1968 Pittsburgh Pirates season explained

Pittsburgh Pirates
Season:	1968
League:	National League
Ballpark:	Forbes Field
City:	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania^[1]
Owners:	John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Bing Crosby, Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholders)
General Managers:	Joe L. Brown
Managers:	Larry Shepard
Television:	KDKA-TV Bob Prince, Jim Woods, Nellie King
Radio:	KDKA Bob Prince, Jim Woods, Nellie King

The 1968 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 87th season of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise; the 82nd in the National League. The Pirates finished sixth in the league standings with a record of 80–82.

Offseason

• October 3, 1967: Billy O'Dell was released by the Pirates.^[2]
• October 13, 1967: Larry Shepard named manager of the Pirates.^[3]
• November 28, 1967: Dennis Ribant was traded by the Pirates to the Detroit Tigers for Dave Wickersham.^[4]
• November 28, 1967: Chuck Hiller was selected by Pirates from Philadelphia Phillies in the Rule 5 major league draft.^[5]
• November 29, 1967: Bill Short was sold by Pirates to the New York Mets.^[6]
• December 2, 1967: Bob Oliver was traded by the Pirates to the Minnesota Twins for Ron Kline.^[7]
• December 3, 1967: Jim Pagliaroni was sold by the Pirates to the Oakland Athletics.^[8]
• December 15, 1967: Woodie Fryman, Bill Laxton, Don Money and Harold Clem (minors) were traded by the Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jim Bunning.^[9]
• January 8, 1968: Frank Taveras was signed by the Pirates as a non-drafted free agent.^[10]
• January 27, 1968: Tom Dettore was drafted by the Pirates in the 3rd round of the 1968 Major League Baseball draft (secondary phase). Player signed March 29, 1968.^[11]

