Constructing the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Time Lineup

Today, we take a stab at constructing the Pittsburgh Pirates all-time lineup. Something that is no easy task for a franchise with a long, storied history.

Over the Pittsburgh Pirates 133 year history, there has been a plethora of incredible talent to cement their legacy on this historic town and created a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten. While the Pirates have certainly fallen on their fair share of hard times, especially in the last 30 years, there are still few MLB franchises with as long and storied a history as the Pirates have.

From having played in the first ever World Series, to having 42 former players, managers, or executives that are now in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Pittsburgh Pirates have long put their stamp on baseball. Even though the Pirates have not won a World Series Championship since 1979, they are still tied for the fourth most World Series Championships in MLB history.

Even into the 1990s and 2000s, they continued to put their stamp on the sport with superstars and MVPs such as Barry Bonds and Andrew McCutchen. So, with a stories tradition like the Pirates have, constructing an all-time lineup can be a tough task. Largely due to their being plenty of options to choose from.

I’m often reminded of “The Sandlot” quote where Babe Ruth says, “legends never die”. These nine players, in my opinion, will live up to that quote.

Left Field – Ralph Kiner

Ralph Kiner was an obvious choice. Kiner was a legend in this city for many years and was Pittsburgh’s first real home run king. In fact, while he is often times overlooked, Kiner is one of the most prolific home run hitters in MLB history.

In nearly eight years with the Pirates, he hit 329 home runs and led the National League in home runs for seven straight seasons. He was the first NL player to achieve two 50 home run seasons (1947, 1949.) From 1948-1953 he made the All-Star Game each year, and, during that five year stretch, he never dipped below 100 RBIs except in 1952 when he still had an impressive 87.

The legend of Ralph Kiner continued with countless tales of fans showing up to Pirates games at hallowed Forbes Field just to see Kiner play. Often times, fans would wait around for Kiner’s final at bat before filing out of the ballpark.

Kiner, unfortunately, was on some very bad Pirate teams during his career in Pittsburgh. During his tenure in the Burgh the Bucs endured two 100 loss seasons and Kiner never felt what it was like to be on the winning side very often. This is a testament to how great Kiner was for the sheer fact people would go to see a losing team for just one player.

After his playing career ended, Kiner was an announcer for the New York Mets for 52 seasons. In 1975, he was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Center Field – Andy Van Slyke

Andy Van Slyke may be an odd choice for some of you. After all, that McCutchen guy held down center field for nine seasons, which included being the key piece on three of the best teams in franchise history. However, when you look at Van Slyke’s stats, you may think otherwise.

Van Slyke was a true two-way player. With the bat, he received two Silver Slugger Awards (1988 and 1992), and defensively he won five straight Gold Gloves awards (1988-1992.) Van Slyke, during his time with the Pirates, was not talked about a ton. This was largely due to players such as Bobby Bonilla and Barry Bonds roaming the corners.

As a Pirate, Van Slyke slashed .283/.353/.811 as well as showing some pop with his bat with 117 home runs. He was also the starting center fielder for three consecutive National League Eastern Division Championship squads from 1990 through 1992.

When it comes down to it, Van Slyke may not have been the flashiest center fielder, but he sure was consistent and reliable. His reputation and the impact he left on this city will genuinely would be a memorable one, and he definitely belongs on this list. To this day, he remains a fan favorite among many Pirate fans.

Right Field – Roberto Clemente

What more could be said about the legend of Roberto Clemente? In the City of Bridges, he has one named after him. Shoot, he even has the right field wall named after him.

Not only was he a great humanitarian, but he was also a hell of a ballplayer. In his 18-year career, he finished with exactly 3,000 hits, 240 home runs, and a career batting average of .317!

Clemente was a two-way player as well. While, yes, he won four National League batting titles, he may have been best known for his defense. The winner of 12(!) Gold Glove Awards, Clemente was known for his cannon of an arm that was feared by base runners throughout baseball.

With 260 outfield assists, he showed off his cannon for an arm in these desperate times I felt it necessary to watch some film on Clemente’s defense and my goodness did he throw frozen ropes! On that unfortunate day of New Years Eve in 1972, Clemente died in a plane crash, and the city mourned for days. One thing is for sure though Clemente was and is one of the greatest Pirates to put on a uniform.

From his statue outside the ballpark, to his number 21 on the wall named after him in right field and Pirate players touching a sign with his words on it before taking the field, it is impossible to venture around PNC Park without seeing his legacy.

Third Base – Pie Traynor

The best third baseman in Pittsburgh Pirates history, Pie Traynor played during a time when not a lot of third baseman were known for their power or their extra-base hit ability. In fact, following his retirement, Traynor was long viewed as the best third baseman in baseball history. A designation that in the eyes of some he held into the 1970s.

Traynor played for the Pirates for 17 years from 1920-1935 and then a stint in 1937 for five games. His stat line for such a long career was impressive with a .320/.362/.435 line, striking out only 278 times, and collecting 2,416 total hits.

In 1925, Traynor would win his first and only World Series Championship with the Pirates. During this World Series he was a catalyst for the Bucs as he batted .346/.414/.615 over seven games. During this time Traynor was so impressive that he earned the honor to be the starting third baseman in the first ever MLB All-Star Game in 1933. Then in 1934, he would earn the same honor which would turn out to be his last All-Star appearance. Traynor’s legacy lasted throughout the years and he is still considered one of the  best third basemen of all-time.

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.

Second Base – Bill Mazeroski

The man known as “Maz” is forever cemented in the annals of baseball history due to the 1960 World Series. In the 1960 Fall Classic, Mazeroski sent Pittsburgh into euphoria with a walk-off home run in game seven. This completed the Pirates shocking upset of the heavily favored New York Yankees, and to this day it still the only walk-off home run in World Series Game Seven history. In the opinions of many, this is the greatest home run in baseball history. Including Fox Sports who ranked it the greatest home run in baseball history.

Besides his historic home run, what else do you know about Bill Mazeroski? Well, I’ll tell you as far as second basemen go he was one of the best to do it defensively.

With 2,094 games at second base, he ranks 7th in putouts for second basemen with 4,974, 5th in assists with 6,685, and 1st in double plays turned with 1,706. In his 17-year MLB career, Maz totaled eight Gold Glove Awards, ten All-Star appearances, he was a two-time World Series Champion with the Pirates, and he won the Major League Player of the Year in 1960. His bat wasn’t the best, but he batted a respectable .260 at the plate and will go down as one of the best second basemen in Pirate history.

Catcher – Jason Kendall

Many people will hound me over this selection for many reasons. Jason Kendall was not the nicest guy in the world and had a bad attitude at times, but the guy could flat out play ball.

Heralded as one of the most athletic catchers for his time, Kendall stole 140 bases as a Pirate as well as recording 352 extra base hits. Kendall was a three-time All-Star, in fact, his first All-Star appearance came in his rookie campaign where he finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

During his eight years in Pittsburgh, Kendall’s slash line read .306/.387/.418 with his best year statistically coming in 1998 when he had a wOBA of .390, a wRC+ of 136, a career-high in stolen bases with 26, and a WAR of 5.6.

Another great aspect of Kendall’s game was his plate discipline having never struck out more 79 times, and that came in his final all-star appearance in 2000. Like I said before, Kendall wasn’t the nicest guy especially to Jack Wilson or any other rookie, but from a pure, on-field perspective, Kendall belonged here. He also gave Pirate fans something worth watching during some of the worst seasons in franchise history.

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

Do you agree? Disagree? Comment below and sound off!