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Top Five starting rotations in Pittsburgh Pirates history

By Steve Kubitz

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Jul 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; General view of the Roberto Clemente statue prior to the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

5. 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates: 

The 1972 Pirates are mostly known for the wild pitch that ended the NLCS and the last season of Roberto Clemente before he tragically died in a plane crash, but they should also be known as one of the best pitching staffs of the great1970s Pirates teams.

Steve Blass lead the way and had perhaps the best season of his career as he put together a record of 19-8 with a 2.49ERA, a 3.46FIP, 135ERA+ and was worth 4.0WAR.

Bob Moose was also a steady member of the Pirates rotation as he went 13-10 with a 2.91ERA, a 2.43FIP, 116ERA+ and accumulated 2.2WAR.

When people think of the early 70s Pirates pitching rotations, they usually think of Steve Blas and Dock Ellis, but in 1972, Nelson Briles was a very steady contributor to the NL East champions as he went 14-11 with a 3.08ERA, a 2.78FIP, a 109ERA+ and was worth 1 Win Above Replacement.

Speaking of Dock Ellis, his 1972 season was not quite as good as his 1971 campaign, he was still very good for the Bucs. He went 15-7 with a 2.70ERA, a 2.36FIP, 125ERA+ and put up a 1.9WAR.

A pitching staff is only as good as its weakest link and the 1972 Pirates had a very solid number five in Bruce Kison. He went 9-7 with a 3.26ERA, 3.54FIP, 103ERA+ and was worth 0.8WAR.

The 1972 Pirates team feels like a sad end to an era as the team lost a heartbreaking NLCS and their spiritual leader, Roberto Clemente passed away that offseason, but the 1972 Pirates should be fondly remembered as one of the great pitching staffs in Pirates history. They were a solid and well balanced rotation from top to bottom. Blass and Ellis were tremendous, while Moose, Briles and Kison rounded out a very dynamic and efficient starting staff.

5. 1972 rotation:

  1. Steve Blass (19-8, 2.49ERA, 3.46FIP, 135ERA+ and 4.0 WAR)
  2. Bob Moose  (13-10, 2.91ERA, 2.43FIP, 116ERA+ and 2.2 WAR)
  3. Nelson Briles (14-11, 3.08ERA, 2.78FIP, 109ERA+ and 1.0 WAR)
  4. Dock Ellis (15-7, 2.70ERA, 2.36FIP, 125ERA+ and 1.9 WAR)
  5. Bruce Kison (9-7, 3.26ERA, 3.54FIP, 103ERA+ and 0.8 WAR)

Staff totals: 2.88ERA, 2.91FIP, 117ERA+ and 9.9WAR

Full stats:

Rk Name W L ERA GS GF CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA+ FIP WHIP
1 Steve Blass 19 8 2.49 32 0 11 2 249.2 227 80 69 18 84 117 135 3.46 1.246
2 Bob Moose 13 10 2.91 30 1 6 3 226.0 213 84 73 11 47 144 116 2.43 1.150
3 Nelson Briles 14 11 3.08 27 1 9 2 195.2 185 83 67 14 43 120 109 2.78 1.165
4 Dock Ellis 15 7 2.70 25 0 4 1 163.1 156 60 49 6 33 96 125 2.36 1.157
5 Bruce Kison 9 7 3.26 18 5 6 1 152.0 123 61 55 11 69 102 103 3.54 1.263
Rank in 12 NL teams 1 11 2 7 4 2 4 1 2 3 3 8

The 1972 Pirates suffered a difficult defeat in the NLCS as did the next rotation on our list…

Next: Number Four

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