Pirate Near Greats
Last Updated 18 January 2000
These are the Pirate Near Greats. They spent several
years in a Pirate uniform, and were starters and key players for
the Bucs. They'll never be in the Hall of Fame, and they don't
show up in the Top 10 on the Pirate Team Records list (except
games played), but they were All-Stars, League Leaders and
consistent performers for the Bucs over the years. These are the
Pirate Near Greats.
I made a cut-off criteria for this list that a player must have
been with the Bucs for at least six years to appear here. If you
don't find your favorite Pirate player here, then look at these
other pages:
I have a list of nearly 50 players to eventually appear on this
list, but I have decided to start the page with these players.
The list should now include those players with 9 or more years as
a Pirate, plus several other Near Greats.
Index: | Alley
| Bell
| Bigbee
| Bonilla
| Burgess
| Camnitz
| Clendenon
| Fletcher
| Gibson
| Grimm
| Groat
| Gustine
| Handley
| Madlock
| Moose
| Pena
| Ray
| Ritchey
| Robertson
| Robinson
| Rooker
| Sanguillen
| Skinner
| Stennett
| Taveras
| Virdon
| Walk
| Wilson |
Gene Alley: #14
Years as a Buc: 1963-1973; Short Stop
Total ML seasons: 11 years in the big leagues; all of them
with the Bucs.
Career Highlights: A .254 career hitter, Alley was better
known for his leather work. He teamed up with Bill Mazeroski for
128 Double Plays in 1966 - this puts Alley in the top 10 of short
stops for DPs in a single season. A 2-time All-Star and starter
in the 1967 game, Alley played more games at short for the Bucs
than anyone except Wagner, Vaughan, Groat, and Bell. Gene Alley
won two
Golden Glove awards (1966, 1967).
Best Year: In 1966, Gene Alley flashed the leather at
short and also hit a career best .299, scored a career high 88
Runs, with 28 Doubles and 10 Triples.
Fan Remembrances: Here's a clip from Twin Killing: Alley, as a 20 year
old, was watching Maz in spring training taking ground balls: "I
watched him taking ground balls and I thought, man, if you have
to be this good to be in the major leagues, I'll never make it."
Gene Alley also talked about the play he and Maz would use on a
ball hit up the middle; if Maz caught the grounder going away
from first base, Maz would flip to Alley to relay to first.
On two occasions, Alley had the runners gunned out on that play,
but the first sacker dropped the ball. Maz and Alley finally got
a runner out in Atlanta using this play - I'm sure I remember
seeing that play on a TV broadcast.
Alley played in the minors one year with Willie Stargell at Grand
Forks - Alley led the team in home runs that year. He hit 55
homers in the big leagues, with his best 2 seasons hitting 8
each. Alley finished his career with 999 hits.
Photo
on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Photo from my childhood
collection; Arco sponsored these photos in 1971. (45k)
Jay Bell: #3
Years as a Buc: 1989-1996
Total ML seasons: As of the beginning of the 1997 season,
Bell was still active in MLB. He came
up with Cleveland in 1986, but wasn't a Major League regular
until the 1990 season with the Bucs.
Career Highlights: He won a Gold Glove in 1994. He was
named to the All-Star team in 1993. Jay Bell is 4th on
the All-Time Pirate list for games played by a shortstop.
Best Year: In 1993, he hit .310 with 32 doubles and 102
Runs scored while holding down the short stop position for 154
games.
Fan Remembrances: On September 9, 1986, Jay Bell hit the
first major league pitch he saw for a home run. The pitcher was
Bert Blyleven. Bell was part of a package that went from
Minnesota to Cleveland for Blylevan in 1985. Bell came to the
Bucs in 1989 for Felix Fermin and Denny Gonzalez. He left the
team after the 1996 season in a trade to Kansas City (along with
Jeff King) for Joe Randa, Jeff Granger, Jeff Martin, and Jeff
Wallace.
Bell led the Bucs in the 1991 LCS with a .414. batting
average.
He may be best remembered for his steady defense and his ability
to bunt the runner over. He led the league in 1990 (39) and 1991
(30) in sacrifice bunts.
On Sunday, 17 Mar 1996, Dave Noordhoff (dnoordho@icis.on.ca) sent
me this note:
" 1) The great play where Bell noticed Dave Justice had missed
third base and saved at least a run for the Bucs by getting an
out on an appeal play during the 1992 LCS.
2) I was at a spring training game at Bradenton in 1993 when Bell
appeared on the field before the game with his near-infant
daughter in arms and "introduced" her to Jim Leyland in front of
the Pirate dugout in full view of the fans. Great gesture. I
think Bell is one of the "headiest" ball players I have ever
seen."
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Carson Bigbee
Years as a Buc: 1916-1926: Outfielder; Skeeter
Total ML seasons: 11 seasons; all with the Pirates.
Career Highlights: A career .287 hitter, Bigbee had 2
seasons where he hit over .320. He had two break out seasons
(1921-1922) that really stand out. He collected 1205 hits in his
career. Bigbee would put the ball in play; he only struck out
161 times in 4192 career at-bats (that's a better ratio that
Joltin' Joe DiMaggio - .0384 vs .0541 - and you can look it up!).
He was also a threat on the base paths; he swiped 145 bases in
6 seasons, stealing 31 each year for 2 consecutive years. He
ranks 11th on the Pirates all-time list for games played in the
outfield.
Best Year: In 1921, he hit .323 with 23 doubles, 17
triples, 100 Runs scored, and 42 RBIs. In 1922, he exploded for
a .350 average with 29 doubles, 15 triples, 113 Runs scored, and
99 RBIs while playing 150 games in the outfield.
Fan Remembrances: His brother Lyle played 2 seasons in the
majors and was on the Bucs with his little brother in 1921.
