1979 Pittsburgh Pirates season

1979 Pittsburgh Pirates
1979 NL East Champions 1979 NL Champions 1979 World Series Champions
Division	Eastern Division
Ballpark	Three Rivers Stadium
City	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Record	98–64 (.605)
Owners	John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Thomas Johnson (minority shareholder)
Managers	Chuck Tanner
Television	KDKA-TV Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare, Nelson Briles
Radio	KDKA Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare
Seasons

The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates had 98 wins and 64 losses and captured the National League East Division title by two games over the Montreal Expos. The Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds to win their ninth National League title, and the Baltimore Orioles to win their fifth World Series title - and also their last playoff series victory to date. The wildly popular disco hit "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge was used as the team's theme song that season.

Offseason

• October 23, 1978: Will McEnaney was released by the Pirates.
• December 4, 1978: Ken Macha was drafted from the Pirates by the Montreal Expos in the 1978 rule 5 draft.
• December 5, 1978: Odell Jones, Rafael Vásquez, and Mario Mendoza were traded by the Pirates to the Seattle Mariners for Enrique Romo, Rick Jones and Tom McMillan.

Regular season

Season standings

NL East

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Pittsburgh Pirates	98	64	.605	—	48‍–‍33	50‍–‍31
Montreal Expos	95	65	.594	2	56‍–‍25	39‍–‍40
St. Louis Cardinals	86	76	.531	12	42‍–‍39	44‍–‍37
Philadelphia Phillies	84	78	.519	14	43‍–‍38	41‍–‍40
Chicago Cubs	80	82	.494	18	45‍–‍36	35‍–‍46
New York Mets	63	99	.389	35	28‍–‍53	35‍–‍46

Record vs. opponents

1979 National League record Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Team	ATL	CHC	CIN	HOU	LAD	MON	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL
Atlanta	—	4–8	6–12	7–11	12–6	1–9	4–8	7–5	4–8	6–12	11–7	4–8
Chicago	8–4	—	7–5	6–6	5–7	6–12	8–10	9–9	6–12	9–3	8–4	8–10
Cincinnati	12–6	5–7	—	8–10	11–7	6–6	8–4	8–4	8–4	10–7	6–12	8–4
Houston	11–7	6–6	10–8	—	10–8	7–5	9–3	5–7	4–8	14–4	7–11	6–6
Los Angeles	6–12	7–5	7–11	8–10	—	6–6	9–3	3–9	4–8	9–9	14–4	6–6
Montreal	9–1	12–6	6–6	5–7	6–6	—	15–3	11–7	7–11	7–5	7–5	10–8
New York	8–4	10–8	4–8	3–9	3–9	3–15	—	5–13	8–10	4–8	8–4	7–11
Philadelphia	5–7	9–9	4–8	7–5	9–3	7–11	13–5	—	8–10	9–3	6–6	7–11
Pittsburgh	8–4	12–6	4–8	8–4	8–4	11–7	10–8	10–8	—	7–5	9–3	11–7
San Diego	12–6	3–9	7–10	4–14	9–9	5–7	8–4	3–9	5–7	—	8–10	4–8
San Francisco	7–11	4–8	12–6	11–7	4–14	5–7	4–8	6–6	3–9	10–8	—	5–7
St. Louis	8–4	10–8	4–8	6–6	6–6	8–10	11–7	11–7	7–11	8–4	7–5	—

