Major League Baseball season
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates
National League (since 1887 )
Three Rivers Stadium (since 1970 )Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [1] (since 1907 )Record 98–64 (.605) Divisional place 1st Owner(s) John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder) ; Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholder) General manager(s) Harding "Pete" Peterson Manager(s) Chuck Tanner Local television KDKA-TV 2 Milo Hamilton , Lanny Frattare , Nelson Briles Local radio KDKA–AM 1020 Milo Hamilton , Lanny Frattare Stats ESPN.com BB-reference < Previous season Next season >
The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates had 98 wins and 64 losses and captured the National League East Division title by two games over the Montreal Expos . The Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds to win their ninth National League pennant, and the Baltimore Orioles to win their fifth World Series title – and also their last playoff series victory to date. The disco hit "We Are Family " by Sister Sledge was used as the team's theme song that season.[2]
Offseason [ ]
Regular season [ ]
Key transactions [ ]
Season standings [ ]
NL East
W
L
Pct.
GB
Home
Road
Pittsburgh Pirates
98
64
0.605
—
48–33
50–31
Montreal Expos
95
65
0.594
2
56–25
39–40
St. Louis Cardinals
86
76
0.531
12
42–39
44–37
Philadelphia Phillies
84
78
0.519
14
43–38
41–40
Chicago Cubs
80
82
0.494
18
45–36
35–46
New York Mets
63
99
0.389
35
28–53
35–46
Record vs. opponents [ ]
1979 National League Records
Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Team
ATL
CHC
CIN
HOU
LAD
MON
NYM
PHI
PIT
SD
SF
STL
Atlanta
—
4–8
6–12
7–11
12–6
1–9
4–8
7–5
4–8
6–12
11–7
4–8
Chicago
8–4
—
7–5
6–6
5–7
6–12
8–10
9–9
6–12
9–3
8–4
8–10
Cincinnati
12–6
5–7
—
8–10
11–7
6–6
8–4
8–4
8–4
10–7
6–12
8–4
Houston
11–7
6–6
10–8
—
10–8
7–5
9–3
5–7
4–8
14–4
7–11
6–6
Los Angeles
6–12
7–5
7–11
8–10
—
6–6
9–3
3–9
4–8
9–9
14–4
6–6
Montreal
9–1
12–6
6–6
5–7
6–6
—
15–3
11–7
7–11
7–5
7–5
10–8
New York
8–4
10–8
4–8
3–9
3–9
3–15
—
5–13
8–10–1
4–8
8–4
7–11
Philadelphia
5-7
9–9
4–8
7–5
9–3
7–11
13–5
—
8–10
9–3
6–6
7–11–1
Pittsburgh
8–4
12–6
4–8
8–4
8–4
11–7
10–8–1
10–8
—
7–5
9–3
11–7
San Diego
12–6
3–9
7–10
4–14
9–9
5–7
8–4
3–9
5–7
—
8–10
4–8
San Francisco
7–11
4–8
12–6
11–7
4–14
5–7
4–8
6–6
3–9
10–8
—
5–7
St. Louis
8–4
10–8
4–8
6–6
6–6
8–10
11–7
11–7–1
7–11
8–4
7–5
—
Game log [ ]
1979 Game Log (98–64 (Home: 48–33; Away: 50–31))
show
April: 7–11 (Home: 5–6; Away: 2–5)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Record
Streak
1
April 6
Expos
2–3 (10)
Sosa
Tekulve (0–1)
—
36,141
0–1
L1
2
April 7
Expos
7–6
Jackson (1–0)
