Constructing the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Time Lineup

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PITTSBURGH – 1910. Honus Wagner, shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, poses in Forbes Field before a game in 1910. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH – 1910. Honus Wagner, shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, poses in Forbes Field before a game in 1910. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /

Shortstop – Honus Wagner

Other than maybe Clemente, Honus Wagner is the greatest player in the long history of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wagner finished his career with 3,420 career hits, a lifetime slash line of .328/.391/.467, and an OPS of .858.

Wagner led the NL in batting average eight separate times. Wagner was not just the best shortstop in Pirates history, he is considered by many to be the greatest shortstop in baseball history. With 4,567 putouts, he is ranked 4th all-time at the shortstop position, as well as ranking 11th in Range Factor per Game with 5.63.

To couple with his hitting prowess, Wagner was speedy with 723 stolen bases making him 10th all-time in that category. One of the most impressive stats with Wagner is the number of triples he hit with 252 making him third all-time right behind long time rival Ty Cobb. Wagner did go to two World Series losing his first in 1903 but winning in his second and last appearance wherein a seven-game series his line read .333/.467/.500 and a great OPS of .967. Wagner may be the best Pirate on this list.

In 1936, Wagner was a member of the inaugural class of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Wagner, a Pittsburgh native, was a player/manager for the Pirates in 1917. Following his retirement, he was a coach for the Pirates from 1933 – 1951.