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1979 Pittsburgh Pirates season

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.

Offseason

Regular season

Key transactions

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Roster

Opening Day Lineup

Game log

Regular season

|-style=background:#fbb | 1 || || 12:35p.m. EST || Expos || 2–3 || Sosa (1–0) || Tekulve (0–1) || — || 3:02 || 36,141 || 0–1 || L1 |-style=background:#cfc | 2 || || 2:15p.m. EST || Expos || 7–6 || Jackson (1–0) || Sosa (1–1) || — || 3:00 || 8,700 || 1–1 || W1 |-style=background:#fbb | 3 || || 1:05p.m. EST || Expos || 4–5 || May (1–0) || Romo (0–1) || Palmer (1) || 3:03 || 8,680 || 1–2 || L1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 10 || || @ Phillies || 3–7 || Ruthven || Romo (0–2) || — || || 48,235 || 1–3 || L2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 11 || || @ Phillies || 4–5 || Carlton || Blyleven (0–1) || — || || 26,281 || 1–4 || L3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 6 || April 12 || || Cardinals || 3–1 || Robinson (1–0) || Denny || — || || 3,986 || 2–4 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 7 || April 13 || || Cardinals || 7–6 || Bibby (1–0) || Schultz || Jackson (1) || || 4,395 || 3–4 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 8 || April 14 || || Cardinals || 7–4 || Whitson (1–0) || Forsch || Jackson (2) || || 10,940 || 4–4 || W3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 15 || || Cardinals || 4–9 || Littell || Tekulve (0–2) || — || || 3,012 || 4–5 || L1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 17 || || Phillies || 2–13 || Carlton || Blyleven (0–2) || — || || 7,739 || 4–6 || L2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 18 || || Phillies || 2–3 || Lerch || Robinson (1–1) || — || || 12,195 || 4–7 || L3 |-style=background:#fbb | 12 || || 8:35p.m. EST || @ Astros || 4–5 || Sambito (1–0) || Bibby (1–1) || — || 3:16 || 19,834 || 4–8 || L4 |-style=background:#fbb | 13 || || 8:35p.m. EST || @ Astros || 4–5 || Andújar (2–0) || Tekulve (0–3) || — || 3:23 || 48,977 || 4–9 || L5 |-style=background:#fbb | 14 || || 3:05p.m. EST || @ Astros || 2–3 || Andújar (3–0) || Candelaria (0–1) || Sambito (2) || 2:27 || 22,403 || 4–10 || W1 |-style=background:#cfc | 15 || || 8:05p.m. EST || @ Reds || 9–2 || Robinson (2–1) || Pastore (0–2) || — || 2:30 || 18,372 || 5–10 || W2 |-style=background:#cfc | 16 || || 12:35p.m. EST || @ Reds || 3–2 || Tekulve (1–3) || Tomlin (0–1) || — || 3:05 || 20,155 || 6–10 || W3 |-style=background:#fbb | 17 || || 7:35p.m. EST || Astros || 8–9 || Riccelli (1–0) || Whitson (1–1) || — || 3:30 || 5,767 || 6–11 || L1 |-style=background:#bbb | — || || || Astros || colspan=8 | Postponed (Rain) <small>(Makeup date: July 19)</small> |-style=background:#cfc | 18 || || 1:05p.m. EDT || Astros || 10–5 || Kison (1–0) || Niekro (1–2) || Jackson (3) || 3:07 || 7,598 || 7–11 || W1 |-