Sosa
—
8,700
1–1
W1
3
April 8
Expos
4–5
May
Romo (0–1)
Palmer
8,680
1–2
L1
4
April 10
@ Phillies
3–7
Ruthven
Romo (0–2)
—
48,235
1–3
L2
5
April 11
@ Phillies
4–5
Carlton
Blyleven (0–1)
—
26,281
1–4
L3
6
April 12
Cardinals
3–1
Robinson (1–0)
Denny
—
3,986
2–4
W1
7
April 13
Cardinals
7–6
Bibby (1–0)
Schultz
Jackson (1)
4,395
3–4
W2
8
April 14
Cardinals
7–4
Whitson (1–0)
Forsch
Jackson (2)
10,940
4–4
W3
9
April 15
Cardinals
4–9 (10)
Littell
Tekulve (0–2)
—
3,012
4–5
L1
10
April 17
Phillies
2–13
Carlton
Blyleven (0–2)
—
7,739
4–6
L2
11
April 18
Phillies
2–3
Lerch
Robinson (1–1)
—
12,195
4–7
L3
12
April 20
@ Astros
4–5 (10)
Sambito
Bibby (1–1)
—
19,834
4–8
L4
13
April 21
@ Astros
4–5 (10)
Andujar
Tekulve (0–3)
—
48,977
4–9
L5
14
April 22
@ Astros
2–3
Andujar
Candelaria (0–1)
Sambito
22,403
4–10
W1
15
April 24
@ Reds
9–2
Robinson (2–1)
Pastore
—
18,372
5–10
W2
16
April 25
@ Reds
3–2 (11)
Tekulve (1–3)
Tomlin
—
20,155
6–10
W3
17
April 27
Astros
8–9 (11)
Riccelli
Whitson (1–1)
—
5,767
6–11
L1
18
April 29
Astros
10–5
Kison (1–0)
Niekro
Jackson (3)
7,598
7–11
W1
show
May: 16–10 (Home: 7–4; Away: 9–6)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Record
Streak
19
May 1
Braves
2–5
Niekro
Tekulve (1–4)
—
5,122
7–12
L1
20
May 2
Braves
10–2
Candelaria (1–1)
Mahler
—
4,840
8–12
W1
21
May 4
@ Cardinals
3–4
Sykes
Robinson (2–2)
Schultz
13,525
8–13
L1
22
May 5
@ Cardinals
6–5
Jackson (2–0)
Vuckovich
Whitson (1)
17,440
9–13
W1
23
May 6
@ Cardinals
2–4
Martinez
Kison (1–1)
Knowles
20,966
9–14
L1
24
May 7
@ Braves
4–2
Candelaria (2–1)
Mahler
Tekulve (1)
8,166
10–14
W1
25
May 8
@ Braves
1–4
Solomon
Rhoden (0–1)
—
5,741
10–15
L1
26
May 9
@ Braves
17–9
Bibby (2–1)
Garber
Tekulve (2)
6,855
11–15
W1
27
May 11
Reds
4–8
Tomlin
Whitson (1–2)
Bair
14,115
11–16
L1
28
May 12
Reds
3–2
Bibby (3–1)
Pastore
Jackson (4)
18,745
12–16
W1
29
May 13
Reds
3–7
LaCoss
Candelaria (2–2)
—
10,253
12–17
L1
30
May 15
Mets
0–3
Swan
Robinson (2–3)
Lockwood
6,097
12–18
L2
31
May 16
Mets
4–3 (13)
Romo (1–2)
Lockwood
—
7,621
13–18
W1
32
May 17
Mets
6–5
Tekulve (2–4)
Orosco
—
6,295
14–18
W2
33
May 18
@ Cubs
9–5
Candelaria (3–2)
Holtzman
—
12,578
15–18
W3
34
May 19
@ Cubs
3–0
Rooker (1–0)
Krukow
Jackson (5)
29,460
16–18
W4
35
May 20
@ Cubs
6–5
Robinson (3–3)
McGlothen
Tekulve (3)
30,998
17–18
W5
36
May 21
@ Expos
4–2
Blyleven (1–2)
Sanderson
Tekulve (4)
25,154
18–18
W6
37
May 22
@ Expos
3–6
Grimsley
Whitson (1–3)
Fryman
15,227
18–19
L1
38
May 23
@ Expos
0–3
Rogers
Candelaria (3–3)
—
7,041
18–20
L2
39
May 25
@ Mets
3–3 (11)
—
6,611
18–20
40
May 26
@ Mets
8–10
Lockwood
Tekulve (2–5)
—
20,272
18–21
L3
41
May 27
@ Mets
2–1
Jackson (3–0)
Murray
—
25,545
19–21
W1
42
May 28
@ Mets
