 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2001 |
- |
April 9 -- PNC Park, the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates since their inception in 1887, opens along the shore of the Allegheny River and adjacent to Federal Street. |
|
|
 |
| 2002 |
- |
Coming off the franchise's first 100-loss season in 16 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates showed a marked improvement in 2002. Thanks in large part to the offseason acquisitions of starters Kip Wells and Josh Fogg, relievers Brian Boehringer and Mike Williams, and second baseman Pokey Reese, the Bucs improved by 10½ games over the previous season. More > |
|
|
|
| 2004 |
- |
While fielding one of the least experienced teams in baseball in 2004, the young Bucs provided hope for a bright future for the franchise. Left fielder Jason Bay, despite missing the first month of the season, became the Bucs' first NL Rookie of the Year Award winner after setting a club rookie record with 26 home runs. Jack Wilson earned his first All-Star berth and nabbed a Silver Slugger Award after becoming the first Pirates shortstop since Honus Wagner to collect 200 or more hits in a season. The pitching staff was anchored by Oliver Perez, a hard-throwing southpaw who finished in the top-10 in the NL in ERA and strikeouts. |
|
|
|
| 2005 |
- |
It was front page news when a promising Pirates club reached the .500 mark on June 11 at 30-30. But the Bucs endured a 37-65 from then on and Lloyd McClendon was fired after nearly five seasons as manager in early September. A few bright spots did emerge, though, from this otherwise disappointing year. Rookie left-hander Zach Duke was the league’s rookie of the month in July and August, finishing the year at 8-2 with a 1.82 ERA. And Jason Bay became Pittsburgh’s first player to ever hit .300 with at least 30 homers, 40 doubles, 20 stolen bases, 100 runs scored and 100 RBI in a season.
|
|
|
|
| 2006 |
- |
The Pirates finished the 2006 season with a disappointing record on the field, posting a 67-95 record and fifth-place finish in the National League Central Division, the same as the 2005 season. And yet it was a memorable year in other ways as the Pirates hosted the All-Star Game for the fifth time in franchise history and the first at PNC Park. The Pirates also became the first team in baseball history to host a Midsummer Classic at three venues (Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park).
Freddy Sanchez added to the franchise's record list of batting champions by hitting .344 to win the NL batting crown, the 25th Pirate to league the league in batting. The 2006 season saw the arrival of manager Jim Tracy and a new coaching staff, catcher Ronnie Paulino was among the NL's top rookies after hitting .310 and All-Star outfielder Jason Bay, the franchise's first Rookie of the Year Award winner the previous season, enjoyed an outstanding sophomore season, hitting .286 with 35 homers and 109 RBIs. Right-hander Ian Snell led the Pirate staff with 14 victories.
|
|
|
History
