Top Five starting rotations in Pittsburgh Pirates history

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.

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