6–1
Candelaria (4–3)
Falcone
Jackson (6)
10,619
20–21
W2
43
May 29
Cubs
8–0
Robinson (4–3)
Holtzman
—
7,196
21–21
W3
44
May 30
Cubs
9–2
Rooker (2–0)
McGlothen
—
7,107
22–21
W4
45
May 31
Cubs
4–3 (10)
Kison (2–1)
Sutter
—
6,438
23–21
W5
show
June: 14–13 (Home: 7–9; Away: 7–4)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Record
Streak
46
June 1
Padres
9–8
Tekulve (3–5)
Shirley
—
12,928
24–21
W6
47
June 2
Padres
1–3
Perry
Candelaria (4–4)
—
20,977
24–22
L1
48
June 3
Padres
7–0
Kison (3–1)
Owchinko
—
13,370
25–22
W1
49
June 4
Dodgers
2–4
Sutcliffe
Rooker (2–1)
—
14,727
25–23
L1
50
June 5
Dodgers
3–1
Blyleven (2–2)
Sutton
Tekulve (5)
11,088
26–23
W1
51
June 6
Dodgers
5–4
Romo (2–2)
Welch
Tekulve (6)
16,666
27–23
W2
52
June 8
Giants
3–2
Romo (3–2)
Curtis
Jackson (7)
18,227
28–23
W3
53
June 9
Giants
2–6
Blue
Kison (3–2)
—
25,814
28–24
L1
54
June 10
Giants
4–7
Lavelle
Romo (3–3)
—
25,536
28–25
L2
55
June 12
@ Padres
3–6
Perry
Candelaria (4–5)
—
23,759
28–26
L3
56
June 13
@ Padres
2–3
Owchinko
Kison (3–3)
Fingers
17,845
28–27
L4
57
June 14
@ Padres
1–2 (14)
D'Acquisto
Candelaria (4–6)
—
15,444
28–28
L5
58
June 15
@ Dodgers
6–2
Blyleven (3–2)
Sutton
Tekulve (7)
50,299
29–28
W1
59
June 16
@ Dodgers
6–3
Robinson (5–3)
Welch
—
49,448
30–28
W2
60
June 17
@ Dodgers
5–1
Whitson (2–3)
Reuss
Tekulve (8)
45,835
31–28
W3
61
June 19
@ Giants
9–4
Candelaria (5–6)
Montefusco
Romo (1)
39,861
32–28
W4
62
June 20
@ Giants
8–5
Jackson (4–0)
Lavelle
Tekulve (9)
19,637
33–28
W5
63
June 22
Cubs
7–2
Blyleven (4–2)
Holtzman
—
21,006
34–28
W6
64
June 23
Cubs
3–4
Krukow
Robinson (5–4)
Sutter
18,513
34–29
L1
65
June 24
Cubs
0–5
Reuschel
Kison (3–4)
—
43,402
34–30
L2
66
June 25
@ Mets
8–1
Candelaria (6–6)
Swan
—
35–30
W1
67
June 25
@ Mets
0–4
Falcone
Rooker (2–2)
—
14,666
35–31
L1
68
June 26
@ Mets
2–1
Blyleven (5–2)
Hausman
Jackson (8)
11,903
36–31
W1
69
June 27
Mets
9–12
Twitchell
Jackson (4–1)
—
13,168
36–32
L1
70
June 28
Mets
2–3
Allen
Bibby (3–2)
Glynn
10,137
36–33
L2
71
June 29
Expos
6–5
Kison (4–4)
Lee
Tekulve (10)
35,677
37–33
W1
72
June 30
Expos
3–5
Sanderson
Blyleven (5–3)
Fryman
13,865
37–34
L1
show
July: 20–11 (Home: 8–5; Away: 12–6)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Record
Streak
73
July 2
@ Cardinals
5–4
Romo (4–3)
Knowles
Jackson (9)
18,042
38–34
W1
74
July 3
@ Cardinals
4–1
Candelaria (7–6)
Forsch
Romo (2)
17,130
39–34
W2
75
July 4
@ Cardinals
6–4
Blyleven (6–3)
Vuckovich
Jackson (10)
14,766
40–34
W3
76
July 5
@ Cardinals
0–2
Fulgham
Rooker (2–3)
—
16,626
40–35
L1
77
July 6
@ Reds
1–2
Bair
Jackson (4–2)
—
32,264
40–36
L2
78
July 7
@ Reds
2–6
Moskau
Robinson (5–5)
—
36,300
40–37
L3
79
July 8
@ Reds
2–4
Norman
Candelaria (7–7)
