, which is often given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season,[1] though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.[2] The Pirates have used 71
Opening Daystarting pitchers since they began to play as a Major League team in 1882. The Pirates have a record of 69 wins and 60 losses in their Opening Day games.[3][4][5]
The Pirates have played in several different home
ball parks. Between 1882 and 1909 they played in two parks called
Exposition Park and in
Recreation Park. They played in
Forbes Field from 1909 to 1970 and
Three Rivers Stadium from 1970 to 2000 and they have played in their current stadium,
PNC Park, since 2001. They had a record of no wins and one loss in the first Exposition Park, four wins and no losses in Recreation Park and no wins and two losses in the second Exposition Park. They had a record of four wins and two losses at Forbes Field and a record of five wins and eight losses at Three Rivers Stadium. Through 2010, they have a record of two wins and one loss at PNC Park. That gives the Pirates an overall Opening Day record of 15 wins and 14 losses at home. They have a record of 54 wins and 46 losses in Opening Day games on the road.[3][4][5]
The Pirates have won nine National League titles, in 1901, 1902, 1903, 1909, 1925, 1927, 1960, 1971 and 1979.[9] They went on to win the
World Series in 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979 (the modern World Series began in 1903).[9]Sam Leever was the Pirates Opening Day starting pitcher in 1901, Phillippe was the Opening Day starting pitcher in both 1902 and 1903, Camnitz was the Opening Day starting pitcher in 1909,
Emil Yde in 1925, Kremer in 1927, Friend in 1960, Ellis in 1971 and Blyleven in 1979.
Key
Season
Each year is linked to an article about that particular Pirates season.
Pitcher (#)
Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Pirates
U.S. Senator
Jim Bunning was the Pirates' Opening Day starting pitcher in 1968.Hall of Famer
Pud Galvin made three Opening Day starts for the Pirates.Ed Morris made three Opening Day starts for the Pirates.Howie Camnitz made four Opening Day starts for the Pirates.
The
Pittsburgh Pirates are a
Major League Baseball (MLB)
franchise based in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the
National League Central division. Originally known as the Alleghenys, they played in the
American Association from 1882 through 1886, and have played in the
National League since 1887. The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starter is an honor, which is often given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season,[1] though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.[2] The Pirates have used 71
Opening Daystarting pitchers since they began to play as a Major League team in 1882. The Pirates have a record of 69 wins and 60 losses in their Opening Day games.[3][4][5]
The Pirates have played in several different home
ball parks. Between 1882 and 1909 they played in two parks called
Exposition Park and in
Recreation Park. They played in
Forbes Field from 1909 to 1970 and
Three Rivers Stadium from 1970 to 2000 and they have played in their current stadium,
PNC Park, since 2001. They had a record of no wins and one loss in the first Exposition Park, four wins and no losses in Recreation Park and no wins and two losses in the second Exposition Park. They had a record of four wins and two losses at Forbes Field and a record of five wins and eight losses at Three Rivers Stadium. Through 2010, they have a record of two wins and one loss at PNC Park. That gives the Pirates an overall Opening Day record of 15 wins and 14 losses at home. They have a record of 54 wins and 46 losses in Opening Day games on the road.[3][4][5]
The Pirates have won nine National League titles, in 1901, 1902, 1903, 1909, 1925, 1927, 1960, 1971 and 1979.[9] They went on to win the
World Series in 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979 (the modern World Series began in 1903).[9]Sam Leever was the Pirates Opening Day starting pitcher in 1901, Phillippe was the Opening Day starting pitcher in both 1902 and 1903, Camnitz was the Opening Day starting pitcher in 1909,
Emil Yde in 1925, Kremer in 1927, Friend in 1960, Ellis in 1971 and Blyleven in 1979.
Key
Season
Each year is linked to an article about that particular Pirates season.
Pitcher (#)
Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Pirates
U.S. Senator
Jim Bunning was the Pirates' Opening Day starting pitcher in 1968.Hall of Famer
Pud Galvin made three Opening Day starts for the Pirates.Ed Morris made three Opening Day starts for the Pirates.Howie Camnitz made four Opening Day starts for the Pirates.