1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season explained

Pittsburgh Pirates
Season:	1972
Misc:	National League East Champions
League:	National League
Division:	East
Ballpark:	Three Rivers Stadium
City:	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania^[1]
Record:	96–59 (.619)
Divisional Place:	1st
Owners:	John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Bing Crosby, Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholders)
General Managers:	Joe L. Brown
Managers:	Bill Virdon
Television:	KDKA-TV Bob Prince, Nellie King
Radio:	KDKA Bob Prince, Nellie King

The 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 91st season of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise; the 86th in the National League.

Background

The defending World Series champion Pirates finished first in the National League East with an MLB-best record of 96–59. The team was defeated three games to two by the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS. Despite losing the series, the Pirates put up a good fight, unlike the last time the two teams met in the playoffs. In Game 5, the Pirates led 3–2 in the ninth inning, and were 3 outs away from pulling off a major upset over the Reds. All looked good until the Pirates collapsed in the 9th inning and allowed 2 runs to score, with the walkoff run coming on a wild pitch.

Offseason

• November, 1971: Danny Murtaugh steps down as Manager of the Pirates citing health reasons. Coach Bill Virdon is named Manager.^[2]
• January 12, 1972: Larry Demery was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft (secondary phase).^[3]
• March 15, 1972: José Martínez was purchased from the Pirates by the Kansas City Royals.^[4]

Regular season

Detailed records

National League
Opponent	W	L	WP
NL East
	12	3		73	41
	12	6		81	39
	6	8		38	38
	13	5		73	40
Pittsburgh Pirates
	10	8		88	74
Total	53	30		353	232
NL West
	6	6		60	62
	4	8		50	58
	9	3		56	41
	5	7		53	50
	10	2		65	26
	9	3		54	43
Total	43	29		338	280
Season Total	96	59		691	512

Month	Games	Won	Lost	Win %
April	13	5	8		51	66
May	26	19	7		140	79
June	26	16	10		125	77
July	30	20	10		121	100
August	28	17	11		125	102
September	29	18	11		117	75
October	3	1	2		12	13
Total	155	96	59		691	512

	Games	Won	Lost	Win %
Home	78	49	29		351	259
Away	77	47	30		340	253
Total	155	96	59		691	512

