The Pittsburgh Pirates are a professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central Division. Originally named the Pittsburgh Alleghenys, the team was founded in 1881 as a member of the American Association. They joined the National League in 1887, and were members of the National League East division from 1969 to 1993. The Pirates have won five World Series championships, nine National League pennants, nine National League East division titles, and made three appearances in the Wild Card Game.
1901: Start of Pirates' Dominance
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin a period of dominance, winning three consecutive National League pennants from 1901 to 1903.
1903: Pirates Play in the Inaugural World Series
The Pittsburgh Pirates compete in the first-ever modern World Series, facing off against the Boston Americans.
1903: First Modern World Series
Exposition Park hosted the first modern World Series.
1903: Pirates Participate in the First Modern World Series
The Pittsburgh Pirates compete in the first-ever modern World Series, facing off against the Boston Americans.
1909: Move from Exposition Park
The Pirates moved from Exposition Park, their first home, after the 1909 season.
1909: Pirates Move into Forbes Field
The Pirates moved into Forbes Field, a state-of-the-art stadium that would be their home for over six decades.
1909: Pirates and Tigers in the World Series
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers played each other in the 1909 World Series.
1909: Pirates Start Playing at Forbes Field
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin playing their home games at Forbes Field, one of the earliest steel and concrete ballparks.
1909: Pirates Win Their First World Series
The Pittsburgh Pirates, led by Honus Wagner, secure their first World Series championship by defeating the Detroit Tigers.
1909: Pirates Win Their First World Series and Move to Forbes Field
The Pittsburgh Pirates, led by Honus Wagner, secure their first World Series championship by defeating the Detroit Tigers. In the same year, they relocate from Exposition Park to Forbes Field, one of the first steel and concrete ballparks.
1912: Pirates Name Appears on Jerseys
The Pirates' name appeared on the team's pinstripe jerseys for the first time, running vertically down the placket.
1912: Pirates Nickname Officially Recognized
The "Pirates" nickname, stemming from an incident involving the acquisition of player Lou Bierbauer and accusations of "piratical" behavior, is officially acknowledged on the team's uniforms.
1912: Construction of Fenway Park
Fenway Park, the oldest stadium still in use by a major league team, was built in Boston.
1914: Construction of Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Jackie Robinson Ballpark, the second-oldest minor league park, was built in Daytona Beach, Florida.
1917: Pirates' Disastrous Season
The Pittsburgh Pirates experience a dismal season, finishing with a 51-103 record.
1920: Demolition of Exposition Park
Exposition Park was demolished prior to 1920 after hosting several minor league teams.
August 5, 1921: First-Ever Baseball Game Broadcast on the Radio
The Pirates game against the Philadelphia Phillies marked the first time a baseball game was broadcast on the radio, with Harold Arlin announcing for KDKA from Forbes Field.
1923: Construction of LECOM Park
LECOM Park, originally known as McKechnie Field, was constructed in Bradenton, Florida.
1924: Temporary Black and Gold Colors
The Pirates briefly used a black and gold color scheme, but the change only lasted for one season.
1925: Bill McKechnie Manages Pirates
Bill McKechnie, for whom LECOM Park was originally named, managed the Pirates.
1925: Forbes Field Expansion
Forbes Field underwent a significant expansion, nearly doubling its seating capacity.
1925: Pirates Win World Series After 3-1 Deficit
The Pittsburgh Pirates achieve a historic World Series victory, becoming the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the series.
1927: Pirates Swept by Yankees in World Series
The Pittsburgh Pirates face a World Series sweep at the hands of the formidable "Murderer's Row" New York Yankees.
1933: Pirates Name Added to Road Uniforms
The Pirates' name was added to the team's road uniforms, written horizontally in an ornate style.
May 25, 1935: Babe Ruth's Final Home Runs
Babe Ruth hit the final three home runs of his career at Forbes Field, the Pirates' home stadium.
1936: Rosey Rowswell Becomes the Voice of the Pirates
Rosey Rowswell began his tenure as the Pirates' radio announcer, a position he held for almost two decades.
1936: Rosey Rowswell Joins the Pirates Broadcast Team
Rosey Rowswell, known for his unique broadcasting style, joined the Pirates broadcast team, beginning a long and beloved tenure.
1938: Cubs Eliminate Pirates from Pennant Race
The Chicago Cubs eliminated the Pittsburgh Pirates from the pennant race in the final week of the 1938 season.