Game log

1979 Game Log (98–64)
April: 7–11 (Home: 5–6 ; Away: 2–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 April 6 Expos 2–3 (10) Sosa (1–0) Tekulve (0–1) — 36,141 0–1 2 April 7 Expos 7–6 Jackson (1–0) Sosa (1–1) — 8,700 1–1 3 April 8 Expos 4–5 May (1–0) Romo (0–1) Palmer (1) 8,680 1–2 4 April 10 @ Phillies 3–7 Ruthven (1–0) Romo (0–2) — 48,235 1–3 5 April 11 @ Phillies 4–5 Carlton (1–1) Blyleven (0–1) — 26,281 1–4 6 April 12 Cardinals 3–1 Robinson (1–0) Denny (1–1) — 3,986 2–4 7 April 13 Cardinals 7–6 Bibby (1–0) Schultz (0–1) Jackson (1) 4,395 3–4 8 April 14 Cardinals 7–4 Whitson (1–0) Forsch (0–1) Jackson (2) 10,940 4–4 9 April 15 Cardinals 4–9 (10) Littell (1–0) Tekulve (0–2) — 3,012 4–5 10 April 17 Phillies 2–13 Carlton (2–1) Blyleven (0–2) — 7,739 4–6 11 April 18 Phillies 2–3 Lerch (1–1) Robinson (1–1) — 12,195 4–7 12 April 20 @ Astros 4–5 (10) Sambito (1–0) Bibby (1–1) — 19,834 4–8 13 April 21 @ Astros 4–5 (10) Andujar (2–0) Tekulve (0–3) — 48,977 4–9 14 April 22 @ Astros 2–3 Andujar (3–0) Candelaria (0–1) Sambito (2) 22,403 4–10 15 April 24 @ Reds 9–2 Robinson (2–1) Pastore (0–2) — 18,372 5–10 16 April 25 @ Reds 3–2 (11) Tekulve (1–3) Tomlin (0–1) — 20,155 6–10 17 April 27 Astros 8–9 (11) Riccelli (1–0) Whitson (1–1) — 5,767 6–11 18 April 29 Astros 10–5 Kison (1–0) Niekro (1–2) Jackson (3) 7,598 7–11
May: 16–10 (Home: 7–4 ; Away: 9–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 19 May 1 Braves 2–5 Niekro (3–4) Tekulve (1–4) — 5,122 7–12 20 May 2 Braves 10–2 Candelaria (1–1) Mahler (0–2) — 4,840 8–12 21 May 4 @ Cardinals 3–4 Sykes (2–2) Robinson (2–2) Schultz (2) 13,525 8–13 22 May 5 @ Cardinals 6–5 Jackson (2–0) Vuckovich (2–2) Whitson (1) 17,440 9–13 23 May 6 @ Cardinals 2–4 Martinez (1–1) Kison (1–1) Knowles (2) 20,966 9–14 24 May 7 @ Braves 4–2 Candelaria (2–1) Mahler (0–3) Tekulve (1) 8,166 10–14 25 May 8 @ Braves 1–4 Solomon (2–1) Rhoden (0–1) — 5,741 10–15 26 May 9 @ Braves 17–9 Bibby (2–1) Garber (1–5) Tekulve (2) 6,855 11–15 27 May 11 Reds 4–8 Tomlin (1–1) Whitson (1–2) Bair (6) 14,115 11–16 28 May 12 Reds 3–2 Bibby (3–1) Pastore (1–3) Jackson (4) 18,745 12–16 29 May 13 Reds 3–7 LaCoss (4–0) Candelaria (2–2) — 10,253 12–17 30 May 15 Mets 0–3 Swan (4–3) Robinson (2–3) Lockwood (6) 6,097 12–18 31 May 16 Mets 4–3 (13) Romo (1–2) Lockwood (0–5) — 7,621 13–18 32 May 17 Mets 6–5 Tekulve (2–4) Orosco (1–2) — 6,295 14–18 33 May 18 @ Cubs 9–5 Candelaria (3–2) Holtzman (3–3) — 12,578 15–18 34 May 19 @ Cubs 3–0 Rooker (1–0) Krukow (1–3) Jackson (5) 29,460 16–18 35 May 20 @ Cubs 6–5 Robinson (3–3) McGlothen (5–5) Tekulve (3) 30,998 17–18 36 May 21 @ Expos 4–2 Blyleven (1–2) Sanderson (2–3) Tekulve (4) 25,154 18–18 37 May 22 @ Expos 3–6 Grimsley (4–2) Whitson (1–3) Fryman (2) 15,227 18–19 38 May 23 @ Expos 0–3 Rogers (4–2) Candelaria (3–3) — 7,041 18–20 39 May 25 @ Mets 3–3 (11) — — — 6,611 18–20 40 May 26 @ Mets 8–10 Lockwood (1–5) Tekulve (2–5) — 20,272 18–21 41 May 27 @ Mets 2–1 Jackson (3–0) Murray (2–5) — 25,545 19–21 42 May 28 @ Mets 6–1 Candelaria (4–3) Falcone (0–5) Jackson (6) 10,619 20–21 43 May 29 Cubs 8–0 Robinson (4–3) Holtzman (4–4) — 7,196 21–21 44 May 30 Cubs 9–2 Rooker (2–0) McGlothen (6–6) — 7,107 22–21 45 May 31 Cubs 4–3 (10) Kison (2–1) Sutter (1–2) — 6,438 23–21