Bobby Bonilla: #25
Years as a Buc: 1986-1991
Total ML seasons: As of the beginning of the 1997 season,
Bonilla was still active in MLB. He
had his first Major League action with the White Sox, but quickly
moved to Pittsburgh. After another 5 full seasons as a Pirate,
he left the team via free agency to the Mets. He has also had
stints with the Orioles and Marlins.
Career Highlights: Bonilla was named to the All-Star team
4 straight years during his stint in Pittsburgh (1988-1991). He
lead the league in doubles with 44 in 1991.
Best Year: Bonilla's best year with the Bucs was 1991; he
hit .302 with 18 home runs, 102 Runs scored and 100 RBIs. In
1990, he hit .280 with 39 doubles, 32 home runs, 112 Runs scored
and 120 RBIs.
Fan Remembrances: Bobby Bonilla and Barry Bonds were a
formidable pair with the Pirates; they were dubbed as the
"Killer Bees". In the 1991 LCS, Bonilla hit .304 with 2
doubles, 2 Runs scored and an RBI.
Chuck_Blahous(@simpson.senate.gov) wrote to remind me that Bobby
Bo is a member of the Upper
Deck Club at TRS. Chuck also fondly remembered this: "Let's
not also forget his tendancy to whack himself on the helmet after
a bad swing or taken strike."
Louis Crandall (lvbc@ix.netcom.com) sent this note:
Bonilla was never given credit for his versatility or the hard
work that made him an All-Star. He was a much-needed
switch-hitter in a Pirates line-up that was vulnerable to
lefties. He played third, first and right field as needed. He
never looked very graceful in the field and ran up the error
totals, but he also handled a *lot* of chances
and started a lot of double plays when playing at third.
He was baseball's first six-million dollar man when he signed
with the Mets.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Smokey (Forrest H.) Burgess: #6
Years as a Buc: 1959-1964: Catcher
Total ML seasons: 18 seasons; Burgess came up with the
Cubs in 1949 and played 2 seasons in Chicago, 3(+) seasons with
the Phillies, 2(-) seasons with the Reds, 6 years with the Bucs
and his final 3 years were with the White Sox. Burgess retired
from playing baseball in 1967.
Career Highlights: A .295 career hitter, Burgess is best
known as one of the game's premier pinch hitters. He ranks first
in the majors all-time roster with 507 pinch-hit At Bats and
ranks second on the list with 145 pinch hits (a .286 career pinch
hitting average). He never caught more than 113 games in a
season, but remained effective throughout his long career. His
last three years in the majors, Burgess led the league each year
in pinch hit ABs and twice in pinch hits posting a .308 and .318
average as he approached his 40th birthday. For the Bucs, he
provided 7-17 (.412) and 9-20 (.450) in 1959 and 1960 in pinch
hitting roles. Burgess was a 4-time All-Star with the Bucs. He
had 5 seasons where he hit over .300.
Best Year: In 1954 in Philadelphia, Burgess caught 91
games and batted .368 in 345 ABs. The following year for the
Reds, he smacked a career best 21 home runs and posted a .301
average.
Fan Remembrances: Burgess came over to the Bucs from the
Reds in 1959 in a trade along with Harvey Haddix and Don Hoak in
exchange for Frank Thomas, Johnny Powers, Whammy Douglas, and Jim
Pendleton. It was a transaction that helped to put the Bucs over
the top in 1960; it provided a starting left-handed pitcher, a
starting third baseman, and a Left-handed hitting catcher.
Smokey was waivered to the White Sox in Sept 1964.
In the 1960 World Series, Smokey caught 5 games and hit .333 (6-
18) with a double and 2 Runs scored.
Howie Camnitz
Years as a Buc: 1904; 1906-1913: Red
Total ML seasons: 11 seasons; after throwing 9 games in
Philadelphia, he returned to Pittsburgh, but in the Federal
League (1914-15).
Career Highlights: A lifetime 133-106, 2.75 ERA pitcher.
In 1911, he was 20-15; 1912 he was 22-12.
Best Year: In 1909, he was 25-6, 1.62 ERA and led the
league with a .806 winning percentage and 7 wins in relief. He
completed 20 of the 30 games he started, while racking up a
career high 283 innings. He was a key member of the 1909 World
Champion team.
Fan Remembrances: He started and lost Game 2 of the 1909
World Series; he also appeared in relief in Game 6, but combined
for only 3.2 innings in his two appearances.
Howie's brother. Harry was also a member of the 1909 World
Champion Pirates team. Howie was traded in August 1913 along
with Bobby Byrne to the Phillies for Cozy Dolan and cash.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Donn Clendenon: #17
Years as a Buc: 1961-1968; First Baseman
Total ML seasons: 12 seasons; he started with the Bucs and
played for the Expos, the Mets, and finished his career with St
Louis in 1972.
Career Highlights: A .274 career hitter, Clendenon hit 159
Home Runs. He was part of the amazing 1966 Bucco double play
combination; along with Mazeroski and Alley, Donn was in on 182
DPs that year ranking him 3rd on the all-time list for first
baseman in a season. In 1965, Donn was in on 161 DPs; that also
breaks the top 10 list for first sackers. He said of the DP
combination, "I knew we were good when we doubled up Maury Wills
and Willie Davis, and it wasn't even close." Donn Clendenon has
played more games at first base than any other Pirate except Gus
Suhr.
Best Year: At the plate in 1966, Clendenon hit .299 and
smacked a career high 28 home runs and collected 98 RBIs.
