The Pittsburgh Pirates History dates back to 1882, making them one of Major League Baseball’s most established franchises. As a cornerstone of Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball, the team’s legacy includes championship victories, Hall of Fame players, and unforgettable moments. Their tradition of excellence continues to inspire fans and shape the city’s proud baseball culture.
Established
1882
City
Pittsburgh
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1887 – 1999 / National League
1882 – 1886 / American Association
Team History
1882 – Present / Pittsburgh Pirates
Nickname
Pirates – The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the most beloved teams in Major League Baseball, and they have a long and storied history that dates back to 1887. The team’s nickname has existed since then, but its origins remain mysterious. While there are several theories about how the Pirates got their name, none can be definitively proven.
Pittsburgh Pirates Origin
One popular theory is that the team was named after an old-time baseball club known as “the Allegheny Base Ball Club of Pittsburgh,” which was founded in 1876 by William Nimick and other members of his family who were from Allegheny City (now part of Pittsburgh).
It is believed that this club adopted a pirate theme for their uniforms due to its association with Nimick's ancestors who had settled along Pennsylvania's rivers during colonial times - when piracy on these waterways was common. This could explain why some early photos show players wearing striped shirts with skull-and-crossbones logos!
Another theory suggests that the name comes from another local sports team called "Pittsburgh Burghers" or "Burgher Boys." In 1890, when both teams played at Exposition Park (which later became Forbes Field), fans often chanted, “Let’s Go, Bucs! Let's Go, Burghers!" In response to this cheerfulness among supporters for both squads, newspapers began referring to them collectively as “Pirates."
Whatever its origin, however, it remains clear why so many people continue to love cheering on our hometown heroes: The Pittsburgh Pirates history! For over 130 years, they have provided us with plenty of entertainment while representing everything good about America's pastime – dedication, hard work, resilience & camaraderie – making them truly worthy champions no matter what happens each season.
Championship
World Series 5
1979, 1971, 1960, 1925, 1909
Stadium
2001 – Present / PNC Park
1970 – 2000 / Three Rivers Stadium
1909 – 1970 / Forbes Field
1891 – 1909 / Exposition Park II
1884 – 1890 / Recreation Park
1882 – 1883 / Exposition Park I
Owner
2007 – Present / Robert Nutting
1996 – 2007 / Kevin McClatchy
1985 – 1996 / Pittsburgh Associates
1946 – 1985 / John W. Galbreath
1932 – 1946 / Bill Benswanger
1900 – 1932 / Barney Dreyfuss
1891 – 1900 / William Kerr & Phil Auten
1887 – 1891 / William A. Nimick
1882 – 1887 / Denny McKnight
- 1882
- 1909
- 1925
- 1960
- 1970
- 1971
- 1979
- 2001
-
Pittsburgh Pirates Team Formation
The new owners also signed up several players from American Association teams. One of them was highly regarded second baseman Lou Bierbauer, who had previously played with the A.A.’s Philadelphia Athletics. The Athletics failed to include him on their reserve list, and the Alleghenys picked him up. This led to loud protests by the Athletics, and in an official complaint, ... -
World Series Winner 1909
The 1909 World Series featured the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates won the Series in seven games to capture their first championship of the modern Major League Baseball era and the second championship in the club’s history. -
World Series Winner 1925
In the 1925 World Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the defending champion Washington Senators in seven games. -
World Series – 1960
The 1960 World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League (NL) and the New York Yankees of the American League (AL) from October 5 to 13, 1960. It is most notable for the Game 7, a ninth-inning home run hit by Bill Mazeroski, winning the game for the Pirates 10–9, and also winning them their third ... -
Three Rivers Stadium
The ground was broken in April 1968 and an oft behind-schedule construction plan lasted for 29 months. The stadium opened on July 16, 1970, when the Pirates played their first game. In the 1971 World Series, Three Rivers Stadium hosted the first World Series game played at night. The following year the stadium was the site of the Immaculate Reception. ... -
World Series Winner 1971
The 1971 World Series matched the defending champion Baltimore Orioles against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Pirates winning in seven games. Game 4, played in Pittsburgh, was the first-ever World Series game scheduled to be played at night. The two teams proved to be evenly matched, as the Series went the full seven games, with the Pirates’ Steve Blass pitching ... -
World Series Winner 1979
The 1979 World Series matched the National League’s Pittsburgh Pirates (98–64) against the American League’s Baltimore Orioles (102–57), with the Pirates coming back from three games to one deficit to win the Series in seven games. The Pirates were famous for adopting Sister Sledge’s hit anthem “We Are Family” as their theme song. -
PNC Park Opens
The Pirates opened a new stadium, PNC Park, in 2001. Due to its simple, unpretentious concept and strategic usage of the remarkably beautiful Pittsburgh skyline, it is frequently regarded as in a recent ESPN article as currently the best park in baseball. Despite this, the Pirates’ performance has translated to subpar attendance figures. Through the end of the 2012 season, ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Pittsburgh Pirates History
The Pittsburgh Pirates History is one of the richest in Major League Baseball, dating back to their establishment in 1882. Known widely as the “Bucs” or “Buccos,” the franchise became a cornerstone of Pittsburgh Pirates history. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the team plays home games at PNC Park and competes fiercely in the National League Central Division against clubs like the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.
Originally formed as the Allegheny Base Ball Club, the team was reorganized by William Nimick in the late 1800s and officially became the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1901, the franchise joined the newly established National League and moved to Forbes Field, where it remained until 1970. After that, the Pirates played at Three Rivers Stadium until 2001, when the state-of-the-art PNC Park became their permanent home, reflecting the growth of Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball.
Pirates Achievements
Over the decades, the Pittsburgh Pirates History has been defined by legendary players and memorable moments. Hall of Famers such as Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski, Barry Bonds, and Andrew McCutchen have worn the black and gold. Their contributions helped shape Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball, leading to multiple playoff runs, three consecutive NL East titles from 1990 to 1992, and unforgettable performances that still inspire fans today.
The achievements of the Pittsburgh Pirates remain central to their legacy. They have captured five World Series championships (1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, and 1979), as well as numerous division titles. Iconic moments like Mazeroski’s walk-off home run in the 1960 World Series and Clemente’s 3,000th hit in 1972 symbolize the team’s enduring success. Even today, Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball continues to unite fans across generations, carrying forward a proud tradition built over more than a century.
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Retired Number
1 / Billy Meyer
4 / Ralph Kiner
8 / Willie Stargell
9 / Bill Mazeroski
11 / Paul Waner
20 / Pie Traynor
21 / Roberto Clemente
33 / Honus Wagner
40 / Danny Murtaugh
42 / Jackie Robinson
*Blue is this team’s history