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 1 || April 15 || @ Mets || 0–4 || Seaver || Ellis (0–1) || McGraw || 15,893 || 0–1|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 2 || April 16 || @ Mets || 2–0 || Blass (1–0) || Gentry || Hernández (1) || 23,241 || 1–1|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 3 || April 18 || Cubs || 4–6 || Pappas || Moose (0–1) || McGinn || 47,489 || 1–2|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 4 || April 19 || Cubs || 5–2 || Briles (1–0) || Pizarro || — || 9,171 || 2–2|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 5 || April 20 || Cubs || 7–5 || Ellis (1–1) || Jenkins || Giusti (1) || 6,529 || 3–2|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 6 || April 21 || @ Phillies || 3–2 (10) || Hernández (1–0) || Short || — || 13,864 || 4–2|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 7 || April 23 || @ Phillies || 4–5 (11) || Brandon || Miller (0–1) || — || 43,438 || 4–3|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 8 || April 25 || Reds || 5–2 (13) || Miller (1–1) || McGlothlin || — || 6,509 || 5–3|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 9 || April 26 || Reds || 6–7 || Nolan || Blass (1–1) || Borbon || 6,380 || 5–4|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 10 || April 27 || Reds || 4–5 || Carroll || Giusti (0–1) || — || 12,504 || 5–5|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 11 || April 28 || Braves || 5–13 || Jarvis || Moose (0–2) || McQueen || 12,804 || 5–6|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 12 || April 29 || Braves || 5–9 || Kelley || Walker (0–1) || Stone || 10,684 || 5–7|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 13 || April 30 || Braves || 1–6 || Niekro || Johnson (0–1) || — || 12,264 || 5–8|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 14 || May 1 || Astros || 8–9 || Ray || Giusti (0–2) || — || 4,788 || 5–9|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 15 || May 3 || Astros || 3–2 || Ellis (2–1) || Reuss || Kison (1) || 9,522 || 6–9|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 16 || May 5 || @ Reds || 4–5 (10) || Carroll || Giusti (0–3) || — || 24,722 || 6–10|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 17 || May 6 || @ Reds || 8–1 || Blass (2–1) || Borbon || — || 12,284 || 7–10|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 18 || May 7 || @ Reds || 9–6 || Briles (2–0) || Billingham || Moose (1) || 19,281 || 8–10|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 19 || May 9 || @ Braves || 5–2 || Ellis (3–1) || Kelley || Kison (2) || 7,762 || 9–10|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 20 || May 10 || @ Braves || 4–8 || Niekro || Johnson (0–2) || — || 6,708 || 9–11|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 21 || May 12 || @ Astros || 4–2 || Blass (3–1) || Dierker || Miller (1) || 17,863 || 10–11|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 22 || May 13 || @ Astros || 6–1 (12) || Moose (1–2) || Gladding || Miller (2) || 23,568 || 11–11|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 23 || May 14 || @ Astros || 6–7 || Wilson || Briles (2–1) || Ray || 14,704 || 11–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 24 || May 15 || Cardinals || 4–1 || Ellis (4–1) || Gibson || — || 8,640 || 12–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 25 || May 16 || Cardinals || 4–3 || Walker (1–1) || Wise || Giusti (2) || 8,272 || 13–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 26 || May 17 || Cardinals || 12–0 || Blass (4–1) || Cleveland || — || 9,188 || 14–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 27 || May 19 || Expos || 8–0 || Moose (2–2) || Stoneman || — || 41,765 || 15–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 28 || May 20 || Expos || 6–0 || Ellis (5–1) || Morton || Kison (3) || 11,602 || 16–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 29 || May 21 || Expos || 1–0 || Walker (2–1) || McAnally || Hernández (2) || 30,418 || 17–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 30 || May 21 || Expos || 5–3 || Giusti (1–3) || Gilbert || — || 30,418 || 18–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 31 || May 23 || @ Cardinals || 6–2 || Blass (5–1) || Cleveland || Hernández (3) || 11,795 || 19–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 32 || May 24 || @ Cardinals || 9–4 (14) || Miller (2–1) || Higgins || — || 10,794 || 20–12|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 33 || May 25 || @ Cardinals || 2–4 || Gibson || Ellis (5–2) || — || 9,293 || 20–13|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 34 || May 26 || Phillies || 6–4 || Briles (3–1) || Carlton || — || 25,164 || 21–13|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 35 || May 27 || Phillies || 1–2 (12) || Brandon || Giusti (1–4) || Short || 19,398 || 21–14|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 36 || May 28 || Phillies || 6–5 || Hernández (2–0) || Hoerner || — || 15,236 || 22–14|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 37 || May 29 || Phillies || 7–3 || Hernández (3–0) || Fryman || — || 36,464 || 23–14|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 38 || May 29 || Phillies || 4–2 || Moose (3–2) || Reynolds || Giusti (3) || 36,464 || 24–14|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 39 || May 31 || @ Expos || 2–3 || McAnally || Briles (3–2) || — || 10,565 || 24–15|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 40 || June 2 || @ Giants || 4–7 || Marichal || Johnson (0–3) || — || 6,669 || 24–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 41 || June 3 || @ Giants || 4–3 || Blass (6–1) || McDowell || Giusti (4) || 11,216 || 25–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 42 || June 4 || @ Giants || 4–3 || Miller (3–1) || Johnson || Giusti (5) || || 26–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 43 || June 4 || @ Giants || 9–1 || Kison (1–0) || Williams || — || 19,929 || 27–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 44 || June 7 || @ Padres || 12–5 || Johnson (1–3) || Norman || — || || 28–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 45 || June 7 || @ Padres || 1–0 (18) || Miller (4–1) || Corkins || Johnson (1) || 7,371 || 29–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 46 || June 8 || @ Padres || 11–2 || Moose (4–2) || Arlin || — || 2,949 || 30–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 47 || June 9 || @ Dodgers || 5–1 || Blass (7–1) || Sutton || — || 35,078 || 31–16|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 48 || June 10 || @ Dodgers || 1–2 || Osteen || Walker (2–2) || Brewer || 38,937 || 31–17|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 49 || June 11 || @ Dodgers || 7–5 || Kison (2–0) || Mikkelsen || Giusti (6) || 40,846 || 32–17|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 50 || June 14 || Giants || 1–3 || McDowell || Ellis (5–3) || — || 14,552 || 32–18|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 51 || June 15 || Giants || 4–1 || Briles (4–2) || Stone || Giusti (7) || || 33–18|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 52 || June 15 || Giants || 9–7 || Moose (5–2) || Bryant || Hernández (4) || 21,126 || 34–18|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 53 || June 16 || Padres || 2–1 || Blass (8–1) || Norman || — || 17,020 || 35–18|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 54 || June 17 || Padres || 0–4 || Kirby || Walker (2–3) || — || 20,718 || 35–19|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 55 || June 18 || Padres || 0–1 || Arlin || Kison (2–1) || — || 27,143 || 35–20|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 56 || June 19 || Dodgers || 13–3 || Ellis (6–3) || Sutton || Miller (3) || 15,430 || 36–20|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 57 || June 21 || Dodgers || 3–5 (10) || Brewer || Moose (5–3) || — || 15,209 || 36–21|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 58 || June 23 || @ Cubs || 4–2 || Blass (9–1) || Jenkins || Giusti (8) || 28,177 || 37–21|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 59 || June 24 || @ Cubs || 3–1 || Briles (5–2) || Hands || Giusti (9) || 27,543 || 38–21|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 60 || June 25 || @ Cubs || 9–2 || Ellis (7–3) || Hooton || Giusti (10) || 35,099 || 39–21|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 61 || June 26 || @ Mets || 2–4 || Koosman || Moose (5–4) || McGraw || 48,820 || 39–22|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 62 || June 27 || @ Mets || 4–7 || Frisella || Walker (2–4) || — || 38,152 || 39–23|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 63 || June 28 || Expos || 1–3 || Stoneman || Blass (9–2) || — || 13,470 || 39–24|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 64 || June 29 || Expos || 9–0 || Briles (6–2) || McAnally || — || 18,364 || 40–24|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 65 || June 30 || Cubs || 3–4 || Reuschel || Ellis (7–4) || Aker || 22,745 || 40–25|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 66 || July 1 || Cubs || 4–3 || Giusti (2–4) || Jenkins || — || 16,102 || 41–25|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 67 || July 2 || Cubs || 7–4 || Kison (3–1) || Hands || Hernández (5) || 25,229 || 42–25|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 68 || July 3 || Cubs || 3–2 || Giusti (3–4) || Hooton || — || 26,933 || 43–25|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 69 || July 4 || @ Astros || 0–6 || Dierker || Briles (6–3) || — || 31,164 || 43–26|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 70 || July 5 || @ Astros || 6–4 || Johnson (2–3) || Forsch || — || 23,646 || 44–26|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 71 || July 6 || @ Astros || 7–3 (17) || Hernández (4–0) || Ray || — || 23,540 || 45–26|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 72 || July 7 || @ Braves || 10–2 || Walker (3–4) || Kelley || — || || 46–26|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 73 || July 7 || @ Braves || 2–3 || Hardin || Kison (3–2) || — || 25,253 || 46–27|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 74 || July 8 || @ Braves || 5–3 || Blass (10–2) || Reed || Giusti (11) || 20,256 || 47–27|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 75 || July 9 || @ Braves || 7–4 || Briles (7–3) || McLain || — || 20,130 || 48–27|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 76 || July 11 || @ Reds || 0–5 || Billingham || Moose (5–5) || — || 24,047 || 48–28|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 77 || July 12 || @ Reds || 3–6 || Simpson || Walker (3–5) || Carroll || 28,058 || 48–29|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 78 || July 13 || @ Reds || 0–2 || Nolan || Blass (10–3) || Carroll || 32,060 || 48–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 79 || July 14 || Astros || 5–2 || Briles (8–3) || Dierker || — || 24,487 || 