Where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the mighty Ohio stands a generic, circular park planned in the 1960s, with the usual problem of distance between the fans and the action. That, its difficult-to-reach location, and the interminable traffic jams it engenders are partially to blame for the Pirates' woeful attendance. However, it is a happy place for hitters, as batting visibility is outstanding, and a substandard artificial surface increases errors and reduces double plays.

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Nine batters have hit upper-deck home runs, led by Willie Stargell (four times), but the longest homer ever hit at Three Rivers (509’) was hit by Frank Thomas of the White Sox in a 1994 home-run hitting contest. The stadium, which has been shared with the Pittsburgh Steelers since the Pirates moved from Forbes Field in June, 1970, was the site of the first night World Series game on October 13, 1971. (JP)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 30, 1971: Willie Stargell clocks a Ken Holtzman pitch deep into the right field upper deck at Three Rivers Stadium, one of four he will park there, and the Corsairs coast to a 10–0 romp over the Cubs. Bob Moose is the victor over Holtzman. » June 4, 1981: In his first game for the Cubs, Bobby Bonds trips on a seam in the field carpet at Three Rivers Stadium and breaks a bone in his right hand. Bonds goes on the 21-day DL. » May 5, 1991: Rookie Jeff Bagwell of the Astros clobbers a 456-foot home run into the upper left field seats in Three Rivers Stadium in a 6-4 victory over the Pirates. He is the 9th player to reach the upper deck at Three Rivers. » May 3, 1999: The Pirates score four runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat the Giants, 9-8. Jeff Kent gets five hits for the Giants, and hits for the cycle, just the 2nd player to do so in Three Rivers Stadium. Joe Torre did it on June 27, 1973. Jason Kendall goes 5-for-5, with two doubles, in a losing cause for Pittsburgh. The Blue Jays outslug the Mariners, 16-10. Carlos Delgado goes 3-for-3 for Toronto, with two home runs, five runs scored, and five RBIs. » May 19, 2000: The Pirates defeat the Cardinals, 13-1, as C Jason Kendall hits for the cycle, becoming the first Pirate ever to do so at Three Rivers Stadium. Kendall homers in the 1st, singles in the 2nd, doubles in the 3rd, and triples in the 8th, driving in five runs in the process. The last Pirate to cycle was Wally Westlake in 1949. » October 1, 2000: After Sister Sledge sings the National Anthem to a season-high crowd of 55,352, the Cubs edge the Pirates, 10-9, in the final game to be played at Three Rivers Stadium. The Bucs have a chance when the first three batters in the 9th single, but three outs follow, including the final PO by Mark Grace, who is then hugged by his teammates. Bucs soon-to-be manager Gene Lamont gets a 2-minute standing O when introduced. » February 11, 2001: Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium, the home of the Pirates since 1970, is imploded before thousands of onlookers. The team will play in new PNC Park this year. » March 31, 2001: After 31 years in Three Rivers Stadium, the Pirates move into their new $262 million home at PNC Park, losing to the Mets, 4–3, in an exhibition game. The 38,000 seat stadium is nestled at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers with a spectacular view of the city.