June: 14–13 (Home: 7–9 ; Away: 7–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 46 June 1 Padres 9–8 Tekulve (3–5) Shirley (2–5) — 12,928 24–21 47 June 2 Padres 1–3 Perry (5–4) Candelaria (4–4) — 20,977 24–22 48 June 3 Padres 0–7 Kison (3–1) Owchinko (2–2) — 13,370 25–22 49 June 4 Dodgers 2–4 Sutcliffe (6–3) Rooker (2–1) — 14,727 25–23 50 June 5 Dodgers 3–1 Blyleven (2–2) Sutton (6–5) Tekulve (5) 11,088 26–23 51 June 6 Dodgers 5–4 Romo (2–2) Welch (4–3) Tekulve (6) 16,666 27–23 52 June 8 Giants 3–2 Romo (3–2) Curtis (1–3) Jackson (7) 18,227 28–23 53 June 9 Giants 2–6 Blue (7–6) Kison (3–2) — 25,814 28–24 54 June 10 Giants 4–7 Lavelle (4–2) Romo (3–3) — 25,536 28–25 55 June 12 @ Padres 3–6 Perry (6–4) Candelaria (4–5) — 23,759 28–26 56 June 13 @ Padres 2–3 Owchinko (3–2) Kison (3–3) Fingers (9) 17,845 28–27 57 June 14 @ Padres 1–2 (14) D'Acquisto (3–4) Candelaria (4–6) — 15,444 28–28 58 June 15 @ Dodgers 6–2 Blyleven (3–2) Sutton (6–7) Tekulve (7) 50,299 29–28 59 June 16 @ Dodgers 6–3 Robinson (5–3) Welch (4–4) — 49,448 30–28 60 June 17 @ Dodgers 5–1 Whitson (2–3) Reuss (2–5) Tekulve (8) 45,835 31–28 61 June 19 @ Giants 9–4 Candelaria (5–6) Montefusco (1–3) Romo (1) 39,861 32–28 62 June 20 @ Giants 8–5 Jackson (4–0) Lavelle (5–4) Tekulve (9) 19,637 33–28 63 June 22 Cubs 7–2 Blyleven (4–2) Holtzman (5–6) — 21,006 34–28 64 June 23 Cubs 3–4 Krukow (4–5) Robinson (5–4) Sutter (17) 18,513 34–29 65 June 24 Cubs 0–5 Reuschel (6–5) Kison (3–4) — 43,402 34–30 66 June 25 @ Mets 8–1 Candelaria (6–6) Swan (7–6) — N/A 35–30 67 June 25 @ Mets 0–4 Falcone (1–5) Rooker (2–2) — 14,666 35–31 68 June 26 @ Mets 2–1 Blyleven (5–2) Hausman (0–3) Jackson (8) 11,903 36–31 69 June 27 Mets 9–12 Twitchell (2–0) Jackson (4–1) — 13,168 36–32 70 June 28 Mets 2–3 Allen (2–5) Bibby (3–2) Glynn (3) 10,137 36–33 71 June 29 Expos 6–5 Kison (4–4) Lee (7–5) Tekulve (10) 35,677 37–33 72 June 30 Expos 3–5 Sanderson (5–4) Blyleven (5–3) Fryman (5) 13,865 37–34
July: 20–11 (Home: 8–5 ; Away: 12–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 73 July 2 @ Cardinals 5–4 Romo (4–3) Knowles (2–4) Jackson (9) 18,042 38–34 74 July 3 @ Cardinals 4–1 Candelaria (7–6) Forsch (3–9) Romo (2) 17,130 39–34 75 July 4 @ Cardinals 6–4 Blyleven (6–3) Vuckovich (7–5) Jackson (10) 14,766 40–34 76 July 5 @ Cardinals 0–2 Fulgham (2–1) Rooker (2–3) — 16,626 40–35 77 July 6 @ Reds 1–2 Bair (5–4) Jackson (4–2) — 32,264 40–36 78 July 7 @ Reds 2–6 Moskau (5–3) Robinson (5–5) — 36,300 40–37 79 July 8 @ Reds 2–4 Norman (5–7) Candelaria (7–7) — N/A 40–38 80 July 8 @ Reds 2–1 Jackson (5–2) Tomlin (2–2) Tekulve (11) 43,099 41–38 81 July 10 @ Astros 4–3 Bibby (4–2) Andujar (10–5) Tekulve (12) 31,341 42–38 82 July 11 @ Astros 5–1 Kison (5–4) Richard (7–9) — 25,330 43–38 83 July 12 @ Astros 5–3 Blyleven (7–3) J. Niekro (13–4) Tekulve (13) 22,956 44–38 84 July 13 @ Braves 4–13 P. Niekro (12–11) Rooker (2–4) — 17,018 44–39 85 July 14 @ Braves 5–1 Candelaria (8–7) Matula (6–6) — 25,083 45–39 86 July 15 @ Braves 7–3 Bibby (5–2) Solomon (4–6) — 11,304 46–39 All–Star Break (July 16–18) 87 July 19 Astros 9–5 Roberts (1–2) Forsch (5–6) — N/A 47–39 88 July 19 Astros 4–2 Kison (6–4) J. Niekro (13–5) Jackson (11) 33,464 48–39 89 July 20 Astros 9–3 Candelaria (9–7) Richard (7–11) — 23,585 49–39 90 July 21 Astros 6–5 Romo (5–3) Sambito (4–3) Tekulve (14) 19,570 50–39 91 July 22 Braves 5–4 Robinson (6–5) Solomon (4–7) Tekulve (15) N/A 51–39 92 July 22 Braves 3–2 Bibby (6–2) Mahler (2–9) Tekulve (16) 29,533 52–39 93 July 23 Braves 7–1 Blyleven (8–3) Hanna (0–1) — N/A 53–39 94 July 23 Braves 0–8 P. Niekro (14–11) Rooker (2–5) — 27,148 53–40 95 July 24 Reds 5–6 Norman (7–8) Kison (6–5) Bair (14) 19,517 53–41 96 July 25 Reds 5–6 (10) Bair (6–5) Tekulve (3–6) — 17,296 53–42 97 July 26 Reds 7–9 Soto (1–2) Roberts (1–3) Hume (3) 20,339 53–43 98 July 27 @ Expos 5–4 Tekulve (4–6) Sosa (5–6) Romo (3) N/A 54–43 99 July 27 @ Expos 9–1 Blyleven (9–3) Sanderson (6–6) — 59,260 55–43 100 July 28 @ Expos 5–3 Bibby (7–2) Schatzeder (5–4) Tekulve (17) 38,661 56–43 101 July 29 @ Expos 3–5 Rogers (10–6) Kison (6–6) — 35,245 56–44 102 July 30 Mets 8–5 Jackson (6–2) Bernard (0–2) Tekulve (18) 11,837 57–44 103 July 31 Mets 1–2 Twitchell (5–2) Blyleven (9–4) Glynn (6) 10,739 57–45
August: 21–9 (Home: 12–4 ; Away: 9–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 104 Aug 1 Cardinals 4–3 Romo (6–3) Forsch (4–10) Tekulve (19) 16,124 58–45 105 Aug 2 Cardinals 4–5 Frazier (2–2) Jackson (6–3) Knowles (6) 25,163 58–46 106 Aug 3 Phillies 6–3 Romo (7–3) McGraw (3–2) — N/A 59–46 107 Aug 3 Phillies 5–1 Bibby (8–2) Christenson (2–7) — 45,309 60–46 108 Aug 4 Phillies 4–0 Candelaria (10–7) Espinosa (11–9) — 34,754 61–46 109 Aug 5 Phillies 12–8 Tekulve (5–6) Eastwick (1–2) — N/A 62–46 110 Aug 5 Phillies 5–2 Romo (8–3) Noles (3–3) Tekulve (20) 46,006 63–46 111 Aug 7 @ Cubs 2–15 Reuschel (11–7) Rooker (2–6) — 34,641 63–47 112 Aug 8 @ Cubs 5–2 (10) Tekulve (6–6) Tidrow (10–4) — 34,255 64–47 113 Aug 9 @ Cubs 3–11 Lamp (8–7) Candelaria (10–8) — 29,645 64–48 114 Aug 10 @ Phillies 3–4 (12) Eastwick (2–2) Jackson (6–4) — N/A 64–49 115 Aug 10 @ Phillies 3–2 Kison (7–6) Lerch (6–11) Tekulve (21) 63,346 65–49 116 Aug 11 @ Phillies 14–11 Romo (9–3) Eastwick (2–3) Tekulve (22) 51,118 66–49 117 Aug 13 @ Phillies 9–1 Bibby (9–2) Christenson (3–8) — 43,111 67–49 118 Aug 14 Padres 7–1 Candelaria (11–8) D'Acquisto (8–10) — 23,210 68–49 119 Aug 15 Padres 5–1 Blyleven (10–4) Jones (9–8) — 14,219 69–49 120 Aug 16 Padres 5–4 Kison (8–6) Perry (10–10) Romo (4) 14,201 70–49 121 Aug 17 Dodgers 6–7 Patterson (3–0) Bibby (9–3) Castillo (1) 22,416 70–50 122 Aug 18 Dodgers 1–5 Reuss (4–10) Robinson (6–6) — 40,238 70–51 123 Aug 19 Dodgers 2–0 Tekulve (7–6) Hooton (11–9) — 28,382 71–51 124 Aug 20 Giants 6–5 Romo (10–3) Lavelle (7–7) Tekulve (23) 18,714 