1976 Pittsburgh Pirates season

The 1976 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 90th in the National League, and the 95th in franchise history. The Pirates compiled a 92–70 record during the season, as they finished in second place in the National League East, nine games behind their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. As a result, their run of five division titles in a six-year span came to an end. It was also the final season for Danny Murtaugh as the Pirates' manager.

1976 Pittsburgh Pirates
LeagueNational League
DivisionEast
BallparkThree Rivers Stadium
CityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania[1]
Record92–70 (.568)
Divisional place2nd
OwnersJohn W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Bing Crosby, Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholders)
General managersJoe L. Brown, Harding "Pete" Peterson
ManagersDanny Murtaugh
TelevisionKDKA-TV
Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare
RadioKDKA
Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare
← 1975 Seasons 1977 →

Offseason

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Regular season

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Season standings

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NL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Philadelphia Phillies 101 61 .623 53‍–‍28 48‍–‍33
Pittsburgh Pirates 92 70 .568 9 47‍–‍34 45‍–‍36
New York Mets 86 76 .531 15 45‍–‍37 41‍–‍39
Chicago Cubs 75 87 .463 26 42‍–‍39 33‍–‍48
St. Louis Cardinals 72 90 .444 29 37‍–‍44 35‍–‍46
Montreal Expos 55 107 .340 46 27‍–‍53 28‍–‍54

Record vs. opponents

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Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Team ATL CHC CIN HOU LAD MON NYM PHI PIT SD SF STL
Atlanta 6–6 6–12 7–11 8–10 8–4 4–8 5–7 3–9 10–8 9–9 4–8
Chicago 6–6 3–9 5–7 3–9 11–7 5–13 8–10 8–10 6–6 8–4 12–6
Cincinnati 12–6 9–3 12–6 13–5 9–3 6–6 5–7 8–4 13–5 9–9 6–6
Houston 11–7 7–5 6–12 5–13 10–2 6–6 4–8 2–10 10–8 10–8 9–3
Los Angeles 10–8 9–3 5–13 13–5 10–2 7–5 5–7 9–3 6–12 8–10 10–2
Montreal 4–8 7–11 3–9 2–10 2–10 8–10 3–15 8–10 4–8 7–5 7–11
New York 8–4 13–5 6–6 6–6 5–7 10–8 5–13 10–8 7–5 7–5 9–9
Philadelphia 7-5 10–8 7–5 8–4 7–5 15–3 13–5 8–10 8–4 6–6 12–6
Pittsburgh 9–3 10–8 4–8 10–2 3–9 10–8 8–10 10–8 7–5 9–3 12–6
San Diego 8–10 6–6 5–13 8–10 12–6 8–4 5–7 4–8 5–7 8–10 4–8
San Francisco 9–9 4–8 9–9 8–10 10–8 5–7 5–7 6–6 3–9 10–8 5–7
St. Louis 8–4 6–12 6–6 3–9 2–10 11–7 9–9 6–12 6–12 8–4 7–5


