1959 Pittsburgh Pirates season
Encyclopedia
The 1959
Pittsburgh Pirates
season saw the team finish in fourth place in the National League
at 78-76, nine games behind the NL and World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers
.
Columbus franchise transferred to Gastonia, May 26, 1959; San Angelo franchise transferred to Roswell, June 9, 1959
The 1959
1959 Major League Baseball season
-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player**Nellie Fox, Chicago White Sox **Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs *Cy Young Award**Early Wynn, Chicago White Sox *Rookie of the Year**Bob Allison, Washington Senators...
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
season saw the team finish in fourth place in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
at 78-76, nine games behind the NL and World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers
1959 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished in a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Braves, then won the pennant as they swept the Braves in a best-of-three playoff series. They went on to defeat the Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series in just their second season since leaving Brooklyn.- Offseason :*...
.
Offseason
- January 30, 1959: Whammy DouglasWhammy DouglasCharles William "Whammy" Douglas is a retired American professional baseball player. The right-handed pitcher stood tall and weighed during his active career...
, Jim PendletonJim PendletonJames Edward Pendleton , was an American professional baseball player, an outfielder in the Major Leagues between 1953 and 1962. The native of St. Charles, Missouri, played for the Milwaukee Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Colt .45s...
, Frank Thomas, and John PowersJohn Powers (baseball)John Calvin Powers was an American professional baseball player, an outfielder who played for all or parts of six seasons in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians.The native of Birmingham, Alabama, batted left-handed, threw...
were traded by the Pirates to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Smoky BurgessSmoky BurgessForrest Harrill "Smoky" Burgess was an American professional baseball player, coach and scout. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1949 to 1967. Later in his career, he became known for his ability as a pinch hitter, setting the major league career record for career pinch-hits...
, Harvey HaddixHarvey HaddixHarvey Haddix, Jr. was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Redlegs , Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles . Haddix was born in Medway, Ohio, located just outside of Springfield...
and Don HoakDon HoakDonald Albert Hoak was a Major League Baseball player. Nicknamed "Tiger," Hoak was a third baseman who played ten seasons in the Majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers , Chicago Cubs , Cincinnati Reds , Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies...
. - Prior to 1959 season: Dick RandDick RandRichard Hilton Rand was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played all or part of three seasons, , , and , for the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates.-Sources:...
was traded by the Pirates to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Tom BurgessTom Burgess (baseball)Thomas Roland Burgess was a Canadian baseball player, coach and manager. An outfielder and first baseman, Burgess had two trials in Major League Baseball — a 17-game stint with the St. Louis Cardinals and a full season with the Los Angeles Angels...
.
Regular season
- May 26, 1959: Harvey HaddixHarvey HaddixHarvey Haddix, Jr. was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Redlegs , Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles . Haddix was born in Medway, Ohio, located just outside of Springfield...
took a perfect gamePerfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
into the 13th inning of a game against the Milwaukee BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Haddix retired 36 consecutive batters in 12 innings, but lost the game 1-0. Braves pitcher Lew BurdetteLew BurdetteSelva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves...
also pitched a shutoutShutoutIn team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
for thirteen full innings, giving up 12 hits. NOTE: On September 4, 1991, MLBMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
redefined no-hitters to no longer include games where the first hit was surrendered in extra innings. Until then, Haddix had been credited with a perfect game.
Notable transactions
- May 29, 1959: Gene BakerGene BakerEugene Walter Baker was an American Major League Baseball player. A native of Davenport, Iowa, he primary played second base for the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was selected for the National League All Star game in 1955. He played eight seasons from 1953 to 1958 and 1960 to 1961,...
was released by the Pirates. - June 13, 1959: Bob Smith was selected off waivers from the Pirates by the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
Roster
| 1959 Pittsburgh Pirates | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 114 | 377 | 112 | .297 | 11 | 59 | |
| 2B | 135 | 493 | 119 | .241 | 7 | 59 | |
| 3B | 155 | 564 | 166 | .294 | 8 | 65 | |
| RF | 105 | 432 | 128 | .296 | 4 | 50 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | 276 | 65 | .236 | 7 | 28 | |
| 81 | 145 | 31 | .234 | 1 | 9 | |
| 3 | 8 | 1 | .125 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 234.2 | 8 | 19 | 4.03 | 104 | |
| 31 | 224.1 | 12 | 12 | 3.13 | 149 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 100.2 | 7 | 9 | 5.45 | 67 | |
| 2 | 8.2 | 0 | 0 | 3.12 | 3 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 18 | 1 | 10 | 2.70 | 69 | |
| 26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3.65 | 19 | |
| 21 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3.55 | 15 | |
| 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.49 | 12 | |
| 17 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3.13 | 20 | |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.75 | 3 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14.09 | 3 | |
Records
- Roy FaceRoy FaceElroy Leon Face is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953–1969, pitching primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates...
, major league record, most wins in one season by a relief pitcher (18) - Harvey HaddixHarvey HaddixHarvey Haddix, Jr. was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Redlegs , Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles . Haddix was born in Medway, Ohio, located just outside of Springfield...
, major league record, Most consecutive batters retired in one game (36)
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Salt Lake City, GastoniaColumbus franchise transferred to Gastonia, May 26, 1959; San Angelo franchise transferred to Roswell, June 9, 1959