Fan Remembrances: Donn may be best remembered for his
1969 World Series performance for the Miracle Mets; he hit 3
home runs and a double for a .357 batting average and a 1.071
slugging average; Clendenon was named the Series MVP - that means
the former Pirates 3-4-5 hitters all became Series MVPs:
Clemente (1971), Stargell (1979), Clendenon (1969).
Here are a couple snippets from Twin Killing: Clendenon
was a 3-sport All-American at Morehouse College. Donn worked a
full-time job while he played Major League Baseball. Donn was a
college graduate prior to entering pro ball. He earned his law
degree after he quit playing ball. Clendenon's roommate with the
Bucs, Bob Veale, said this, "Donn was always the articulate one,
a real student... Being a lawyer, Donn can tell you two or three
lies in the same breath. Donn's a good fellow."
Clendenon left the Bucs in the 1969 expansion draft to Montreal.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Elbie Fletcher: #3
Years as a Buc: 1939-1943; 1946-1947: First Baseman
Total ML seasons: 12 seasons; he came up with the Braves
and spent 4 seasons in Boston before coming to Pittsburgh. He
finished his career in 1949 back with the Braves.
Career Highlights: A .271 career hitter, Fletcher was the
everyday first sacker for the Bucs; only Gus Suhr and Donn
Clendenon have played more games at first base for the Pirates.
Fletcher led the league in walks two years in row: 1940 with 119
and 1941 with 118. He was named as a starter on the 1943 All-
Star team.
Best Year: In 1939, he hit a career best .290 with 25
doubles and 12 home runs. In 1941, he hit .288 with 29 doubles,
13 triples (both career highs) and 11 home runs.
Fan Remembrances: Fletcher came to the Bucs in exchange
for Bill Schuster and cash; he was traded to Boston for cash.
Photo of Fletcher
George Gibson
Years as a Buc: 1905-1916: Catcher; Moon
Total ML seasons: 14 seasons; after a long career in
Pittsburgh, Gibson finished the last two years of his career with
the Giants.
Career Highlights: A .236 career hitter, Gibson was a
mainstay behind the plate for the Bucs. He is first on the
Pirates all-time list for games played as a catcher. He had 2
seasons where he hit .280 or better.
Best Year: He hit for average in 1914 hitting .285 while
catching 101 games. In 1909, he had his best overall season
lacing a career best 25 doubles and 9 triples while
hitting .265 and catching 150 games in the Pirates World
Championship season.
Fan Remembrances: Gibson had 2 doubles, scored twice and
drove in 2 RBIs in the 1909 World Series.
Charlie Grimm
Years as a Buc: 1919-1924; First Baseman; Jolly
Cholly
Total ML seasons: 20 seasons; Grimm played for the A's and
the Cardinals before moving to Pittsburgh. After his career with
the Bucs, he spent 12 years with the Cubs before he hung up his
playing spikes in 1936.
Career Highlights: A career .290 hitter, Charlie played
over 148 games at first base for the Bucs for 5 straight seasons.
He ranks 5th on the All-Time Bucco list for games played at first
base. He hit over .300 six times in his career. At 39 years old
with the Cubs in 1932, Grimm hit .307 with a career high 42
doubles as Chicago won the pennant. He hit 17 triples in 1921
for the Bucs.
Best Year: In 1923, Grimm hit .345 with 29 doubles, 13
triples and 7 home runs while scoring a career high 78 Runs and
driving in a personal best 99 RBIs. He played 152 games for the
Bucs that year.
Fan Remembrances: Charlie went on to an extensive managing
career with the Cubs and the Braves; he managed 3 world series
teams ('32, '35, '45), but was on the losing end each time.
Grimm managed until 1960.
Grimm was traded in October 1924 with Rabbit Maranville, and
Wilbur Cooper for Vic Aldridge, George Grantham, and Al Niehaus.
Dick Groat: #24
Years as a Buc: 1952, 1955-1962; Shortstop
Total ML seasons: 14 seasons; after 9 years with the Bucs,
Groat spent 3 years in St Louis, a year in Philadelphia before
finishing up with the Giants in 1967.
Career Highlights: A career .286 hitter, Wilkensburg PA
native Dick Groat collected 2,138 hits in his career. He hit
.300 or better 4 times and led the league with 43 doubles in 1963
with the Cardinals. Groat collect a World Series championship
ring with the Bucs (1960) and the Cards (1964). He turned 127
Double Plays in 1958 which ranks him in the top 10 list for best
DP season for a shortstop. He also is listed in the top 5 list
for career DPs for shortstops with 1,237. Groat played more
games at shortstop for the Bucs than anyone except Wagner and
Vaughan. He was a 5-time All-Star (3 with the Bucs).
Best Year: In 1960, Groat was named to the All-Star team,
won the NL batting crown with a .325 average and was voted the
league MVP, while helping to lead his hometown Pirates to the
World Championship. For the Cards in 1963, Groat hit .319, led
the league in doubles and received more votes for the All-Star
team (from the players) than anyone else in either league.
Fan Remembrances: Dick Groat was named College Basketball
Player of the Year in 1952 at Duke. He still holds the single-season
scoring record at Duke with 831 points. He played briefly in the NBA
for the Fort Wayne Pistons. Groat also led his Duke Baseball Team to
the College World Series in 1952. Despite being a 2-time All-American
in Baseball and his ML career, Groat considers himself to have
been a better basketball player than a baseball player.
He also served a two year hitch in the Army. Groat could have been a two-sport star
in the pros, but Pirate GM Branch Rickey wanted Groat to focus on baseball.
Despite a basketball contract offer from Fort Wayne that would have paid him more money
than the the Bucs, Groat honored the baseball contract he had signed with the Bucs.