Game log

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1976 Game Log: 92–70 (Home: 47–34; Away: 45–36)
April: 8–8 (Home: 4–3; Away: 4–5)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 April 10 @ Phillies 5–4 (11) Demery (1–0) McGraw 42,147 1–0
2 April 11 @ Phillies 8–3 Kison (1–0) Carlton Moose (1) 18,373 2–0
3 April 13 Cardinals 14–4 Reuss (1–0) Falcone 40,937 3–0
4 April 15 Cardinals 9–3 Rooker (1–0) McGlothen Hernandez (1) 9,490 4–0
5 April 16 Mets 3–1 Medich (1–0) Lolich 19,899 5–0
6 April 17 Mets 1–17 Koosman Kison (1–1) 13,082 5–1
7 April 18 Mets 7–5 Reuss (2–0) Swan Hernandez (2) 9,106 6–1
8 April 20 Phillies 1–5 Kaat Candelaria (0–1) 8,800 6–2
9 April 21 Phillies 0–3 Underwood Medich (1–1) McGraw 9,175 6–3
10 April 23 @ Giants 3–7 Montefusco Reuss (2–1) Lavelle 15,621 6–4
11 April 24 @ Giants 1–3 Halicki Rooker (1–1) Lavelle 9,222 6–5
12 April 25 @ Giants 3–0 Candelaria (1–1) Caldwell 23,700 7–5
13 April 26 @ Dodgers 1–7 John Medich (1–2) 23,374 7–6
14 April 27 @ Dodgers 3–5 Rau Kison (1–2) Hough 21,612 7–7
15 April 28 @ Dodgers 1–2 Hooton Reuss (2–2) 22,769 7–8
16 April 30 @ Padres 4–3 Rooker (2–1) Spillner Moose (2) 17,010 8–8
May: 17–11 (Home: 10–6; Away: 7–5)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
17 May 1 @ Padres 10–6 Candelaria (2–1) Greif 21,773 9–8
18 May 2 @ Padres 2–4 Jones Medich (1–3) 21,702 9–9
19 May 4 Giants 6–5 Reuss (3–2) Caldwell Moose (3) 4,729 10–9
20 May 5 Giants 6–1 Kison (2–2) Halicki 6,321 11–9
21 May 6 Giants 3–0 Rooker (3–1) Barr Demery (1) 5,111 12–9
22 May 7 Braves 3–1 Candelaria (3–1) Messersmith 6,049 13–9
23 May 8 Braves 5–3 Medich (2–3) Niekro Giusti (1) 6,864 14–9
24 May 9 Braves 5–2 Reuss (4–2) Ruthven 9,275 15–9
25 May 11 @ Reds 0–6 Nolan Kison (2–3) 26,850 15–10
26 May 12 @ Reds 6–3 Rooker (4–1) Gullett 26,053 16–10
27 May 14 Dodgers 2–3 Hough Candelaria (3–2) Marshall 13,764 16–11
28 May 15 Dodgers 4–2 Medich (3–3) Rau Moose (4) 12,165 17–11
29 May 16 Dodgers 0–6 Hooton Reuss (4–3) 15,334 17–12
30 May 17 @ Cardinals 2–1 Kison (3–3) Curtis Moose (5) 10,538 18–12
31 May 18 @ Cardinals 4–1 Rooker (5–1) Hrabosky 10,288 19–12
32 May 19 @ Cardinals 7–6 Hernandez (1–0) Rasmussen Moose (6) 11,229 20–12
33 May 20 @ Cardinals 1–4 Denny Medich (3–4) 11,315 20–13
34 May 21 Cubs 4–5 Reuschel Demery (1–1) Knowles 9,342 20–14
35 May 22 Cubs 4–3 (16) Moose (1–0) Reuschel 7,081 21–14
36 May 23 Cubs 5–6 Zamora Tekulve (0–1) Sutter 21–15
37 May 23 Cubs 9–1 Reuss (5–3) Garman 20,477 22–15
38 May 24 Expos 2–4 Fryman Candelaria (3–3) Scherman 5,420 22–16
39 May 25 Expos 3–6 (11) Granger Moose (1–1) 4,805 22–17
40 May 26 Expos 6–3 Demery (2–1) Warthen Candelaria (1) 6,581 23–17
41 May 29 @ Cubs 1–4 Bonham Kison (3–4) Zamora 12,357 23–18
42 May 30 @ Cubs 4–2 Rooker (6–1) Burris 19,410 24–18
43 May 31 @ Mets 2–13 Matlack Reuss (5–4) 24–19
44 May 31 @ Mets 2–1 Medich (4–4) Apodaca 46,004 25–19
June: 16–10 (Home: 6–6; Away: 10–4)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
45 June 1 @ Mets 3–2 Candelaria (4–3) Koosman 13,596 26–19
46 June 2 @ Expos 4–2 Kison (4–4) Fryman Giusti (2) 11,337 27–19
47 June 3 @ Expos 1–7 Stanhouse Rooker (6–2) 7,951 27–20
48 June 4 Padres 7–2 Reuss (6–4) Freisleben 9,249 28–20
49 June 5 Padres 9–11 (15) Freisleben Hernandez (1–1) 15,558 28–21
50 June 6 Padres 1–6 Strom Candelaria (4–4) 51,726 28–22
51 June 7 Reds 5–4 Moose (2–1) McEnaney Giusti (3) 16,001 29–22
52 June 8 Reds 5–10 Alcala Rooker (6–3) McEnaney 17,331 29–23
53 June 9 Reds 1–6 Nolan Reuss (6–5) 18,127 29–24
54 June 10 Reds 1–6 Gullett Medich (4–5) 17,280 29–25
