Gastonia Pirates

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Gastonia Pirates
1959–1972
(1959, 1963-1970, 1972)
Gastonia, North Carolina
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class-A
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (1)
  • 1959
Team data
Previous names
  • Gastonia Pirates (1959, 1962-1972)
  • Gastonia Rippers (1960)
Previous parks
Sims Legion Park I

The Gastonia Pirates were a minor league baseball team, based in Gastonia, North Carolina, between 1959 and 1972. The club was a Class-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and played primarily in the Western Carolinas League. The club was originally named the Columbus Pirates prior to 1959 and were based in Columbus, Georgia, as a member of the South Atlantic League On July 6, 1959 the Pirates moved to Gastonia and became the Gastonia Pirates. In 1960 the Pirates were not an affiliate of the Gastonia team and the void was filled by the Gastonia Rippers in the Western Carolinas League.

After the Pirates folded after the 1972 season, the Gastonia Rangers, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers became the city's representative in the Western Carolinas League.

Season-by-season[]

(from Pirates' Baseball Reference Bullpen) (from Rippers' Baseball Reference Bullpen)

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
1959* 70-69 4th Ray Hathaway League Champs
1960 36-62 8th Billy Queen / Jack Falls
1963 73-52 1st Bob Clear
1964 60-68 5th Bob Clear (32-46) / Ray Hathaway (28-22)
1965 70-54 3rd Clyde Sukeforth / Don Osborn
1966 67-57 4th Bob Clear No playoffs
1967 61-59 2nd Don Leppert No playoffs
1968 68-55 4th Frank Oceak
1969 67-58 2nd Frank Oceak
1970 55-75 6th Ed Hobaugh No playoffs
1972 60-70 4th Tom Saffell

* Columbus Pirates moved to Gastonia on July 6, 1959

Notable alumni[]

  • Omar Moreno (1972) 2 x NL Stolen Base Leader (1978-1979)
  • Al Oliver (1965) 7 x MLB All-Star; 1982 AL Batting Title

References[]

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