Greatest Pirates team ever and more....

by thegashousegang on Nov 20, 2008 4:35 PM EST

I have been reading this and several other blogs of teams I like for months on SBN. About a month ago I joined SBN and this is my first fan post here. I searched this topic in the search engine but found no fan posts on this, but if this has been posted before please let me know and I will pull this fan post.

I am wondering which Pirates team you all think is the greatest in Pittsburgh's history? Which is the best team in your lifetime, your favorite team and which team do you think deserves an honorable mention for it will never be considered great for it lost in the playoffs or World Series?

I hope this generates some comments and I look forward to reading your opinions for I want to learn more about the Pirates and who better to ask than the Pirates fans?

*Note-I included the 1901 and 1902 teams because they put up great seasonal records and had no chance to play in the modern World Series since it did not start till 1903.*

Poll

In your opinion, which Pirates team is the greatest in the history of the franchise?

1901

2 votes

1902

6 votes

1909

6 votes

1925

1 votes

1960

3 votes

1971

11 votes

1979

13 votes

42 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Comments

Hmm, interesting question.

In terms of sheer dominance, I think it’s a pick-‘em between 1902 and 1909. 1902 had a nice balanced attack, with no truly weak links in the lineup on days when Harry Smith wasn’t starting. That was also probably the best rotation of the years under consideration: Spitball Jack Chesbro made the Hall, and Phillippe, Leever, and Tannehill didn’t miss by too much, with poor old Ed Doheny having his last strong season before his mind started to go. My only objection to picking it outright is that Honus Wagner spent more time in the outfield than at short, which just feels wrong for a truly iconic Pirates season.

The 1909 lineup has Wagner where he belongs, kicking the league’s ass at shortstop, and the rest of the lineup is pretty solid, though maybe a tick or so below the ’02 squad. The pitching staff is still pretty tough, with Phillippe, Leever, and Vic Willis winding down distinguished careers and Babe Adams just starting to show what he could do. And they get a little bump for converting in a hard-fought WS against a pretty game Detroit squad.

Like I said, I could go either way there. I don’t think you’d go wrong with either one.

by Vlad on Nov 21, 2008 4:16 PM EST reply actions

Exactly, both are great teams!

The 02 team went 103-36 would be like winning 120 games in the 162 game season! The 09 team won 110 games breaking the 3 yr. pennant streak by the Cubs who won 104 games. The Tiger team they beat in the series was no easy task either. Both are great! Too bad the 02 team couldn’t have played in the Series….

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.-Rogers Hornsby

by thegashousegang on Nov 22, 2008 7:58 AM EST reply actions

1909.

1909 Pittsburgh Pirates were probably the best overall team in Pirates history. Best winning percentage and World Champions. What more can you ask for?

The 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates were probably the best team to not win the league championship. If only game 5 ended one inning earlier…

I was born in 1980, so I would say that the 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates were the best team in my lifetime. I would say though, that I probably enjoyed the 97 team the most because it was so unexpected.

by IAPiratesFan on Nov 23, 2008 5:32 PM EST reply actions