The Pittsburgh Pirates have a deep rooted tradition in Major League Baseball. Beginning in the late 1880s as the Pittsburgh Alleghenies, the Pirates have had many first in Major League Baseball accomplishments! The Alleghenies played their first game against the Chicago White Stockings and won. Eventually, the Alleghenies changed their name to the Pirates after signing the Philadelphia Athletics' second baseman, Louis Bierbauer.
Once the team became the Pittsburgh Pirates, they pioneered various feats in major league baseball. They were the first team to use a canvas tarp to cover the infield during rain; won the first national league pennant (and went on to win again the next year); played in the first World Series ever; won the first game of that Series, but eventually lost to the Boston Americans. Pirates tickets are just one click away.
Keeping up with their tradition of Major League firsts, the Pirates moved to Forbes Field in 1907, the first ever baseball field to be made of poured concrete and steel. 1909 brought the Pirates their first win in the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. By 1921, the Pirates were on the first radio broadcast of a baseball game. Incidentally, Pittsburgh ended up winning that game, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5.
In 1935, the legendary Babe Ruth hit his last career homeruns at the Pirates' own Forbes field. Ruth's last hit was the first time a ball went over the right field roof. The following year, the Pirates' Honus Wagner became the first player to be elected to the new baseball hall of fame along with Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson.
More major league firsts for the Pirates include Pirates players and brothers Lloyd and Paul Waner hitting back to back homers in the fifth inning of a game making them the first brothers to do so in baseball. In 1954, the first African American player, second baseman Curt Roberts, joined the team. By 1970, the Pirates featured the first only all-minority lineup. A year later, the Pirates played in the first night game of the World Series and won their 4th championship. The Pirates became the first team to sign Indian players and the first team to have 17 consecutive losing seasons. Not only was their losing streak the longest losing streak in baseball, but also in all of professional sports. For the best Pirates tickets, check our ticket link or call (800)334-5434.