Regular season

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 1 || April 10 || @ Astros || 4–5 || Dierker || Pizarro (0–1) || — || 21,320 || 0–1|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 2 || April 11 || @ Giants || 3–1 (15) || Face (1–0) || Linzy || Moose (1) || 7,844 || 1–1|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 3 || April 13 || @ Giants || 2–1 || McBean (1–0) || Perry || — || 11,488 || 2–1|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 4 || April 14 || @ Dodgers || 3–0 || Bunning (1–0) || Osteen || — || 27,136 || 3–1|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 5 || April 15 || @ Dodgers || 2–3 || Singer || Veale (0–1) || — || 16,214 || 3–2|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 6 || April 17 || Astros || 13–4 || McBean (2–0) || Lemaster || — || 30,779 || 4–2|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 7 || April 19 || Giants || 2–5 || Marichal || Bunning (1–1) || — || 24,224 || 4–3|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 8 || April 20 || Giants || 0–1 || Sadecki || Veale (0–2) || — || 8,156 || 4–4|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 9 || April 21 || Giants || 10–0 || McBean (3–0) || McCormick || — || 17,337 || 5–4|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 10 || April 22 || Dodgers || 3–5 || Brewer || Moose (0–1) || Billingham || 7,963 || 5–5|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 11 || April 24 || Dodgers || 4–3 || Bunning (2–1) || Osteen || Face (1) || 4,938 || 6–5|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 12 || April 26 || @ Cardinals || 1–2 || Gibson || Veale (0–3) || — || 39,866 || 6–6|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 13 || April 27 || @ Cardinals || 5–7 || Briles || McBean (3–1) || Hoerner || 20,863 || 6–7|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 14 || April 28 || @ Cardinals || 2–4 || Carlton || Sisk (0–1) || — || 20,562 || 6–8|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 15 || April 29 || Cubs || 7–4 || Blass (1–0) || Jenkins || Moose (2) || 5,603 || 7–8|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 16 || April 30 || Cubs || 4–3 || Pizarro (1–1) || Hartenstein || — || 3,710 || 8–8|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 17 || May 1 || Cubs || 4–0 || McBean (4–1) || Nye || — || 5,449 || 9–8|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 18 || May 2 || Cubs || 0–1 || Niekro || Bunning (2–2) || — || 7,249 || 9–9|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 19 || May 3 || @ Phillies || 2–3 || Farrell || Kline (0–1) || — || 9,433 || 9–10|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 20 || May 4 || @ Phillies || 2–3 || Hall || Face (1–1) || — || 15,834 || 9–11|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 21 || May 5 || @ Phillies || 5–2 || Wickersham (1–0) || Jackson || Moose (3) || 9,407 || 10–11|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 22 || May 6 || @ Braves || 2–1 || Bunning (3–2) || Jarvis || Kline (1) || 9,131 || 11–11|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 23 || May 7 || @ Braves || 1–2 || Upshaw || McBean (4–2) || — || 6,610 || 11–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 24 || May 8 || @ Braves || 4–3 (14) || Kline (1–1) || Upshaw || Face (2) || 7,035 || 12–12|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 25 || May 9 || @ Braves || 2–4 || Reed || Moose (0–2) || Britton || 5,704 || 12–13|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 26 || May 10 || Phillies || 2–1 || Veale (1–3) || Fryman || Face (3) || 9,397 || 13–13|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 27 || May 12 || Phillies || 2–1 || McBean (5–2) || James || — || 12,203 || 14–13|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 28 || May 13 || Cardinals || 0–1 || Briles || Bunning (3–3) || — || 10,082 || 14–14|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 29 || May 15 || Cardinals || 0–1 || Carlton || Blass (1–1) || — || 9,461 || 14–15|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 30 || May 16 || Cardinals || 3–0 || Veale (2–3) || Washburn || — || 9,595 || 15–15|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 31 || May 17 || Reds || 2–3 || Maloney || McBean (5–3) || Abernathy || 13,499 || 15–16|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 32 || May 18 || Reds || 3–8 || McCool || Bunning (3–4) || — || 3,670 || 15–17|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 33 || May 19 || Reds || 3–9 || Culver || Blass (1–2) || Kelso || 9,458 || 15–18|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 34 || May 20 || @ Mets || 1–2 || Koosman || Veale (2–4) || — || 12,221 || 15–19|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 35 || May 21 || @ Mets || 3–4 (17) || Taylor || Moose (0–3) || — || 8,188 || 15–20|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 36 || May 22 || @ Cubs || 13–6 || Sisk (1–1) || Niekro || Wickersham (1) || 5,075 || 16–20|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 37 || May 24 || @ Reds || 8–5 || Kline (2–1) || Culver || — || 9,379 || 17–20|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 38 || May 25 || @ Reds || 5–4 (12) || Sisk (2–1) || McCool || — || 12,153 || 18–20|- bgcolor="ffffff"| 39 || May 26 || @ Reds || 8–8 (7) || || || — || 9,672 || 18–20|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 40 || May 30 || Mets || 3–6 || Koosman || Bunning (3–5) || Koonce || || 18–21|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 41 || May 30 || Mets || 4–5 || Selma || Veale (2–5) || Jackson || 19,779 || 18–22|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 42 || May 31 || Braves || 2–5 || Niekro || McBean (5–4) || — || 7,301 || 18–23|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 43 || June 2 || Braves || 8–4 || Kline (3–1) || Cloninger || — || || 19–23|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 44 || June 2 || Braves || 5–10 || Jarvis || Moose (0–4) || Niekro || 21,491 || 19–24|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 45 || June 3 || @ Dodgers || 0–2 || Osteen || Veale (2–6) || — || 14,568 || 19–25|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 46 || June 4 || @ Dodgers || 0–5 || Drysdale || Bunning (3–6) || — || 30,422 || 19–26|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 47 || June 5 || @ Dodgers || 1–2 (10) || Singer || McBean (5–5) || — || 14,660 || 19–27|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 48 || June 6 || @ Dodgers || 2–4 || Sutton || Sisk (2–2) || — || 14,112 || 19–28|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 49 || June 7 || @ Astros || 5–0 || Blass (2–2) || Giusti || — || 14,578 || 20–28|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 50 || June 8 || @ Astros || 2–3 || Lemaster || Bunning (3–7) || Buzhardt || 21,447 || 20–29|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 51 || June 9 || @ Astros || 3–1 || Moose (1–4) || Cuellar || Kline (2) || 12,862 || 21–29|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 52 || June 10 || @ Giants || 0–8 || Marichal || Veale (2–7) || — || 4,356 || 21–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 53 || June 11 || @ Giants || 7–4 || Kline (4–1) || Sadecki || Face (4) || 7,807 || 22–30|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 54 || June 12 || @ Giants || 2–4 || Bolin || Bunning (3–8) || Linzy || 4,771 || 22–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 55 || June 13 || @ Giants || 8–7 || Sisk (3–2) || Linzy || Face (5) || 6,028 || 23–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 56 || June 14 || Astros || 3–0 || Moose (2–4) || Lemaster || — || 8,603 || 24–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 57 || June 15 || Astros || 13–2 || Veale (3–7) || Wilson || — || 5,005 || 25–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 58 || June 16 || Astros || 3–1 || Blass (3–2) || Cuellar || Face (6) || || 26–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 59 || June 16 || Astros || 11–2 || Sisk (4–2) || Dierker || Kline (3) || 8,448 || 27–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 60 || June 17 || Astros || 4–3 || McBean (6–5) || Giusti || Face (7) || 5,887 || 28–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 61 || June 18 || Dodgers || 3–2 (10) || Ellis (1–0) || Aguirre || — || 13,721 || 29–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 62 || June 19 || Dodgers || 2–1 || Veale (4–7) || Singer || — || 10,799 || 30–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 63 || June 20 || Dodgers || 7–3 || Blass (4–2) || Sutton || — || || 31–31|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 64 || June 20 || Dodgers || 2–3 (10) || Billingham || Face (1–2) || Purdin || 19,838 || 31–32|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 65 || June 21 || Giants || 0–3 || Bolin || McBean (6–6) || — || 16,222 || 31–33|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 66 || June 22 || Giants || 3–10 || McCormick || Moose (2–5) || — || 15,617 || 31–34|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 67 || June 23 || Giants || 1–2 || Marichal || Bunning (3–9) || — || 16,843 || 31–35|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 68 || June 25 || @ Cardinals || 3–2 || Veale (5–7) || Carlton || Walker (1) || 26,927 || 32–35|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 69 || June 26 || @ Cardinals || 0–3 || Gibson || McBean (6–7) || — || || 32–36|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 70 || June 26 || @ Cardinals || 3–1 || Blass (5–2) || Jaster || Kline (4) || 30,641 || 33–36|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 71 || June 28 || @ Phillies || 10–1 || Bunning (4–9) || Fryman || — || 18,994 || 34–36|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 72 || June 29 || @ Phillies || 1–0 || Moose (3–5) || Jackson || — || 17,052 || 35–36|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 73 || June 30 || @ Phillies || 5–2 || Veale (6–7) || Farrell || — || 8,884 || 36–36|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 74 || July 2 || @ Mets || 2–1 || McBean (7–7) || Selma || Face (8) || 27,350 || 37–36|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 75 || July 3 || @ Mets || 8–1 || Blass (6–2) || Ryan || — || 14,909 || 38–36|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 76 || July 4 || @ Mets || 3–2 || Kline (5–1) || Koosman || — || || 39–36|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 77 || July 4 || @ Mets || 3–4 || Cardwell || Bunning (4–10) || Taylor || 29,587 || 39–37|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 78 || July 5 || @ Cubs || 4–0 || Veale (7–7) || Nye || — || 16,040 || 40–37|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 79 || July 6 || @ Cubs || 1–6 || Jenkins || Walker (0–1) || — || || 40–38|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 80 || July 6 || @ Cubs || 2–10 || Ross || Sisk (4–3) || — || 30,794 || 40–39|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 81 || July 7 || @ Cubs || 4–5 || Regan || Veale (7–8) || — || || 40–40|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 82 || July 7 || @ Cubs || 3–4 || Regan || Face (1–3) || — || 32,447 || 40–41|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 83 || July 11 || Phillies || 0–5 || Jackson || Veale (7–9) || — || || 