49–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 80 || July 15 || Astros || 5–1 || Ellis (8–4) || Forsch || Giusti (12) || 16,202 || 50–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 81 || July 16 || Astros || 3–2 (10) || Giusti (4–4) || Gladding || — || || 51–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 82 || July 16 || Astros || 3–2 || Kison (4–2) || Wilson || Giusti (13) || 49,341 || 52–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 83 || July 17 || Braves || 6–5 || Hernández (5–0) || Hoerner || Giusti (14) || 14,866 || 53–30|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 84 || July 18 || Braves || 2–4 || Reed || Blass (10–4) || — || 20,162 || 53–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 85 || July 19 || Braves || 8–3 || Briles (9–3) || Niekro || Walker (1) || 24,847 || 54–31|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 86 || July 21 || Reds || 5–11 || Borbon || Kison (4–3) || Gullett || 32,255 || 54–32|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 87 || July 22 || Reds || 3–6 || Sprague || Moose (5–6) || Carroll || 40,837 || 54–33|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 88 || July 23 || Reds || 3–2 || Blass (11–4) || Grimsley || Hernández (6) || 29,487 || 55–33|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 89 || July 27 || Mets || 0–1 (10) || Matlack || Briles (9–4) || — || || 55–34|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 90 || July 27 || Mets || 7–5 || Moose (6–6) || Koosman || Giusti (15) || 49,886 || 56–34|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 91 || July 28 || Mets || 3–1 || Ellis (9–4) || Seaver || — || 39,035 || 57–34|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 92 || July 29 || @ Phillies || 2–5 || Fryman || Blass (11–5) || Selma || 37,544 || 57–35|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 93 || July 29 || @ Phillies || 3–2 || Walker (4–5) || Brandon || Giusti (16) || 37,544 || 58–35|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 94 || July 30 || @ Phillies || 7–1 || Kison (5–3) || Lersch || — || 28,451 || 59–35|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 95 || July 31 || @ Phillies || 2–0 || Moose (7–6) || Reynolds || — || 17,455 || 60–35|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 96 || August 1 || @ Cardinals || 4–7 || Santorini || Briles (9–5) || Segui || 23,712 || 60–36|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 97 || August 2 || @ Cardinals || 5–10 (7) || Gibson || Ellis (9–5) || — || 24,961 || 60–37|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 98 || August 3 || @ Cardinals || 2–1 (10) || Blass (12–5) || Wise || Hernández (7) || 14,836 || 61–37|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 99 || August 4 || @ Expos || 1–2 || Moore || Kison (5–4) || — || 18,436 || 61–38|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 100 || August 5 || @ Expos || 7–4 || Briles (10–5) || Stoneman || Giusti (17) || 20,905 || 62–38|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 101 || August 6 || @ Expos || 8–0 || Moose (8–6) || Torrez || — || || 63–38|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 102 || August 6 || @ Expos || 7–2 || Johnson (3–3) || Renko || Hernández (8) || 28,330 || 64–38|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 103 || August 8 || Phillies || 4–2 || Ellis (10–5) || Champion || — || 18,228 || 65–38|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 104 || August 9 || Phillies || 0–2 || Carlton || Blass (12–6) || — || 19,832 || 65–39|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 105 || August 11 || Cardinals || 10–5 || Briles (11–5) || Cleveland || Hernández (9) || 34,248 || 66–39|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 106 || August 12 || Cardinals || 6–5 || Moose (9–6) || Gibson || Giusti (18) || 23,474 || 67–39|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 107 || August 13 || Cardinals || 0–2 || Wise || Ellis (10–6) || — || || 67–40|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 108 || August 13 || Cardinals || 7–5 || Blass (13–6) || Santorini || Giusti (19) || 47,300 || 68–40|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 109 || August 15 || @ Dodgers || 6–8 || Richert || Johnson (3–4) || Brewer || 27,484 || 68–41|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 110 || August 16 || @ Dodgers || 3–2 || Miller (5–1) || Sutton || — || 28,318 || 69–41|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 111 || August 17 || @ Dodgers || 2–4 || Downing || Moose (9–7) || Richert || 29,777 || 69–42|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 112 || August 18 || @ Padres || 4–2 || Blass (14–6) || Greif || — || 30,610 || 70–42|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 113 || August 20 || @ Padres || 9–3 || Ellis (11–6) || Corkins || Johnson (2) || || 71–42|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 114 || August 20 || @ Padres || 5–2 || Kison (6–4) || Norman || — || 9,759 || 72–42|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 115 || August 22 || @ Giants || 1–0 || Briles (12–5) || Marichal || — || 9,389 || 73–42|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 116 || August 23 || @ Giants || 0–8 || Barr || Moose (9–8) || — || 8,330 || 73–43|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 117 || August 25 || Dodgers || 3–2 (12) || Giusti (5–4) || Richert || — || || 74–43|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 118 || August 25 || Dodgers || 