1938: Pirates Fall Short of Pennant
The Pittsburgh Pirates narrowly miss winning the pennant, losing their lead to the Chicago Cubs in the final week of the season.
1940: Pirate Head Image on Jerseys
An image of a pirate's head appeared on the Pirates' home and road jerseys.
1941: Pirate Head Image Continued
The Pirates continued to use the pirate head image on their jerseys for a second season.
1942: "Pittsburgh" Appears on Road Uniforms
The word "Pittsburgh" appeared on the Pirates' road uniforms for the first time.
1947: Bob Prince Joins Pirates Broadcast Team
Bob Prince, who would later become the lead play-by-play announcer, joined Rosey Rowswell in the broadcast booth, starting a new era in Pirates broadcasting.
1948: Adoption of Black and Gold Colors
The Pirates adopted the black and gold color scheme, matching the colors of the Flag of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1948: Pirates Adopt Black and Gold Colors
The Pittsburgh Pirates adopt black, gold, and white as their official colors, drawing inspiration from the flag of Pittsburgh and aligning with the color schemes of the city's other major professional sports teams, the Steelers and the Penguins.
1953: PNC Park's Unique Design
PNC Park was the first two-deck ballpark to be built in the United States since Milwaukee County Stadium opened in 1953, resulting in fans being closer to the action than in most ballparks.
February 1955: Rosey Rowswell Passes Away
Rosey Rowswell, the long-time voice of the Pirates, passed away, leaving a void in the broadcast booth and in the hearts of Pirates fans.
1957: KDKA-TV Begins Airing Pirates Games
KDKA-TV started broadcasting Pirates games, beginning a 38-year run as the team's primary over-the-air television broadcaster.
1960: Bill Mazeroski's World Series Winning Home Run
Bill Mazeroski hit a game-winning home run in Game 7 of the World Series at Forbes Field, securing the championship for the Pirates.
1960: Mazeroski's Walk-Off Clinches World Series
Bill Mazeroski hits a game-winning home run in the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 7, securing a dramatic World Series victory for the Pirates over the New York Yankees. This remains the only walk-off home run in World Series Game 7 history.
1960: Mazeroski's Walk-Off Clinches World Series
Bill Mazeroski hits a game-winning home run in the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 7, securing a dramatic World Series victory for the Pirates over the New York Yankees. This remains the only walk-off home run in World Series Game 7 history.
1960: Bob Prince Calls Pirates' World Series Victory
Bob Prince, as part of NBC's national broadcast team, called the Pirates' thrilling World Series victory in 1960, capturing the excitement and drama of the moment for fans across the country.
1961: Gene Baker Breaks Color Barrier as Coach
Gene Baker becomes the first African-American coach in the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1962: Baker Makes History as Pirates Manager
Gene Baker becomes the first African-American manager in the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
September 21, 1963: Baker Fills in as First African-American Manager in MLB
Gene Baker becomes the first African-American manager in MLB history when he filled in for Danny Murtaugh as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1966: Bob Prince Creates the Green Weenie
Bob Prince, the Pirates' popular announcer, introduced the 'Green Weenie,' a symbol of bad luck for the opposing team, adding a unique element to the Pirates' game day experience.
1969: National League Split into Two Divisions
The National League was divided into two divisions, the East and West, leading to a period of intense rivalry between the Phillies and Pirates in the NL East.
1969: Pirates Begin Spring Training at LECOM Park
The Pirates began holding their Spring Training at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida.
1969: Pirates Join the National League East
The Pittsburgh Pirates become members of the newly formed National League East division.
1970: Pirates Move into Three Rivers Stadium
The Pirates moved into Three Rivers Stadium, a new multipurpose stadium designed to accommodate both baseball and football.
1970: National League East Champions
The Pittsburgh Pirates won the newly created National League East division title.
1970: New Uniforms and Three Rivers Stadium Debut
The Pirates moved into Three Rivers Stadium and unveiled a new uniform set featuring a darker shade of gold, gold caps, and pullover nylon/cotton jerseys and beltless pants. This style quickly became popular throughout the league.
1970: Pirates Leave Forbes Field
The Pirates left Forbes Field, marking the end of an era for the team and the iconic stadium.
1970: Pirates Move to Three Rivers Stadium
After 61 seasons at Forbes Field, the Pittsburgh Pirates move to Three Rivers Stadium.
September 1, 1971: First All-Minority Lineup in MLB History
The Pittsburgh Pirates become the first team in MLB history to field a starting lineup composed entirely of minority players.