—
40–38
L4
80
July 8
@ Reds
2–1
Jackson (5–2)
Tomlin
Tekulve (11)
43,099
41–38
W1
81
July 10
@ Astros
4–3
Bibby (4–2)
Andujar
Tekulve (12)
31,341
42–38
W2
82
July 11
@ Astros
5–1
Kison (5–4)
Richard
—
25,330
43–38
W3
83
July 12
@ Astros
5–3
Blyleven (7–3)
Niekro
Tekulve (13)
22,956
44–38
W4
84
July 13
@ Braves
4–13
Niekro
Rooker (2–4)
—
17,018
44–39
L1
85
July 14
@ Braves
5–1
Candelaria (8–7)
Matula
—
25,083
45–39
W1
86
July 15
@ Braves
7–3
Bibby (5–2)
Solomon
—
11,304
46–39
W2
50th All-Star Game in Seattle, Washington
87
July 19
Astros
9–5
Roberts (1–0)
Forsch
—
47–39
W3
88
July 19
Astros
4–2
Kison (6–4)
Niekro
Jackson (11)
33,464
48–39
W4
89
July 20
Astros
9–3
Candelaria (9–7)
Richard
—
23,585
49–39
W5
90
July 21
Astros
6–5
Romo (5–3)
Sambito
Tekulve (14)
19,570
50–39
W6
91
July 22
Braves
5–4
Robinson (6–5)
Solomon
Tekulve (15)
51–39
W7
92
July 22
Braves
3–2
Bibby (6–2)
Mahler
Tekulve (16)
29,533
52–39
W8
93
July 23
Braves
7–1
Blyleven (8–3)
Hanna
—
53–39
W9
94
July 23
Braves
0–8
Niekro
Rooker (2–5)
—
27,148
53–40
L1
95
July 24
Reds
5–6
Norman
Kison (6–5)
Bair
19,517
53–41
L2
96
July 25
Reds
5–6 (10)
Bair
Tekulve (3–6)
—
17,296
53–42
L3
97
July 26
Reds
7–9
Soto
Roberts (1–1)
Hume
20,339
53–43
L4
98
July 27
@ Expos
5–4
Tekulve (4–6)
Sosa
Romo (3)
54–43
W1
99
July 27
@ Expos
9–1
Blyleven (9–3)
Sanderson
—
59,260
55–43
W2
100
July 28
@ Expos
5–3
Bibby (7–2)
Schatzeder
Tekulve (17)
38,661
56–43
W3
101
July 29
@ Expos
3–5
Rogers
Kison (6–6)
—
35,245
56–44
L1
102
July 30
Mets
8–5
Jackson (6–2)
Bernard
Tekulve (18)
11,837
57–44
W1
103
July 31
Mets
1–2
Twitchell
Blyleven (9–4)
Glynn
10,739
57–45
L1
show
August: 21–9 (Home: 12–4; Away: 9–5)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Record
Streak
104
August 1
Cardinals
4–3
Romo (6–3)
Forsch
Tekulve (19)
16,124
58–45
W1
105
August 2
Cardinals
4–5
Frazier
Jackson (6–3)
Knowles
25,163
58–46
L1
106
August 3
Phillies
6–3
Romo (7–3)
McGraw
—
59–46
W1
107
August 3
Phillies
5–1
Bibby (8–2)
Christenson
—
45,309
60–46
W2
108
August 4
Phillies
4–0
Candelaria (10–7)
Espinosa
—
34,754
61–46
W3
109
August 5
Phillies
12–8
Tekulve (5–6)
Eastwick
—
62–46
W4
110
August 5
Phillies
5–2
Romo (8–3)
Noles
Tekulve (20)
46,006
63–46
W5
111
August 7
@ Cubs
2–15
Reuschel
Rooker (2–6)
—
34,641
63–47
L1
112
August 8
@ Cubs
5–2 (10)
Tekulve (6–6)
Tidrow
—
34,255
64–47
W1
113
August 9
@ Cubs
3–11
Lamp
Candelaria (10–8)
—
29,645
64–48
L1
114
August 10
@ Phillies
3–4 (12)
Eastwick
Jackson (6–4)
—
64–49
L2
115
August 10
@ Phillies
3–2
Kison (7–6)
Lerch
Tekulve (21)
63,346
65–49
W1
116
August 11
@ Phillies
14–11
Romo (9–3)
Eastwick
Tekulve (22)
51,118
66–49
W2
117
August 13
@ Phillies
9–1
Bibby (9–2)
