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Top Five starting rotations in Pittsburgh Pirates history
By Steve Kubitz
Oct 1, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates former pitcher Doug Drabek throws out the ceremonial first pitch before National League wild card playoff baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
4. 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates:
When most people think of the early 90s Pirates teams, they think of the Outfield of Dreams and of course how the 1992 season ended, but the 1991 team may have been one of the best teams to never make it to a World Series. Not only was the offense lead by Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla, but the pitching was remarkably good. With that kind of balance, it’s no surprise the Pirates went 98-64 on the season.
The rotation was lead by Doug Drabek, while his 91 season wasn’t as good as his Cy Young season of 1990, he still put up very good numbers across the board. He went 15-14 with a 3.07ERA, 3.36FIP, 117ERA+ and was worth a rotation best 3.7WAR.
Zane Smith could best be described as reliable, but unspectacular. His 1991 season was one of the best of his career as he won a career high 16 games with 10 losses with a 3.20ERA, 3.07FIP, 112ERA+ and put up 2.8 Wins Above Replacement.
John Smiley had the best year of his career in 1991 and used it to sign a big deal with Minnesota in the following offseason. His last year as a Bucco he went 20-8 with a 3.08ERA, 3.36FIP, 116ERA+ and was worth 3.6WAR.
The back end of the Pirates rotation is what set this rotation apart from the others of the early 90s run as Randy Tomlin put up a very good season. He went 8-7 with a 2.98ERA, 3.86FIP, 120ERA+ and was worth 1.9 wins above replacement.
Bob Walk was a very reliable swing man in his time with the Pirates and 1991 was no different for him. He went 9-2 with a 3.60ERA, 3.86FIP, 100ERA+ and was worth 0.8WAR.
The 1991 Pirates almost feel forgotten in the run of greatness from 1990-1992. 1990 was the first division title for the Pirates since 1979 and 1992 ended in the most gut-wrenching loss in franchise history. So it’s almost understandable that 1991 is kind of overlooked, but this pitching staff was legitimately the best of the run and a big reason the Pirates repeated as NL East champions.
4. 1991 rotation:
- Doug Drabek (15-14, 3.07ERA, 3.36FIP, 117ERA+ and 3.7WAR)
- Zane Smith (16-10, 3.20ERA, 3.07FIP, 112ERA+ and 2.8WAR)
- John Smiley (20-8, 3.08ERA, 3.36FIP, 116ERA+ and 3.6WAR)
- Randy Tomlin (8-7, 2.98ERA, 3.36FIP, 120ERA+ and 1.9WAR)
- Bob Walk (9-2, 3.60ERA, 3.86FIP, 100ERA+ and 0.8WAR)
Staff Totals: 3.18ERA, 3.40FIP, 113ERA+ and 12.8WAR
Full stats:
| Rk | Name | W | L | ERA | GS | GF | CG | SHO | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP | H9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doug Drabek | 15 | 14 | 3.07 | 35 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 234.2 | 245 | 92 | 80 | 16 | 62 | 142 | 117 | 3.36 | 1.308 | 9.4 |
| 2 | Zane Smith* | 16 | 10 | 3.20 | 35 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 228.0 | 234 | 95 | 81 | 15 | 29 | 120 | 112 | 3.07 | 1.154 | 9.2 |
| 3 | John Smiley* | 20 | 8 | 3.08 | 32 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 207.2 | 194 | 78 | 71 | 17 | 44 | 129 | 116 | 3.36 | 1.146 | 8.4 |
| 4 | Randy Tomlin* | 8 | 7 | 2.98 | 27 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 175.0 | 170 | 75 | 58 | 9 | 54 | 104 | 120 | 3.36 | 1.280 | 8.7 |
| 5 | Bob Walk | 9 | 2 | 3.60 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 115.0 | 104 | 53 | 46 | 10 | 35 | 67 | 100 | 3.86 | 1.209 | 8.1 |
| Rank in 12 NL teams | 1 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 9 |
We’ve had a couple great regular season teams that disappointed in the post season to start our list. Now we go to a team that didn’t even make the post season.
Next: Number Three