The most legendary numbers in Pittsburgh Pirates history

2. No. 24

“El Toro”, the big bull Pedro Álvarez, wowed with his impressive power and disappointed with his subpar defense. Still, I'd say Pedro is remembered fondly by the fans. From Vanderbilt, he was the second overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, taken after Tim Beckham. His back-to-back 30 home run seasons showed this potential, earning him an All-Star Game appearance and Silver Slugger Award in 2013.

Brian Giles is another underrated power hitter that made the greatest catch ever at PNC Park, reaching into the left field stands to rob Brandon Phillips back in ‘03. His offensive numbers are among the best in franchise history. That walk-off grand slam he hit in 2001 against the Astros -- and the call by Lanny Frattare -- is the stuff of legends.

Barry Bonds, the controversial home run king with an asterisk, is undeniably one of the best to wear the black and gold. He was on a Hall of Fame track, winning two MVPs and several other accolades before signing with the Giants and becoming such a controversial figure, which he remains to this day. This year, Bonds was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame.

Mike Easler was a valuable contributor to those early ‘80s lost years. He hit for a high average, most notably .338 in 1980, a year in which he received MVP votes. Easler was an All-Star the following season. Dick Groat, another Pittsburgh native (Swissvale, to be specific), had such an impressive career, not just in baseball. He won the batting title and MVP in 1960, the same year the Pirates captured the World Series, then won another title with the Cardinals in ‘64. He was an eight-time All-Star, and became the first person to be inducted into both the College Baseball and College Basketball Halls of Fame, thanks to his years at Duke.

As Pirates fans, we tend not to remember the Chris Archer trade fondly. Both he and Tyler Glasnow were No. 24 at one time, ironically enough. Others that come to mind are 2000s rotation mainstay Tom Gorzelanny and most recently Johan Oviedo, who had a good 2023 before requiring Tommy John surgery.