55 June 11 @ Braves 6–2 Candelaria (5–4) Moret Moose (7) 13,687 30–25
56 June 12 @ Braves 4–2 (11) Moose (3–1) Devine Tekulve (1) 20,117 31–25
57 June 13 @ Braves 6–5 Demery (3–1) Leon Moose (8) 15,656 32–25
58 June 14 @ Astros 2–1 Reuss (7–5) Richard 9,884 33–25
59 June 16 @ Astros 6–3 Medich (5–5) Andujar Demery (2) 12,249 34–25
60 June 18 Astros 7–3 Candelaria (6–4) Richard 19,141 35–25
61 June 20 Astros 4–9 Griffin Moose (3–2) 18,670 35–26
62 June 22 @ Cubs 10–7 Demery (4–1) Knowles Hernandez (3) 10,116 36–26
63 June 23 @ Cubs 5–6 Zamora Moose (3–3) 17,661 36–27
64 June 24 @ Cubs 1–2 (13) Zamora Langford (0–1) 3,824 36–28
65 June 25 @ Expos 9–2 Kison (5–4) Carrithers 6,581 37–28
66 June 26 @ Expos 7–6 Demery (5–1) Murray 10,445 38–28
67 June 27 @ Expos 3–4 Fryman Medich (5–6) Murray 12,824 38–29
68 June 28 Cubs 9–2 Rooker (7–3) Coleman 7,370 39–29
69 June 29 Cubs 10–1 Candelaria (7–4) Renko 8,774 40–29
70 June 30 Cubs 7–5 Kison (6–4) Bonham Moose (9) 10,681 41–29
July: 15–15 (Home: 8–7; Away: 7–8)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
71 July 2 Phillies 10–9 (10) Hernandez (2–1) Garber 39,328 42–29
72 July 3 Phillies 2–3 McGraw Moose (3–4) 19,327 42–30
73 July 4 Phillies 5–10 Carlton Demery (5–2) Reed 42–31
74 July 4 Phillies 7–1 Kison (7–4) Kaat 32,422 43–31
75 July 5 @ Braves 6–8 Dal Canton Hernandez (2–2) Marshall 48,467 43–32
76 July 6 @ Braves 2–4 Messersmith Rooker (7–4) Marshall 12,448 43–33
77 July 7 @ Braves 9–7 Reuss (8–5) Ruthven Moose (10) 11,480 44–33
78 July 9 @ Reds 11–12 (10) Eastwick Demery (5–3) 44–34
79 July 9 @ Reds 1–2 Norman Medich (5–7) 53,328 44–35
80 July 10 @ Reds 7–1 Candelaria (8–4) Billingham 50,756 45–35
81 July 11 @ Reds 8–5 Tekulve (1–1) Borbon Reuss (1) 47,153 46–35
82 July 15 Braves 13–1 Candelaria (9–4) Niekro 10,488 47–35
83 July 16 Braves 7–2 Reuss (9–5) Messersmith 11,151 48–35
84 July 17 Braves 2–10 Ruthven Kison (7–5) 14,776 48–36
85 July 18 Reds 8–9 Billingham Medich (5–8) Eastwick 33,697 48–37
86 July 19 Reds 2–4 Zachry Rooker (7–5) 26,585 48–38
87 July 20 Astros 9–5 Candelaria (10–4) Griffin Tekulve (2) 49–38
88 July 20 Astros 3–4 Forsch Giusti (0–1) 11,922 49–39
89 July 21 Astros 5–1 Reuss (10–5) Dierker 50–39
90 July 21 Astros 4–1 Demery (6–3) Andujar Giusti (4) 12,209 51–39
91 July 22 @ Phillies 0–3 Underwood Kison (7–6) Reed 43,050 51–40
92 July 23 @ Phillies 1–11 Lonborg Medich (5–9) 40,120 51–41
93 July 24 @ Phillies 8–5 Rooker (8–5) Christenson Giusti (5) 52–41
94 July 24 @ Phillies 1–7 Carlton Moose (3–5) 57,723 52–42
95 July 25 @ Phillies 7–13 Reed Giusti (0–2) 37,692 52–43
96 July 27 @ Cardinals 3–1 Kison (8–6) Falcone 13,953 53–43
97 July 28 @ Mets 1–0 (13) Giusti (1–2) Sanders 22,215 54–43
98 July 29 @ Mets 2–1 (10) Tekulve (2–1) Lockwood 12,588 55–43
99 July 30 Expos 4–3 (13) Tekulve (3–1) Kerrigan 12,774 56–43
100 July 31 Expos 6–7 Murray Moose (3–6) 10,981 56–44
August: 16–13 (Home: 8–8; Away: 8–5)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
101 August 1 Expos 0–2 Rogers Kison (8–7) 17,150 56–45
102 August 2 Cardinals 0–4 Falcone Medich (5–10) 7,553 56–46
103 August 3 Cardinals 2–1 Rooker (9–5) Greif 57–46
104 August 3 Cardinals 2–4 Hrabosky Giusti (1–3) Wallace 14,781 57–47
105 August 4 Cardinals 2–1 (12) Giusti (2–3) Wallace 8,426 58–47
106 August 5 Mets 4–7 Matlack Reuss (10–6) Lockwood 7,836 58–48
107 August 7 Mets 12–3 Kison (9–7) Seaver 59–48
108 August 7 Mets 2–4 Espinosa Medich (5–11) Lockwood 12,364 59–49
109 August 8 Mets 4–7 Lolich Rooker (9–6) 16,538 59–50
110 August 9 Dodgers 2–0 Candelaria (11–4) Rau 9,860 60–50
111 August 10 Dodgers 1–5 Sutton Reuss (10–7) 13,670 60–51
