1979 Pittsburgh Pirates season

1979 Pittsburgh Pirates
World Series champions National League champions National League East champions
League	National League
Division	East
Ballpark	Three Rivers Stadium
City	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Record	98–64 (.605)
Divisional place	1st
Owners	John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholder)
General managers	Harding "Pete" Peterson
Managers	Chuck Tanner
Television	KDKA-TV 2 (Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare, Nelson Briles)
Radio	KDKA–AM 1020 (Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare)
Stats	ESPN.com Baseball Reference
Seasons

The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates had a record of 98 wins and 64 losses and captured the National League East 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. This remains the last World Series victory for the Pirates; they currently hold the longest World Series drought in the National League at 47 seasons. They are second only to the Cleveland Guardians in longest World Series drought in Major League Baseball.

Offseason

• October 23, 1978: Will McEnaney was released by the Pirates.
• December 4, 1978: Ken Macha was drafted from the Pirates by the Montreal Expos in the 1978 rule 5 draft.
• December 5, 1978: Odell Jones, Rafael Vásquez, and Mario Mendoza were traded by the Pirates to the Seattle Mariners for Enrique Romo, Rick Jones and Tom McMillan.

Regular season

Key transactions

• April 19, 1979: Traded Frank Taveras to the New York Mets for Tim Foli and Greg Field (minors).
• June 28, 1979: Traded Fred Breining, Al Holland and Ed Whitson to the San Francisco Giants for Bill Madlock, Lenny Randle, and Dave Roberts.

Season standings

NL East

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Pittsburgh Pirates	98	64	.605	—	48‍–‍33	50‍–‍31
Montreal Expos	95	65	.594	2	56‍–‍25	39‍–‍40
St. Louis Cardinals	86	76	.531	12	42‍–‍39	44‍–‍37
Philadelphia Phillies	84	78	.519	14	43‍–‍38	41‍–‍40
Chicago Cubs	80	82	.494	18	45‍–‍36	35‍–‍46
New York Mets	63	99	.389	35	28‍–‍53	35‍–‍46

Record vs. opponents

1979 National League record Sources:
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	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
Pittsburgh	8–4	12–6	4–8	8–4	8–4	11–7	10–8	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	7–11	8–4	7–5	—

Roster

1979 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers 26 Jim Bibby 22 Bert Blyleven 45 John Candelaria 41 Joe Coleman 17 Dock Ellis 23 Grant Jackson 25 Bruce Kison 44 Rick Rhoden 49 Dave Roberts 43 Don Robinson 15 Enrique Romo 19 Jim Rooker 27 Kent Tekulve 31 Ed Whitson		Catchers 16 Steve Nicosia 14 Ed Ott 35 Manny Sanguillén Infielders  4 Dale Berra 10 Tim Foli  3 Phil Garner  5 Bill Madlock  8 Willie Stargell  6 Rennie Stennett 10 Frank Taveras		Outfielders 36 Matt Alexander 24 Mike Easler 17 Lee Lacy 34 John Milner 18 Omar Moreno 39 Dave Parker 28 Bill Robinson Other batters 44 Doe Boyland  2 Gary Hargis 37 Alberto Lois		Manager  7 Chuck Tanner Coaches 57,31 Harvey Haddix (Pitching) 32 Joe Lonnett (Third base) 42 Al Monchak (First base) 48 Bob Skinner (Hitting)

Opening Day Lineup

Opening Day Starters
#	Name	Position
10	Frank Taveras	SS
18	Omar Moreno	CF
39	Dave Parker	RF
8	Willie Stargell	1B
28	Bill Robinson	LF
6	Rennie Stennett	2B
14	Ed Ott	C
3	Phil Garner	3B
22	Bert Blyleven	P

Game log

Regular season

Legend
	Pirates win
	Pirates loss
	Postponement
	Clinched division
Bold	Pirates team member

