Top Five starting rotations in Pittsburgh Pirates history

Jul 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage (L) observes as pitcher Gerrit Cole (R) throws on the field prior to the Pirates hosting the San Diego Padres at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates historically have been known as an offensive ball club. When you think Pittsburgh Pirates, you think The Lumber Company, Honus Wagner and Bill Mazeroski‘s walk-off home run, but the Pirates have had some very impressive pitching staffs through out their history. I am going to look at the top five best pitching rotations in Pirates history.

My criteria is fairly straight forward, going to look at the Pirates Earned Run Average and the advance numbers of FIP, ERA+ and WAR accumulation. However, it won’t be completely black and white as I am not going to just do the top WAR totals in Pirates history as that would end up being completely dead ball era centric, so I am going to limit the amount of teams per era. I define an era by both decade and changing of the game itself. So there will be one dead ball era team, one post dead ball era team, one post integration era team, etc.

Without anymore delay, here are my top five pitching rotations in Pittsburgh Pirates history:

Next: Number Five

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:

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

Next: Number Four

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:

1. Doug Drabek (15-14, 3.07ERA, 3.36FIP, 117ERA+ and 3.7WAR)
2. Zane Smith (16-10, 3.20ERA, 3.07FIP, 112ERA+ and 2.8WAR)
3. John Smiley (20-8, 3.08ERA, 3.36FIP, 116ERA+ and 3.6WAR)
4. Randy Tomlin (8-7, 2.98ERA, 3.36FIP, 120ERA+ and 1.9WAR)
5. Bob Walk (9-2, 3.60ERA, 3.86FIP, 100ERA+ and 0.8WAR)

Staff Totals: 3.18ERA, 3.40FIP, 113ERA+ and 12.8WAR

Full stats:

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

Mar 9, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates former player Bill Mazeeroski brings the lineup to the plate before a spring training baseball game against the Minnesota Twins at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

3. 1965 Pittsburgh Pirates:

Coming out of the 1950s, the Pirates shocked the baseball world by winning the World Series in 1960, but for most of the next few seasons, the Pirates were very up and down. The 1965 team was a great sign of what was to come in the late 60s and early 70s as Roberto Clemente continued to be the best right fielder in the game and Willie Stargell showed plenty of power as he slugged 27 home runs and drove in 107RBI. However, lost in the offense was an absolutely terrific four-man pitching rotation.

Vern Law lead the way as he was the most valuable pitcher in the rotation. He went 17-9 with a 2.15ERA, 3.13FIP, 163ERA+ and accumulated 4.8WAR. Law was everything you could want your ace to be.

Bob Veale also put up a fantastic season for the Pirates as he collected 17 wins and 12 losses with a 2.84ERA, 2.11FIP, 123ERA+ and was worth 4.0WAR.

Don Cardwell is best known as a member of the 1969 miracle Mets, but he was really solid in his four seasons in Pittsburgh. 1965 was his best as a member of the Pirates as he went 13-10 with a 3.18ERA 3.65FIP, 110ERA+ and was worth 1.8WAR.

Bob Friend was a great pitcher for a lot of very bad Pirates teams, so it was great to see him rewarded with the 1960 World Series and that he remained a very good pitcher when the team finally started to show improvement. In 1965, he went 8-12 with a 3.24ERA, 3.13FIP, 108ERA+ and accumulated 2.3WAR.

3. 1965 rotation:

1. Bob Veale (17-12, 2.84ERA, 2.11FIP, 123ERA+ and 4.0WAR)
2. Don Cardwell (13-10, 3.18ERA, 3.65FIP, 110ERA+ and 1.8WAR)
3. Bob Friend (8-12, 3.24ERA, 3.13FIP, 108ERA+ and 2.3WAR)
4. Vern Law (17-9, 2.15ERA, 3.13FIP, 163ERA+ and 4.8WAR)

Staff Totals: 2.85ERA, 3.00FIP, 126ERA+ and 12.9WAR

Full stats:

Most fans know the 1950s may have been the worst decade in Pirates history and most know the 1970s may have been the best, but outside of the World Series 1960 years, the 1960s were very up and down. The 1965 Pirates won 90 games and showed a lot of what was to come in the next 10 or so years. While it’s easy to overlook a team that finished third in the NL, you cannot ignore how good this pitching staff was. They didn’t collect a ton of wins, but all their other numbers show they were among the league’s best rotations.