Christenson
—
43,111
67–49
W3
118
August 14
Padres
7–1
Candelaria (11–8)
D'Acquisto
—
23,210
68–49
W4
119
August 15
Padres
5–1
Blyleven (10–4)
Jones
—
14,219
69–49
W5
120
August 16
Padres
5–4
Kison (8–6)
Perry
Romo (4)
14,201
70–49
W6
121
August 17
Dodgers
6–7
Patterson
Bibby (9–3)
Castillo
22,416
70–50
L1
122
August 18
Dodgers
1–5
Reuss
Robinson (6–6)
—
40,238
70–51
L2
123
August 19
Dodgers
2–0
Tekulve (7–6)
Hooton
—
28,382
71–51
W1
124
August 20
Giants
6–5
Romo (10–3)
Lavelle
Tekulve (23)
18,714
72–51
W2
125
August 21
Giants
1–6
Knepper
Kison (8–7)
—
20,999
72–52
L1
126
August 22
Giants
8–6
Tekulve (8–6)
Lavelle
—
19,768
73–52
W1
127
August 24
@ Padres
2–3
Jones
Romo (10–4)
Lee
16,890
73–53
L1
128
August 25
@ Padres
4–3 (19)
Roberts (2–1)
D'Acquisto
—
14,607
74–53
W1
129
August 26
@ Padres
9–2
Kison (9–7)
Shirley
—
13,006
75–53
W2
130
August 27
@ Dodgers
2–4
Brett
Tekulve (8–7)
—
35,705
75–54
L1
131
August 28
@ Dodgers
4–1
Candelaria (12–8)
Hough
—
31,587
76–54
W1
132
August 29
@ Dodgers
4–1
Blyleven (11–4)
Reuss
Tekulve (24)
32,816
77–54
W2
133
August 31
@ Giants
6–4
Robinson (7–6)
Curtis
Jackson (12)
19,377
78–54
W3
show
September: 20–10 (Home: 9–5; Away: 11–5)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Record
Streak
134
September 1
@ Giants
5–3
Kison (10–7)
Montefusco
Jackson (13)
25,551
79–54
W4
135
September 1
@ Giants
7–2
Bibby (10–3)
Knepper
—
27,382
80–54
W5
136
September 2
@ Giants
5–3
Candelaria (13–8)
Blue
—
15,663
81–54
W6
137
September 3
Phillies
0–2
Carlton
Blyleven (11–5)
McGraw
81–55
L1
138
September 3
Phillies
7–3
Rooker (3–6)
Lerch
Tekulve (25)
43,444
82–55
W1
139
September 5
@ Cardinals
7–5 (11)
Roberts (3–1)
Thomas
Tekulve (26)
23,059
83–55
W2
140
September 6
@ Cardinals
6–8
Martinez
Bibby (10–4)
McEnaney
14,767
83–56
L1
141
September 7
@ Mets
6–4 (14)
Jackson (7–4)
Allen
—
8,290
84–56
W1
142
September 8
@ Mets
2–3 (15)
Ellis
Rooker (3–7)
—
8,095
84–57
L1
143
September 9
@ Mets
6–5
Tekulve (9–7)
Glynn
—
9,093
85–57
W1
144
September 11
Cardinals
7–3
Roberts (4–1)
Denny
—
15,757
86–57
W2
145
September 12
Cardinals
2–0
Candelaria (14–8)
Forsch
Tekulve (27)
17,669
87–57
W3
146
September 15
Mets
5–4
Roberts (5–1)
Glynn
Tekulve (28)
18,060
88–57
W4
147
September 16
Mets
0–3
Falcone
Candelaria (14–9)
Allen
25,364
88–58
L1
148
September 17
@ Expos
2–1
Robinson (8–6)
Rogers
—
54,609
89–58
W1
149
September 18
@ Expos
5–3 (11)
Jackson (8–4)
Murray
Roberts (1)
56,976
90–58
W2
150
September 19
@ Phillies
9–6
Tekulve (10–7)
Eastwick
Jackson (14)
91–58
W3
151
September 19
@ Phillies
5–6
Kucek
Romo (10–5)
Saucier
30,566
91–59
L1
152
September 20
@ Phillies
1–2
Lerch
Tekulve (10–8)
—
16,299
91–60
L2
153
September 21