1979 regular season game log: 98–64 (Home: 48–33; Away: 50–31)
April: 7–11 (Home: 5–6; Away: 2–5) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 1 April 6 12:35 p.m. EST Expos 2–3 (10) Sosa (1–0) Tekulve (0–1) — 3:02 36,141 0–1 L1 2 April 7 2:15 p.m. EST Expos 7–6 Jackson (1–0) Sosa (1–1) — 3:00 8,700 1–1 W1 3 April 8 1:05 p.m. EST Expos 4–5 May (1–0) Romo (0–1) Palmer (1) 3:03 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 8:35 p.m. EST @ Astros 4–5 (10) Sambito (1–0) Bibby (1–1) — 3:16 19,834 4–8 L4 13 April 21 8:35 p.m. EST @ Astros 4–5 (10) Andújar (2–0) Tekulve (0–3) — 3:23 48,977 4–9 L5 14 April 22 3:05 p.m. EST @ Astros 2–3 Andújar (3–0) Candelaria (0–1) Sambito (2) 2:27 22,403 4–10 W1 15 April 24 8:05 p.m. EST @ Reds 9–2 Robinson (2–1) Pastore (0–2) — 2:30 18,372 5–10 W2 16 April 25 12:35 p.m. EST @ Reds 3–2 (11) Tekulve (1–3) Tomlin (0–1) — 3:05 20,155 6–10 W3 17 April 27 7:35 p.m. EST Astros 8–9 (11) Riccelli (1–0) Whitson (1–1) — 3:30 5,767 6–11 L1 — April 28 Astros Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: July 19) 18 April 29 1:05 p.m. EDT Astros 10–5 Kison (1–0) Niekro (1–2) Jackson (3) 3:07 7,598 7–11 W1
May: 16–10 (Home: 7–4; Away: 9–6) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 19 May 1 7:35 p.m. EDT Braves 2–5 Niekro (3–4) Tekulve (1–4)</span — 2:37 5,122 7–12 L1 20 May 2 7:35 p.m. EDT Braves 10–2 Candelaria (1–1) M. Mahler (0–2) — 2:21 4,840 8–12 W1 — May 3 Braves Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: July 23) 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 7:35 p.m. EDT @ Braves 4–2 Candelaria (2–1) M. Mahler (0–3) Tekulve (1) 2:54 8,166 10–14 W1 25 May 8 7:35 p.m. EDT @ Braves 1–4 Solomon (2–1) Rhoden (0–1) — 2:57 5,741 10–15 L1 26 May 9 7:43 p.m. EDT @ Braves 17–9 Bibby (2–1) Garber (1–5) Tekulve (2) 3:42 6,855 11–15 W1 27 May 11 7:35 p.m. EDT Reds 4–8 Tomlin (1–1) Whitson (1–2) Bair (6) 2:48 14,115 11–16 L1 28 May 12 2:15 p.m. EDT Reds 3–2 Bibby (3–1) Pastore (1–3) Jackson (4) 2:55 18,745 12–16 W1 29 May 13 1:05 p.m. EDT Reds 3–7 LaCoss (4–0) Candelaria (2–2) — 2:46 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 1:35 p.m. EDT @ Expos 4–2 Blyleven (1–2) Sanderson (2–3) Tekulve (4) 2:58 25,154 18–18 W6 37 May 22 1:35 p.m. EDT @ Expos 3–6 Grimsley (4–2) Whitson (1–3) Fryman (2) 2:42 15,227 18–19 L1 38 May 23 7:35 p.m. EDT @ Expos 0–3 Rogers (4–2) Candelaria (3–3) — 2:18 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
June: 14–13 (Home: 7–9; Away: 7–4) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ 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 7:35 p.m. EDT Expos 6–5 Kison (4–4) Lee (7–5) Tekulve (10) 2:45 35,677 37–33 W1 72 June 30 2:15 p.m. EDT Expos 3–5 Sanderson (5–4) Blyleven (5–3) Fryman (5) 2:38 13,865 37–34 L1
July: 20–11 (Home: 8–5; Away: 12–6) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak — July 1 (1) Expos Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 24) — July 1 (2) Expos Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 24) 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 8:05 p.m. EDT @ Reds 1–2 Bair (5–4) Jackson (4–2) — 2:20 32,264 40–36 L2 78 July 7 5:35 p.m. EDT @ Reds 2–6 Moskau (5–3) Robinson (5–5) — 2:55 36,300 40–37 L3 79 July 8 (1) 1:05 p.m. EDT @ Reds 