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || May 1 || || Braves || 2–5 || Niekro || Tekulve (1–4) || — || || 5,122 || 7–12 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 20 || May 2 || || Braves || 10–2 || Candelaria (1–1) || Mahler || — || || 4,840 || 8–12 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || May 4 || || @ Cardinals || 3–4 || Sykes || Robinson (2–2) || Schultz || || 13,525 || 8–13 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 22 || May 5 || || @ Cardinals || 6–5 || Jackson (2–0) || Vuckovich || Whitson (1) || || 17,440 || 9–13 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || May 6 || || @ Cardinals || 2–4 || Martinez || Kison (1–1) || Knowles || || 20,966 || 9–14 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 24 || May 7 || || @ Braves || 4–2 || Candelaria (2–1) || Mahler || Tekulve (1) || || 8,166 || 10–14 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || May 8 || || @ Braves || 1–4 || Solomon || Rhoden (0–1) || — || || 5,741 || 10–15 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 26 || May 9 || || @ Braves || 17–9 || Bibby (2–1) || Garber || Tekulve (2) || || 6,855 || 11–15 || W1 |-style=background:#fbb | 27 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || Reds || 4–8 || Tomlin (1–1) || Whitson (1–2) || Bair (6) || 2:48 || 14,115 || 11–16 || L1 |-style=background:#cfc | 28 || || 2:15p.m. EDT || Reds || 3–2 || Bibby (3–1) || Pastore (1–3) || Jackson (4) || 2:55 || 18,745 || 12–16 || W1 |-style=background:#fbb | 29 || || 1:05p.m. EDT || Reds || 3–7 || LaCoss (4–0) || Candelaria (2–2) || — || 2:46 || 10,253 || 12–17 || L1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 15 || || Mets || 0–3 || Swan || Robinson (2–3) || Lockwood || || 6,097 || 12–18 || L2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 31 || May 16 || || Mets || 4–3 || Romo (1–2) || Lockwood || — || || 7,621 || 13–18 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 32 || May 17 || || Mets || 6–5 || Tekulve (2–4) || Orosco || — || || 6,295 || 14–18 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 33 || May 18 || || @ Cubs || 9–5 || Candelaria (3–2) || Holtzman || — || || 12,578 || 15–18 || W3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 34 || May 19 || || @ Cubs || 3–0 || Rooker (1–0) || Krukow || Jackson (5) || || 29,460 || 16–18 || W4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 35 || May 20 || || @ Cubs || 6–5 || Robinson (3–3) || McGlothen || Tekulve (3) || || 30,998 || 17–18 || W5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 36 || || 1:35p.m. EDT || @ Expos || 4–2 || Blyleven (1–2) || Sanderson (2–3) || Tekulve (4) || 2:58 || 25,154 || 18–18 || W6 |-style=background:#fbb | 37 || || 1:35p.m. EDT || @ Expos || 3–6 || Grimsley (4–2) || Whitson (1–3) || Fryman (2) || 2:42 || 15,227 || 18–19 || L1 |-style=background:#fbb | 38 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || @ Expos || 0–3 || Rogers (4–2) || Candelaria (3–3) || — || 2:18 || 7,041 || 18–20 || L2 |- bgcolor="ffffff" | 39 || May 25 || || @ Mets || 3–3 || || || — || || 6,611 || 18–20 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 26 || || @ Mets || 8–10 || Lockwood || Tekulve (2–5) || — || || 20,272 || 18–21 || L3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 41 || May 27 || || @ Mets || 2–1 || Jackson (3–0) || Murray || — || || 25,545 || 19–21 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 42 || May 28 || || @ Mets || 6–1 || Candelaria (4–3) || Falcone || Jackson (6) || || 10,619 || 20–21 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 43 || May 29 || || Cubs || 8–0 || Robinson (4–3) || Holtzman || — || || 7,196 || 21–21 || W3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 44 || May 30 || || Cubs || 9–2 || Rooker (2–0) || McGlothen || — || || 7,107 || 22–21 || W4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 45 || May 31 || || Cubs || 4–3 || Kison (2–1) || Sutter || — || || 6,438 || 23–21 || W5 |-

|- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 46 || June 1 || || Padres || 9–8 || Tekulve (3–5) || Shirley || — || || 12,928 || 24–21 || W6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || June 2 || || Padres || 1–3 || Perry || Candelaria (4–4) || — || || 20,977 || 24–22 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 48 || June 3 || || Padres || 7–0 || Kison (3–1) || Owchinko || — || || 13,370 || 25–22 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || June 4 || || Dodgers || 2–4 || Sutcliffe || Rooker (2–1) || — || || 14,727 || 25–23 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 50 || June 5 || || Dodgers || 3–1 || Blyleven (2–2) || Sutton || Tekulve (5) || || 11,088 || 26–23 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 51 || June 6 || || Dodgers || 5–4 || Romo (2–2) || Welch || Tekulve (6) || || 16,666 || 27–23 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 52 || June 8 || || Giants || 3–2 || Romo (3–2) || Curtis || Jackson (7) || || 18,227 || 28–23 || W3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 53 || June 9 || || Giants || 2–6 || Blue || Kison (3–2) || — || || 25,814 || 28–24 || L1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 54 || June 10 || || Giants || 4–7 || Lavelle || Romo (3–3) || — || || 25,536 || 28–25 || L2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 55 || June 12 || || @ Padres || 3–6 || Perry || Candelaria (4–5) || — || || 23,759 || 28–26 || L3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 56 || June 13 || || @ Padres || 2–3 || Owchinko || Kison (3–3) || Fingers || || 17,845 || 28–27 || L4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 14 || || @ Padres || 1–2 || D'Acquisto || Candelaria (4–6) || — || || 15,444 || 28–28 || L5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 58 || June 15 || || @ Dodgers || 6–2 || Blyleven (3–2) || Sutton || Tekulve (7) || || 50,299 || 29–28 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 59 || June 16 || || @ Dodgers || 6–3 || Robinson (5–3) || Welch || — || || 49,448 || 30–28 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 60 || June 17 || || @ Dodgers || 5–1 || Whitson (2–3) || Reuss || Tekulve (8) || || 45,835 || 31–28 || W3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 61 || June 19 || || @ Giants || 9–4 || Candelaria (5–6) || Montefusco || Romo (1) || || 39,861 || 32–28 || W4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 62 || June 20 || || @ Giants || 8–5 || Jackson (4–0) || Lavelle || Tekulve (9) || || 19,637 || 33–28 || W5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 63 || June 22 || || Cubs || 7–2 || Blyleven (4–2) || Holtzman || — || || 21,006 || 34–28 || W6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || June 23 || || Cubs || 3–4 || Krukow || Robinson (5–4) || Sutter || || 18,513 || 34–29 || L1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 24 || || Cubs || 0–5 || Reuschel || Kison (3–4) || — || || 43,402 || 34–30 || L2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 66 || June 25 || || @ Mets || 8–1 || Candelaria (6–6) || Swan || || — || || 35–30 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 67 || June 25 || || @ Mets || 0–4 || Falcone || Rooker (2–2) || — || || 14,666 || 35–31 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 68 || June 26 || || @ Mets || 2–1 || Blyleven (5–2) || Hausman || Jackson (8) || || 11,903 || 36–31 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 69 || June 27 || || Mets || 9–12 || Twitchell || Jackson (4–1) || — || || 13,168 || 36–32 || L1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 70 || June 28 || || Mets || 2–3 || Allen || Bibby (3–2) || Glynn || || 10,137 || 36–33 || L2 |-style=background:#cfc | 71 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || Expos || 6–5 || Kison (4–4) || Lee (7–5) || Tekulve (10) || 2:45 || 35,677 || 37–33 || W1 |-style=background:#fbb | 72 || || 2:15p.m. EDT || Expos || 3–5 || Sanderson (5–4) || Blyleven (5–3) || Fryman (5) || 2:38 || 13,865 || 37–34 || L1 |-