Dick Groat is on a short list of ML players who never played
in the minor leagues.
Groat and Mazeroski led the league in double plays for five
consecutive years; he said in Twin Killing, "...my wife
could have led the league in double plays with Mazeroski at
second base if she were a shortstop. He was that good."
Groat may be best remembered as the master of the hit-and-run.
Groat was traded to the Cardinals with Diomedes Olivo for Julio Gotay, and Don
Cardwell.
He owns and manages the Champion Lakes Golf Club north of Ligonier PA.
Photo
on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Frank Gustine: #16
Years as a Buc: 1939-1948: Infielder
Total ML seasons: 12 seasons; he came up with the Pirates
and spent a year each at the end of career with Cubs and the
Browns. He retired in 1950.
Career Highlights: Frank Gustine may best exemplify the
Pirate players on this list. He was an everyday player for the
Pirates at three positions: he played as many as 113 games in a
season at second base, 116 at shortstop, and 156 at third base.
He was a versatile player who enjoyed some success with the Bucs.
A career .265 hitter, Gustine was a 3-time All-Star for the
Bucs.
Best Year: In 1947, he hit a career best .297 with 30
doubles and 9 home runs, while scoring 102 times and driving in
67 RBIs. He started in the All-Star game that year.
Fan Remembrances: Gustine came up as a 19-year old in
1939. He was traded along with Cal McLish for Cyde McCullough,
and Cliff Chambers.
Lee Handley
Years as a Buc: 1937-1941; 1944-1946: Third Baseman;
Jeep
Total ML seasons: 10 seasons; he came up with the Reds
and spent one year in Cincinnati before coming to Pittsburgh. He
finished his career in 1947 with one season with the
Phillies.
Career Highlights: A career .269 hitter, Handley led the
league in 1939 with 17 stolen bases. He had 4 seasons where he
hit over .280 as a starter. His first year in Pittsburgh, he
smacked 21 doubles and a career best 12 triples. He ranks fifth
on the Pirates all-time list for games played by a third
baseman.
Best Year: In 1938, he hit a career best 25 doubles, 8
triples, and a personal best 6 home runs while scoring 91 Runs
(career best) and driving in a career high 51 RBIs.
Fan Remembrances: His brother Gene also played 2 years in
the majors with the A's (1946-1947).
Bill Madlock: #5
Years as a Buc: 1979-1985: Third Baseman; Mad
Dog
Total ML seasons: 15 seasons; Madlock came up with Texas
in 1973; he spent 3 years with the Cubs and 2 1/2 years with the
Giants before coming to Pittsburgh. He split portions of his
last three years between the Dodgers and the Tigers. He hung up
his spikes in 1987.
Career Highlights: A 4-time batting champion (2 with the
Bucs), Mad Dog hit .341 in 1981 and .323 in 1983 for the Bucs.
He hit a career best 19 home runs while adding 33 doubles in
1982. Madlock ranks fourth on the Pirates all-time list for the
numbers of games played at third base. Mad Dog was named to the
All-Star team twice during his stint in Pittsburgh.
Best Year: In 1975, in Chicago, Madlock hit .354 with 29
doubles and a career best 7 triples. The following year, he hit
.339 with a career best 36 doubles while adding 15 home runs.
Fan Remembrances: In the 1979 World Series, Bill Madlock
hit .375 with a double, 2 Runs scored and 3 RBIs while drawing 5
walks.
He was acquired from the Giants June 28, 1979 along with Lenny
Randle and Dave Roberts for Ed Whitson, Fred Breining, and Al
Holland. On August 31, 1985, he went to the Dodgers for RJ
Reynolds, Sid Bream, and Cecil Espy.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Bob Moose: #38
Years as a Buc:1967-1976; Pitcher
Total ML seasons: 10 seasons, all with the Pirates
Career Highlights: Moose is on a short list of Pirate
pitchers who have tossed a no-hitter. On September 20, 1969, Bob
Moose no-hit the Mets at New York and won the game 4-0. He also
started Game 6 of the 1971 World Series and turned in a solid 5
innings of work. Moose also appeared in relief during Games 1 (4
innings) and Game 2. His starting assignment was critical as two
of the Pirate pitchers had been ineffective against the Orioles.
The assignment was made more difficult because he had to oppose
Hall of Fame-bound Oriole oitcher Jim Palmer. Overall, in his
ML career, Moose was a 76-71 pitcher with a 3.50 ERA. He had 11
or more wins in 5 straight seasons ('69-'73), and threw over 200
innings twice.
Best Year: 1969: in addition to his no-hitter, Moose was
14-3 with a 2.91 ERA.
Fan Remembrances: Moose and I are from the same hometown,
although Bob starred on the high school baseball team about 13
years before I played on that team. I met him as a kid and had a
picture autographed, but I've lost track of where it went. Moose
was killed in an auto accident after the 1976 season on his 29th
birthday.
Moose may be remembered as the pitcher who threw the wild pitch
that allowed the Reds to score the winning run in the 1972
playoffs. This is a little unfair to Moose - Dave Giusti allowed
the Johnny Bench home run that tied the game in the 9th inning;
Moose came on in a jam and recorded 2 outs before uncorking one
that allowed the Reds runner at third to scamper home.
Bob Moose was well liked by all his team mates. A plaque was
dedicated to him after his death which still hangs in the Pirate
clubhouse at TRS.
Tony Pena: #6
Years as a Buc: 1980-1986
Total ML seasons: 18 seasons; Tony was active in the
majors through the end of the 1997 season. After his days in
Pittsburgh, Tony went to the Cardinals for three years, and then
to Boston and the Indians. He finished up in 1997 with the White
Sox and Astros.
