List RulesPlease only rank the players based on their time with the Pirates.
This is a list of the greatest Pittsburgh Pirates in team history. Despite the franchise's recent run of futility, the Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the classic baseball teams with its roots going back as far as the 19th century. Founded in 1882 and joining the National League in 1887, the Pirates' history has always been topsy-turvy, with the team experiencing many peaks and valleys during its existence. The team has been to the World Series nine times, winning five.
One of the best players in baseball history and to don the famous black and yellow is Roberto Clemente. During his 18 seasons in the big leagues, Clemente made history as the first Hispanic player to win a World Series as a starter (1960), to receive an MVP Award (1966), and to receive a World Series MVP Award (1971). The slickfielding right fielder had an even 3,000 hits for his career and was a four-time batting champion. His death in 1972 shocked many when his plane crashed while he was his way to Nicaragua to deliver goods to earthquake victims in the Central American country. The Roberto Clemente Award is given to every year to a player with outstanding baseball playing skills who is personally involved in community work. Clemente is known as one of the greatest Pirates ever.
More recently, the "We Are Family" teams of the late '70s took home a World Series title in 1979 and had some of the best players in franchise history in Willie Stargell and Dave Parker. The early '90s should have been a period of prosperity for Pittsburgh when Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla and Doug Drabek were dominating baseball. But two heartbreaking playoff defeats and economics caused the end of that potential dynasty.
This is a list of the Best Pittsburgh Pirates of All Time. If you see someone who should be on this list, feel free to add him. Vote and rerank this list as you deem fit.1
919160Honus Wagner
Shortstop2
1,055200Roberto Clemente
Right fielder3
465103Paul Waner
Right fielder, Outfielder4
42492Pie Traynor
Third baseman5
32567Arky Vaughan
Shortstop6
626226Willie Stargell
Outfielder, Left fielder7
31760Al Oliver
Designated hitter, Outfielder8
26244Max Carey
Outfielder, Center fielder9
30580Lloyd Waner
Outfielder, Center fielder10
401174Dave Parker
Designated hitter, Right fielder11
22342Kiki Cuyler
Right fielder, Outfielder12
20130Fred Clarke
Manager, Outfielder13
531272Andrew McCutchen
Outfielder14
19436Babe Adams
Pitcher15
520282Barry Bonds
Left fielder16
13529Pud Galvin
Pitcher17
17338Roy Face
Pitcher18
16636Wilbur Cooper
Pitcher19
440241Bill Mazeroski
Second baseman20
17553Vern Law
Pitcher21
413232Ralph Kiner
Outfielder, Left fielder22
16759John Candelaria
Pitcher23
252130Andy Van Slyke
Outfielder, Center fielder24
12221Tommy Leach
Outfielder, Center fielder25
15049Bob Friend
Starting pitcher, Pitcher