2–4 Norman (5–7) Candelaria (7–7) — 2:04 — 40–38 L4 80 July 8 (2) 4:00 p.m. EDT @ Reds 2–1 Jackson (5–2) Tomlin (2–2) Tekulve (11) 2:15 43,099 41–38 W1 81 July 10 8:35 p.m. EDT @ Astros 4–3 Bibby (4–2) Andújar (10–5) Tekulve (12) 3:09 31,341 42–38 W2 82 July 11 8:35 p.m. EDT @ Astros 5–1 Kison (5–4) Richard (7–9) — 2:10 25,330 43–38 W3 83 July 12 8:35 p.m. EDT @ Astros 5–3 Blyleven (7–3) Niekro (13–4) Tekulve (13) 2:44 22,956 44–38 W4 84 July 13 7:39 p.m. EDT @ Braves 4–13 Niekro (12–11) Rooker (2–4) — 2:16 17,018 44–39 L1 85 July 14 7:39 p.m. EDT @ Braves 5–1 Candelaria (8–7) Matula (6–6) — 2:13 25,083 45–39 W1 86 July 15 7:00 p.m. EDT @ Braves 7–3 Bibby (5–2) Solomon (2–1) — 2:45 11,304 46–39 W2 50th All-Star Game in Seattle, Washington 87 July 19 (1) 6:05 p.m. EDT Astros 9–5 Roberts (1–0) Forsch (5–6) — 2:41 — 47–39 W3 88 July 19 (2) 9:21 p.m. EDT Astros 4–2 Kison (6–4) Niekro (13–5) Jackson (11) 2:12 33,464 48–39 W4 89 July 20 7:35 p.m. EDT Astros 9–3 Candelaria (9–7) Richard (7–11) — 2:40 23,585 49–39 W5 90 July 21 2:15 p.m. EDT Astros 6–5 Romo (5–3) Sambito (4–3) Tekulve (14) 3:00 19,570 50–39 W6 91 July 22 (1) 1:35 p.m. EDT Braves 5–4 D. Robinson (6–5) Solomon (4–7) Tekulve (15) 2:24 — 51–39 W7 92 July 22 (2) 7:55 p.m. EDT Braves 3–2 Bibby (6–2) M. Mahler (2–9) Tekulve (16) 2:44 29,533 52–39 W8 93 July 23 (1) 6:05 p.m. EDT Braves 7–1 Blyleven (8–3) Hanna (0–1) — 2:30 — 53–39 W9 94 July 23 (2) 9:12 p.m. EDT Braves 0–8 Niekro (14–11) Rooker (2–5) — 2:13 27,148 53–40 L1 95 July 24 7:35 p.m. EDT Reds 5–6 Norman (7–8) Kison (6–5) Bair (14) 3:16 19,517 53–41 L2 96 July 25 7:35 p.m. EDT Reds 5–6 (10) Bair (6–5) Tekulve (3–6) — 2:55 17,296 53–42 L3 97 July 26 7:35 p.m. EDT Reds 7–9 Soto (1–2) Roberts (1–1) Hume (3) 2:51 20,339 53–43 L4 98 July 27 (1) 6:05 p.m. EDT @ Expos 5–4 Tekulve (4–6) Sosa (5–6) Romo (3) 2:48 — 54–43 W1 99 July 27 (2) 9:28 p.m. EDT @ Expos 9–1 Blyleven (9–3) Sanderson (6–6) — 2:46 59,260 55–43 W2 100 July 28 7:35 p.m. EDT @ Expos 5–3 Bibby (7–2) Schatzeder (5–4) Tekulve (17) 2:33 38,661 56–43 W3 101 July 29 1:35 p.m. EDT @ Expos 3–5 Rogers (10–6) Kison (6–6) — 2:22 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
August: 21–9 (Home: 12–4; Away: 9–5) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ 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
September: 20–10 (Home: 9–5; Away: 11–5) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ 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 — September 13 Cardinals Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 27) 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 7:35 p.m. EDT @ Expos 2–1 Robinson (8–6) Rogers (13–10) — 2:28 54,609 89–58 W1 149 September 18 7:35 p.m. EDT @ Expos 5–3 (11) Jackson (8–4) Murray (4–9) Roberts (1) 3:04 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 (1) 6:05 p.m. EDT Expos 5–2 Blyleven (12–5) Schatzeder (10–5) Tekulve (30) 2:30 — 94–61 W3 157 September 24 (2) 9:10 p.m. EDT Expos 6–7 Grimsley (10–9) Jackson (8–5) Sosa (18) 3:28 47,268 94–62 L1 158 September 25 7:35 p.m. EDT Expos 10–4 Rooker (4–7) Sanderson (9–8) Romo (5) 3:06 31,348 95–62 W1 159 September 26 7:35 p.m. EDT Expos 10–1 Kison (12–7) Rogers (13–11) — 3:00 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