40–42|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 84 || July 11 || Phillies || 1–4 || Short || Moose (3–6) || Boozer || 15,371 || 40–43|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 85 || July 12 || Phillies || 2–3 || James || Bunning (4–11) || Boozer || 9,206 || 40–44|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 86 || July 13 || Phillies || 2–3 (16) || Short || Ellis (1–1) || — || 6,869 || 40–45|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 87 || July 14 || Cubs || 2–6 || Niekro || McBean (7–8) || — || 19,335 || 40–46|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 88 || July 15 || Cubs || 1–2 (10) || Jenkins || Walker (0–2) || — || 6,648 || 40–47|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 89 || July 16 || Mets || 3–2 || Kline (6–1) || Selma || — || 6,123 || 41–47|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 90 || July 17 || Mets || 8–2 || Blass (7–2) || Koosman || — || || 42–47|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 91 || July 17 || Mets || 4–5 || Koonce || Walker (0–3) || Taylor || 8,974 || 42–48|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 92 || July 18 || Mets || 0–3 || Seaver || McBean (7–9) || — || 6,234 || 42–49|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 93 || July 19 || @ Braves || 2–0 || Moose (4–6) || Reed || — || 17,286 || 43–49|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 94 || July 20 || @ Braves || 2–1 || Veale (8–9) || Niekro || — || 20,771 || 44–49|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 95 || July 21 || @ Braves || 6–0 || Blass (8–2) || Pappas || — || 25,109 || 45–49|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 96 || July 23 || Reds || 6–7 (12) || Arrigo || Face (1–4) || Lee || 8,739 || 45–50|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 97 || July 25 || Reds || 0–2 || Culver || Veale (8–10) || Carroll || 5,797 || 45–51|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 98 || July 26 || Cardinals || 1–9 || Briles || Blass (8–3) || — || || 45–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 99 || July 26 || Cardinals || 5–4 (10) || Kline (7–1) || Granger || — || 23,515 || 46–52|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 100 || July 27 || Cardinals || 0–4 || Carlton || Moose (4–7) || — || 12,147 || 46–53|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 101 || July 28 || Cardinals || 7–1 || McBean (8–9) || Jaster || — || 14,926 || 47–53|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 102 || July 29 || Braves || 3–2 || Veale (9–10) || Reed || — || 7,357 || 48–53|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 103 || July 30 || Braves || 8–5 || Blass (9–3) || Johnson || Sisk (1) || || 49–53|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 104 || July 30 || Braves || 5–4 (10) || Kline (8–1) || Niekro || — || 11,624 || 50–53|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 105 || July 31 || @ Reds || 2–8 || Arrigo || Moose (4–8) || — || || 50–54|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 106 || July 31 || @ Reds || 10–1 || Ellis (2–1) || Ritchie || Face (9) || 14,780 || 51–54|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 107 || August 1 || @ Reds || 6–1 || Sisk (5–3) || Maloney || Face (10) || 10,926 || 52–54|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 108 || August 2 || @ Giants || 3–1 || McBean (9–9) || Perry || — || 6,423 || 53–54|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 109 || August 3 || @ Giants || 0–7 || Sadecki || Veale (9–11) || — || 9,251 || 53–55|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 110 || August 4 || @ Giants || 0–2 || Bolin || Bunning (4–12) || — || 18,151 || 53–56|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 111 || August 5 || @ Dodgers || 0–1 (10) || Brewer || Blass (9–4) || — || 17,851 || 53–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 112 || August 6 || @ Dodgers || 4–1 || Moose (5–8) || Drysdale || Kline (5) || 15,732 || 54–57|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 113 || August 7 || @ Dodgers || 2–6 || Sutton || McBean (9–10) || — || 13,848 || 54–58|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 114 || August 8 || @ Astros || 4–3 || Kline (9–1) || Cuellar || Face (11) || 14,851 || 55–58|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 115 || August 9 || @ Astros || 1–2 || Shea || Ellis (2–2) || — || 15,270 || 55–59|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 116 || August 10 || @ Astros || 3–16 || Coombs || Blass (9–5) || — || 12,814 || 55–60|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 117 || August 10 || @ Astros || 7–4 || Kline (10–1) || House || — || 25,814 || 56–60|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 118 || August 11 || @ Astros || 1–5 || Dierker || Sisk (5–4) || Giusti || 16,892 || 56–61|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 119 || August 13 || Giants || 0–3 || Marichal || Veale (9–12) || — || 9,135 || 56–62|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 120 || August 14 || Giants || 1–2 (10) || Perry || Kline (10–2) || — || 6,926 || 56–63|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 121 || August 15 || Giants || 2–0 || Blass (10–5) || Bolin || — || 6,859 || 57–63|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 122 || August 16 || Dodgers || 4–8 || Drysdale || McBean (9–11) || Billingham || 8,221 || 57–64|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 123 || August 17 || Dodgers || 3–0 || Moose (6–8) || Kekich || Kline (6) || 8,181 || 58–64|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 124 || August 18 || Dodgers || 5–1 || Veale (10–12) || Sutton || — || 17,423 || 