1971: Pirates Win World Series with Clemente
Led by Roberto Clemente, the Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series. Clemente's performance solidified his legacy as a baseball icon, and he would later become the first Latin-American player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
1971: Bob Prince Calls Pirates' World Series Victory
Once again on NBC's national broadcast, Bob Prince provided the play-by-play for the Pirates' 1971 World Series win, etching his voice into another iconic moment in Pirates history.
1971: Steve Blass Wins Game 7 of the World Series
Steve Blass achieved a career highlight by winning Game 7 of the 1971 World Series, securing the championship for the Pirates and cementing his place in team history.
1971: World Series Victory and First All-Black and Latino Lineup
The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series, led by Roberto Clemente's hitting and Steve Blass's pitching. Notably, on September 1st, 1971, the Pirates became the first team to field an all-Black and Latino lineup.
1972: Roberto Clemente's Death
Roberto Clemente, a star player for the Pirates, died after the 1972 season.
1974: National League East Champions
The Pittsburgh Pirates won the National League East division title.
1975: Bob Prince and Nellie King Fired
The Pirates' decision to fire beloved announcers Bob Prince and Nellie King sparked outrage among fans, highlighting the strong connection between broadcasters and the fanbase.
1975: National League East Champions
The Pittsburgh Pirates won the National League East division title.
1976: Pillbox Hats Adopted
After wearing old-style pillbox hats as part of the National League's 100th-anniversary celebration, the Pirates adopted them permanently.
1976: Milo Hamilton and Lanny Frattare Take Over Broadcasts
Milo Hamilton and Lanny Frattare became the Pirates' new broadcast team, stepping into the roles vacated by Bob Prince and Nellie King.
1977: Brighter Gold and Third Jerseys
The Pirates switched to a brighter shade of gold and became one of the first teams to wear third jerseys, introducing a white set with black-and-gold pinstripes.
1979: Start of Pirates' Struggles
Following their World Series victory, the Pittsburgh Pirates enter a prolonged period of difficulty, marked by limited winning seasons and postseason appearances.
1979: Milo Hamilton Leaves for Chicago Cubs
Milo Hamilton, unhappy with his time in Pittsburgh, left the Pirates to join the Chicago Cubs, ending his partnership with Lanny Frattare.
1979: Four Uniform Combinations in World Series
The Pirates wore four different uniform combinations during the 1979 World Series, showcasing their versatile three-uniform set.
1979: World Series Victory and 'We Are Family'
The Pirates, nicknamed "The Lumber Company" for their powerful hitting, won the World Series after coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the Baltimore Orioles. The team adopted the disco song "We Are Family" as its theme song during this season. This year also saw a Pittsburgh player designated as Most Valuable Player in every available category: All-Star Game MVP (Dave Parker), NLCS MVP (Willie Stargell), World Series MVP (Willie Stargell), and National League MVP (Willie Stargell, shared with Keith Hernandez of St. Louis).
1979: Pirates' Last World Series Championship
The Pittsburgh Pirates win their last World Series title. Since then, the Steelers have won three Super Bowls, and the Penguins have won five Stanley Cups.
1979: Pirates Secure World Series Victory Under Stargell
The Pittsburgh Pirates, under the leadership of Willie Stargell, achieve victory in the World Series.
1980: Pinstripes Removed
The pinstripes were removed from the white uniforms.
1983: Steve Blass Joins Pirates as Color Analyst
Steve Blass transitioned from the pitcher's mound to the broadcast booth, joining the Pirates as a color analyst, bringing his insights and experiences to the team's broadcasts.
1985: Return to Home Whites/Road Grays
The Pirates abandoned the three-uniform set and returned to a simpler home whites and road grays combination.
1985: Pittsburgh Drug Trials
The Pittsburgh drug trials, which involved members of the Pittsburgh Pirates, negatively impacted the team's popularity.
1986: Jim Leyland Manages the Pirates
Jim Leyland begins his managerial tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1986: KBL Becomes Pirates' Cable Television Outlet
KBL, which would later become SportsNet Pittsburgh, became the Pirates' designated cable television outlet.
1987: Black Cap with Gold "P" Returns
The solid black cap with a gold "P" was reintroduced and has remained the team's primary cap since.
1990: Script Wordmarks First Appear
The Pirates began using script wordmarks on their road jerseys.
1990: Division Title and Playoff Run
The Pirates, behind young players like Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, and Doug Drabek, won their division title and returned to post-season play for the first time since the 1970s.