@ Cubs
0–2
McGlothen
Robinson (8–7)
—
9,552
91–61
L3
154
September 22
@ Cubs
4–1
Kison (11–7)
Riley
Tekulve (29)
24,657
92–61
W1
155
September 23
@ Cubs
6–0
Bibby (11–4)
Reuschel
—
24,571
93–61
W2
156
September 24
Expos
5–2
Blyleven (12–5)
Schatzeder
Tekulve (30)
94–61
W3
157
September 24
Expos
6–7
Grimsley
Jackson (8–5)
Sosa
47,268
94–62
L1
158
September 25
Expos
10–4
Rooker (4–7)
Sanderson
Romo (5)
31,348
95–62
W1
159
September 26
Expos
10–1
Kison (12–7)
Rogers
—
42,043
96–62
W2
160
September 27
Cardinals
5–9
Forsch
Roberts (5–2)
Littell
11,172
96–63
L1
161
September 28
Cubs
6–1
Bibby (12–4)
Reuschel
—
14,778
97–63
W1
162
September 29
Cubs
6–7 (13)
Caudill
Robinson (8–8)
—
25,734
97–64
L1
163
September 30
Cubs
5–3
Kison (13–7)
McGlothen
Tekulve (31)
42,176
98–64
W1
Legend: = Win = Loss = Tie Bold = Pirates team member
Source: baseball-reference.com[6]
Roster [ ]
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
Other batters
Manager
Coaches
57,31 Harvey Haddix (Pitching)
32 Joe Lonnett (Third base)
42 Al Monchak (First base)
48 Bob Skinner (Hitting)
Opening Day Lineup [ ]
[7]
Player stats [ ]
Batting
Pitching
Regular Season[11]
D. Ellis
3
7
0
0
2.57
1
K. Tekulve
94
1341 ⁄3
10
8
2.75
75
J. Bibby
34
1372 ⁄3
12
4
2.81
103
G. Jackson
72
82
8
5
2.96
39
E. Romo
84
1291 ⁄3
10
5
2.99
106
B. Kison
33
1721 ⁄3
13
7
3.19
105
J. Candelaria
33
207
14
9
3.22
101
D. Roberts
21
382 ⁄3
5
2
3.26
15
B. Blyleven
37
2371 ⁄3
12
5
3.6
172
D. Robinson
29
1602 ⁄3
8
8
3.87
96
E. Whitson
19
572 ⁄3
2
3
4.37
31
J. Rooker
19
1032 ⁄3
4
7
4.6
44
J. Coleman
10
202 ⁄3
0
0
6.1
14
R. Rhoden
1
5
0
1
7.2
2
Postseason [ ]
Postseason game log [ ]
1979 Postseason Game Log (7–3)
show
1979 NL Championship Series: vs. Cincinnati Reds (3–0)
[14]
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Series
1
Oct 2
@ Reds
5–2 (11)
Jackson (1–0)
Hume (0–1)
Robinson (1)
55,006
PIT 1–0
2
Oct 3
@ Reds
3–2 (10)
Robinson (1–0)
Bair (0–1)
—
55,000
PIT 2–0
3
Oct 5
Reds
7–1
Blyleven (1–0)
LaCoss (0–1)
—
42,240
PIT 3–0
show
1979 World Series: vs. Baltimore Orioles (4–3)
[15]
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Series
Oct 9
@ Orioles
Postponed (rain)
1
Oct 10
@ Orioles
4–5
Flanagan (2–0)
Kison (0–1)
—
53,735
BAL 1–0
2
Oct 11
@ Orioles
3–2
Robinson (2–0)
Stanhouse (1–2)
Tekulve (1)
53,739
Tied 1–1
3
Oct 12
Orioles
4–8
McGregor (2–0)
Candelaria (0–1)
—
50,848
BAL 2–1
4
Oct 13
Orioles
6–9
Stoddard (1–0)
Tekulve (0–1)
—
50,883
BAL 3–1
5
Oct 14
Orioles
7–1
Blyleven (2–0)
Flanagan (2–1)
—
50,920
BAL 3–2
6
Oct 16
@ Orioles
4–0
Candelaria (1–1)
Palmer (0–1)
Tekulve (2)
53,739
Tied 3–3
7
Oct 17
@ Orioles
4–1
Jackson (2–0)
McGregor (2–1)
Tekulve (3)
53,733
PIT 4–3
Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Pirates team member
National League Championship Series [ ]
Game 1 [ ]
October 2, Riverfront Stadium
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
R
H
E
Pittsburgh
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
5
10
0
Cincinnati
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
7
0
W : Grant Jackson (1-0) L : Tom Hume (0-1) SV : Don Robinson (1)
HRs : PIT – Phil Garner (1) Willie Stargell (1) CIN – George Foster (1)
Game 2 [ ]
October 3, Riverfront Stadium
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
R
H
E
Pittsburgh
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
3
11
0
Cincinnati
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
8
0
W : Don Robinson (1-0) L : Doug Bair (0-1) SV : None
HRs : PIT – None CIN – None
Game 3 [ ]
October 5, Three Rivers Stadium
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Cincinnati
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
8
1
Pittsburgh
1
1
2
2
0
0
0
1
X
7
7
0
W : Bert Blyleven (1-0) L : Mike LaCoss (0-1) SV : None
HRs : CIN – Johnny Bench (1) PIT – Willie Stargell (2) Bill Madlock (1)
World Series [ ]
Main article: 1979 World Series
The Pirates became one of only six teams in the 20th century to have won a World Series after trailing three games to one. Two of those teams were the Pirates, in 1925 and 1979. The others were the 1903 Boston Red Sox (in a best-of-nine series), 1958 New York Yankees , 1968 Detroit Tigers , and 1985 Kansas City Royals . Five Pirates had 10 or more hits in this series, a World Series record.
Chuck Tanner 's mother died the morning of Game 5 (this was mentioned during the telecast by announcer Howard Cosell ). 1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski threw out the first ball in Game 5.
The Pittsburgh Pirates were the last team in the 20th Century to win Game 7 of the World Series on the road. U.S. President Jimmy Carter made an appearance in Game 7, he threw out the first ball, and after the game made a visit to the victorious Pittsburgh locker room.
Willie Stargell at 39 was the oldest player to win MVP honors for both the National League and the World Series .[citation needed ] In the World Series, he hit .400 with a record seven extra-base hits and matched Reggie Jackson's record of 25 total bases, set in 1977. Stargell, pitcher Bruce Kison , infielder Rennie Stennett , and catcher Manny Sanguillén were the only players left over from the 1971 World Series , when the Pirates faced the Orioles. Orioles' pitcher Jim Palmer , Mark Belanger , and manager Earl Weaver were the only ones who were still with the team that faced the Pirates in 1971.
