1953 Pittsburgh Pirates season
1953 Pittsburgh Pirates | |
---|---|
Major League affiliations | |
| |
Location | |
Other information | |
Owner(s) | John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Bing Crosby, Thomas P. Johnson, Branch Rickey (minority shareholders) |
General manager(s) | Branch Rickey |
Manager(s) | Fred Haney |
Local television | none |
Local radio | WWSW Rosey Rowswell, Bob Prince |
< Previous season Next season > |
The 1953 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 72nd in franchise history. In April 1953, the New York Yankees visited Forbes Field and played two preseason games against the Pirates. Mickey Mantle hit a 500-foot home run that landed on the roof.[2]
Offseason[]
- October 14, 1952: Gus Bell was traded by the Pirates to the Cincinnati Reds for Cal Abrams, Joe Rossi, and Gail Henley.[3]
- Prior to 1953 season: Don Williams was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates.[4]
- March 19, 1953: Johnny O'Brien was signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent (bonus baby).[5]
- March 19, 1953: Eddie O'Brien was signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent (bonus baby).[6]
Regular season[]
Season standings[]
National League | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brooklyn Dodgers | 105 | 49 | 0.682 | — | 60–17 | 45–32 |
Milwaukee Braves | 92 | 62 | 0.597 | 13 | 45–31 | 47–31 |
Philadelphia Phillies | 83 | 71 | 0.539 | 22 | 48–29 | 35–42 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 83 | 71 | 0.539 | 22 | 48–30 | 35–41 |
New York Giants | 70 | 84 | 0.455 | 35 | 38–39 | 32–45 |
Cincinnati Redlegs | 68 | 86 | 0.442 | 37 | 38–39 | 30–47 |
Chicago Cubs | 65 | 89 | 0.422 | 40 | 43–34 | 22–55 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 50 | 104 | 0.325 | 55 | 26–51 | 24–53 |
Record vs. opponents[]
Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | BR | CHC | CIN | MIL | NYG | PHI | PIT | STL | |||||
Brooklyn | — | 13–9–1 | 15–7 | 13–9 | 15–7 | 14–8 | 20–2 | 15–7 | |||||
Chicago | 9–13–1 | — | 12–10 | 8–14 | 9–13 | 5–17 | 11–11 | 11–11 | |||||
Cincinnati | 7–15 | 10–12 | — | 8–14 | 9–13 | 12–10 | 15–7 | 7–15–1 | |||||
Milwaukee | 9–13 | 14–8 | 14–8 | — | 14–8–1 | 13–9–1 | 15–7 | 13–9–1 | |||||
New York | 7–15 | 13–9 | 13–9 | 8–14–1 | — | 9–13 | 11–11 | 9–13 | |||||
Philadelphia | 8–14 | 17–5 | 10–12 | 9–13–1 | 13–9 | — | 15–7 | 11–11–1 | |||||
Pittsburgh | 2–20 | 11–11 | 7–15 | 7–15 | 11–11 | 7–15 | — | 5–17 | |||||
St. Louis | 7–15 | 11–11 | 15–7–1 | 9–13–1 | 13–9 | 11–11–1 | 17–5 | — |
Game log[]
1953 Game Log: 50–104 (Home: 26–51; Away: 24–53) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
April: 5–9 (Home: 5–3; Away: 0–6)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May: 8–19 (Home: 6–8; Away: 2–11)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
June: 12–22 (Home: 6–11; Away: 6–11)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
July: 8–23 (Home: 5–15; Away: 3–8)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
August: 8–22 (Home: 2–11; Away: 6–11)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September: 9–9 (Home: 2–3; Away: 7–6)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legend: = Win = Loss Bold = Pirates team member |
Opening Day lineup[]
Notable transactions[]
- June 4, 1953: Ralph Kiner, Joe Garagiola, Catfish Metkovich, and Howie Pollet were traded by the Pirates to the Chicago Cubs for Toby Atwell, Bob Schultz, Preston Ward, George Freese, Bob Addis, Gene Hermanski, and $150,000.[7]
- June 14, 1953: Pete Castiglione was traded by the Pirates to the St. Louis Cardinals for Hal Rice.[8]
Roster[]
1953 Pittsburgh Pirates | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
|
Catchers
Infielders
|
Outfielders
Other batters
|
Manager
Coaches
|
Player stats[]
Batting[]
Starters by position[]
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | Mike Sandlock | 64 | 186 | 43 | .231 | 0 | 12 |
1B | Preston Ward | 88 | 281 | 59 | .210 | 8 | 27 |
2B | Johnny O'Brien | 89 | 279 | 69 | .247 | 2 | 22 |