Career Highlights: Tony was a 4-time All-Star with Bucs.
He won 3 Gold Gloves and is 3rd on the Pirates all-time list for
games played as a catcher. A .260 career hitter, Pena collected
1,686 hits over his long career and smacked 107 home runs.
Best Year: Tony hit .301 in 1983 while slugging 15 home
runs. In 1982, he laced 28 doubles.
Fan Remembrances: With the Cards in 1987, despite hitting
.214 during the season, Pena exploded in the post-season. In the
LCS, he hit .381, scoring 5 times and even stole a base. In
the World Series, he hit .409 with a double, scoring twice and
driving in 4 RBIs. Despite Pena's heroics, the Cardinals lost to
the Twins 4 games to 3.
Two people (Chuck and Caleb for you long-time readers) wrote to
remind me of Pena's unique catching stance; sometimes sitting
down with no runners on base; one leg out - one leg folded under
- one-handed catching style. Chuck also mentioned Pena's throws
to the bases from the squatting position.
Louis Crandall (lvbc@ix.netcom.com) sent this note:
The snap throws to first from his knees were deadly,
especially when he had a left-handed batter to shield his motion
from the runner. Pena's batting motion was wild -- literally.
He used to hit himself in the back so hard with the bat, that the
story at the time was that he had padding in the back of his
uniform between his shoulder blades to protect himself from his
follow-through.
He will coordinate Dominican
Republic operations and manage the rookie team in Tucson for the
White Sox. During the '97-98 winter season, he managed the
Aguilas in the DR winter league
April 1, 1987, he was traded to the Cardinals for Andy Van Slyke,
Mike LaValliere, and Mike Dunne.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Johnny Ray: #3
Years as a Buc: 1981-1987: Second Baseman
Total ML seasons: 10 seasons; after his time with the
Bucs, Ray played 3 more seasons with the Angels. He retired in
1990.
Career Highlights: Ray played more games at second base
for the Bucs than anyone except Bill Mazeroski, Claude Ritchey,
and Rennie Stennett. A career .290 hitter, Ray had three seasons
where he hit better than .300. He led the league twice in
doubles with 38 (1983, 1984). He hit a career best 42 doubles
for the Angels in 1988. He had three seasons in which he scored
over 70 Runs and another three seasons with over 70 RBIs.
Best Year: In 1984, Ray hit a career best .312 while
leading the league in doubles.
Fan Remembrances: Ray turned 102 double plays in 1983 and
103 DPs in 1987.
Louis Crandall (lvbc@ix.netcom.com) sent this note:
A rarity in a modern-day Bucco -- tough to strike out.
August 31, 1981: Ray comes to the Bucs from Houston along with
minor league outfielder Kevin Houston and Randy Niemann for Phil
Garner. August 29, 1987: Ray goes to the Angels for Miguel
Garcia and minor league infielder Bill Merrifield.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Claude Ritchey
Years as a Buc: 1900-1906: Second Baseman
Total ML seasons: 13 seasons; Ritchey came up with
Cincinnati and spent 2 years with Louisville before spending 7
seasons with the Bucs; he played his last three years with Boston
(N) before finishing his career in 1909.
Career Highlights: A career .275 hitter, Ritchey played
more games at second base for the Bucs than anyone else except
Maz. He collected 1629 hits during his career. In 1905, he hit
a career high 29 doubles, while in 1904 he hit 28 doubles and a
personal best 12 triples.
Best Year: In 1899, Ritchey hit .309 while smacking 15
doubles, 7 triples, and 4 home runs.
Fan Remembrances: He came to Pittsburgh in the same deal
that brought Honus Wagner to Pittsburgh as Louisville was dropped
from the league in 1900. December 1906: Ritchey, Ginger
Beaumont, and Patsy Flaherty went to Boston (N) for Ed
Abbaticchio.
Bob Robertson: #7
Years as a Buc: 1967, 1969-1976: First Baseman:
The Maryland Strong Boy
Total ML seasons: 11 seasons; he played for Seattle in
1978 and Toronto in 1979 before hanging them up.
Career Highlights: Robertson knocked 115 Major League Home
Runs. In 1971, he played a career-high 131 games with a personal
best 469 At Bats. He whacked 26 Home Runs and drove in 72 RBIs.
He was a member of the 1971 World Championship team. Those of us
who were fans at the time will always remember him thrusting his
arms in the air as the final out of the '71 Series was recorded.
He is the original member of the Three Rivers Stadium Left Field
Upper Deck Club, with his
smash on 7/16/71 of 456 feet.
Best Year: In 1970, prior to his 24th birthday, he
smashed a career-best 27 Home Runs, drove in a personal best 82
RBIs and achieved his best Batting Average and Slugging Average
with a 287/372/564 effort. He also added a career high 19
doubles to his year's stats line.
Fan Remembrances: Bob Prince would say of him, "Robertson
can hit a ball out of any park - including Yellowstone."
In game 3 of the 1971 Series, after Baltimore had won the first
two games,
Steve Blass tried to keep the Bucs going. Blass had a two to one
lead when
Clemente and Stargell each got on base with no one out. Skipper
Danny
Murtaugh figured it was time to play small ball, so he gave Bob
Robertson
("The Maryland Strong Boy") the bunt sign. Perhaps because he so
rarely saw
the bunt sign, Robertson missed it. Clemente tried to call time
out, but the
pitcher had started his motion and the umpire declined to call
time.
Robertson swung away and hit a decisive three run homer en route
to a 5-1
final score.
Steve Blass was sitting next to Murtaugh in the dugout. He
turned to the
skipper and said, "If you fine him, I'll pay." Murtaugh didn't.