|-style=background:#bbb | — || <br> || || Expos || colspan=8 | Postponed (Rain) <small>(Makeup date: September 24)</small> |-style=background:#bbb | — || <br> || || Expos || colspan=8 | Postponed (Rain) <small>(Makeup date: September 24)</small> |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 73 || July 2 || || @ Cardinals || 5–4 || Romo (4–3) || Knowles || Jackson (9) || || 18,042 || 38–34 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 74 || July 3 || || @ Cardinals || 4–1 || Candelaria (7–6) || Forsch || Romo (2) || || 17,130 || 39–34 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 75 || July 4 || || @ Cardinals || 6–4 || Blyleven (6–3) || Vuckovich || Jackson (10) || || 14,766 || 40–34 || W3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || July 5 || || @ Cardinals || 0–2 || Fulgham || Rooker (2–3) || — || || 16,626 || 40–35 || L1 |-style=background:#fbb | 77 || || 8:05p.m. EDT || @ Reds || 1–2 || Bair (5–4) || Jackson (4–2) || — || 2:20 || 32,264 || 40–36 || L2 |-style=background:#fbb | 78 || || 5:35p.m. EDT || @ Reds || 2–6 || Moskau (5–3) || Robinson (5–5) || — || 2:55 || 36,300 || 40–37 || L3 |-style=background:#fbb | 79 || <br> || 1:05p.m. EDT || @ Reds || 2–4 || Norman (5–7) || Candelaria (7–7) || — || 2:04 || — || 40–38 || L4 |-style=background:#cfc | 80 || <br> || 4:00p.m. EDT || @ Reds || 2–1 || Jackson (5–2) || Tomlin (2–2) || Tekulve (11) || 2:15 || 43,099 || 41–38 || W1 |-style=background:#cfc | 81 || || 8:35p.m. EDT || @ Astros || 4–3 || Bibby (4–2) || Andújar (10–5) || Tekulve (12) || 3:09 || 31,341 || 42–38 || W2 |-style=background:#cfc | 82 || || 8:35p.m. EDT || @ Astros || 5–1 || Kison (5–4) || Richard (7–9) || — || 2:10 || 25,330 || 43–38 || W3 |-style=background:#cfc | 83 || || 8:35p.m. EDT || @ Astros || 5–3 || Blyleven (7–3) || Niekro (13–4) || Tekulve (13) || 2:44 || 22,956 || 44–38 || W4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 84 || July 13 || || @ Braves || 4–13 || Niekro || Rooker (2–4) || — || || 17,018 || 44–39 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 85 || July 14 || || @ Braves || 5–1 || Candelaria (8–7) || Matula || — || || 25,083 || 45–39 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 86 || July 15 || || @ Braves || 7–3 || Bibby (5–2) || Solomon || — || || 11,304 || 46–39 || W2 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbcaff;" | colspan=12 | 50th All-Star Game in Seattle, Washington |-style=background:#cfc | 87 || <br> || 6:05p.m. EDT || Astros || 9–5 || Roberts (1–0) || Forsch (5–6) || — || 2:41 || — || 47–39 || W3 |-style=background:#cfc | 88 || <br> || 9:21p.m. EDT || Astros || 4–2 || Kison (6–4) || Niekro (13–5) || Jackson (11) || 2:12 || 33,464 || 48–39 || W4 |-style=background:#cfc | 89 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || Astros || 9–3 || Candelaria (9–7) || Richard (7–11) || — || 2:40 || 23,585 || 49–39 || W5 |-style=background:#cfc | 90 || || 2:15p.m. EDT || Astros || 6–5 || Romo (5–3) || Sambito (4–3) || Tekulve (14) || 3:00 || 19,570 || 50–39 || W6 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 91 || July 22 || || Braves || 5–4 || Robinson (6–5) || Solomon || Tekulve (15) || || || 51–39 || W7 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 92 || July 22 || || Braves || 3–2 || Bibby (6–2) || Mahler || Tekulve (16) || || 29,533 || 52–39 || W8 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 93 || July 23 || || Braves || 7–1 || Blyleven (8–3) || Hanna || — || || || 53–39 || W9 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 94 || July 23 || || Braves || 0–8 || Niekro || Rooker (2–5) || — || || 27,148 || 53–40 || L1 |-style=background:#fbb | 95 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || Reds || 5–6 || Norman (7–8) || Kison (6–5) || Bair (14) || 3:16 || 19,517 || 53–41 || L2 |-style=background:#fbb | 96 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || Reds || 5–6 || Bair (6–5) || Tekulve (3–6) || — || 2:55 || 17,296 || 53–42 || L3 |-style=background:#fbb | 97 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || Reds || 7–9 || Soto (1–2) || Roberts (1–1) || Hume (3) || 2:51 || 20,339 || 53–43 || L4 |-style=background:#cfc | 98 || <br> || 6:05p.m. EDT || @ Expos || 5–4 || Tekulve (4–6) || Sosa (5–6) || Romo (3) || 2:48 || — || 54–43 || W1 |-style=background:#cfc | 99 || <br> || 9:28p.m. EDT || @ Expos || 9–1 || Blyleven (9–3) || Sanderson (6–6) || — || 2:46 || 59,260 || 55–43 || W2 |-style=background:#cfc | 100 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || @ Expos || 5–3 || Bibby (7–2) || Schatzeder (5–4) || Tekulve (17) || 2:33 || 38,661 || 56–43 || W3 |-style=background:#fbb | 101 || || 1:35p.m. EDT || @ Expos || 3–5 || Rogers (10–6) || Kison (6–6) || — || 2:22 || 35,245 || 56–44 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 102 || July 30 || || Mets || 8–5 || Jackson (6–2) || Bernard || Tekulve (18) || || 11,837 || 57–44 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 31 || || Mets || 1–2 || Twitchell || Blyleven (9–4) || Glynn || || 10,739 || 57–45 || L1 |-

|- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 104 || August 1 || || Cardinals || 4–3 || Romo (6–3) || Forsch || Tekulve (19) || || 16,124 || 58–45 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 105 || August 2 || || Cardinals || 4–5 || Frazier || Jackson (6–3) || Knowles || || 25,163 || 58–46 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 106 || August 3 || || Phillies || 6–3 || Romo (7–3) || McGraw || — || || || 59–46 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 107 || August 3 || || Phillies || 5–1 || Bibby (8–2) || Christenson || — || || 45,309 || 60–46 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 108 || August 4 || || Phillies || 4–0 || Candelaria (10–7) || Espinosa || — || || 34,754 || 61–46 || W3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 109 || August 5 || || Phillies || 12–8 || Tekulve (5–6) || Eastwick || — || || || 62–46 || W4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 110 || August 5 || || Phillies || 5–2 || Romo (8–3) || Noles || Tekulve (20) || || 46,006 || 63–46 || W5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 111 || August 7 || || @ Cubs || 2–15 || Reuschel || Rooker (2–6) || — || || 34,641 || 63–47 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 112 || August 8 || || @ Cubs || 5–2 || Tekulve (6–6) || Tidrow || — || || 34,255 || 64–47 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 113 || August 9 || || @ Cubs || 3–11 || Lamp || Candelaria (10–8) || — || || 29,645 || 64–48 || L1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 114 || August 10 || || @ Phillies || 3–4 || Eastwick || Jackson (6–4) || || — || || 64–49 || L2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 115 || August 10 || || @ Phillies || 3–2 || Kison (7–6) || Lerch || Tekulve (21) || || 63,346 || 65–49 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 116 || August 11 || || @ Phillies || 14–11 || Romo (9–3) || Eastwick || Tekulve (22) || || 51,118 || 66–49 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 117 || August 13 || || @ Phillies || 9–1 || Bibby (9–2) || Christenson || — || || 43,111 || 67–49 || W3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 118 || August 14 || || Padres || 7–1 || Candelaria (11–8) || D'Acquisto || — || || 23,210 || 68–49 || W4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 119 || August 15 || || Padres || 5–1 || Blyleven (10–4) || Jones || — || || 14,219 || 69–49 || W5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 120 || August 16 || || Padres || 5–4 || Kison (8–6) || Perry || Romo (4) || || 14,201 || 70–49 || W6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 121 || August 17 || || Dodgers || 6–7 || Patterson || Bibby (9–3) || Castillo || || 22,416 || 70–50 || L1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 122 || August 18 || || Dodgers || 1–5 || Reuss || Robinson (6–6) || — || || 40,238 || 70–51 || L2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 123 || August 19 || || Dodgers || 2–0 || Tekulve (7–6) || Hooton || — || || 28,382 || 71–51 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 124 || August 20 || || Giants || 6–5 || Romo (10–3) || Lavelle || Tekulve (23) || || 18,714 || 72–51 || W2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 125 || August 21 || || Giants || 1–6 || Knepper || Kison (8–7) || — || || 20,999 || 72–52 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 126 || August 22 || || Giants || 8–6 || Tekulve (8–6) || Lavelle || — || || 19,768 || 73–52 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 127 || August 24 || || @ Padres || 2–3 || Jones || Romo (10–4) || Lee || || 16,890 || 73–53 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 128 || August 25 || || @ Padres || 4–3 || Roberts (2–1) || D'Acquisto || — || || 14,607 || 74–53 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 129 || August 26 || || @ Padres || 9–2 || Kison (9–7) || Shirley || — || || 13,006 || 75–53 || W2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 130 || August 27 || || @ Dodgers || 2–4 || Brett || Tekulve (8–7) || — || || 35,705 || 75–54 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 131 || August 28 || || @ Dodgers || 4–1 || Candelaria (12–8) || Hough || — || || 31,587 || 76–54 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 132 || August 29 || || @ Dodgers || 4–1 || Blyleven (11–4) || Reuss || Tekulve (24) || || 32,816 || 77–54 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 133 || August 31 || || @ Giants || 6–4 || Robinson (7–6) || Curtis || Jackson (12) || || 19,377 || 78–54 || W3 |-

|- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 134 || September 1 || || @ Giants || 5–3 || Kison (10–7) || Montefusco || Jackson (13) || || 25,551 || 79–54 || W4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 135 || September 1 || || @ Giants || 7–2 || Bibby (10–3) || Knepper || — || || 27,382 || 80–54 || W5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 136 || September 2 || || @ Giants || 5–3 || Candelaria (13–8) || Blue || — || || 15,663 || 81–54 || W6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 137 || September 3 || || Phillies || 0–2 || Carlton || Blyleven (11–5) || McGraw || || || 81–55 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 138 || September 3 || || Phillies || 7–3 || Rooker (3–6) || Lerch || Tekulve (25) || || 43,444 || 82–55 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 139 || September 5 || || @ Cardinals || 7–5 || Roberts (3–1) || Thomas || Tekulve (26) || || 23,059 || 83–55 || W2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 140 || September 6 || || @ Cardinals || 6–8 || Martinez || Bibby (10–4) || McEnaney || || 14,767 || 83–56 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 141 || September 7 || || @ Mets || 6–4 || Jackson (7–4) || Allen || — || || 8,290 || 84–56 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 142 || September 8 || || @ Mets || 2–3 || Ellis || Rooker (3–7) || — || || 8,095 || 84–57 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 143 || September 9 || || @ Mets || 6–5 || Tekulve (9–7) || Glynn || — || || 9,093 || 85–57 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 144 || September 11 || || Cardinals || 7–3 || Roberts (4–1) || Denny || — || || 15,757 || 86–57 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 145 || September 12 || || Cardinals || 2–0 || Candelaria (14–8) || Forsch || Tekulve (27) || || 17,669 || 87–57 || W3 |-style=background:#bbb | — || || || Cardinals || colspan=8 | Postponed (Rain) <small>(Makeup date: September 27)</small> |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 146 || September 15 || || Mets || 5–4 || Roberts (5–1) || Glynn || Tekulve (28) || || 18,060 || 88–57 || W4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 16 || || Mets || 0–3 || Falcone || Candelaria (14–9) || Allen || || 25,364 || 88–58 || L1 |-style=background:#cfc | 148 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || @ Expos || 2–1 || Robinson (8–6) || Rogers (13–10) || — || 2:28 || 54,609 || 89–58 || W1 |-style=background:#cfc | 149 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || @ Expos || 5–3 || Jackson (8–4) || Murray (4–9) || Roberts (1) || 3:04 || 56,976 || 90–58 || W2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 150 || September 19 || || @ Phillies || 9–6 || Tekulve (10–7) || Eastwick || Jackson (14) || || || 91–58 || W3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 151 || September 19 || || @ Phillies || 5–6 || Kucek || Romo (10–5) || Saucier || || 30,566 || 91–59 || L1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 152 || September 20 || || @ Phillies || 1–2 || Lerch || Tekulve (10–8) || — || || 16,299 || 91–60 || L2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 153 || September 21 || || @ Cubs || 0–2 || McGlothen || Robinson (8–7) || — || || 9,552 || 91–61 || L3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 154 || September 22 || || @ Cubs || 4–1 || Kison (11–7) || Riley || Tekulve (29) || || 24,657 || 92–61 || W1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 155 || September 23 || || @ Cubs || 6–0 || Bibby (11–4) || Reuschel || — || || 24,571 || 93–61 || W2 |-style=background:#cfc | 156 || <br> || 6:05p.m. EDT || Expos || 5–2 || Blyleven (12–5) || Schatzeder (10–5) || Tekulve (30) || 2:30 || — || 94–61 || W3 |-style=background:#fbb | 157 || <br> || 9:10p.m. EDT || Expos || 6–7 || Grimsley (10–9) || Jackson (8–5) || Sosa (18) || 3:28 || 47,268 || 94–62 || L1 |-style=background:#cfc | 158 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || Expos || 10–4 || Rooker (4–7) || Sanderson (9–8) || Romo (5) || 3:06 || 31,348 || 95–62 || W1 |-style=background:#cfc | 159 || || 7:35p.m. EDT || Expos || 10–1 || Kison (12–7) || Rogers (13–11) || — || 3:00 || 42,043 || 96–62 || W2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 160 || September 27 || || Cardinals || 5–9 || Forsch || Roberts (5–2) || Littell || || 11,172 || 96–63 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 161 || September 28 || || Cubs || 6–1 || Bibby (12–4) || Reuschel || — || || 14,778 || 97–63 || W1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 162 || September 29 || || Cubs || 6–7 || Caudill || Robinson (8–8) || — || || 25,734 || 97–64 || L1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 163 || September 30 || || Cubs || 5–3 || Kison (13–7) || McGlothen || Tekulve (31) || || 42,176 || 98–64 || W1 |-

