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Pittsburgh Pirates: Examining Some of the Worst Teams in Franchise History

By Cody Potanko

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Manager John Russell #7 of the Pittsburgh Pirates jobs back to the dugout after relieving Brian Burres #71 during the game against the St Louis Cardinals on September 23, 2010 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Manager John Russell #7 of the Pittsburgh Pirates jobs back to the dugout after relieving Brian Burres #71 during the game against the St Louis Cardinals on September 23, 2010 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /
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MANHATTAN, NY – 1950’s: Outfielder Ralph Kiner #4 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, poses for a portrait prior to a 1950’s game against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds in New York. Kiner played for the Pirates from 1946-1953. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, NY – 1950’s: Outfielder Ralph Kiner #4 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, poses for a portrait prior to a 1950’s game against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds in New York. Kiner played for the Pirates from 1946-1953. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

1952 Pittsburgh Pirates, 42-112 Record

Good god almighty 112 losses is just incredibly bad, and guess who the manager was (pause for effect) YUP Billy Meyer (told you he would be back.) This team must’ve been so bad that Meyer never managed another game after that god awful year. The poor guy passed away five years later, and he will be remembered for managing the worst team in Pirates history. (Literally)

Not even Ralph Kiner could salvage enough games to save Meyer from that fate. 1952 was Kiner’s last full year with the Pirates, and he saw his worst year batting average-wise with the team with a .244 average but still, he knocked 37 homers and 87 RBIs to earn his second to last All-Star appearance.

The pitching wasn’t all that bad, but it was still bad (I know that makes no sense.) Murry Dickson led the team in wins with 14 as well as ERA among starters with a 3.57. Pirate Legend Bob Friend had a bad year in 1952, posting a 7-17 record with a 4.18 ERA in 23 starts. The good news is you won’t see a record as bad as this, but the bad news is I’ll see you in the next year.

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