72–51 125 Aug 21 Giants 1–6 Knepper (9–8) Kison (8–7) — 20,999 72–52 126 Aug 22 Giants 8–6 Tekulve (8–6) Lavelle (7–8) — 19,768 73–52 127 Aug 24 @ Padres 2–3 Jones (10–9) Romo (10–4) Lee (3) 16,890 73–53 128 Aug 25 @ Padres 4–3 (19) Roberts (2–3) D'Acquisto (8–12) — 14,607 74–53 129 Aug 26 @ Padres 9–2 Kison (9–7) Shirley (6–13) — 13,006 75–53 130 Aug 27 @ Dodgers 2–4 Brett (4–3) Tekulve (8–7) — 35,705 75–54 131 Aug 28 @ Dodgers 4–1 Candelaria (12–8) Hough (4–5) — 31,587 76–54 132 Aug 29 @ Dodgers 4–1 Blyleven (11–4) Reuss (4–12) Tekulve (24) 32,816 77–54 133 Aug 31 @ Giants 6–4 Robinson (7–6) Curtis (9–9) Jackson (12) 19,377 78–54
September: 20–10 (Home: 9–5 ; Away: 11–5 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 134 Sep 1 @ Giants 5–3 Kison (10–7) Montefusco (3–6) Jackson (13) 25,551 79–54 135 Sep 1 @ Giants 7–2 Bibby (10–3) Knepper (9–10) — 27,382 80–54 136 Sep 2 @ Giants 5–3 Candelaria (13–8) Blue (10–13) — 15,663 81–54 137 Sep 3 Phillies 0–2 Carlton (14–11) Blyleven (11–5) McGraw (14) N/A 81–55 138 Sep 3 Phillies 7–3 Rooker (3–6) Lerch (7–12) Tekulve (25) 43,444 82–55 139 Sep 5 @ Cardinals 7–5 (11) Roberts (3–3) Thomas (3–3) Tekulve (26) 23,059 83–55 140 Sep 6 @ Cardinals 6–8 Martinez (13–7) Bibby (10–4) McEnaney (2) 14,767 83–56 141 Sep 7 @ Mets 6–4 (14) Jackson (7–4) Allen (4–9) — 8,290 84–56 142 Sep 8 @ Mets 2–3 (15) Ellis (4–12) Rooker (3–7) — 8,095 84–57 143 Sep 9 @ Mets 6–5 Tekulve (9–7) Glynn (1–3) — 9,093 85–57 144 Sep 11 Cardinals 7–3 Roberts (4–3) Denny (7–11) — 15,757 86–57 145 Sep 12 Cardinals 2–0 Candelaria (14–8) Forsch (9–11) Tekulve (27) 17,669 87–57 146 Sep 15 Mets 5–4 Roberts (5–3) Glynn (1–4) Tekulve (28) 18,060 88–57 147 Sep 16 Mets 0–3 Falcone (6–13) Candelaria (14–9) Allen (7) 25,364 88–58 148 Sep 17 @ Expos 2–1 Robinson (8–6) Rogers (13–10) — 54,609 89–58 149 Sep 18 @ Expos 5–3 (11) Jackson (8–4) Murray (4–9) Roberts (4) 56,976 90–58 150 Sep 19 @ Phillies 9–6 Tekulve (10–7) Eastwick (3–5) Jackson (14) N/A 91–58 151 Sep 19 @ Phillies 5–6 Kucek (1–0) Romo (10–5) Saucier (1) 30,566 91–59 152 Sep 20 @ Phillies 1–2 Lerch (10–12) Tekulve (10–8) — 16,299 91–60 153 Sep 21 @ Cubs 0–2 McGlothen (12–13) Robinson (8–7) — 9,552 91–61 154 Sep 22 @ Cubs 4–1 Kison (11–7) Riley (0–1) Tekulve (29) 24,657 92–61 155 Sep 23 @ Cubs 6–0 Bibby (11–4) Reuschel (18–11) — 24,571 93–61 156 Sep 24 Expos 5–2 Blyleven (12–5) Schatzeder (10–5) Tekulve (30) N/A 94–61 157 Sep 24 Expos 6–7 Grimsley (10–9) Jackson (8–5) Sosa (18) 47,268 94–62 158 Sep 25 Expos 10–4 Rooker (4–7) Sanderson (9–8) Romo (5) 31,348 95–62 159 Sep 26 Expos 10–1 Kison (12–7) Rogers (13–11) — 42,043 96–62 160 Sep 27 Cardinals 5–9 Forsch (11–11) Roberts (5–4) Littell (13) 11,172 96–63 161 Sep 28 Cubs 6–1 Bibby (12–4) Reuschel (18–12) — 14,778 97–63 162 Sep 29 Cubs 6–7 (13) Caudill (1–7) Robinson (8–8) — 25,734 97–64 163 Sep 30 Cubs 5–3 Kison (13–7) McGlothen (13–14) Tekulve (31) 42,176 98–64
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie        = Postponement Bold = Pirates team member