SS | Eddie O'Brien | 89 | 261 | 62 | .238 | 0 | 14 |
3B | Danny O'Connell | 149 | 588 | 173 | .294 | 7 | 55 |
OF | Cal Abrams | 119 | 448 | 128 | .286 | 15 | 43 |
OF | Frank Thomas | 128 | 455 | 116 | .255 | 30 | 102 |
OF | Carlos Bernier | 105 | 310 | 66 | .213 | 3 | 31 |
Other batters[]
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paul Smith | 118 | 389 | 110 | .283 | 4 | 44 |
Hal Rice | 78 | 286 | 89 | .311 | 4 | 42 |
Dick Cole | 97 | 235 | 64 | .272 | 0 | 23 |
Eddie Pellagrini | 78 | 174 | 44 | .253 | 4 | 19 |
Pete Castiglione | 45 | 159 | 33 | .208 | 4 | 21 |
Ralph Kiner | 41 | 148 | 40 | .270 | 7 | 29 |
Toby Atwell | 53 | 139 | 34 | .245 | 0 | 17 |
Vic Janowicz | 42 | 123 | 31 | .252 | 2 | 8 |
Joe Garagiola | 27 | 73 | 17 | .233 | 2 | 14 |
Gene Hermanski | 41 | 62 | 11 | .177 | 1 | 4 |
Felipe Montemayor | 28 | 55 | 6 | .109 | 0 | 2 |
Dick Smith | 13 | 43 | 7 | .163 | 0 | 2 |
Catfish Metkovich | 26 | 41 | 6 | .146 | 1 | 7 |
Brandy Davis | 12 | 39 | 8 | .205 | 0 | 2 |
Dick Hall | 7 | 24 | 4 | .167 | 0 | 1 |
Ed Fitz Gerald | 6 | 17 | 2 | .118 | 0 | 1 |
Nick Koback | 7 | 16 | 2 | .125 | 0 | 0 |
Pete Naton | 6 | 12 | 2 | .167 | 0 | 1 |
Jack Shepard | 2 | 4 | 1 | .250 | 0 | 0 |
Bob Addis | 4 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Clem Koshorek | 1 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Pitching[]
Starting pitchers[]
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paul LaPalme | 35 | 176.1 | 8 | 16 | 4.59 | 86 |
Johnny Lindell | 27 | 175.2 | 5 | 16 | 4.71 | 102 |
Bob Friend | 32 | 170.2 | 8 | 11 | 4.90 | 66 |
Other pitchers[]
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Murry Dickson | 45 | 200.2 | 10 | 19 | 4.53 | 88 |
Bob Hall | 37 | 152 | 3 | 12 | 5.39 | 68 |
Roy Face | 41 | 119 | 6 | 8 | 6.58 | 56 |
Jim Waugh | 29 | 90.1 | 4 | 5 | 6.48 | 23 |
Paul Pettit | 10 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 7.71 | 14 |
Cal Hogue | 3 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 5.21 | 10 |
Howie Pollet | 5 | 12.2 | 1 | 1 | 10.66 | 8 |
Bill Macdonald | 4 | 7.1 | 0 | 1 | 12.27 | 4 |
Relief pitchers[]
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Johnny Hetki | 54 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3.95 | 37 |
Roger Bowman | 30 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4.82 | 36 |
Bob Schultz | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8.20 | 5 |
Woody Main | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11.25 | 4 |
Farm system[]
Level | Team | League | Manager |
---|---|---|---|
AA | New Orleans Pelicans | Southern Association | Danny Murtaugh |
A | Charleston Rebels | Sally League | Frank Oceak, and Larry Shepard |
A | Denver Bears | Western League | Andy Cohen |
B | Waco/Longview Pirates | Big State League | Buster Chatham |
B | Burlington-Graham Pirates | Carolina League | Stan Wentzel |
C | Billings Mustangs | Pioneer League | Cliff Dapper |
C | St. Jean Canadiens | Provincial League | George Genovese |
C | Hutchinson Elks | Western Association | Wes Griffin |
D | Bristol Twins | Appalachian League | George Detore |
D | Dublin Irish | Georgia State League | and Frank Oceak |
D | Brunswick Pirates | Georgia–Florida League | Jack Paepke |
D | Batavia Clippers | PONY League |
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Hutchinson, Brunswick
Waco franchise transferred to Longview, May 22, 1953
References[]
- ^ From 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Shore in 1907.
- ^ The Best Game Ever, Prologue, p. xx, Jim Reisler, Carroll & Graf Publishers, New York, 2007, ISBN 978-0-7867-1943-3
- ^ Gus Bell page at Baseball Reference
- ^ Don Williams page at Baseball Reference
- ^ Johnny O'Brien page at Baseball Reference
- ^ Eddie O'Brien page at Baseball Reference
- ^ "Ralph Kiner traded to Cubs". Lodi News-Sentinel. June 4, 1953. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ Hal Rice page at Baseball Reference
External links[]
- Pittsburgh Pirates seasons
- 1953 Major League Baseball season
- 1953 in sports in Pennsylvania