112 August 11 Dodgers 0–2 Rhoden Demery (6–4) 16,222 60–52
113 August 13 @ Astros 8–5 Tekulve (4–1) Niekro 17,876 61–52
114 August 14 @ Astros 5–4 Giusti (3–3) Pentz 9,721 62–52
115 August 15 @ Astros 8–6 Medich (6–11) Larson Tekulve (3) 63–52
116 August 15 @ Astros 3–0 Reuss (11–7) Sambito 16,326 64–52
117 August 17 @ Giants 6–7 Lavelle Moose (3–7) Williams 9,215 64–53
118 August 18 @ Giants 12–1 (7) Rooker (10–6) Montefusco 3,817 65–53
119 August 19 @ Giants 1–0 Candelaria (12–4) Barr 2,709 66–53
120 August 20 @ Dodgers 1–8 Rau Kison (9–8) Hough 25,107 66–54
121 August 21 @ Dodgers 1–5 Sutton Moose (3–8) 42,235 66–55
122 August 22 @ Dodgers 6–1 Demery (7–4) Rhoden Tekulve (4) 24,295 67–55
123 August 23 @ Padres 4–5 Johnson Rooker (10–7) Metzger 18,396 67–56
124 August 24 @ Padres 3–7 Strom Candelaria (12–5) 11,002 67–57
125 August 25 @ Padres 3–0 Kison (10–8) Freisleben 10,963 68–57
126 August 27 Giants 5–2 Demery (8–4) Montefusco 12,580 69–57
127 August 28 Giants 7–1 Rooker (11–7) D'Acquisto 11,043 70–57
128 August 29 Giants 3–2 (11) Candelaria (13–5) Moffitt 12,972 71–57
129 August 31 Padres 3–0 Reuss (12–7) Jones 9,674 72–57
September: 17–13 (Home: 8–4; Away: 9–9)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
130 September 1 Padres 4–1 Kison (11–8) Strom Tekulve (5) 5,381 73–57
131 September 2 Padres 5–0 Demery (9–4) Freisleben 5,545 74–57
132 September 3 @ Expos 9–7 Rooker (12–7) Stanhouse Tekulve (6) 75–57
133 September 3 @ Expos 7–2 Candelaria (14–5) Carrithers 6,342 76–57
134 September 4 @ Expos 5–3 Giusti (4–3) Murray Tekulve (7) 3,290 77–57
135 September 5 @ Expos 0–1 Fryman Reuss (12–8) 6,180 77–58
136 September 6 Phillies 6–2 Kison (12–8) Kaat 78–58
137 September 6 Phillies 5–1 Demery (10–4) Underwood 41,703 79–58
138 September 8 Phillies 6–1 Rooker (13–7) Carlton 30,976 80–58
139 September 10 Expos 2–4 Fryman Candelaria (14–6) 12,032 80–59
140 September 11 Expos 4–3 Reuss (13–8) Rogers Tekulve (8) 7,509 81–59
141 September 12 Expos 6–1 Kison (13–8) Stanhouse Tekulve (9) 12,765 82–59
142 September 13 Mets 0–5 Seaver Demery (10–5) 7,892 82–60
143 September 14 Mets 3–4 Lockwood Rooker (13–8) 7,867 82–61
144 September 15 @ Phillies 7–2 Candelaria (15–6) Kaat 45,010 83–61
145 September 16 @ Phillies 7–6 Tekulve (5–1) Reed 35,806 84–61
146 September 17 @ Mets 4–1 Medich (7–11) Matlack Giusti (6) 14,304 85–61
147 September 18 @ Mets 2–6 Seaver Demery (10–6) 15,879 85–62
148 September 19 @ Mets 6–7 Espinosa Giusti (4–4) Lockwood 18,652 85–63
149 September 20 @ Mets 4–5 Apodaca Tekulve (5–2) 5,922 85–64
150 September 21 @ Cubs 4–3 Kison (14–8) Renko Rooker (1) 86–64
151 September 21 @ Cubs 1–2 (13) Reuschel Moose (3–9) 5,017 86–65
152 September 22 @ Cubs 3–4 Coleman Tekulve (5–3) 3,375 86–66
153 September 23 @ Cubs 5–4 (10) Giusti (5–4) Knowles Kison (1) 2,132 87–66
154 September 24 @ Cardinals 6–10 Forsch Candelaria (15–7) 87–67
155 September 24 @ Cardinals 11–1 Rooker (14–8) Curtis 10,368 88–67
156 September 25 @ Cardinals 0–3 McGlothen Reuss (13–9) 7,858 88–68
157 September 26 @ Cardinals 2–5 Denny Kison (14–9) Hrabosky 10,456 88–69
158 September 28 Cubs 5–1 Medich (8–11) Reuschel Reuss (2) 2,880 89–69
159 September 29 Cubs 0–1 Renko Demery (10–7) 2,880 89–70
October: 3–0 (Home: 3–0; Away: 0–0)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
160 October 2 Cardinals 8–0 Candelaria (16–7) McGlothen 4,250 90–70
161 October 3 Cardinals 1–0 Rooker (15–8) Denny 91–70
162 October 3 Cardinals 1–0 Reuss (14–9) Falcone 24,228 92–70
Legend:        = Win        = Loss
Bold = Pirates team member