While 12.9WAR is nothing to sneeze at for a starting rotation, number two on our last, laughs at what the 1965 Pirates did mostly while completely dominating in the post-dead ball era.

Next: Number Two

Jul 11, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; General view of the ballpark exterior before the Pittsburgh Pirates host the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1902 Pittsburgh Pirates:

The 1902 Pirates are the absolute cream of the crop in Pirates history. Not only just the pitching, the entire team was scarily dominant as they went 103-36 on the season. Good enough to easily win the National League pennant. Even in the context of the dead ball era, this Pirates pitching rotation was absolutely silly in how it dominated the league.

Jack Chesbro was the staff ace as he put up video game like numbers. He went 28-6 with a 2.17ERA, 2.63FIP, 126ERA+ and was worth 8.6WAR. Despite the wins, and being the Opening Day starter, Chesbro was not the most valuable member of the rotation.

Deacon Phillipe “only” won 20 games for this team, but his other numbers are pretty mind boggling as he went 20-6 with a 2.05ERA, 2.15FIP, 133ERA+ and was worth 8.7WAR. For good measure he also struck out 122, while walking only 26 batters.

It’s hard to imagine an ERA lower than 2.05, but the 1902 Pirates managed that with their THIRD starter. As Jesse Tannehill went 20-6 with a 1.95ERA, 2.26FIP, 140ERA+ and was worth 7.9WAR. He also allowed a staff low 50 earned runs on the season and walked a staff low 25.

The fourth starter on the 1902 Pirates look like an ace on any team today. Sam Leever went 15-7 with a 2.39ER, 2.54FIP, 114ERA+ and accumulated 5.8 Wins Above Replacement. What hurt Leever’s numbers is he allowed a staff high two home runs on the season.

If a chain is as strong as its weakest link, then the 1902 Pirates may be the strongest chain in Pirates history as Ed Doheny went 16-4 with a 2.53ERA, 2.94FIP, 108ERA+ and was worth 4.4 Wins Above Replacement.

1.  1902 rotation:

1. Jack Chesbro (28-6, 2.17ERA, 2.63FIP, 126ERA+ and 8.6WAR)
2. Deacon Phillipe (20-9, 2.05ERA, 2.15FIP, 133ERA+ and 8.7WAR)
3. Jesse Tannehill (20-6, 1.95ERA, 2.26FIP, 140ERA+ and 7.9WAR)
4. Sam Leever (15-7, 2.39ERA, 2.54FIP, 114ERA+ and 5.8WAR)
5. Ed Doheny (16-4, 2.53ERA, 2.94FIP, 108ERA+ and 4.4WAR)

Staff Totals: 2.21ERA, 2.50FIP, 124ERA+ and 35.4WAR

Full stats:

The 1902 Pirates aren’t only the greatest pitching staff in Pirates history, it could be argued they’re the greatest single season team in Pirates history. Even though the dead ball era was pitching heavy, the Pirates still managed to put up numbers even better than the rest of the league. The league average ERA was 3.17, the Pirates were nearly one run better than that. I don’t care how dead the balls were, that is absolutely mind boggling. Advance metrics only add to the greatness of the 1902 Pirates as their FIP of 2.50 proves there was very little luck involved with what the Pirates accomplished. The rotation also managed to be 35.4 Wins better than a league average rotation. To me, the fact that this was the dead ball era, makes this rotation even more impressive. They were simply that much better than the rest of the league.

Next: Final Thoughts

Jun 13, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Geerrit Cole (45) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been around since 1887 and in that time they have become known mostly for their offense, it’s almost easy to overlook some of the absolutely amazing pitching rotations Pirates fans have been fortunate to watch over the years. The thing I find most interesting about this list is there are no World Series winners on it. (There not being a World Series in 1902 also played a part in this) That may anger some readers, but the numbers in those years while pretty impressive do not compare to the five I mentioned.

It goes to show you that great pitching alone may not always be enough to win a World Series. The Pirates have traditionally won championships with a more balanced approach. Though, 1972, 1991, 1965 and 1921 teams were not able to win the World Series, it does not take away from how absolutely special each of those rotations were. They each old a special place in Pittsburgh Pirates lore and should be a testament to how rich a history the Pirates have. They might be mostly know for their offense, but the Pirates have a pretty damn good pitching tradition as well.

Next: Pittsburgh Pirates Rumor Mill - A peek at the waiver deadline