59–64|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 125 || August 19 || @ Reds || 3–8 || Arrigo || Bunning (4–13) || — || 6,659 || 59–65|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 126 || August 20 || @ Reds || 8–3 || Ellis (3–2) || Ritchie || Kline (7) || 8,103 || 60–65|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 127 || August 21 || @ Reds || 19–1 || Blass (11–5) || Maloney || Face (12) || 8,155 || 61–65|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 128 || August 22 || @ Reds || 5–7 || Abernathy || Sisk (5–5) || — || 7,195 || 61–66|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 129 || August 23 || @ Cardinals || 2–3 (11) || Hoerner || Kline (10–3) || — || 34,845 || 61–67|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 130 || August 24 || @ Cardinals || 6–4 || Face (2–4) || Gibson || — || 31,019 || 62–67|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 131 || August 25 || @ Cardinals || 2–4 || Briles || Ellis (3–3) || Hoerner || 26,756 || 62–68|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 132 || August 26 || @ Braves || 4–0 || Blass (12–5) || Pappas || — || 7,491 || 63–68|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 133 || August 27 || @ Braves || 4–3 (11) || Kline (11–3) || Britton || Face (13) || 6,633 || 64–68|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 134 || August 28 || Cardinals || 0–8 || Gibson || Veale (10–13) || — || 11,197 || 64–69|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 135 || August 29 || Cardinals || 0–5 || Washburn || Moose (6–9) || — || 7,681 || 64–70|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 136 || August 30 || Braves || 0–2 || Pappas || Ellis (3–4) || Raymond || 5,896 || 64–71|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 137 || August 31 || Braves || 8–0 || Blass (13–5) || Reed || — || 4,671 || 65–71|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 138 || September 1 || Braves || 7–8 (11) || Raymond || Kline (11–4) || Britton || 5,650 || 65–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 139 || September 2 || Astros || 6–1 || Veale (11–13) || Cuellar || — || || 66–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 140 || September 2 || Astros || 4–3 (10) || Dal Canton (1–0) || Ray || — || 6,225 || 67–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 141 || September 3 || Astros || 3–2 || Ellis (4–4) || Dierker || Walker (2) || 3,003 || 68–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 142 || September 6 || Mets || 2–1 || Blass (14–5) || McAndrew || — || 4,082 || 69–72|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 143 || September 7 || Mets || 3–4 || Koosman || Bunning (4–14) || Taylor || 4,002 || 69–73|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 144 || September 8 || Mets || 3–0 || Veale (12–13) || Seaver || — || 5,424 || 70–73|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 145 || September 9 || Phillies || 7–8 (15) || Short || Dal Canton (1–1) || — || 2,664 || 70–74|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 146 || September 11 || Phillies || 6–8 (12) || Wagner || McBean (9–12) || Farrell || || 70–75|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 147 || September 11 || Phillies || 6–4 || Blass (15–5) || Wise || Walker (3) || 2,789 || 71–75|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 148 || September 13 || @ Mets || 0–2 || Koosman || Moose (6–10) || — || 17,245 || 71–76|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 149 || September 14 || @ Mets || 6–0 || Veale (13–13) || Seaver || — || 15,676 || 72–76|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 150 || September 15 || @ Mets || 3–0 || Blass (16–5) || Cardwell || — || 33,838 || 73–76|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 151 || September 16 || @ Phillies || 6–1 || Ellis (5–4) || Wise || — || 2,087 || 74–76|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 152 || September 17 || @ Phillies || 4–2 || Moose (7–10) || Short || Dal Canton (1) || 2,576 || 75–76|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 153 || September 18 || @ Phillies || 1–2 || Johnson || Veale (13–14) || Wagner || 2,463 || 75–77|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 154 || September 20 || Cubs || 5–0 || Blass (17–5) || Jenkins || — || 4,478 || 76–77|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 155 || September 21 || Cubs || 5–1 || Ellis (6–4) || Niekro || — || 3,429 || 77–77|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 156 || September 22 || Cubs || 5–1 || Moose (8–10) || Holtzman || Dal Canton (2) || 27,405 || 78–77|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 157 || September 23 || Reds || 6–9 || Kelso || Kline (11–5) || Carroll || || 78–78|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 158 || September 23 || Reds || 2–1 (10) || Kline (12–5) || Kelso || — || 4,232 || 79–78|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 159 || September 24 || Reds || 2–0 || Blass (18–5) || Nolan || — || 4,044 || 80–78|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 160 || September 25 || Reds || 0–3 || Maloney || Ellis (6–5) || — || 4,577 || 80–79|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 161 || September 27 || @ Cubs || 1–4 || Holtzman || Moose (8–11) || Regan || 2,384 || 80–80|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 162 || September 28 || @ Cubs || 3–4 || Jenkins || Blass (18–6) || — || 10,940 || 80–81|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 163 || September 29 || @ Cubs || 4–5 || Regan || Moose (8–12) || — || 16,860 || 80–82|-|-| Legend:      = Win      = Loss      = Tie
Bold = Pirates team member

