Though professional baseball was first played in Pittsburgh in 1876, the team that evolved into the Pirates, the Pittsburgh Alleghenies, joined the American Association in 1882, and the National League in 1887. Then known as the Innocents, they became the Pirates by "pirating" second baseman Lou Bierbauer from Philadelphia (AA) following the Players' League revolt of 1890.

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In 1900 Barney Dreyfuss bought the club and virtually merged it with his Louisville Colonels. Hall of Famers Fred Clarke and Honus Wagner came from the Colonels and formed the nucleus of baseball's winningest team (938-538) in the 20th century's first decade. The Pirates were the best in the NL in 1901 and 1902. In 1903 Dreyfuss and Harry Killilea, owner of the American League Boston Pilgrims (Red Sox), agreed to hold the first World Series, won by Boston 5-3. Pittsburgh made its second WS appearance in 1909 with a club-record 110 wins, and defeated Detroit in seven games. That season also marked the club's move from Exposition Park to brand-new Forbes Field.

The Pirates won pennants in 1925 and 1927, led by Pie Traynor, Max Carey, Kiki Cuyler, brothers Paul and Lloyd Waner, and manager Bill McKechnie. They took another seven-game Series from Washington in 1925, but dropped four straight to the awesome 1927 Yankees. There was a near-pennant in 1938, spoiled by Gabby Hartnett's "Homer in the Gloamin' " for the Cubs.

When Dreyfuss died in 1932, he was succeeded as club president by son-in-law Bill Benswenger. In 1947 a group led by John Galbreath and featuring Bing Crosby bought the club from the Benswenger family. Despite the presence of Ralph Kiner (1946-53) and GM Branch Rickey (1951-55), the Pirates compiled a 326-597 record from 1950 through 1955. New GM Joe L. Brown and manager Danny Murtaugh turned the club around. Pittsburgh defeated the Yankees in the 1960 WS in dramatic fashion on Bill Mazeroski's seventh-game, ninth-inning homer.

The 1960s were dominated by the brilliance of Roberto Clemente, the magnificence of Mazeroski, and disappointing finishes. The Pirates could never quite muster enough pitching to go with their outstanding offense and defense. Then things began to change. On July 16, 1970, they moved to new Three Rivers Stadium. They became the first team to wear double-knit uniforms. The Lumber Company seemed to have an endless supply of talented young hitters. Joined by Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen, and Al Oliver, Clemente led the Pirates to an upset victory over Baltimore in the 1971 WS. When Clemente died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve of 1972, Stargell took over as team leader.

