1975 Pittsburgh Pirates season

1975 Pittsburgh Pirates
National League East Champions
LeagueNational League
DivisionEast
BallparkThree Rivers Stadium
CityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania[1]
Record92–69 (.571)
Divisional place1st
OwnersJohn W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Bing Crosby, Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholders)
General managersJoe L. Brown
ManagersDanny Murtaugh
TelevisionKDKA-TV
Bob Prince, Nellie King
RadioKDKA
Bob Prince, Nellie King
← 1974 Seasons 1976 →

The 1975 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 94th in the history of the franchise and their 89th in the National League. The Pirates' 92–69 record was good enough to win their fifth National League East title in six seasons by 612 games over their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. The Pirates, however, lost the NLCS to the Cincinnati Reds, three games to none.

Offseason

Regular season

  • September 16, 1975: Rennie Stennett goes 7-for-7 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in a 22–0 rout. He is the only MLB player in the 20th century to go 7-for-7 in a 9-inning game.

Season standings

NL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Pittsburgh Pirates 92 69 .571 52‍–‍28 40‍–‍41
Philadelphia Phillies 86 76 .531 51‍–‍30 35‍–‍46
New York Mets 82 80 .506 10½ 42‍–‍39 40‍–‍41
St. Louis Cardinals 82 80 .506 10½ 45‍–‍36 37‍–‍44
Chicago Cubs 75 87 .463 17½ 42‍–‍39 33‍–‍48
Montreal Expos 75 87 .463 17½ 39‍–‍42 36‍–‍45

Record vs. opponents


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 5–7 3–15 12–6 8–10 8–4 4–8 5–7 4–8 7–11 8–9 3–9
Chicago 7–5 1–11 7–5 5–7 9–9 7–11 12–6 6–12 5–7 5–7 11–7
Cincinnati 15–3 11–1 13–5 8–10 8–4 8–4 7–5 6–6 11–7 13–5 8–4
Houston 6–12 5–7 5–13 6–12 8–4 4–8 6–6 6–5 9–9 5–13 4–8–1
Los Angeles 10–8 7–5 10–8 12–6 5–7 6–6 7–5 5–7 11–7 10–8 5–7
Montreal 4–8 9–9 4–8 4–8 7–5 10–8 7–11 7–11 7–5 5–7 11–7
New York 8–4 11–7 4–8 8–4 6–6 8–10 7–11 5–13 8–4 8–4 9–9
Philadelphia 7-5 6–12 5–7 6–6 5–7 11–7 11–7 11–7 7–5 7–5 10–8
Pittsburgh 8–4 12–6 6–6 5–6 7–5 11–7 13–5 7–11 8–4 5–7 10–8
San Diego 11–7 7–5 7–11 9–9 7–11 5–7 4–8 5–7 4–8 8–10 4–8
San Francisco 9–8 7–5 5–13 13–5 8–10 7–5 4–8 5–7 7–5 10–8 5–7
St. Louis 9–3 7–11 4–8 8–4–1 7–5 7–11 9–9 8–10 8–10 8–4 7–5