Opening Day lineup

Opening Day Starters

	Name	Position
30		3B
22		SS
21		RF
8		LF
17		1B
9		2B
18		CF
12		C
14		SP

^[12]

Notable transactions

• June 7, 1968: 1968 Major League Baseball draft
  • Milt May was drafted by the Pirates in the 11th round of the 1968 Major League draft.^[13]
  • Bruce Kison was drafted by the Pirates in the 14th round of the 1968 Major League draft.^[14]
• June 27, 1968: Juan Pizarro sold by the Pirates to the Boston Red Sox.^[15]
• July 15, 1968: Bill Virdon was signed as a free agent by the Pirates (Virdon, who was on the coaching staff, was activated as a player-coach while Freddie Patek was on the DL).^[16]
• August 13, 1968: Bill Virdon was released by the Pirates.^[16]
• August 19, 1968: Bill Henry was released by the Pirates.^[17]

Roster

1968 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers		CatchersInfielders		OutfieldersOther batters		ManagerCoaches

Statistics

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

Regular Season^[18]

Player
	11	13	5	0.385	0	1
	6	3	1	0.333	1	2
	11	3	1	0.333	0	2
	146	558	185	0.332	0	52
	66	66	20	0.303	1	11
	132	502	146	0.291	18	57
	111	331	93	0.281	1	33
	153	627	174	0.278	0	31
	158	584	150	0.257	17	87
	61	208	53	0.255	2	18
	143	506	127	0.251	3	42
	133	474	116	0.245	4	39
	25	58	14	0.241	1	7
	128	435	103	0.237	24	67
	80	163	36	0.221	4	21
	137	416	91	0.219	1	33
	74	119	26	0.218	2	6
	44	71	15	0.211	0	7
	43	67	13	0.194	1	8
	35	80	11	0.138	0	8
	4	8	1	0.125	0	0
	36	82	9	0.110	0	1
	27	51	5	0.098	0	3
	38	54	5	0.093	0	0
	33	24	2	0.083	0	0
	27	29	2	0.069	0	2
	7	3	0	0.000	0	0
	43	4	0	0.000	0	0
	2	1	0	0.000	0	0
	10	3	0	0.000	0	0
	56	16	0	0.000	0	0
	13	2	0	0.000	0	0
	39	8	0	0.000	0	0
Team Totals	163	5,569	1,404	0.252	80	538

