History of Pirates–Reds rivalry in Timeline

The Pirates–Reds rivalry is a National League divisional rivalry in Major League Baseball between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds. It's characterized by intense competition due to their geographical proximity and shared division. The rivalry has seen periods of heightened drama, especially when both teams are competitive and vying for playoff contention. Memorable moments and player clashes have contributed to the animosity between the fanbases, making it a significant and enduring rivalry in MLB.

1901: Pirates Win NL Pennant

In 1901, the Pittsburgh Pirates started a period of success with three straight NL Pennants.

1903: Pirates Win NL Pennant

In 1903, the Pittsburgh Pirates won their third straight NL Pennant.

1909: World Series victory

In 1909, the Pittsburgh Pirates achieved a World Series victory.

1909: Pirates win World Series Championship

In 1909, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series Championship.

1919: Reds win World Series Championship

In 1919, the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series Championship.

1919: Reds Win World Series Amidst Scandal

In 1919, the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series against the Chicago White Sox, but the victory was tainted by the Black Sox Scandal.

1925: Pirates win World Series

In 1925, the Pittsburgh Pirates won another World Series title.

1925: Pirates win World Series Championship

In 1925, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series Championship.

1940: Reds win World Series

In 1940, the Cincinnati Reds had their own turn of success with a World Series victory.

1940: Reds win World Series Championship

In 1940, the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series Championship.

1960: Pirates win World Series

In 1960, the Pittsburgh Pirates briefly returned to success with another World Series victory.

1960: Pirates win World Series Championship

In 1960, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series Championship.

1969: Pirates in NL East

In 1969, the Pittsburgh Pirates became a member of the NL East.

July 16, 1970: Pirates open Three Rivers Stadium against Reds

On July 16, 1970, the Pittsburgh Pirates opened their new Three Rivers Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds after the All-Star break. Tony Perez of the Reds hit the first home run in the park, followed by Willie Stargell for the Pirates, but the Reds won 3-2.

1971: Pirates win World Series

Following a loss in the NLCS, the Pittsburgh Pirates went on to win the 1971 World Series over the Baltimore Orioles.

1971: Pirates win World Series Championship

In 1971, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series Championship.

1972: Pirates and Reds in 1972 NLCS

In 1972, the Pirates and Reds faced off in a tight NLCS, with the Reds ultimately winning the series after a Game 5 rally. After the series, Pirate's Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash while volunteering for earthquake relief in Nicaragua in December.

1975: Reds win World Series Championship

In 1975, the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series Championship.

1976: Reds win World Series Championship

In 1976, the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series Championship.

1979: Pirates sweep Reds in NLCS, win World Series

In 1979, the Pittsburgh Pirates decimated the Cincinnati Reds in a sweep during the NLCS, and then won the World Series over the Baltimore Orioles.

1979: Pirates win World Series Championship

In 1979, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series Championship.

1981: Reds fail to make Postseason

In 1981, the Cincinnati Reds finished with the league's best record heading into the all-star break before a player strike suspended the season. The Reds would fail to make the postseason as a result of the losses to the roster.

1985: Reds fail to make Postseason

From 1985 to 1989, the Reds finished in second place every season, failing to make the postseason.

1989: Reds fail to make Postseason

From 1985 to 1989, the Reds finished in second place every season, failing to make the postseason.

1990: Reds decline, stars leave

Following the 1990 season, the Cincinnati Reds declined as stars left and the team fell victim to bad trades.

1990: Reds defeat Pirates in NLCS, win World Series

In 1990, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NLCS and eventually won the World Series over the Oakland Athletics.

1990: Reds win World Series Championship

In 1990, the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series Championship.

1990: Pirates record winning record

In 1990, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a winning record. However, the Reds finished in second place every season from 1985 to 1989, failing to make the postseason.

1991: Pirates in NLCS

In 1991, the Pittsburgh Pirates made an appearance in the NLCS, ending in a loss to the Atlanta Braves.

1992: Pirates in NLCS

In 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates made another appearance in the NLCS, again losing to the Atlanta Braves.

1992: Pirates Last Winning Season

The Pittsburgh Pirates finished second in the division with a 94–68 record in 2013, their first winning season since 1992.

1993: Teams in NL Central

Due to league expansion in 1993, the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates were both consolidated into the newly formed NL Central division.

1994: Reds Winning Season

In 1994, The Reds would only put up 2 winning seasons in 1994 and 1995.

1995: Reds Winning Season

In 1995, The Reds would only put up 2 winning seasons in 1994 and 1995, with a player strike and a sweep from the Braves in the 1995 NLCS sealing their decline.

1999: Reds appear in Wild Card tiebreaker

In 1999, the Cincinnati Reds made a Wild Card tiebreaker appearance against the New York Mets.

2001: Reds don't post winning season

From 2001 to 2009, the Reds would not post a winning season.

2009: Reds don't post winning season

From 2001 to 2009, the Reds would not post a winning season.

2012: Reds appear in NLDS

In 2012, the Cincinnati Reds' manager Dusty Baker guided the team to an appearance in the NLDS.

October 4, 2013: Reds fire Dusty Baker

On October 4, 2013, the Cincinnati Reds fired Dusty Baker as manager.

2013: Pirates post winning season

From 1993 to 2013, The Pirates would not manage a single winning season

2013: Teams meet in National League Wild Card Game

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds met in the National League Wild Card Game.

2013: Pirates Make Playoffs

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Pirates returned to playoff competition and finished second in the division with a 94–68 record, their first winning season since 1992. They defeated the Reds in the Wild Card game, 6-2.

2014: Pirates Lose to Giants

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS.

2015: Pirates Lose to Cubs

In 2015, the Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a shutout loss to the Chicago Cubs in the playoffs.

2019: Pirates and Reds Brawl

During the 2019 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds engaged in a massive brawl, resulting in multiple suspensions. Clint Hurdle was also fired as the Pirates' manager.