Roster

1979 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers 26 Jim Bibby 22 Bert Blyleven 45 John Candelaria 41 Joe Coleman 17 Dock Ellis 23 Grant Jackson 25 Bruce Kison 44 Rick Rhoden 49 Dave Roberts 43 Don Robinson 15 Enrique Romo 19 Jim Rooker 27 Kent Tekulve 31 Ed Whitson		Catchers 16 Steve Nicosia 14 Ed Ott 35 Manny Sanguillén Infielders  4 Dale Berra 10 Tim Foli  3 Phil Garner  5 Bill Madlock  8 Willie Stargell  6 Rennie Stennett 10 Frank Taveras		Outfielders 36 Matt Alexander 24 Mike Easler 17 Lee Lacy 34 John Milner 18 Omar Moreno 39 Dave Parker 28 Bill Robinson Other batters 44 Doe Boyland  2 Gary Hargis 37 Alberto Lois		Manager  7 Chuck Tanner Coaches 57 Harvey Haddix (pitching) 32 Joe Lonnett (third base) 42 Al Monchak (first base) 48 Bob Skinner (hitting)

Opening Day lineup

1. SS Frank Taveras
2. CF Omar Moreno
3. RF Dave Parker
4. 1B Willie Stargell
5. LF Bill Robinson
6. 2B Rennie Stennett
7. C Ed Ott
8. 3B Phil Garner
9. P Bert Blyleven

Player stats

Batting

Regular Season

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
R. Rhoden	1	1	1	1.000	0	0
M. Alexander	44	13	7	0.538	0	1
B. Madlock	85	311	102	0.328	7	44
D. Parker	158	622	193	0.310	25	94
P. Garner	150	549	161	0.293	11	59
T. Foli	133	525	153	0.291	1	65
S. Nicosia	70	191	55	0.288	4	13
O. Moreno	162	695	196	0.282	8	69
W. Stargell	126	424	119	0.281	32	82
M. Easler	55	54	15	0.278	2	11
J. Milner	128	326	90	0.276	16	60
E. Ott	117	403	110	0.273	7	51
B. Robinson	148	421	111	0.264	24	75
L. Lacy	84	182	45	0.247	5	15
F. Taveras	11	45	11	0.244	0	1
R. Stennett	108	319	76	0.238	0	24
M. Sanguillén	56	74	17	0.230	0	4
D. Berra	44	123	26	0.211	3	15
D. Robinson	29	49	10	0.204	0	3
J. Coleman	10	5	1	0.200	0	0
J. Bibby	34	45	8	0.178	2	5
E. Romo	84	12	2	0.167	0	1
B. Kison	37	55	8	0.145	1	6
K. Tekulve	94	15	2	0.133	0	1
J. Candelaria	33	68	9	0.132	0	6
B. Blyleven	38	70	9	0.129	0	3
J. Rooker	19	33	4	0.121	0	0
D. Boyland	4	3	0	0.000	0	0
D. Ellis	3	1	0	0.000	0	0
G. Jackson	72	9	0	0.000	0	1
D. Roberts	21	5	0	0.000	0	1
E. Whitson	19	13	0	0.000	0	0
G. Hargis	1	0	0	—	0	0
A. Lois	11	0	0	—	0	0

Postseason

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
R. Stennett	2	1	1	1.000	0	0
P. Garner	10	36	17	0.472	1	6
W. Stargell	10	41	17	0.415	5	13
D. Parker	10	41	14	0.341	0	6
B. Madlock	10	36	12	0.333	1	5
M. Sanguillén	3	3	1	0.333	0	1
T. Foli	10	42	14	0.333	0	6
O. Moreno	10	45	14	0.311	0	3
E. Ott	6	25	7	0.280	0	3
L. Lacy	4	4	1	0.250	0	0
B. Robinson	10	22	5	0.227	0	2
B. Blyleven	3	6	1	0.167	0	0
J. Candelaria	3	6	1	0.167	0	0
J. Milner	6	18	3	0.167	0	1
S. Nicosia	4	16	1	0.063	0	0
E. Romo	4	1	0	0.000	0	0
G. Jackson	6	2	0	0.000	0	0
J. Bibby	3	4	0	0.000	0	0
J. Rooker	2	2	0	0.000	0	0
K. Tekulve	7	3	0	0.000	0	0
M. Easler	3	2	0	0.000	0	0
B. Kison	1	0	0	—	0	0
D. Roberts	1	0	0	—	0	0
D. Robinson	6	0	0	—	0	0
M. Alexander	2	0	0	—	0	0