1991: Return to Button-Down Jerseys
The Pirates switched back to the traditional button-down jersey style, one of the last teams in the league to do so.
1991: Penguins' First Stanley Cup Victory
The Pittsburgh Penguins win their first Stanley Cup championship.
1992: Penguins Secure Second Consecutive Stanley Cup
The Pittsburgh Penguins win their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.
1992: Three Consecutive Division Titles and Near World Series Miss
The Pirates achieved three straight division titles, but lost in the National League Championship Series each time. In 1992, they came within one out of advancing to the World Series.
1992: Penguins Stanley Cup Celebration at Three Rivers Stadium
The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated their Stanley Cup victory at Three Rivers Stadium, the former home of the Pirates.
1993: End of Two-Division Play
The two-division format in the National League ended.
1993: Pirates Leave the National League East
After 24 seasons, the Pittsburgh Pirates move from the National League East to the National League Central division.
1993: Beginning of 20-Year Losing Streak
The Pittsburgh Pirates embark on a streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons, setting an unprecedented record for Major League Baseball and all four major North American professional sports leagues.
1993: First Major Renovation of LECOM Park
LECOM Park underwent its first major renovation.
1994: Greg Brown and Bob Walk Join Pirates Broadcast Team
Greg Brown and Bob Walk, both former players, joined the Pirates broadcast team, marking the beginning of their long tenures with the club.
1994: End of KDKA-TV's Run as Pirates Broadcaster
KDKA-TV concluded their 38-year run as the Pirates' primary over-the-air television broadcaster, marking a shift in the team's media landscape.
1994: Pirates Move to National League Central
The Pirates moved to the National League Central, reducing their encounters with the Phillies and contributing to the decline of their rivalry.
1994: Phillies-Pirates Rivalry Diminishes
The rivalry between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates, once considered one of the best in the National League, diminished after the Pirates moved to the National League Central.
1995: WPXI Airs Pirates Games
WPXI became the new over-the-air television broadcaster for the Pirates, taking over from KDKA-TV.
1996: End of WPXI's Run as Pirates Broadcaster
WPXI's time as the Pirates' over-the-air television broadcaster concluded after just two seasons.
1996: End of Leyland's Era with Pirates
Jim Leyland's time as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates comes to an end.
1996: Red Accent Color and Third Jersey Added
After Kevin McClatchy bought the team, the Pirates added a third jersey and began using red as an accent color.
1997: Return of Red as Accent Color
Red was reintroduced as an accent color to the Pirates' uniforms.
1997: Beginning of Regular Series with Cleveland
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cleveland Guardians begin playing one three-game series each year.
1997: WPGH-TV and WCWB Begin Airing Pirates Games
WPGH-TV and WCWB took over the mantle of broadcasting Pirates games over the air, continuing the tradition of free-to-air coverage.
October 1, 2000: Final Game at Three Rivers Stadium
The Pirates played their last game at Three Rivers Stadium, a multipurpose venue they shared with the Steelers.
2000: Script Wordmarks Retired
The Pirates stopped using script wordmarks on their road jerseys.
2000: Pirates' Final Season at Three Rivers Stadium
The Pittsburgh Pirates play their last season at Three Rivers Stadium before moving to PNC Park the following year.
2001: Pirates Move to PNC Park
The Pittsburgh Pirates relocate to their new home, PNC Park, a 39,000-seat stadium situated along the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh's North Side.
2001: Opening of PNC Park
The opening of PNC Park, the new home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, helps to improve the team's standing among fans.
2001: Opening of PNC Park
The Pirates opened their new stadium, PNC Park, located on the banks of the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh's North Side neighborhood. This was intended to change the team's fortunes, replacing the aging Three Rivers Stadium.
2001: End of Annual Series with Cleveland
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians conclude their annual three-game series.
2001: Opening of PNC Park
PNC Park, a new stadium for the Pirates, opened on the banks of the Allegheny River. Replacing the outdated Three Rivers Stadium, it was funded mainly by taxpayers and cost $216 million to construct. PNC Park is named for Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services.
2002: Periodic Games Against Cleveland
The Pirates and Guardians play periodically, generally only when the AL Central played the NL Central in the former interleague play rotation.
2002: End of Over-the-Air Pirates Broadcasts
The Pirates ceased over-the-air television broadcasts, marking the end of an era where fans could watch games for free on local channels.
2005: Sleeveless White Jersey Introduced
A sleeveless white jersey with pinstripes was introduced as an alternate home jersey.