As was the case when the same two teams played in the 1971 World Series, a game in Baltimore was rained out. Game 1 of this series was postponed, while Game 2 of the 1971 series had to be moved back a day. In this Series, it was the American League team's "turn" to play by National League rules, meaning that there was no designated hitter and the Orioles' pitchers would have to bat. While this resulted in pitcher Tim Stoddard getting his first major league hit and RBI in Game 4. Overall, it hurt the Orioles because Lee May , their designated hitter for much of the season and a key part of their offense, was only able to bat three times in the whole series.
The Pirates wore four different uniform combinations during the series: gold cap, black jersey and gold pants for Games 1 & 5, black cap, gold jersey and black pants for Games 2, 6 & 7, black cap and solid white pinstriped uniform for Game 3 and a black cap and solid gold uniform for Game 4.
Game 1 [ ]
October 10, 1979, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland . Attendance: 53,735
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Pittsburgh
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
4
11
3
Baltimore
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
6
3
W : Mike Flanagan (1-0) L : Bruce Kison (0-1)
HR : PIT – Willie Stargell (1); BAL – Doug Decinces (1)
Game 2 [ ]
October 11, 1979, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland . Attendance: 53,739
Game 3 [ ]
October 12, 1979, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . Attendance: 50,848
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Baltimore
0
0
2
5
0
0
1
0
0
8
13
0
Pittsburgh
1
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
4
9
2
W : Scott McGregor (1-0) L : John Candelaria (0-1)
HR : BAL – Benny Ayala (1); PIT – none
Game 4 [ ]
October 13, 1979, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . Attendance: 50,883
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Baltimore
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
6
0
9
12
0
Pittsburgh
0
4
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
6
17
1
W : Tim Stoddard (1-0) L : Kent Tekulve (0-1)
HR : BAL – none; PIT – Willie Stargell (2)
Game 5 [ ]
October 14, 1979, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . Attendance: 50,920
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Baltimore
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
6
2
Pittsburgh
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
3
x
7
13
1
W : Bert Blyleven (1-0) L : Mike Flanagan (1-1)
HR : BAL – none; PIT – none
Game 6 [ ]
October 16, 1979, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland . Attendance: 53,739
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Pittsburgh
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
4
10
0
Baltimore
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
1
W : John Candelaria (1-1) L : Jim Palmer (0-1) S : Kent Tekulve (2)
HR : PIT – none; BAL – none
Game 7 [ ]
October 17, 1979, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland . Attendance: 53,733
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Pittsburgh
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
4
10
0
Baltimore
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
2
W : Grant Jackson (1-0) L : Scott McGregor (1-1) S : Kent Tekulve (3)
HR : PIT – Willie Stargell (3); BAL – Rich Dauer (1)
Composite Box [ ]
1979 World Series (4-3): Pittsburgh Pirates (N.L.) over Baltimore Orioles (A.L.)
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Pittsburgh Pirates
1
8
0
1
1
8
4
6
3
32
81
9
Baltimore Orioles
5
1
6
5
1
1
1
6
0
26
54
9
Total Attendance : 367,597 Average Attendance : 52,514
Winning Player's Share : – $28,264, Losing Player's Share – $22,114 * Includes Playoffs and World Series
Awards and honors [ ]
Willie Stargell , Associated Press Athlete of the Year
Willie Stargell, 1B, Babe Ruth Award
Willie Stargell, 1B, National League Most Valuable Player Award
Willie Stargell, 1B, National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award
Willie Stargell, 1B, World Series Most Valuable Player Award
All-Stars [ ]
1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Dave Parker , OF, starter, game MVP
League leaders [ ]
Omar Moreno , National League stolen base leader, 77[16]
Dave Parker , led NL in extra-base hits
Dave Parker, led NL in sacrifice flies
Other team leaders [ ]
Runs scored – Omar Moreno (110)
Stolen bases – Omar Moreno (77)
Walks – Dave Parker (67)
Farm system [ ]
See also: Minor League Baseball
Notes [ ]
References [ ]
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Reference
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Almanac
Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (1997). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (2nd ed.). Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America. ISBN 978-0-9637189-8-3 .
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