3–4 || Osteen || Kison (6–5) || — || 39,574 || 74–44|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 119 || August 26 || Dodgers || 3–7 || Sutton || Ellis (11–7) || — || 20,174 || 74–45|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 120 || August 27 || Dodgers || 4–7 || Mikkelsen || Briles (12–6) || Brewer || 25,672 || 74–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 121 || August 28 || Padres || 5–3 || Moose (10–8) || Caldwell || Hernández (10) || 13,438 || 75–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 122 || August 29 || Padres || 5–3 || Blass (15–6) || Corkins || Giusti (20) || 12,329 || 76–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 123 || August 30 || Padres || 11–0 || Kison (7–5) || Arlin || — || 19,009 || 77–46|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 124 || September 1 || Giants || 10–6 || Ellis (12–7) || Bryant || Giusti (21) || 20,678 || 78–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 125 || September 2 || Giants || 6–3 || Briles (13–6) || McDowell || — || 14,194 || 79–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 126 || September 3 || Giants || 2–1 (10) || Giusti (6–4) || Johnson || — || 16,760 || 80–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 127 || September 4 || Phillies || 10–0 || Blass (16–6) || Twitchell || — || 26,627 || 81–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 128 || September 4 || Phillies || 5–1 || Kison (8–5) || Nash || — || 26,627 || 82–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 129 || September 6 || Cubs || 4–0 || Ellis (13–7) || McGinn || — || 12,470 || 83–46|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 130 || September 7 || Cubs || 2–4 || Hooton || Briles (13–7) || — || 12,306 || 83–47|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 131 || September 8 || @ Expos || 7–1 || Johnson (4–4) || Morton || — || || 84–47|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 132 || September 8 || @ Expos || 4–2 (12) || Giusti (7–4) || Marshall || Hernández (11) || 12,118 || 85–47|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 133 || September 9 || @ Expos || 8–3 || Blass (17–6) || Stoneman || — || 17,092 || 86–47|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 134 || September 10 || @ Expos || 2–8 || Torrez || Kison (8–6) || — || 20,253 || 86–48|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 135 || September 12 || @ Cubs || 7–0 || Ellis (14–7) || Hooton || Giusti (22) || 4,153 || 87–48|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 136 || September 13 || @ Cubs || 6–4 || Briles (14–7) || Jenkins || Hernández (12) || 4,418 || 88–48|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 137 || September 14 || @ Cubs || 5–2 || Moose (11–8) || Reuschel || Hernández (13) || 4,603 || 89–48|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 138 || September 15 || @ Cardinals || 4–10 || Wise || Kison (8–7) || — || 10,853 || 89–49|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 139 || September 16 || @ Cardinals || 0–4 || Santorini || Blass (17–7) || — || 11,850 || 89–50|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 140 || September 17 || @ Cardinals || 4–5 || Cleveland || Miller (5–2) || Segui || 11,802 || 89–51|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 141 || September 18 || @ Mets || 0–1 || Matlack || Briles (14–8) || — || 15,622 || 89–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 142 || September 19 || @ Mets || 5–1 || Moose (12–8) || Koosman || — || 15,537 || 90–52|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 143 || September 20 || @ Mets || 1–4 || Seaver || Walker (4–6) || — || 15,147 || 90–53|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 144 || September 21 || @ Mets || 6–2 || Blass (18–7) || Gentry || — || 10,991 || 91–53|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 145 || September 22 || Expos || 4–3 (12) || McKee (1–0) || Marshall || — || 15,365 || 92–53|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 146 || September 23 || Expos || 0–3 || McAnally || Briles (14–9) || — || 8,580 || 92–54|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 147 || September 24 || Expos || 1–2 || Morton || Moose (12–9) || — || 9,116 || 92–55|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 148 || September 26 || @ Phillies || 5–1 || Blass (19–7) || Champion || — || 8,472 || 93–55|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 149 || September 27 || @ Phillies || 3–1 || Kison (9–7) || Reynolds || Walker (2) || 5,335 || 94–55|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 150 || September 28 || @ Phillies || 1–2 || Carlton || Moose (12–10) || — || 12,216 || 94–56|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 151 || September 29 || Mets || 0–1 || Seaver || Briles (14–10) || — || 24,193 || 94–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 152 || September 30 || Mets || 5–0 || Ellis (15–7) || Matlack || Johnson (3) || 13,117 || 95–57|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 153 || October 1 || Mets || 3–7 || Koosman || Blass (19–8) || — || 30,031 || 95–58|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 154 || October 3 || Cardinals || 6–2 || Moose (13–10) || Santorini || Hernández (14) || 5,905 || 96–58|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 155 || October 4 || Cardinals || 3–4 || Gibson || Briles (14–11) || — || 4,603 || 96–59|-|-| Legend:      = Win      = Loss
Bold = Pirates team member