2005: Leyland Takes Helm of the Tigers
Jim Leyland becomes the manager of the Detroit Tigers.
2005: John Wehner Joins Pirates Broadcast Team
John Wehner, a former Pirate and Pittsburgh native, joined the broadcast team as an analyst, bringing his local knowledge and playing experience to the booth.
2006: MLB All-Star Game at PNC Park
PNC Park hosted the 2006 MLB All-Star Game.
2007: Pirates Move Radio Broadcasts to WPGB
The Pirates ended their long-standing relationship with KDKA and moved their radio broadcasts to WPGB, an FM talk radio station, aiming to reach a younger demographic.
2007: Red Alternate Jersey Added
A red alternate jersey was added to the team's uniform rotation.
2008: Second Major Renovation of LECOM Park
LECOM Park underwent a second major renovation, including the addition of lights.
2008: Lanny Frattare Retires
Lanny Frattare, the longest-tenured play-by-play announcer in Pirates history, retired after over three decades calling Pirates games, leaving a legacy as a prominent voice of the team.
2008: Red Alternate Jersey Retired
The red alternate jersey was retired.
2009: Sidney Crosby Brings the Stanley Cup to PNC Park
After winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby brought the trophy to PNC Park, the Pirates' home stadium, to celebrate with the city.
2009: Removal of Red Accent Color
Red was removed as an accent color from the Pirates' uniforms, leaving black and gold as the primary colors.
2009: Black Alternate Jersey with Gold "P" Introduced
The Pirates introduced a new alternate black jersey featuring a gold "P".
2009: Penguins' Third Stanley Cup Win
The Pittsburgh Penguins win their third Stanley Cup championship.
2009: Tim Neverett Becomes Pirates' Play-by-Play Announcer
Tim Neverett took over as the Pirates' play-by-play announcer, ushering in a new era for the team's broadcasts.
2010: Sleeveless White Jersey Retired
The sleeveless white jersey with pinstripes was retired.
October 1, 2011: Pirates End Deal with Clear Channel
The Pirates announced the end of their radio broadcast deal with Clear Channel Communications, signaling a return to CBS Radio.
2012: Commemoration of Roberto Clemente's 3,000th Hit
Members of the Society for American Baseball Research marked the location of home plate and first base at the former Three Rivers Stadium to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Roberto Clemente's 3,000th hit.
2012: End of 20-Year Losing Streak
The Pittsburgh Pirates' streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons comes to an end.
2013: Leyland's Final Season with Tigers
Jim Leyland manages his final season with the Detroit Tigers.
2013: Return to Postseason and 10,000 Wins
Led by National League MVP Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates returned to the postseason after a long absence, defeating the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card Game. They lost in the next round to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pirates also became the seventh MLB team to reach 10,000 all-time wins.
2013: Pirates vs Cardinals Rivalry
The Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals battled for the Central Division title from 2013 to 2015, with the Cardinals winning each year. The two teams also faced off in the 2013 National League Division Series, which the Cardinals won in five games.
2013: Throwback Uniforms for Sunday Home Games
The Pirates began wearing throwback uniforms for Sunday home games, starting with the early 1970s pullover uniforms.
2013: Pirates End Losing Streak, Fan Support Grows
The Pirates end a 20-season losing streak with a winning season, leading to renewed fan support, although they still trail the Steelers and Penguins in popularity.
2013: Pirates Win National League Wild Card Game
The Pittsburgh Pirates secure a victory in the National League Wild Card Game, marking their sole postseason win during this era of struggles.
2013: Reds-Pirates Rivalry Intensifies
The rivalry between the Pirates and Cincinnati Reds intensified, fueled by their proximity, football rivalry carryover, and frequent postseason meetings. The 2010s saw a rise in on-field tensions, including intentional pitches and brawls.
2014: Pirates vs Brewers Wild Card Race
The Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers had a contentious battle for a Wild Card spot in 2014.
2014: Playoff Appearance
The Pirates returned to the postseason and lost in the Wild Card game.
2015: 10,000 Losses and Playoff Appearance
On Opening Day, the Pirates recorded their 10,000th loss, making them the fourth MLB team to reach this distinction. They also returned to the postseason but lost in the Wild Card game. The biggest crowd in PNC Park history occurred during the 2015 National League Wild Card Game, when 40,889 fans saw the Cubs defeat the Pirates.
2015: Record Attendance at PNC Park
The 2015 National League Wild Card Game, where the Cubs defeated the Pirates, drew 40,889 fans, the largest crowd in PNC Park history.