Game log

1975 Game Log: 92–69 (Home: 52–28; Away: 40–41)
April: 9–7 (Home: 6–4; Away: 3–3)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 April 10 @ Cubs 8–4 Giusti (1–0) Frailing 19,239 1–0
2 April 11 Mets 4–3 Demery (1–0) Baldwin 43,880 2–0
3 April 13 Mets 5–3 Kison (1–0) Seaver 14,841 3–0
4 April 14 Cubs 2–4 Reuschel Moose (0–1) Knowles 4,780 3–1
5 April 16 Expos 0–5 Fryman Ellis (0–1) 4,807 3–2
6 April 17 Expos 4–7 McNally Reuss (0–1) 5,667 3–3
7 April 18 @ Cardinals 4–5 (13) Sadecki McDowell (0–1) 19,975 3–4
8 April 19 @ Cardinals 7–1 Rooker (1–0) Forsch 19,775 4–4
9 April 20 @ Cardinals 5–0 Brett (1–0) Denny Giusti (1) 20,935 5–4
10 April 22 @ Expos 3–4 McNally Ellis (0–2) Murray 5,239 5–5
11 April 23 @ Expos 0–5 Fryman Reuss (0–2) 8,177 5–6
12 April 25 Phillies 3–2 Kison (2–0) Carlton Giusti (2) 5,726 6–6
13 April 26 Phillies 7–3 Rooker (2–0) Twitchell 13,120 7–6
14 April 27 Phillies 2–0 Ellis (1–2) Underwood 14,074 8–6
15 April 29 Cardinals 0–3 McGlothen Brett (1–1) 6,319 8–7
16 April 30 Cardinals 5–0 Reuss (1–2) Gibson 5,584 9–7
May: 15–11 (Home: 8–2; Away: 7–9)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
17 May 2 @ Phillies 5–9 Twitchell Kison (2–1) McGraw 20,257 9–8
18 May 3 @ Phillies 2–6 Underwood Rooker (2–1) Garber 9–9
19 May 3 @ Phillies 3–4 (11) McGraw Hernandez (0–1) 44,501 9–10
20 May 6 @ Mets 2–1 (8) Brett (2–1) Seaver 8,257 10–10
21 May 7 @ Mets 6–1 Reuss (2–2) Matlack 12,216 11–10
22 May 8 @ Mets 4–2 Kison (3–1) Koosman 14,053 12–10
23 May 9 Dodgers 11–3 Ellis (2–2) Marshall Giusti (3) 16,378 13–10
24 May 10 Dodgers 2–6 Rau Rooker (2–2) 24,870 13–11
25 May 11 Dodgers 0–7 Sutton Brett (2–2) 15,175 13–12
26 May 13 Padres 2–0 Reuss (3–2) Spillner 5,482 14–12
27 May 14 Padres 5–4 (11) McDowell (1–1) Greif 8,334 15–12
28 May 16 @ Dodgers 3–2 Giusti (2–0) Sutton 44,111 16–12
29 May 17 @ Dodgers 3–4 (10) Messersmith Hernandez (0–2) 46,790 16–13
30 May 18 @ Dodgers 7–2 Brett (3–2) Hooton 42,013 17–13
31 May 19 @ Giants 4–6 Caldwell Reuss (3–3) 1,795 17–14
32 May 20 @ Giants 4–12 Halicki Ellis (2–3) 1,759 17–15
33 May 21 @ Giants 1–2 (11) Barr Giusti (2–1) 3,513 17–16
34 May 22 @ Padres 4–2 Rooker (3–2) Freisleben Giusti (4) 9,148 18–16
35 May 23 @ Padres 3–4 Frisella Giusti (2–2) 14,858 18–17
36 May 24 @ Padres 0–5 Jones Reuss (3–4) 22,758 18–18
37 May 25 @ Padres 6–5 (11) Hernandez (1–2) Frisella Demery (1) 28,778 19–18
38 May 26 Astros 10–2 Kison (4–1) Richard 11,126 20–18
39 May 27 Astros 6–5 Demery (2–0) Niekro 7,003 21–18
40 May 28 Astros 3–0 Brett (4–2) Roberts 7,601 22–18
41 May 30 Braves 2–1 Reuss (4–4) Capra 11,565 23–18
42 May 31 Braves 11–4 Kison (5–1) Harrison 13,423 24–18
June: 21–11 (Home: 11–6; Away: 10–5)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
43 June 1 Braves 2–5 Niekro Rooker (3–3) 37,373 24–19
44 June 3 Reds 4–8 Nolan Moose (0–2) 9,438 24–20
45 June 4 Reds 2–1 Reuss (5–4) Norman Hernandez (1) 13,754 25–20
