The most impressive final seasons in Pittsburgh Pirates history

The final season of a player’s career can be one of their most dramatic seasons. It’s even more dramatic when the player is able to rally and go out with a bang, but few are able to put up great seasons before they hang up the cleats. The Pittsburgh Pirates have been around for a long time, which means they’ve seen their fair share of fantastic final seasons. Each of these players played their final contest in a Pirates uniform before heading off into the sunset, and did so in notable fashion.

3 most impressive "final seasons" in Pittsburgh Pirates history

Roberto Clemente

Given the recent anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s tragic passing in a plane crash on December 31, 1972, this feels like a good time to honor him and remember what ultimately ended up being his final season. But had Clemente not passed away, he could have played another three to five more seasons, as he showed he had plenty left in the tank in 1972.

Clemente batted .312/.356/.479 with a 138 OPS+ in 413 plate appearances. Not only did he make the All-Star Game, but he won a Gold Glove despite being in his age-37 campaign. Clemente led all right fielders in total zone runs with +11, did not make a single error, and threw out five base runners in less than 100 games on the outfield grass.

There have only been 24 players all-time with an OPS+ above 130 in 100+ games played during their final MLB season. Even fewer have achieved that feat post-integration (15, to be exact). Of those 15, Clemente had the fifth-best batting average and the ninth-most total bases. However, with his defensive contributions, Clemente’s +4.8 bWAR is the second most by a player in 100 games in their final season post-integration. Only David Ortiz in 2016 surpasses him.

Clemente’s passing is arguably the most tragic in baseball history. At the very least, Clemente’s final season is one of the best ever recorded among position players. His final hit also happened to be his 3,000th. Clemente is already considered one of the best to play MLB, but it’s wild to think he could have reached an even higher echelon, as he still had plenty left to give on the field.

Hank Greenberg

Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg is mostly remembered for his days with the Detroit Tigers. The slugger spent the first dozen seasons with the Tigers, where he hit 306 home runs, won two MVPs, and led the league in dingers four different times. After three years of serving in the Air Force from 1942 through 1944, Greenberg returned to Major League Baseball with the Tigers in 1945-46. 

However, his final season in 1947 would be spent with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Greenberg was still very productive with the bat. He hit .249/.408/.478 with a 132 OPS+. Greenberg led the league in walks with 104 and only struck out 73 times in 510 plate appearances. He still hit for good power as well, with 25 home runs.

Only five players in the post-integration era finished their careers off with a 130 OPS+ or greater in 500+ plate appearances throughout their final season. Greenberg ranked fourth behind Ortiz, Will Clark, and Mickey Mantle. His OBP is also the second-best among that group of players, as Clark had a .418 mark in his final campaign in 2000. However, only Clark, Greenberg, Ortiz, and Roy Cullenbine in 1947 put up OBPs above .400 in their final year, given the benchmark of at least 500 plate appearances.

Greenberg was an important figure to the Pirates in 1947, as he helped tutor then-young slugger and future Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, who was only in his second big league season. Despite still being productive in just his age-36 season, Greenberg decided to go out on a high note and take a job in Cleveland's front office after his retirement.

A.J. Burnett

A.J. Burnett is one of the most important Pirates in recent history. He was a key member of the Pirates’ 2013 and 2015 teams, leading the rotation in both years. After his outstanding ‘13 season, Burnett signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he struggled badly. He then re-signed with the Bucs so he could end his career in Pittsburgh.

Burnett pitched 164 frames in his final year, working to a 3.18 ERA (122 ERA+), 3.36 FIP, and 1.36 WHIP. The veteran right-hander had just a 20.3% strikeout rate, but a strong 7% walk rate and 0.60 HR/9 rate. He ended his final year with a +2.6 bWAR and made his first All-Star Game. Burnett had the eighth-most bWAR on a team that won 98 games.

Only three pitchers have made the All-Star Game in their final season while still making 20+ starts. The first was Sandy Koufax, who was forced into retirement in 1966 at age 30 because of injuries in a pre-Tommy John surgery era. The most recent is Jose Fernandez, who passed away in a tragic boating accident in September of 2016. A.J. was the only one who ended his career on his own terms.

Burnett is also one of only 10 pitchers to put up a 120+ ERA+ in their final season while making at least 20 starts after the start of the integration era. Of those 10, Burnett struck out the fourth-most batters with 143, with the fifth-best K:BB ratio at 2.92. His 2.7 BB/9 ratio is also the fifth-best mark recorded.

Burnett only appeared in three seasons with the Pirates. He spent an equal amount of years with the NY Yankees, the Toronto Blue Jays, and seven with the Florida Marlins, but his years with the Bucs might be the most memorable. The Pirates had some very fun teams during his tenure with Pittsburgh, making his first and only All-Star Game with the Bucs and retiring with the team.