Pitching

Regular Season

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
D. Ellis	3	7	0	0	2.57	1
K. Tekulve	94	Template:Sortfrac	10	8	2.75	75
J. Bibby	34	Template:Sortfrac	12	4	2.81	103
G. Jackson	72	82	8	5	2.96	39
E. Romo	84	Template:Sortfrac	10	5	2.99	106
B. Kison	33	Template:Sortfrac	13	7	3.19	105
J. Candelaria	33	207	14	9	3.22	101
D. Roberts	21	Template:Sortfrac	5	2	3.26	15
B. Blyleven	37	Template:Sortfrac	12	5	3.6	172
D. Robinson	29	Template:Sortfrac	8	8	3.87	96
E. Whitson	19	Template:Sortfrac	2	3	4.37	31
J. Rooker	19	Template:Sortfrac	4	7	4.6	44
J. Coleman	10	Template:Sortfrac	0	0	6.1	14
R. Rhoden	1	5	0	1	7.2	2

Postseason

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
G. Jackson	6	Template:Sortfrac	2	0	0.00	4
J. Rooker	2	Template:Sortfrac	0	0	1.04	4
B. Blyleven	3	19	2	0	1.42	13
J. Bibby	3	Template:Sortfrac	0	0	2.08	15
K. Tekulve	7	12	0	1	3.00	12
E. Romo	4	5	0	0	3.60	5
D. Robinson	6	7	2	0	3.86	6
J. Candelaria	3	16	1	1	3.94	8
B. Kison	1	Template:Sortfrac	0	1	108.00	0
D. Roberts	1	0	0	0	—	0

Postseason

Postseason game log

1979 Postseason Game Log (7–3)
1979 NL Championship Series: vs. Cincinnati Reds: Pirates win 3–0 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Series 1 Oct 2 @ Reds 5–2 (11) Jackson (1–0) Hume (0–1) Robinson (1) 55,006 PIT 1–0 2 Oct 3 @ Reds 3–2 (10) Robinson (1–0) Bair (0–1) — 55,000 PIT 2–0 3 Oct 5 Reds 7–1 Blyleven (1–0) LaCoss (0–1) — 42,240 PIT 3–0
1979 World Series: vs. Baltimore Orioles: Pirates win 4–3 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Series 1 Oct 10 @ Orioles 4–5 Flanagan (2–0) Kison (0–1) — 53,735 BAL 1–0 2 Oct 11 @ Orioles 3–2 Robinson (2–0) Stanhouse (1–2) Tekulve (1) 53,739 Tied 1–1 3 Oct 12 Orioles 4–8 McGregor (2–0) Candelaria (0–1) — 50,848 BAL 2–1 4 Oct 13 Orioles 6–9 Stoddard (1–0) Tekulve (0–1) — 50,883 BAL 3–1 5 Oct 14 Orioles 7–1 Blyleven (2–0) Flanagan (2–1) — 50,920 BAL 3–2 6 Oct 16 @ Orioles 4–0 Candelaria (1–1) Palmer (0–1) Tekulve (2) 53,739 Tied 3–3 7 Oct 17 @ Orioles 4–1 Jackson (2–0) McGregor (2–1) Tekulve (3) 53,733 PIT 4–3
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement Bold = Pirates team member

National League Championship Series

Main article: 1979 National League Championship Series

Game 1

October 2, Riverfront Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	5	10	0
Cincinnati	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	7	0
W: Grant Jackson (1-0)  L: Tom Hume (0-1)   SV: Don Robinson (1)
HRs: PIT – Phil Garner (1)   Willie Stargell (1)   CIN – George Foster (1)

Game 2

October 3, Riverfront Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	3	11	0
Cincinnati	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	8	0
W: Don Robinson (1-0)  L: Doug Bair (0-1)   SV: None
HRs: PIT – None   CIN – None

Game 3

October 5, Three Rivers Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cincinnati	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	8	1
Pittsburgh	1	1	2	2	0	0	0	1	X	7	7	0
W: Bert Blyleven (1-0)  L: Mike LaCoss (0-1)   SV: None
HRs: CIN – Johnny Bench (1)   PIT – Willie Stargell (2)   Bill Madlock (1)

World Series

Main article: 1979 World Series

The Pirates became one of only six teams in the 20th century to have won a World Series after trailing three games to one. Two of those teams were the Pirates, in 1925 and 1979. The others were the 1903 Boston Red Sox (in a best-of-nine series), 1958 New York Yankees, 1968 Detroit Tigers, and 1985 Kansas City Royals. Five Pirates had 10 or more hits in this series, a World Series record.

Chuck Tanner's mother died the morning of Game 5 (this was mentioned during the telecast by announcer Howard Cosell). 1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski threw out the first ball in Game 5. The Pittsburgh Pirates were the last team in the 20th Century to win Game 7 of the World Series on the road. U.S. President Jimmy Carter made an appearance in Game 7, he threw out the first ball, and after the game made a visit to the victorious Pittsburgh locker room.