|- style="text-align:center;" | Legend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = Win&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = Loss&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = Postponement<br />Bold = Pirates team member

Postseason Game log

|-style="background:#cfc;" | 1 || || 8:30p.m. EDT || @ Reds || 5–2 || Jackson (1–0) || Hume (0–1) || Robinson (1) || 3:14 || 55,006 || PIT 1–0 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 2 || || 3:15p.m. EDT || @ Reds || 3–2 || Robinson (1–0) || Bair (0–1) || — || 3:24 || 55,000 || PIT 2–0 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 3 || || 3:15p.m. EDT || Reds || 7–1 || Blyleven (1–0) || LaCoss (0–1) || — || 2:45 || 42,240 || PIT 3–0 || W3 |-

|-style="background:#bbb;" | — || || || @ Orioles || colspan=6 | Postponed (Rain) <small>(Makeup date: October 10)</small> || Tied 0–0 || |-style="background:#fbb;" | 1 || || 8:30p.m. EDT || @ Orioles || 4–5 || Flanagan (2–0) || Kison (0–1) || — || 3:18 || 53,735 || BAL 1–0 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 2 || || 8:30p.m. EDT || @ Orioles || 3–2 || Robinson (2–0) || Stanhouse (1–2) || Tekulve (1) || 3:13 || 53,739 || Tied 1–1 || W1 |-style="background:#fbb;" | 3 || || 8:30p.m. EDT || Orioles || 4–8 || McGregor (2–0) || Candelaria (0–1) || — || 2:51 || 50,848 || BAL 2–1 || L1 |-style="background:#fbb;" | 4 || || 1:00p.m. EDT || Orioles || 6–9 || Stoddard (1–0) || Tekulve (0–1) || — || 3:48 || 50,883 || BAL 3–1 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 5 || || 4:30p.m. EDT || Orioles || 7–1 || Blyleven (2–0) || Flanagan (2–1) || — || 2:54 || 50,920 || BAL 3–2 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 6 || || 8:30p.m. EDT || @ Orioles || 4–0 || Candelaria (1–1) || Palmer (0–1) || Tekulve (2) || 2:30 || 53,739 || Tied 3–3 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 7 || || 8:30p.m. EDT || @ Orioles || 4–1 || Jackson (2–0) || McGregor (2–1) || Tekulve (3) || 2:54 || 53,733 || PIT 4–3 || W3 |-

|- style="text-align:center;" | Legend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = Win&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = Loss&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = Postponement<br>Bold = Pirates team member

Composite Box

Sources:https://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1979/TPIT01979.htm https://baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1979.shtml

Player stats

Batting

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

Pitching

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

Postseason

National League Championship Series

Game 1

October 2, Riverfront Stadium

Game 2

October 3, Riverfront Stadium

Game 3

October 5, Three Rivers Stadium

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

Game 2

October 11, 1979, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Attendance: 53,739

Game 3

October 12, 1979, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 50,848

Game 4

October 13, 1979, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 50,883

Game 5

October 14, 1979, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 50,920

Game 6

October 16, 1979, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Attendance: 53,739

Game 7

October 17, 1979, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Attendance: 53,733

Composite Box

1979 World Series (4-3): Pittsburgh Pirates (N.L.) over Baltimore Orioles (A.L.)

Awards and honors

All-Stars

1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

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

Notes

References