1971 Pittsburgh Pirates season
Encyclopedia
The Pittsburgh Pirates
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Pirates finishing first in the National League East
with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses. They defeated the San Francisco Giants
three games to one in the National League Championship Series
and beat the Baltimore Orioles
four games to three in the World Series
. The Pirates were managed by Danny Murtaugh
, and played their first full season at Three Rivers Stadium
, which had opened in July the year before.
, the Pirates became the first Major League Baseball
team to field an all-black starting lineup. That lineup, which took the field on September 1, was Rennie Stennett
, Gene Clines
, Roberto Clemente
, Willie Stargell
, Manny Sanguillén
, Dave Cash
, Al Oliver
, Jackie Hernández
, and Dock Ellis
.
(4-3): Pittsburgh Pirates
(N.L.) over Baltimore Orioles
(A.L.)
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. It involved the Pirates finishing first in the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses. They defeated the San Francisco Giants
1971 San Francisco Giants season
-Offseason:* December 30, 1970: Ron Hunt was traded by the Giants to the Montreal Expos for Dave McDonald.-Regular season:The Giants battled their arch rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers, throughout the season for the NL West Division lead. The Giants led by 8.5 games on September 1. In mid September...
three games to one in the National League Championship Series
1971 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 2, 1971 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CaliforniaWith aces Gaylord Perry and Steve Blass taking the mound for their respective teams, Game 1 looked to be a pitchers duel. It sort of was for four innings; the Pirates struck for two in the top of the third when Dave...
and beat the Baltimore Orioles
1971 Baltimore Orioles season
In , the Baltimore Orioles finished first in the American League East, with a record of 101 wins and 57 losses. As of 2010, the 1971 Orioles are the last Major League Baseball club to have four 20-game winners in a season: Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, and Pat Dobson.- Offseason :*...
four games to three in the World Series
1971 World Series
The 1971 World Series matched the defending champion Baltimore Orioles against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Pirates winning in seven games. Game 4, played in Pittsburgh, was the first-ever World Series game scheduled to be played at night....
. The Pirates were managed by Danny Murtaugh
Danny Murtaugh
Daniel Edward Murtaugh was an American second baseman, manager, front-office executive and coach in Major League Baseball best known for his 29-year association with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a player and manager...
, and played their first full season at Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
, which had opened in July the year before.
Offseason
- February 10, 1971: Danny Rivas (minors) was traded by the Pirates to the Mexico City Reds for Ramón Hernández.
Regular season
In 19711971 in sports
1971 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Gustav Thöni, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Pröll, Austria-American football:...
, the Pirates became the first Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team to field an all-black starting lineup. That lineup, which took the field on September 1, was Rennie Stennett
Rennie Stennett
Renaldo Antonio Stennett Porte , is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. Stennett played with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Gene Clines
Gene Clines
Eugene Anthony Clines is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, Clines played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , New York Mets , Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs . He was also the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs from 2005-2006...
, Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
, Willie Stargell
Willie Stargell
Wilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell , nicknamed "Pops" in the later years of his career, was a Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
, Manny Sanguillén
Manny Sanguillen
Manuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" , is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was named to the All-Star team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the Oakland...
, Dave Cash
Dave Cash (baseball)
David Cash, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played in the National League for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Philadelphia Phillies , Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres .Cash established himself as a solid singles hitter and a good defensive second baseman in his seasons with...
, Al Oliver
Al Oliver
Albert Oliver, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays...
, Jackie Hernández
Jackie Hernandez
Jacinto Hernández Zulueta is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman from 1965 to 1973....
, and Dock Ellis
Dock Ellis
Dock Phillip Ellis, Jr. was a professional baseball player who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other teams in Major League Baseball. His best season was 1971, when he won 19 games for the World Series champion Pirates and was the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star...
.
Opening Day lineup
- Bill MazeroskiBill MazeroskiWilliam Stanley Mazeroski , nicknamed "Maz", is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
2B - Richie HebnerRichie HebnerRichard Joseph Hebner is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played from 1968 to 1985 in Major League Baseball. He played with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs, all of the National League, and the Detroit Tigers of the American...
3B - Roberto ClementeRoberto ClementeRoberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
RF - Manny SanguillénManny SanguillenManuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" , is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was named to the All-Star team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the Oakland...
C - Bob RobertsonBob RobertsonRobert Eugene Robertson is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. Robertson, who batted and threw right-handed, played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays...
1B - Willie StargellWillie StargellWilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell , nicknamed "Pops" in the later years of his career, was a Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
LF - Al OliverAl OliverAlbert Oliver, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays...
CF - Jackie HernándezJackie HernandezJacinto Hernández Zulueta is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman from 1965 to 1973....
SS - Dock EllisDock EllisDock Phillip Ellis, Jr. was a professional baseball player who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other teams in Major League Baseball. His best season was 1971, when he won 19 games for the World Series champion Pirates and was the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star...