2015: Pirates vs Cubs Wild Card Game
The Pirates faced the Chicago Cubs in the 2015 National League Wild Card Game. This matchup renewed a historical rivalry from the early 1900s, when both were among the best teams in baseball.
2015: Camo Alternate Jersey Introduced
The Pirates introduced a camo alternate jersey to be worn for select home games.
2015: Early 70s Throwback Uniforms Retired
The Pirates retired the early 1970s throwback uniforms.
2015: Tim Neverett's Tenure as Pirates Announcer Ends
Tim Neverett's time as the Pirates' play-by-play announcer came to an end, paving the way for a new voice to take over.
March 2, 2016: Pirates Renew Deal with KDKA-FM
The Pirates secured a new deal with KDKA-FM, continuing their radio broadcasts on the station. The agreement also involved KDKA-AM simulcasting weekday afternoon games and select other broadcasts.
2016: Penguins' Fourth Stanley Cup Victory
The Pittsburgh Penguins win their fourth Stanley Cup championship.
2016: Late 70s Throwback Uniforms Introduced
The Pirates started wearing the gold top and black pants combination from the late 1970s as their Sunday home game throwback uniform.
2016: Pirates Achieve High Television Ratings
The Pirates averaged a 7.22 rating and 83,000 viewers on primetime television broadcasts during the 2016 season, demonstrating their strong viewership.
2016: Joe Block Becomes Pirates Play-by-Play Announcer
Joe Block, previously with the Milwaukee Brewers, joined the Pirates as their second play-by-play announcer, adding to the team's broadcast depth.
2017: LECOM Park Renamed
LECOM Park was renamed for the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
2017: Penguins' Fifth Stanley Cup Triumph
The Pittsburgh Penguins win their fifth Stanley Cup championship.
2017: Penguins Celebrate Stanley Cup Win at PNC Park
The Pittsburgh Penguins, after winning the Stanley Cup, once again celebrated at PNC Park, throwing out the first pitch at the Pirates game.
2018: Andrew McCutchen Trade and Fan Backlash
The Pirates trade Andrew McCutchen, leading to fan backlash against owner Robert Nutting and a decline in the team's popularity.
2018: Camo Alternate Jersey Updated
The camo alternate jerseys were updated to a white base with camo green wordmarks, numbers, piping, and patches.
June 12, 2019: Bill Mazeroski: Sole Survivor
Bill Mazeroski becomes the only living Pittsburgh Pirates player with a retired number.
2019: End of Throwback Uniform Era
The Pirates stopped wearing throwback uniforms for Sunday home games, marking the end of an era.
2019: Steve Blass Retires from Broadcasting
Steve Blass retired from his role as a color analyst for the Pirates, concluding a long and successful career both on the field and in the broadcast booth.
January 24, 2020: Script "Pittsburgh" Wordmarks Return
The Pirates unveiled new road jerseys featuring script "Pittsburgh" wordmarks, a style previously used from 1990 to 2000.
2020: Expanded Series Due to Abbreviated Schedule
The Pirates and Guardians play six games in 2020 due to MLB's abbreviated schedule focusing on regional matchups.
2022: Mazeroski's Walk-Off Remains Unique
Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series remains the only such instance in World Series history.
2022: Last Periodic Series with Cleveland
The Pirates and Guardians conclude their periodic series, which began in 2002.
2022: Establishment of Pirates Hall of Fame
The Pirates establish a team Hall of Fame, honoring impactful figures from Pittsburgh baseball history. The first class includes every Pirate in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and other players, broadcasters, and coaches.
December 16, 2023: Pirates Become Joint Owners of SportsNet Pittsburgh
The Pirates became joint owners of SportsNet Pittsburgh, their cable television outlet, with operations to be produced by NESN, the home network of the Boston Red Sox.
2023: Balanced Schedule Brings Regular Series
The Pirates and Guardians start playing a three-game series every season as part of MLB's new balanced schedule.
2023: Camo Alternate and City Connect Uniform Introduced
The Pirates retired the camo home alternate uniform and unveiled their new City Connect uniform, featuring a gold top, black pants, and a gold "P" cap with a black brim. The jersey showcases the abbreviation "PGH" and incorporates design elements representing the three rivers, the Steelmark logo, and the Seal of Pittsburgh.
2023: Pirates' Overall Record Updated
The Pittsburgh Pirates' overall record from 1882 to 2023 stands at 10,763 wins, 10,733 losses, and 140 ties, resulting in a .501 winning percentage.