46 June 6 Giants 7–2 Kison (6–1) Barr 11,923 26–20
47 June 7 Giants 7–6 Hernandez (2–2) Toms Giusti (5) 8,668 27–20
48 June 8 Giants 1–3 Halicki Candelaria (0–1) 27–21
49 June 8 Giants 2–4 Lavelle Demery (2–1) Moffitt 24,128 27–22
50 June 9 @ Reds 9–2 Reuss (6–4) Norman 22,555 28–22
51 June 10 @ Reds 9–5 McDowell (2–1) Darcy Hernandez (2) 19,107 29–22
52 June 11 @ Astros 1–5 Dierker Kison (6–2) 10,125 29–23
53 June 12 @ Astros 4–2 Ellis (3–3) Roberts Demery (2) 10,802 30–23
54 June 13 @ Braves 8–3 Rooker (4–3) Odom 8,998 31–23
55 June 14 @ Braves 2–1 Reuss (7–4) Thompson Giusti (6) 29,308 32–23
56 June 15 @ Braves 8–6 Demery (3–1) Sosa 8,352 33–23
57 June 16 Cardinals 10–4 Kison (7–2) Bryant 13,003 34–23
58 June 17 Cardinals 4–7 McGlothen Ellis (3–4) Garman 15,898 34–24
59 June 18 Cardinals 9–3 Rooker (5–3) Reed 22,345 35–24
60 June 19 Cardinals 5–0 Reuss (8–4) Curtis 8,198 36–24
61 June 20 @ Mets 5–1 Candelaria (1–1) Hall 47,867 37–24
62 June 21 @ Mets 7–3 Hernandez (3–2) Parker 31,610 38–24
63 June 22 @ Mets 2–0 Ellis (4–4) Tate 34,287 39–24
64 June 23 @ Phillies 5–6 Hilgendorf Demery (3–2) Garber 34,759 39–25
65 June 24 @ Phillies 3–6 Christenson Reuss (8–5) McGraw 39–26
66 June 24 @ Phillies 1–8 Underwood Kison (7–3) 50,463 39–27
67 June 25 @ Phillies 6–7 (13) Schueler Giusti (2–3) 34,171 39–28
68 June 26 Cubs 5–2 Candelaria (2–1) Frailing 10,394 40–28
69 June 27 Cubs 5–1 Ellis (5–4) Zahn 41–28
70 June 27 Cubs 5–3 Hernandez (4–2) Knowles Giusti (7) 34,972 42–28
71 June 28 Cubs 0–1 Bonham Rooker (5–4) 16,477 42–29
72 June 29 Cubs 4–3 Giusti (3–3) Reuschel 43–29
73 June 29 Cubs 7–0 Reuss (9–5) Dettore 37,145 44–29
74 June 30 @ Expos 5–3 Demery (4–2) Blair Tekulve (1) 13,134 45–29
July: 18–12 (Home: 9–6; Away: 9–6)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
75 July 1 @ Expos 10–4 Candelaria (3–1) Fryman 15,132 46–29
76 July 3 @ Expos 5–1 Ellis (6–4) Rogers 10,116 47–29
77 July 4 @ Cubs 1–6 Stone Kison (7–4) 47–30
78 July 4 @ Cubs 1–2 (11) Knowles Reuss (9–6) 30,355 47–31
79 July 5 @ Cubs 5–4 Rooker (6–4) Burris Hernandez (3) 22,393 48–31
80 July 6 @ Cubs 18–12 Hernandez (5–2) Frailing 28,023 49–31
81 July 7 @ Cubs 5–0 Brett (5–2) Reuschel Giusti (8) 16,540 50–31
82 July 8 Dodgers 0–3 Sutton Ellis (6–5) Marshall 29,376 50–32
83 July 9 Dodgers 3–2 Kison (8–4) Messersmith Giusti (9) 22,163 51–32
84 July 10 Dodgers 4–1 Reuss (10–6) Hooton Giusti (10) 18,521 52–32
85 July 11 Padres 6–2 Rooker (7–4) Folkers Giusti (11) 53–32
86 July 11 Padres 5–0 Candelaria (4–1) McIntosh 31,435 54–32
87 July 12 Padres 6–4 Hernandez (6–2) Jones Demery (3) 21,877 55–32
88 July 13 Padres 5–7 Strom Ellis (6–6) Spillner 20,113 55–33
89 July 17 @ Dodgers 5–2 Kison (9–4) Messersmith Giusti (12) 32,806 56–33
90 July 18 @ Dodgers 3–4 Marshall Demery (4–3) 52,506 56–34
91 July 19 @ Dodgers 5–3 Giusti (4–3) Marshall 51,591 57–34