In 1977 new manager Chuck Tanner brought speed to the offensive attack. Stargell led The Family to a seven-game, 1979 WS win against Baltimore. But the Pirates finished last from 1982 to 1984. Dismal attendance forced the sale of the club by the Galbreath family and Warner Communications to a public-private coalition called Pittsburgh Associates. The rebuilding job went to GM Syd Thrift and manager Jim Leyland. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 15, 1893: After tagging out St. Louis Browns OF Steve Brodie in a collision at the plate, Cincinnati Reds C Harry "Farmer" Vaughn throws a bat at Brodie, hitting him on the shoulder. Vaughn is ejected and fined $25 as St. Louis wins 10–6 and moves past the Cleveland Spiders and the Pittsburgh Pirates into first place » May 26, 1894: The Pittsburgh Pirates lead at Cleveland 12–3 in the 8th inning when the home spectators start a seat cushion fight that spills onto the diamond. Pittsburgh is awarded a 9–0 forfeit victory. » July 24, 1901: In a baseball rarity, the Pittsburgh Pirates score in every inning, a major-league record of course, defeating the Reds 11-2. Deacon Phillippe is the winner over Jesse Tannehill. » September 26, 1930: Jesse Haines pitches the St. Louis Cards to a 10-5 pennant-clinching win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. » May 29, 1934: The Yankees purchase -- rent? -- spitballer Burleigh Grimes from the Pittsburgh Pirates. After 10 apperances with the Yankees, the Yanks will release Grimes on August 8th and the Pirates will pick him back up. » April 15, 1941: Cubs SS Lou Stringer makes 4 errors in his debut, but the Chicago beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4 behind Claude Passeau and a clutch HR by Bill Nicholson. » August 19, 1941: Pittsburgh Pirates manager Frankie Frisch is ejected by umpire Jocko Conlan from the second game of a doubleheader when he appears on the field with an umbrella to protest the playing conditions at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. The rainy argument is later portrayed in a famous oil painting by artist Norman Rockwell. » July 27, 1942: The New York Daily Worker announces that Pittsburgh Pirates owner Benny Benswanger will arrange a tryout for Roy Campanella, Sammy T. Hughes, and David Barnhill. In August, Campanella and Hughes will jump their team during a tight pennant race to "showcase" for the ML. » August 8, 1946: The Dreyfuss family, owners of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1900, sell the club to a group headed by Frank McKinney and John Galbreath. Singer Bing Crosby is among investors in the team. The Pirates are purchased for a reported $2.5 million. » August 16, 1947: Ralph Kiner hits three successive home runs for the host Pittsburgh Pirates, in a 12–7 win over the Cardinals in a game in which the two clubs bang out major-league record (since topped) 10 homers. Two other Bucs, Hank Greenberg and Billy Cox, and one Cardinal (Whitey Kurowski) each contribute two home runs to set a major-league record for most players with 2+ homers in a game. Kiner matches the ML mark of seven home runs in four games, six in three games, five in two games, and four in consecutive at bats. By the end of the month, Big Ralph will still trail Mize 39 to 43 in a head-to-head home run competition that will only be matched by Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in 1961. Starters Roger Wolff and the Cards Ken Burkhart exit in the first inning. » September 8, 1947: Starting P Johnny "Ox" Miller of the Cubs hits a game-winning grand-slam HR in a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, but does not go the required 5 innings to gain the win. » July 5, 1948: Ralph Kiner hits three home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the visiting Reds, while teammate Stan Rojek hits the first of his two ML homers, connecting off rookie Herm Wehmeier. Kiner teams up with Johnny Hopp and Wally Westlake in the outfield for a record 19 putouts in the 10–3 first game win. The Reds score three in the 9th to take the nitecap, 6–4. » November 14, 1956: The Pittsburgh Pirates say the franchise may have to move unless a new municipal stadium is built to replace Forbes Field. » January 10, 1957: Commissioner Ford Frick rules that singer Bing Crosby can keep his "token" stock in the Detroit Tigers, even though he owns part of the Pittsburgh Pirates. » August 3, 1957: The news that Danny Murtaugh will succeed Bobby Bragan as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates is leaked to the press, and Bragan hears it on the radio before Joe L. Brown can inform him. » October 10, 1995: Agreement is reached on the sale of the Pittsburgh Pirates to Kevin McClatchy and partners for $85 million. » November 14, 1996: The Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates complete a 9-player swap with the Jays acquiring the 2B they are looking for in 29-year-old Carlos Garcia. In addition, the Jays pick up OF Orlando Merced and reliever Dan Plesac. The Bucs receive six prospects, including pitchers Jose Pett and Jose Silva, along with Knoxville IF Brandon Cromer and three players to be named. » June 26, 1999: Shortstop Pat Meares of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on the disabled list recovering from surgery on his left hand, participates in a sausage race at Milwaukee's County Stadium. Meares, dressed as a 10-foot bratwurst, wins the race defeating a giant hot dog and a polish sausage. Two days ago, Meares was caught on videotape sunbathing in the upper deck of Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium for the first six innings of game. » April 2, 2000: Texas Ranger starter Kenny Rogers ties Frank Viola for third place in consecutive home wins when he defeats the Chicago White Sox in Arlington. Rogers has won 19 consecutive home games and hasn't lost on his own turf since June 28, 1997, a span of 1,012 days (through April 4). Ray Kremer of the Pittsburgh Pirates holds the record of 22 consecutive home wins set in 1926-27: Lefty Grove of Boston (1938-41) is 2nd with 20 straight home wins. » May 20, 2000: Catcher Keith Osik of the Pittsburgh Pirates is pressed into service on as a relief pitcher in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. Manager Gene Lamont has Osik finish the game and save the bullpen with the Pirates down, 14-3. Osik made a relief appearance last year giving up four runs in one inning of work, and today is not any better as he allows five runs on five hits, hits two batters, has a wild pitch and a home run in one inning.