If you visit Camden Yards in Baltimore, you'll see that Bob
Robertson was inducted into the Maryland natives Sports Hall of
Fame in 1990. Look for his name on Eutaw Street near center
field.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Photo from my childhood
collection; Arco sponsored these photos in 1971. (44k)
Don Robinson: #43
Years as a Buc: 1978-1987; Pitcher
Total ML seasons: 15 seasons; after 10 seasons in
Pittsburgh, he went to the Giants for 5 seasons, and split 1992
with the Angels and the Phillies.
Career Highlights: 109-106, 3.79 in his career, Robinson
took the ball as a starter 111 times in four seasons ('78-'80,
'82). He added 32 starts in 1989 to the Giants rotation. He led
the league with 11 wins in relief in 1987 between stints with the
Bucs and Giants.
Best Year: Robinson showed great promise as a 21 year
old rookie who went 14-6 in 1978 with a career best 9 complete
games. His career best year was in 1982 when he earned a 15-13
record.
Fan Remembrances: Robinson was a good hitting pitcher,
posting a .231 career average and belting 13 home runs in 631 at
bats. Robinson won Game 2 of the 1979 World Series for the Bucs.
Robinson was dealt to the Giants in 1987 for Mackey Sasser and
cash. He pitched in the 1989 World Series for the Giants.
Don Robinson played in one game in the outfield in 1984, handling
two
fly balls successfully. His best year with the bat was probably
1982, when he hit
.282/.315/.412 (in 85 ABs) and drove in 16 runs.
Photo
on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Jim Rooker: #19
Years as a Buc: 1973-1980; Pitcher
Total ML seasons: 13 seasons; he had a cup of coffee with
Detroit in 1968, 4 seasons in KC before coming to Pittsburgh for
8 seasons.
Career Highlights: 103-109, 3.46 in his career, Rooker
turned in 5 consecutive winning seasons for the Bucs where he won
at least 10 games ('73-'77) and compiled a 67-45 record during
that stretch.
Best Year: In 1974, Rooker won a career best 15 games
(15-11) while posting a 2.77 ERA; he pitched a career high 263
innings and turned in a career best 15 games. He also won 15
games (15-8) in 1976. Rooker didn't come to the Pirates until
after his 30th birthday.
Fan Remembrances: Rooker served in the Pirate broadcast
booth 1981-1993.
As a Pirate announcer during a early 90's Buccos broadcast while
the Bucs were winning 10-0 in Philadelphia, Rooker said that he
would walk home if the Pirates lost the game. The Pirates lost
11-10, and Rooker did walk from Philly to Pittsburgh... but
after the season for charity.
In the 1979 World Series, 37 year old Jim Rooker took the mound
as the Game 5 starter. He had only won 4 games in 17 starts
during the season, and the Bucs were down 3 games to 1 to the
Baltimore Orioles in the Fall Classic. Rooker gave The Bucs 5
innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball, and gave the Bucs a chance to rally
in the last three innings for a 7-1 victory.
Rooker was obtained in a trade with KC for pitcher Gene Garber.
Photo
on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Manny Sanguillen: #35
Years as a Buc: 1967; 1969-1976; 1978-1980; Catcher:
Road runner
Total ML seasons: 13 seasons; all except one year (1977 in
Oakland) Sangy played for the Bucs.
Career Highlights: A career .296 hitter, this
free-swinging Panamanian has the highest lifetime batting average
for any post-WWII catcher; that's pretty good company to beat
catchers like Munson, Berra, Campanella, and Bench. Sangy hit
over .300 four times. A 3-time All-Star, Manny ranks second in
games played as a catcher for the Bucs. Sangy was a member of
both the 1971 and 1979 World Champion teams. In the '71 Series,
he hit .379, scored 3 times and stole 2 bases.
Best Year: In 1975, Manny hit a career best .328 with 24
doubles and 9 home runs, while catching 132 games. In 1971, as a
member of the Lumber Company, Manny drove in a career best 81
RBIs.
Fan Remembrances: Here are a couple clips from Twin
Killing: Manny's first ML hit was off a pitcher named Giusti;
it was an infield roller to Joe Morgan that Sangy beat out....
Sangy once threw out Lou Brock twice in one game while Brock was
trying to steal.... Sangy was the catcher for Bob Moose's
no-hitter in 1969 and also couldn't knock down Moose's infamous
wild pitch that ended the 1972 playoffs.... Manny was traded to
Oakland for a Manager (Chuck Tanner).
Chuck_Blahous(@simpson.senate.gov) sent this note: "one of the
most beloved Bucs of his time, seemingly always grinning,
couldn't draw a walk to save his life, but could hit a pitch
thrown almost anywhere. Sanguillen was that rarity as a catcher
-- a speed threat -- he was the Road Runner (before Ralph Garr
was) and a hitter for high average."
Chuck also noted how close Sangy was with Roberto Clemente and
remembered that Manny was one of the divers who looked for
Roberto's body after the fateful plane crash that killed
Clemente.
On Sunday, 17 Mar 1996, Dave Noordhoff (dnoordho@icis.on.ca) sent
me this note:
"How about that great pinch single in Game 2 of the 1979
series that drove in Ed Ott with the winning run? And the
greeting he got from the fans when the Bucs returned to
Pittsburgh for Game 3 (Manny was wearing a toque!). My wife's
favourite, she managed to meet him during our visits to
Pittsburgh so many times, the last time he said to her, "I know
you!". By the way, I have a posed picture of him and
her; if he's 6 feet tall, as the books say, then my wife sure is
isn't 5'4"! He's only about 4-5" taller than her."