Willie Stargell at 39 was the oldest player to win MVP honors for both the National League and the World Series. In the World Series, he hit .400 with a record seven extra-base hits and matched Reggie Jackson's record of 25 total bases, set in 1977. Stargell, pitcher Bruce Kison, infielder Rennie Stennett, and catcher Manny Sanguillén were the only players left over from the 1971 World Series, when the Pirates faced the Orioles. Orioles' pitcher Jim Palmer, Mark Belanger, and manager Earl Weaver were the only ones who were still with the team that faced the Pirates in 1971.

As was the case when the same two teams played in the 1971 World Series, a game in Baltimore was rained out. Game 1 of this series was postponed, while Game 2 of the 1971 series had to be moved back a day. In this Series, it was the American League team's "turn" to play by National League rules, meaning that there was no designated hitter and the Orioles' pitchers would have to bat. While this resulted in pitcher Tim Stoddard getting his first major league hit and RBI in Game 4. Overall, it hurt the Orioles because Lee May, their designated hitter for much of the season and a key part of their offense, was only able to bat three times in the whole series. The Pirates wore four different uniform combinations during the series: gold cap, black jersey and gold pants for Games 1 & 5, black cap, gold jersey and black pants for Games 2, 6 & 7, black cap and solid white pinstriped uniform for Game 3 and a black cap and solid gold uniform for Game 4.

Game 1

October 10, 1979 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Attendance: 53,735

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	4	11	3
Baltimore	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	6	3
W: Mike Flanagan (1-0)   L: Bruce Kison (0-1)
HR: PIT – Willie Stargell (1); BAL – Doug Decinces (1)

Game 2

October 11, 1979 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Attendance: 53,739

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	11	2
Baltimore	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	6	1
W: Don Robinson (1-0)   L: Don Stanhouse (0-1)  S: Kent Tekulve (1)
HR: PIT – none; BAL – Eddie Murray (1)

Game 3

October 12, 1979 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 50,848

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore	0	0	2	5	0	0	1	0	0	8	13	0
Pittsburgh	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	4	9	2
W: Scott McGregor (1-0)   L: John Candelaria (0-1)
HR: BAL – Benny Ayala (1); PIT – none

Game 4

October 13, 1979 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 50,883

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	6	0	9	12	0
Pittsburgh	0	4	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	6	17	1
W: Tim Stoddard (1-0)   L: Kent Tekulve (0-1)
HR: BAL – none; PIT – Willie Stargell (2)

Game 5

October 14, 1979 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 50,920

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	6	2
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	3	x	7	13	1
W: Bert Blyleven (1-0)   L: Mike Flanagan (1-1)
HR: BAL – none; PIT – none

Game 6

October 16, 1979 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Attendance: 53,739

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	4	10	0
Baltimore	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
W: John Candelaria (1-1)   L: Jim Palmer (0-1)  S: Kent Tekulve (2)
HR: PIT – none; BAL – none

Game 7

October 17, 1979 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Attendance: 53,733

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	4	10	0
Baltimore	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	2
W: Grant Jackson (1-0)   L: Scott McGregor (1-1)  S: Kent Tekulve (3)
HR: PIT – Willie Stargell (3); BAL – Rich Dauer (1)

Composite Box

1979 World Series (4-3): Pittsburgh Pirates (N.L.) over Baltimore Orioles (A.L.)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh Pirates	1	8	0	1	1	8	4	6	3	32	81	9
Baltimore Orioles	5	1	6	5	1	1	1	6	0	26	54	9
Total Attendance: 367,597   Average Attendance: 52,514
Winning Player’s Share: – $28,264,   Losing Player’s Share – $22,114 * Includes Playoffs and World Series

Awards and honors

• Willie Stargell, Associated Press Athlete of the Year
• Willie Stargell, 1B, Babe Ruth Award
• Willie Stargell, 1B, National League Most Valuable Player Award
• Willie Stargell, 1B, National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award
• Willie Stargell, 1B, World Series Most Valuable Player Award

All-Stars

1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

• Dave Parker, OF, starter, game MVP

League leaders

• Omar Moreno, National League stolen base leader, 77
• Dave Parker, led NL in extra-base hits
• Dave Parker, led NL in sacrifice flies

Other team leaders

• Runs scored - Omar Moreno (110)
• Stolen bases - Omar Moreno (77)
• Walks - Dave Parker (67)

Farm system

See also: Minor league baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Portland Beavers	Pacific Coast League	Johnny Lipon
AA	Buffalo Bisons	Eastern League	Steve Demeter
A	Salem Pirates	Carolina League	Jim Mahoney
A	Shelby Pirates	Western Carolinas League	Tom Zimmer
Rookie	GCL Pirates	Gulf Coast League	Woody Huyke

References

• 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates team page at Baseball Reference
• 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates team page at www.baseball-almanac.com
• Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (1997). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (2nd ed.). Durham, N.C.: Baseball America. ISBN 978-0-9637189-8-3.