Detailed records

National League
Opponent	W	L	WP	RS	RA
NL East
Chicago Cubs	12	6	0.667	86	68
Montreal Expos	11	7	0.611	89	66
New York Mets	10	8	0.556	78	73
Philadelphia Phillies	10	8	0.556	94	79
Pittsburgh Pirates
St. Louis Cardinals	11	7	0.611	82	77
Div Total	54	36	0.600	429	363
NL West
Atlanta Braves	8	4	0.667	65	54
Cincinnati Reds	4	8	0.333	46	55
Houston Astros	8	4	0.667	70	49
Los Angeles Dodgers	8	4	0.667	46	33
San Diego Padres	7	5	0.583	55	36
San Francisco Giants	9	3	0.750	64	53
Div Total	44	28	0.611	346	280
Season Total	98	64	0.605	775	643

Month	Games	Won	Lost	Win %	RS	RA
April	18	7	11	0.389	85	93
May	27	16	10	0.615	130	104
June	27	14	13	0.519	116	10327
July	31	20	11	0.645	143	119
August	30	21	9	0.700	151	121
September	30	20	20	0.667	150	103
Total	163	98	64	0.605	775	643

	Games	Won	Lost	Win %	RS	RA
Home	81	48	33	0.593	399	339
Away	82	50	31	0.617	376	304
Total	163	98	64	0.605	775	643

Composite Box

1979 Pittsburgh Pirates Inning–by–Inning Boxscore

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	R	H	E
Opponents	81	77	81	69	56	82	67	67	48	9	1	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	643	1424	142
Pirates	104	73	87	71	99	67	86	98	76	4	5	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	775	1541	134

Sources:

Postseason Game log

Legend
	Pirates win
	Pirates loss
	Postponement
Bold	Pirates team member

1979 Postseason game log: 7–3 (Home: 2–2; Away: 5–1)
NL Championship Series: vs. Cincinnati Reds 3–0 (Home: 1–0; Away: 2–0) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/ Streak 1 October 2 8:30 p.m. EDT @ Reds 5–2 (11) Jackson (1–0) Hume (0–1) Robinson (1) 3:14 55,006 PIT 1–0 W1 2 October 3 3:15 p.m. EDT @ Reds 3–2 (10) Robinson (1–0) Bair (0–1) — 3:24 55,000 PIT 2–0 W2 3 October 5 3:15 p.m. EDT Reds 7–1 Blyleven (1–0) LaCoss (0–1) — 2:45 42,240 PIT 3–0 W3
World Series: vs. Baltimore Orioles 4–3 (Home: 1–2; Away: 3–1) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/ Streak — October 9 @ Orioles Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: October 10) Tied 0–0 1 October 10 8:30 p.m. EDT @ Orioles 4–5 Flanagan (2–0) Kison (0–1) — 3:18 53,735 BAL 1–0 L1 2 October 11 8:30 p.m. EDT @ Orioles 3–2 Robinson (2–0) Stanhouse (1–2) Tekulve (1) 3:13 53,739 Tied 1–1 W1 3 October 12 8:30 p.m. EDT Orioles 4–8 McGregor (2–0) Candelaria (0–1) — 2:51 50,848 BAL 2–1 L1 4 October 13 1:00 p.m. EDT Orioles 6–9 Stoddard (1–0) Tekulve (0–1) — 3:48 50,883 BAL 3–1 L2 5 October 14 4:30 p.m. EDT Orioles 7–1 Blyleven (2–0) Flanagan (2–1) — 2:54 50,920 BAL 3–2 W1 6 October 16 8:30 p.m. EDT @ Orioles 4–0 Candelaria (1–1) Palmer (0–1) Tekulve (2) 2:30 53,739 Tied 3–3 W2 7 October 17 8:30 p.m. EDT @ Orioles 4–1 Jackson (2–0) McGregor (2–1) Tekulve (3) 2:54 53,733 PIT 4–3 W3