Louis Crandall (lvbc@ix.netcom.com) sent this note:
There is one Pirate moment that I would like to see above all
others. Game 2 of the 1979 World Series, Sanguillen singling in
Ed Ott with two out in the ninth to win the game. Manny was a
hero of mine growing up, since I had been a stumpy little
bad-ball chasing catcher in Little League myself. I was
distraught when the Bucs let him go in 1977, overjoyed when he
came back. He hardly played in the 1979 regular season and
never got up to bat in the playoffs. That hit in Game 2 made up
for it all.
Dr. Charles J. Leberknight (Chuck or Doc) jcdoc@usa.pipeline.com
sent this note:
Manny was one of my favorite Bucs growing up ... I remember his
unorthodox batting style (bat way over his head) that we all used
to emulate in little league, his extended-leg crouch behind the
plate, and the funky felt covered batting helmet he used to wear.
And who can forget Manny's ritual in the batter's box where, as
he was chatting and smiling at the umpire and catcher, he would
draw a line in the batter's box with the knob of the handle, dig
in, and swing at anything thrown in the general direction of the
plate.
Dave Darlington (darlingt@HAL.MUHLBERG.EDU) added this note to a
discussion about favorite players:
I'd have to go with Sanguillen as number 2, although I
have only been around enough to remember the tail end of his
career ('79 series). Maybe it is because I'm distantly related
to him (by marriage -- he's my cousin's husband's cousin's
husband, which makes us absolutely nothing, but I still like to
say I'm related to a Buc anyway :)) Heck, George I got to the
throne of England with less credentials!
November 5, 1976: Sanguillen and $100,000 went to Oakland for
Manager Chuck Tanner. April 4, 1978: Sanguillen returns from
Oakland for Miguel Dilone, Elias Sosa, and Mike Edwards.
December 9, 1980: Sanguillen and Bert Blylevan go to Cleveland
for Gary Alexander, Victor Cruz, Rafael Vasquez, and Bob
Owchinko.
Sanguillen Profile from The Summer of 1971.
Photo
on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Photo from my childhood
collection; Arco sponsored these photos in 1971. (36k)
Bob Skinner: #4
Years as a Buc: 1954, 1956-1963: Left Fielder
Total ML seasons: 12 seasons; Skinner came up with the
Pirates. After 8+ seasons in Pittsburgh, he spent time with the
Reds and the Cardinals.
Career Highlights: A .277 career hitter, Skinner had 4
seasons where he hit better than .300. Bob was a 2-time All-
Star. He is a member of a short list of players who hit a ball
over the right field roof at
Forbes Field; Skinner did it twice.
Skinner earned two World Series rings in his career; 1960 with
the Bucs and 1964 with the Cards.
Best Year: In 1958, Skinner hit .321 with 33 doubles, 9
triples and 13 Home Runs and was a starter in the All-Star
game.
Fan Remembrances: Bob Skinner played in the last game at
Ebbetts Field and hit the last home run at old Busch Stadium.
Skinner said this is Twin Killing, "The guy who ran the
scoreboard (at Forbes Field) could tell from his vantage point
inside if the ball was going to be over my head. I would be
going back and he would yell at me to play it off the wall."
May 23, 1963: Skinner goes to Cincinnati for Jerry Lynch.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Rennie Stennett: #6
Years as a Buc: 1971-1979: Second Base
Total ML seasons: 11 seasons; after 9 years with the Bucs,
Stennett played 2 seasons with the Giants and retired in
1981.
Career Highlights: On September 16, 1975 at Chicago,
Rennie Stennett was 7-for-7 in a nine inning game; he had 2
doubles and a triple while scoring 5 Runs. He is the only major
League player to go 7-7 in a nine inning game since 1892 (his
feat is displayed at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown). Rennie
also put
together a 20-game hitting streak that year. A .274 career
hitter, Stennett twice played in 157 games in a season for the
Bucs (1974 and 1976). In 1976 he belted 31 doubles and 9
triples, both career best marks. In 1973, he smacked a career
high 10 home runs. Rennie Stennett played more games at second
base for the Bucs than anyone except Maz and Claude Ritchey.
Best Year: In 1977, he hit .336 with 20 doubles and stole
28 bases.
Fan Remembrances: Chuck_Blahous(@simpson.senate.gov) sent
this note:
"my childhood hero; he hit over .400 a good
portion of the 1971 season when he came up to replace an
injured Dave Cash during the pennant chase, and made a huge
contribution to the win, coming immediately into the leadoff
position. he was widely heralded as the most wide-ranging
second-sacker of his time. One thing about Stennett that always
struck me was his unique ability to perform the exact same
physical motion until his opponent adjusted and could get him
out. When you look at replays of his 7-for-7 game, a huge number
of hits are sprayed by Stennett into short right field, as he was
just swinging that way perfectly on that day, and he could just
stay in the zone and do it over and over. Similarly, in 1971, I
don't know how often he hit line drives into the center-to-right
area, which if not caught for outs, contributed to his high
batting average and his getting 5 triples in only 150 or so
at-bats. Stennett would seem to repeat the same trick several
times in succession until word got around as to how to prevent
him from doing whatever he was doing, and then he'd have to come
up with something else. A very streaky hitter as a result.
Both Steve Alvin (salvin@heartland.bradley.edu) and Chuck
reminded me of Stennett's broken leg in 1977. Steve said Rennie
was never the same player again, " It was a real shame as he was
just 26 and appeared to be really coming into his prime." Chuck
said, "At the time, Stennett was battling Dave Parker for the
league lead in batting average -- Stennett was hitting .336
(behind Parker's .343). He made a steal attempt of second and
broke his ankle. It was a terrible injury, and I remember
Stennett lying there and screaming in pain. Stennett, if my
memory serves me correctly, still had a shot at the batting
title, since others saw their averages dip from that point on,
and if one added the requisite hitless at-bats to Stennett's
total to come up with 502 plate appearances, he still had a
decent average."
