Looking Back at the "We are Family" Pirates Legend

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Roger l. McNamara

Wrap Up. Here concludes a three part series on Pittsburgh Pirate history, having a look over recent decades.  The prior installment ended with a celebration of the team’s upset 1960 World Series triumph over the New York Yankees. 

Encores.   Even as echoes of 1960 delirium continued to reverberate in and around Forbes Field, Pirate seasons following 1960 lapsed into disappointment.  Throughout the decade second division finishes were the norm, even as NL League franchise expansion presumably softened the schedule.  Then in 1970 came two pivotal changes:  the return of Danny Murtaugh as dugout skipper and the mid-Summer opening of Three Rivers Stadium.  The Bucs celebrated with an 89-73 mark, good for NL East Division honors, only to be swept in a three game NL Championship Series.  A redoubling of effort brought on a 1971 season record of 97-65, this time propelling the team into the World Series.  As was true eleven years earlier Pittsburgh was commonly reckoned the underdog to a heavily favored flock of Orioles from Baltimore, 101 game American League winners.  It marked the debut of night ball in a Series, restricted to a single Game 4 experiment in Three Rivers.   Throughout the seven games the Pirates were led by the inspired play of by then perennial All-Star right fielder Roberto Clemente and the steady pitching of veterans Steve Blass and Nelson Briles, augmented by a stellar game four long relief by rookie Bruce Kison.  It was he who was brought on in the top of the first --- with the O’s already having plated three --- to author 6.1 innings of three hit, no walks, shutout ball.  At his departure ending the seventh, the 51,378-night owls in attendance delivered a standing ovation, while along the way the hitting of Al Oliver and Willie Stargell had boosted the Pirates into a 4-3 lead.   The lead held, courtesy of spotless 2 innings of one hit relief from the capable right arm of Dave Giusti, who would go on to record three saves in the Series. 

Returning then to their home field Memorial Stadium on Baltimore’s North Side, the Orioles tied it up at three games apiece with a 10 inning 3-2 edging of the visiting Bucs.  Again, as was true 11 years earlier, a decisive Game 7 was now in waiting, played the afternoon of Sunday October 17 with 47,281 Oriole faithful looking on.   A solo home run from the bat of Roberto Clemente --- driven deep out of the park off 20 game winner Mike Cuellar --- combined with an RBI double by Jose Pagan proved all the Bucs would need.  The other side of the ball was graced by a complete game four hitter authored by Steve Blass, his second Series win.  Series Final:  Pittsburgh 4, Baltimore 3.  The fourth Series crown in Pirate franchise history.  His .383 Series batting average --- 1.016 OPS --- propelled Clemente to unanimous MVP honors.  Chester, PA native Danny Murtaugh emerged from retirement to guide the Club three more seasons, two of which ended in a Playoff series.  He left us on December 2, 1976, age 59 back home in Chester.  His 29 seasons as Major League player, manager and front office executive were devoted mostly to the Pirates.   

Another Encore --- One for the Family.   Pittsburgh churned out generally productive seasons through the 1970’s decade, including three Division titles.  But it would not be until 1979 when the team again made a World Series appearance.  Guided from the dugout by Chuck Tanner and powered by the hitting of veterans Stargell and Dave Parker --- the two combined for 57 home runs --- the “We Are Family” Bucs muscled their way to a 98 win season as 1.4 million enthusiasts poured through Three Rivers turnstiles.  Once again it was history’s destiny to repeat, as a 102 game winning Baltimore Orioles squad --- skippered by the always crafty Earl Weaver --- stood ready as the opposition.  And once again it came down to a Game 7, once again contested on October 17, this time a Wednesday under the lights on Memorial Stadium’s natural turf.  A 4-for-5 night with a pair of RBIs was Stargell’s contribution to Pirate artillery, and a usually reliable Oriole bullpen incurred a mild --- 2 earned runs surrendered --- 9th inning reversal.  Final Score:  4-1 Pittsburgh, thereby capturing the 5th World Series championship in franchise history.  Pirate faithful on the banks of the Allegheny and Monongahela yet await the sixth. 

With a .415 Series batting average, 7 extra base hits producing 25 total bases, Stargell was the obvious nod for Series MVP.  Hailing from New Castle, PA the always cheerful and ebullient Chuck Tanner played on four Major League teams, managed four others, his longest stint coming with the Pirates.  His lone accolade as Manager of the Year came in 1972 with the Chicago White Sox.  He departed our company at age 82, back at his original New Castle home.     

Decades following the 1970s brought on some memorable Pirate seasons, including a sextet of Division Wild Cards and Titles.  However playoff elimination came swiftly each time, and with seven consecutive .500 or below seasons now in the books, the franchise is in a clear rebuilding mode entering 2023. Updates will ideally prove more cheerful.