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Regular season

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
R. Rhoden	1	1	1	1.000	0	0
M. Alexander	44	13	7	0.538	0	1
B. Madlock	85	311	102	0.328	7	44
D. Parker	158	622	193	0.310	25	94
P. Garner	150	549	161	0.293	11	59
T. Foli	133	525	153	0.291	1	65
S. Nicosia	70	191	55	0.288	4	13
O. Moreno	162	695	196	0.282	8	69
W. Stargell	126	424	119	0.281	32	82
M. Easler	55	54	15	0.278	2	11
J. Milner	128	326	90	0.276	16	60
E. Ott	117	403	110	0.273	7	51
B. Robinson	148	421	111	0.264	24	75
L. Lacy	84	182	45	0.247	5	15
F. Taveras	11	45	11	0.244	0	1
R. Stennett	108	319	76	0.238	0	24
M. Sanguillén	56	74	17	0.230	0	4
D. Berra	44	123	26	0.211	3	15
D. Robinson	29	49	10	0.204	0	3
J. Coleman	10	5	1	0.200	0	0
J. Bibby	34	45	8	0.178	2	5
E. Romo	84	12	2	0.167	0	1
B. Kison	37	55	8	0.145	1	6
K. Tekulve	94	15	2	0.133	0	1
J. Candelaria	33	68	9	0.132	0	6
B. Blyleven	38	70	9	0.129	0	3
J. Rooker	19	33	4	0.121	0	0
D. Boyland	4	3	0	0.000	0	0
D. Ellis	3	1	0	0.000	0	0
G. Jackson	72	9	0	0.000	0	1
D. Roberts	21	5	0	0.000	0	1
E. Whitson	19	13	0	0.000	0	0
G. Hargis	1	0	0	—	0	0
A. Lois	11	0	0	—	0	0
Team totals	163	5,661	1,541	0.272	148	710

Postseason

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
R. Stennett	2	1	1	1.000	0	0
P. Garner	10	36	17	0.472	1	6
W. Stargell	10	41	17	0.415	5	13
D. Parker	10	41	14	0.341	0	6
B. Madlock	10	36	12	0.333	1	5
M. Sanguillén	3	3	1	0.333	0	1
T. Foli	10	42	14	0.333	0	6
O. Moreno	10	45	14	0.311	0	3
E. Ott	6	25	7	0.280	0	3
L. Lacy	4	4	1	0.250	0	0
B. Robinson	10	22	5	0.227	0	2
B. Blyleven	3	6	1	0.167	0	0
J. Candelaria	3	6	1	0.167	0	0
J. Milner	6	18	3	0.167	0	1
S. Nicosia	4	16	1	0.063	0	0
E. Romo	4	1	0	0.000	0	0
G. Jackson	6	2	0	0.000	0	0
J. Bibby	3	4	0	0.000	0	0
J. Rooker	2	2	0	0.000	0	0
K. Tekulve	7	3	0	0.000	0	0
M. Easler	3	2	0	0.000	0	0
B. Kison	1	0	0	—	0	0
D. Roberts	1	0	0	—	0	0
D. Robinson	6	0	0	—	0	0
M. Alexander	2	0	0	—	0	0
Team totals	10	356	109	0.306	7	46

Pitching

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Regular season

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
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	3.60	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	4.60	44
J. Coleman	10	202⁄3	0	0	6.10	14
R. Rhoden	1	5	0	1	7.20	2
Team totals	163	1,4931⁄3	98	64	3.41	904

Postseason

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
G. Jackson	6	62⁄3	2	0	0.00	4
J. Rooker	2	82⁄3	0	0	1.04	4
B. Blyleven	3	19	2	0	1.42	13
J. Bibby	3	171⁄3	0	0	2.08	15
K. Tekulve	7	12	0	1	3.00	12
E. Romo	4	5	0	0	3.60	5
D. Robinson	6	7	2	0	3.86	6
J. Candelaria	3	16	1	1	3.94	8
B. Kison	1	1⁄3	0	1	108.00	0
D. Roberts	1	0	0	0	—	0
Team totals	10	92	7	3	2.74	67

Postseason

National League Championship Series

Main article: 1979 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 and 1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski threw out the first ball in Game 5. The 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 38 was the oldest player to win MVP honors for both the National League and the World Series. 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, Bruce Kison, Rennie Stennett, and Manny Sanguillén were the only players left over from the 1971 World Series when the Pirates beat the Orioles. For Baltimore, Jim Palmer, Mark Belanger, coach Frank Robinson (who played on the 1971 team), and manager Earl Weaver were the only ones still with the team that faced the Pirates in 1971.

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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	11	2
Baltimore	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	6	1
W: Don Robinson (1-0)   L: Don Stanhouse (0-1)  S: Kent Tekulve (1)
HR: PIT – none; BAL – Eddie Murray (1)

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
• 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

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Portland Beavers	Pacific Coast League	Johnny Lipon
AA	Buffalo Bisons	Eastern League	Steve Demeter
A	Salem Pirates	Carolina League	Jim Mahoney
A	Shelby Pirates	Western Carolinas League	Tom Zimmer
Rookie	GCL Pirates	Gulf Coast League	Woody Huyke

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.