P
Roster
| 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 138 | 533 | 60 | 170 | .319 | 7 | 81 | 6 | |
| 1B | 131 | 469 | 65 | 127 | .271 | 26 | 72 | 1 | |
| 2B | 123 | 478 | 79 | 138 | .289 | 2 | 34 | 13 | |
| 3B | 112 | 388 | 50 | 105 | .271 | 17 | 67 | 2 | |
| SS | 114 | 348 | 38 | 79 | .227 | 6 | 28 | 9 | |
| CF | 143 | 529 | 69 | 149 | .282 | 14 | 64 | 4 | |
| LF | 141 | 511 | 104 | 151 | .295 | 48 | 125 | 0 | |
| RF | 132 | 522 | 82 | 178 | .341 | 13 | 86 | 1 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | 295 | 48 | 84 | .285 | 1 | 33 | 10 | |
| 97 | 273 | 52 | 84 | .308 | 1 | 24 | 15 | |
| 88 | 233 | 30 | 48 | .206 | 3 | 26 | 0 | |
| 70 | 193 | 17 | 49 | .254 | 1 | 16 | 0 | |
| 57 | 158 | 16 | 38 | .241 | 5 | 15 | 0 | |
| 49 | 126 | 15 | 35 | .278 | 6 | 25 | 0 | |
| 50 | 153 | 24 | 54 | .353 | 1 | 15 | 1 | |
| 28 | 25 | 4 | 5 | .200 | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
| 7 | 15 | 2 | 3 | .200 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 7 | 12 | 1 | 2 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 226.2 | 19 | 9 | 3.06 | 63 | 137 | |
| 33 | 240 | 15 | 8 | 2.85 | 68 | 136 | |
| 31 | 174.2 | 9 | 10 | 3.45 | 55 | 101 | |
| 28 | 159.2 | 10 | 8 | 3.55 | 53 | 86 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 140 | 11 | 7 | 4.11 | 35 | 68 | |
| 37 | 136 | 8 | 4 | 3.04 | 35 | 76 | |
| 18 | 95.1 | 6 | 5 | 3.40 | 36 | 60 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 86 | 5 | 6 | 30 | 2.93 | 31 | 55 | |
| 42 | 75 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 3.60 | 28 | 22 | |
| 37 | 46.1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 6.99 | 24 | 40 | |
| 17 | 34.2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2.34 | 25 | 11 | |
| 16 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1.29 | 13 | 13 | |
| 10 | 12.1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.73 | 2 | 7 | |
| 2 | 4.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 |
National League Championship Series
The Pittsburgh Pirates won the series over the San Francisco Giants, 3-1| Game | Score | Date | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh - 4, San Francisco - 5 | October 2 | Candlestick Park | 40,977 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh - 9, San Francisco - 4 | October 3 | Candlestick Park | 42,562 |
| 3 | San Francisco - 1, Pittsburgh - 2 | October 5 | Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to... |
38,322 |
| 4 | San Francisco - 5, Pittsburgh - 9 | October 6 | Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to... |
35,487 |
World Series
Composite box
1971 World Series1971 World Series
The 1971 World Series matched the defending champion Baltimore Orioles against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Pirates winning in seven games. Game 4, played in Pittsburgh, was the first-ever World Series game scheduled to be played at night....
(4-3): Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(N.L.) over Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(A.L.)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 56 | 3 | |
| Baltimore Orioles 1971 Baltimore Orioles season In , the Baltimore Orioles finished first in the American League East, with a record of 101 wins and 57 losses. As of 2010, the 1971 Orioles are the last Major League Baseball club to have four 20-game winners in a season: Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, and Pat Dobson.- Offseason :*... |
3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 45 | 9 | |
| Total Attendance: 351,091 Average Attendance: 50,156 | ||||||||||||||
| Winning Player’s Share: – $18,165, Losing Player’s Share – $13,906 *Includes Playoffs and World Series | ||||||||||||||
Awards and honors
- Roberto ClementeRoberto ClementeRoberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
, Babe Ruth AwardBabe Ruth AwardThe Babe Ruth Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player with the best performance in the postseason. The award, created by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America in honor of Babe Ruth, was first awarded in 1949 to the MVP of the World Series, one... - Roberto Clemente, World Series Most Valuable Player Award
- Roberto Clemente, Gold Glove AwardGold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
League leaders
- Willie StargellWillie StargellWilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell , nicknamed "Pops" in the later years of his career, was a Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
, National League home run champion (48) - Dave GiustiDave GiustiDavid John Giusti, Jr., is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1962 to 1977....
, Saves leader (30)
All-Stars
1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 42nd such game, was played on July 13, 1971. The all-stars from the American League and the National League faced each other at Tiger Stadium, home of the Detroit Tigers...
- Dock EllisDock EllisDock Phillip Ellis, Jr. was a professional baseball player who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other teams in Major League Baseball. His best season was 1971, when he won 19 games for the World Series champion Pirates and was the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star...
, pitcher, starter - Willie StargellWillie StargellWilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell , nicknamed "Pops" in the later years of his career, was a Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
, outfield, starter
- Roberto ClementeRoberto ClementeRoberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
, reserve - Vic DavalilloVic DavalilloVíctor José Davalillo Romero [da-va-LEE-yo] , is a former Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Cleveland Indians , California Angels , St. Louis Cardinals , Pittsburgh Pirates , Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, reserve - Manny SanguillénManny SanguillenManuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" , is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was named to the All-Star team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the Oakland...
, reserve