Opening Day lineup

Opening Day Starters

	Name	Position
6		2B
16		CF
21		RF
8		LF
3		3B
35		C
7		1B
2		SS
17		SP

^[5]

Notable transactions

• June 6, 1972: 1972 Major League Baseball draft
  • John Candelaria was drafted by the Pirates in the 2nd round.^[6]
  • Ken Macha was drafted by the Pirates in the 6th round.^[7]
  • Willie Randolph was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round.^[8]
• September 2, 1972 Bob Veale was sold by the Pirates to the Boston Red Sox.^[9]

Roster

1972 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers		CatchersInfielders		OutfieldersOther batters		ManagerCoaches(First Base)(Hitting)(Third Base)(Pitching)(Bullpen)

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

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

Pos	Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C		136	520	155	.298	7	71
1B		138	495	145	.293	33	112
2B		99	425	120	.282	3	30
SS		119	347	86	.248	3	36
3B		124	427	128	.300	19	72
LF		117	368	117	.318	4	28
CF		140	565	176	.312	12	89
RF		102	378	118	.312	10	60

Other batters

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

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
	109	370	106	.286	3	30
	107	311	104	.334	0	17
	115	306	59	.193	12	41
	72	176	33	.188	1	14
	57	139	39	.281	0	14
	53	127	32	.252	3	8
	34	64	12	.188	0	3
	17	37	7	.189	0	4
	5	7	2	.286	0	0
	4	3	0	.000	0	0
	3	2	0	.000	0	0
	1	1	0	.000	0	0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	33	249.2	19	8	2.49	117
	31	226.0	13	10	2.91	144
	28	195.2	14	11	3.08	120
	25	163.1	15	7	2.70	96
	32	152.0	9	7	3.26	102

Other pitchers

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

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	31	115.2	4	4	2.96	79
	26	92.2	4	6	3.40	48
	5	9.0	0	0	6.00	6
	4	6.1	0	0	7.11	3
	2	5.0	1	0	0.00	4

Relief pitchers

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

Player	G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
	54	7	4	22	1.93	54
	53	5	0	14	1.67	47
	36	5	2	3	2.65	18

National League Championship Series

See main article: 1972 National League Championship Series.

Awards and honors

1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Salem, Niagara Falls

References

• 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Reference
• 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Almanac
• Book: Johnson. Lloyd. Wolff. Miles. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. 2nd. Durham, North Carolina. 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. [Bill Virdon]
3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/demerla01.shtml Larry Demery
4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martijo04.shtml José Martínez
5. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197204150NYN 1972 Opening Day lineup
6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/candejo01.shtml John Candelaria
7. https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/machake01.shtml Ken Macha
8. https://www.baseball-reference.com/r/randowi01.shtml Willie Randolph
9. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=vealebo01 Bob Veale