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

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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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 01: A member of the Pittsburgh Pirates watches from the stands as his teammates take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 01, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

1954 Pittsburgh Pirates, 53-101 Record

Yes, I know, I know I’ve gone three years in a row here, but you have to look at the facts with the Pirates losing 100 games seven times, three of them happened from 52-54. Managing these Pirates yet again was Haney. Haney managed the Pirates for another year after 1954 and posted a 163-299 record in those three years. Haney managed four more years in Milwaukee and never saw his team lose more than 70 games.

Outfielder Sid Gordon led the team in batting average with .306 and had a slash line of .306/.405/.438. Thomas yet again led the team in homers (23) RBI’s (94) and hits with 172. Thomas in 54 earned his first of three All-Star appearances that year, and rightfully so I must say. Even though he isn’t a “legend,” I must say Thomas was underrated for his time.

Dick Littlefield led the 1954 Pirates in both wins (10) and ERA (3.60.) Friend would have one more bad year with a 7-12 record and a career-high 5.07 ERA. Little did Pirate fans know he would be an excellent pitcher not long after. We also saw another Pirates legend in Vern Law pitch that year. After two years in the military, Law came back with a 5.51 ERA in 39 games (ouch.) I promise we are out of the ’50s.