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

Regular Season^[19]

Player
	56	112	12	5	1.68	48
	39	61	0	3	2.04	66
	36	245	13	14	2.05	171
	7	17	1	1	2.12	8
	33	220	18	6	2.12	132
	26	104	6	5	2.51	52
	43	52	2	4	2.60	34
	38	171	8	12	2.73	126
	12	11	1	1	3.27	6
	33	96	5	5	3.28	41
	11	20	1	0	3.48	9
	36	198	9	12	3.58	100
	27	160	4	14	3.88	95
	10	16	0	0	8.10	9
Team Totals	163	1,487	80	82	2.74	897

Farm system

See also: Minor league baseball.

References

• 1968 Pittsburgh Pirates team page at Baseball Reference
• 1968 Pittsburgh Pirates Page at Baseball Almanac
• Book: Johnson. Lloyd. Wolff. Miles. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. 2nd. Durham, N.C.. Baseball America. 1997. 978-0-9637189-8-3.

Notes and References

1. From 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Side in 1907.
2. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=odelbi01 Billy O'Dell
3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Wire-Photo-Larry-Shepard-named-today-as-manager-of-Pittsburgh-Pirates-/201676870472?hash=item2ef4e0d348:g:FpUAAOSw44BYNM1f Larry Shepard
4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/r/ribande01.shtml Dennis Ribant page at Baseball Reference
5. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=hillech01 Chuck Hiller
6. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19671003&id=lNRNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZIoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=969,3111485 Mets buy Short
7. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=klinero01 Ron Kline
8. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=pagliji01 Jim Pagliaroni
9. https://www.baseball-reference.com/f/frymawo01.shtml Woodie Fryman page at Baseball Reference
10. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=taverfr01 Frank Taveras
11. https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dettoto01.shtml Tom Dettore page at Baseball Reference
12. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=196804100HOU 1968 Opening Day lineup
13. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=maymi01 Milt May
14. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=kisonbr01 Bruce Kison
15. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=pizarju01 Juan Pizarro
16. https://www.baseball-reference.com/v/virdobi01.shtml Bill Virdon page at Baseball Reference
17. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=henrybi01 Bill Henry
18. Web site: Major League Baseball Regular Season Hitting Stats pirates.com: Stats. Pittsburgh Pirates. May 9, 2016. October 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141012104237/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp?c_id=pit#playerType=ALL&elem=%5Bobject+Object%5D&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+hitting&game_type='R'&season=1968&season_type=ANY&league_code='MLB'&sectionType=sp&statType=hitting&page=1&ts=1462395741591&sportCode='mlb'&split=&team_id=134&active_sw=&position=&page_type=SortablePlayer&sortOrder='desc'&sortColumn=avg&results=&perPage=50&timeframe=&last_x_days=&extended=0. dead.
19. Web site: Major League Baseball Regular Season Pitching Stats pirates.com: Stats. Pittsburgh Pirates. May 9, 2016. October 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141012104237/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp?c_id=pit#playerType=ALL&elem=%5Bobject+Object%5D&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+pitching&game_type='R'&season=1968&season_type=ANY&league_code='MLB'&sectionType=sp&statType=pitching&page=1&ts=1462395884077&sportCode='mlb'&split=&team_id=134&active_sw=&position=&page_type=SortablePlayer&sortOrder='asc'&sortColumn=era&results=&perPage=50&timeframe=&last_x_days=&extended=0. dead.