Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball
The team was founded in 1882 and was known as the Alleghenies and the Innocents. The Pittsburgh Pirates got its current name in 1890. Bolstered by former Colonels Honus Wagner (who was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area) and player/manager Fred Clarke, the 1901-1903 Pirates completely dominated the National League, but they lost the first World Series that they ever played in 1903 to Boston. The Pirates won their World Series title in 1909, defeating the Detroit Tigers in seven games.
The Pirates won the NL Championship again in 1926 with 95-58 record and faced the Washington Nationals in one of the most exciting World Series ever played. Walter Johnson led the Pirates to a 9-7 victory and their 2nd World Championship.
The 1960 team featured eight All-Stars, but was widely predicted to lose the World Series to a powerful New York Yankees team. In one of the most memorable World Series in history, the Pirates were defeated by more than ten runs in three games, won three close games, then recovered from a 7-4 deficit late in Game 7 to eventually win on a walk-off home run by Bill Mazeroski, a second baseman otherwise better known for defensive wizardry.
The Pirates returned to the top of their game in 1970. The Pittsburgh Pirates won their first division title in 1970 and won the fourth World Series in 1971. In 1973 the team suffered a mysterious breakdown due to the death of Roberto Clemente in a plane crash. The Baseball Hall of Fame waived its usual waiting period and inducted him immediately.
The Pittsburgh Pirates captured their fifth World Series in 1979 and adopted the popular disco song “We Are Family”. Following was a period of decline until the Pirates were regarded as the worst team in baseball during the mid-1980s.
The Pirates won three straight division titles in the period from 1991 to 1992. Jim Leyland, the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was named NL manager of the year in both 1990 and 1992. In the mid-1990s, the Pirates were not able to put together a winning record.
PNC Park
PNC Park is riverfront facility that was opened in spring 2001. It combines the best features of yesterday's ballparks - rhythmic archways, steel truss work and a natural grass playing field - with the latest in fan and player amenities and comfort. The steel structure, stone front and pilasters, dramatic masonry arches along the home plate entryway, and a steel roof evoke memories of Forbes Field.
PNC Park also features Outback in the Outfield, a steakhouse restaurant with a party deck that overlooks both the playing field and the city. The ballpark houses retail areas along the Federal Street and General Robinson Street corridor, including Vincent's Pizza, Atria's Restaurant, Seattle's Best Coffee, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, a sports art gallery, PNC Bank, and the Pirates administrative and ticket offices.
The ballpark has a great picnic area for up to 300 fans on top of the right field stands. There is also a Brew Pub located in left field of PNC Park with a 500-person party deck on the roof, which offers views of the field and the city.