Constructing the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Time Lineup

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PITTSBURGH, PA – CIRCA 1986: Pitcher Doug Drabek #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during a Major League Baseball game at Three Rivers Stadium circa 1986 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – CIRCA 1986: Pitcher Doug Drabek #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during a Major League Baseball game at Three Rivers Stadium circa 1986 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Starting Pitcher – Doug Drabek

For as deep, and rich a history the Pirates have with hitters, the same can no be said about pitchers. One of the best starting pitchers in franchise history, however, is righty Doug Drabek.

One of only two Pittsburgh Pirates to win the Cy Young award, along with Vern Law in 1960, Drabek seemed like the obvious choice to toe the rubber on this list. In his six years with the Pirates he saw his best numbers as a pitcher. None better than his 1990 Cy Young winning campaign. In 1990, he finished with a 22-6 record, a 2.76 ERA, 3.28 FIP, and his second-highest WAR rating at 4.2.

Drabek was the true ace of the early ’90s for the Pirates and was a crucial part for six years. He would always be near the top in ERA and rarely walked anybody with his highest BB/9 coming in at 2.54 in 1989. Drabek did something you rarely see in today’s day and age, and that is pitch well over 230 innings every year with his most coming in 92 with 256.2. For his consistency and his drive to win is the reason he belongs on this list. His right arm played a big role in the Pirates three consecutive division champions to kick off the ’90s.

Honorable Mentions:

Dick Groat
Manny Sanguillen
Bob Friend
Andrew McCutchen

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Schedule