November 29, 1979: Stennett signed with the Giants as a Free
Agent.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Frank Taveras: #10
Years as a Buc: 1971-1972, 1974-1979: ShortStop
Total ML seasons: 11 seasons; after 7+ years in
Pittsburgh, he went to the Mets for 3 seasons, and finished with
the Expos.
Career Highlights: A .255 career hitter, Taveras stole 300
bases. He was a fixture at SS for the Bucs for 5 years. In
1978, he hit .278 and stroked a career best 31 doubles.
Best Year: In 1977, he lead the league with 70 steals.
Fan Remembrances:
April 19, 1979: Taveras was traded to the Mets for Tim Foli and
minor league pitcher Greg Field.
Photo on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Bill Virdon: #18
Years as a Buc: 1956-1965; 1968: Centerfielder
Total ML seasons: 12 seasons; Virdon came up with the
Cardinals, but after his rookie season, he came to Pittsburgh for
the rest of his career.
Career Highlights: Virdon was Rookie of the Year for the
Cardinals in 1955 when he hit .281 with a career best 17 Home
Runs. A career .276 hitter, Virdon was also known for his
defensive skills in center field; he won a Gold Glove in 1962.
Virdon ranks sixth on the Bucs all-time list for games played by
a Pirate outfielder. Virdon led the league with 10 triples in
1962. He has enjoyed an extensive coaching and managing career
since the end of his playing days.
Best Year: In 1956, Virdon's first in Pittsburgh, he hit
.319 23 doubles, 10 triples, and 10 Home Runs.
Fan Remembrances: Virdon will always be associated with
the hard grounder to short in the 8th inning of game 7 of the
1960 World Series that hit Tony Kubek in the throat. The
grounder could have resulted in a rally killing double play, but
was a key turning point that allowed the Bucs to turn a 7-4
deficit into a 9-7 lead. In the Series, Virdon had 3 doubles,
drove in 5 RBIs and scored twice.
On Sunday, 17 Mar 1996, Dave Noordhoff (dnoordho@icis.on.ca) sent
me this note:
"In spite of the famous grounder to Kubek, I best remember
Bill's catches during the 1960 series, two great ones as I
remember, but especially the one in Game 4, on a 400 plus foot
drive to right centre by Bob Cerv (two on, one out, Pirates ahead
3-2 in the seventh, Face pitching). Face got the next hitter,
Kubek on a grounder to the box, and the Bucs won 3-2, tieing the
series. He also made a great catch on another 400 footer (hit by
Berra) in Forbes in Game 1, score 3-1 for Bucs, two on, none out,
Yankees had to settle for one run as a result. For the series,
Bill made 18 putouts in 7 games (made an error, also, on a throw
to plate in Game 6, which didn't cost anything) and hit 3 doubles
and 4 singles that drove in 5 runs. He also had a hit in every
game but the second. His stolen base after he walked in the first
inning of Game 1 set up a three run inning. Pretty good for a
leadoff man! I always told my boy that Van Slyke was the best
centrefielder we had SINCE Virdon.
Virdon was part of a minor league package that moved from the
Yankees to the Cards for Enos Slaughter in 1954.
May 17, 1956: Virdon came to the Bucs in exchange for Dick
Littlefield and Bobby Del Greco.
Photo
on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Bob Walk: #17
Years as a Buc: 1984-1993: Pitcher; Whirlybird
Total ML seasons: 14 seasons; he came up with the
Phillies and also played with Atlanta before coming to
Pittsburgh.
Career Highlights: Walk was 105-81 lifetime. He posted six
straight winning seasons 1987-1992.
Best Year: In 1988, he was 12-10 with a 2.71 ERA and was
named to the All-Star team. He threw a career high 212.2 innings
that year while taking the ball for a career best 32 starts. The
following year, Walk was 13-10, 4.41 in 31 starts and 2 relief
appearances and turned in 196 innings of work.
Fan Remembrances: Walk started Game One of the 1980 World
Series (as a Phillie in his rookie year) against Kansas City and
won the game.
His best game was probably his Game 5 victory over the Braves in
the 1992 LCS. Walk allowed only three Braves hits in the 7-1
victory, while going the distance for the Bucs.
Bob Walk joined the Pirate broadcast team in 1994.
Photo
on Cecil Greek's Pirates Page.
Owen Wilson
Years as a Buc: 1908-1913: Outfielder; Chief
Total ML seasons: 9 seasons; Wilson came up with the Bucs
and then spent his last 3 years in St Louis - retiring in
1916.
Career Highlights: A career .269 hitter, Wilson hit an
even .300 two consecutive years for the Bucs (1911-1912). He
collected 1246 hits over his career. He hit 36 triples in 1912;
that total stands as a Major League record for one season.
Wilson stands 15th on the Pirates All-Time list for games played
in the outfield.
Best Year: In 1911, he rapped a career best 34 doubles and
12 home runs, while batting .300 and adding 12 triples.
Fan Remembrances: December 12, 1913: Wilson went to the
Cards with Art Butler, Dots Miller, Cozy Dolan, and Hank Robinson
for Ed Konetchy, Mike Mowrey, and Bob Harmon.
Years as a Buc:
Total ML seasons:
Career Highlights:
Best Year:
Fan Remembrances:
Sources: Baseball Encyclopedia, 1995 Record and Information Guide
(Media Guide) and Twin Killing: The Bill Mazeroski
Story, by John T. Bird
Thanks to the Pirate team offices for their assistance with some
of the uniform numbers.
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