Opening Day lineup

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Notable transactions

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Roster

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1976 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders Manager

Coaches

Player stats

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= Indicates team leader

Batting

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Starters by position

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Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Pos Player G AB R H Avg. HR RBI SB
C Manny Sanguillén 114 389 52 113 .290 2 36 2
1B Willie Stargell 117 428 54 110 .257 20 65 2
2B Rennie Stennett 157 654 59 168 .257 2 60 18
3B Richie Hebner 132 434 60 108 .249 8 51 1
SS Frank Taveras 144 519 76 134 .258 0 24 58
LF Richie Zisk 155 581 91 168 .289 21 89 1
CF Al Oliver 121 443 62 143 .323 12 61 6
RF Dave Parker 138 537 82 168 .313 13 90 19

[9]

Other batters

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

Player G AB R H Avg. HR RBI SB
Bill Robinson 122 393 55 119 .303 21 64 2
Duffy Dyer 69 184 12 41 .223 3 9 0
Ed Kirkpatrick 83 146 14 34 .233 0 16 1
Bob Robertson 61 129 10 28 .217 2 25 0
Omar Moreno 48 122 24 33 .270 2 12 15
Mario Mendoza 50 92 6 17 .185 0 12 0
Tommy Helms 62 87 10 24 .276 1 13 0
Ed Ott 27 39 2 12 .308 0 5 0
Miguel Diloné 16 17 7 4 .235 0 0 5
Tony Armas 4 6 0 2 .333 0 1 0
Craig Reynolds 7 4 1 1 .250 1 1 0

Pitching

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Starting pitchers

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

Player G IP W L ERA SO
John Candelaria 32 220.0 16 7 3.15 138
Jerry Reuss 31 209.1 14 9 3.53 108
Jim Rooker 30 198.2 15 8 3.35 92
Bruce Kison 31 193.0 14 9 3.08 98
Doc Medich 29 179.0 8 11 3.52 86

Other pitchers

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

Player G IP W L ERA SO
Larry Demery 36 145.0 10 7 3.17 72

Relief pitchers

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

Player G W L SV ERA SO
Bob Moose 53 3 9 10 3.68 38
Kent Tekulve 64 5 3 9 2.45 68
Dave Giusti 40 5 4 6 4.32 24
Ramón Hernández 37 2 2 3 3.56 17
Rick Langford 12 0 1 0 6.26 17
Doug Bair 4 0 0 0 5.68 4

Awards and honors

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1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Farm system

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Level Team League Manager
AAA Charleston Charlies International League Tim Murtaugh
AA Shreveport Captains Texas League Johnny Lipon
A Salem Pirates Carolina League Steve Demeter
A Charleston Patriots Western Carolinas League Mike Ryan
A-Short Season Niagara Falls Pirates New York–Penn League Glenn Ezell
Rookie GCL Pirates Gulf Coast League Woody Huyke

Notes

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  1. ^ From 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Side in 1907.
  2. ^ Rafael Vásquez Statistics at Baseball Reference
  3. ^ Dock Ellis at Baseball Reference
  4. ^ Pascual Pérez Statistics at Baseball Reference
  5. ^ August 9, 1976 Dodgers-Pirates box score at Baseball Reference
  6. ^ Bob Long at Baseball Reference
  7. ^ Albert Williams at Baseball Reference
  8. ^ Ramón Hernández at Baseball Reference
  9. ^ "1976 Pittsburgh Pirates Statistics".

References

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