92 July 20 @ Giants 1–2 Halicki Rooker (7–5) 57–35
93 July 20 @ Giants 7–1 Brett (6–2) Caldwell 14,723 58–35
94 July 21 @ Giants 2–7 Barr Candelaria (4–2) 3,417 58–36
95 July 22 @ Padres 0–1 Jones Kison (9–5) 14,437 58–37
96 July 23 @ Padres 8–1 Ellis (7–6) Freisleben 14,547 59–37
97 July 25 Expos 6–1 Reuss (11–6) DeMola 20,124 60–37
98 July 26 Expos 2–5 Rogers Rooker (7–6) 4,394 60–38
99 July 27 Expos 4–1 Brett (7–2) Scherman Demery (4) 61–38
100 July 27 Expos 5–3 Giusti (5–3) Warthen 27,961 62–38
101 July 28 Phillies 2–5 Christenson Kison (9–6) 30,221 62–39
102 July 29 Phillies 1–5 Underwood Ellis (7–7) 33,340 62–40
103 July 30 Phillies 8–1 Reuss (12–6) Carlton 43,260 63–40
104 July 31 Mets 2–6 Koosman Rooker (7–7) 13,235 63–41
August: 12–17 (Home: 10–5; Away: 2–12)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
105 August 1 Mets 2–4 Stone Brett (7–3) Apodaca 18,082 63–42
106 August 2 Mets 0–6 Matlack Kison (9–7) 14,306 63–43
107 August 3 Mets 5–4 (15) Demery (5–3) Apodaca 64–43
108 August 3 Mets 4–3 Candelaria (5–2) Webb 30,070 65–43
109 August 4 @ Cardinals 4–5 Curtis Reuss (12–7) Hrabosky 28,097 65–44
110 August 5 @ Cardinals 6–1 Rooker (8–7) Rasmussen 25,489 66–44
111 August 6 @ Cardinals 2–4 Denny Brett (7–4) Hrabosky 23,985 66–45
112 August 7 @ Astros 1–6 Roberts Kison (9–8) 15,255 66–46
113 August 8 @ Astros 3–5 Crawford Tekulve (0–1) 14,889 66–47
114 August 9 @ Astros 0–5 Niekro Reuss (12–8) 13,531 66–48
115 August 10 @ Astros 3–5 Richard Rooker (8–8) Cosgrove 12,243 66–49
116 August 11 @ Braves 8–1 Candelaria (6–2) Easterly Tekulve (2) 4,701 67–49
117 August 12 @ Braves 2–3 Morton Kison (9–9) House 4,506 67–50
118 August 13 @ Braves 3–4 House Brett (7–5) 4,163 67–51
119 August 14 @ Reds 1–6 Nolan Reuss (12–9) 40,062 67–52
120 August 15 @ Reds 3–8 Norman Rooker (8–9) 45,003 67–53
121 August 16 @ Reds 3–5 Billingham Candelaria (6–3) Eastwick 51,286 67–54
122 August 17 @ Reds 1–3 Darcy Kison (9–10) Eastwick 50,121 67–55
123 August 19 Giants 4–0 Reuss (13–9) Barr 22,609 68–55
124 August 20 Giants 3–1 Rooker (9–9) Halicki Giusti (13) 14,033 69–55
125 August 22 Reds 7–2 Demery (6–3) Billingham 70–55
126 August 22 Reds 4–2 Candelaria (7–3) McEnaney Giusti (14) 46,576 71–55
127 August 23 Reds 7–12 Kirby Kison (9–11) Eastwick 32,068 71–56
128 August 24 Reds 5–1 Reuss (14–9) Nolan 35,598 72–56
129 August 25 Braves 4–0 Rooker (10–9) Thompson 11,146 73–56
130 August 26 Braves 8–2 Demery (7–3) Easterly 12,213 74–56
131 August 27 Braves 2–6 Niekro Candelaria (7–4) 21,209 74–57
132 August 30 Astros 4–7 Dierker Reuss (14–10) 13,473 74–58
133 August 31 Astros 9–6 Kison (10–11) Sosa Giusti (15) 14,507 75–58
September: 17–11 (Home: 8–5; Away: 9–6)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
134 September 1 @ Mets 0–3 Seaver Candelaria (7–5) 45,991 75–59
135 September 2 @ Mets 8–4 Tekulve (1–1) Koosman Giusti (16) 26,486 76–59
136 September 3 @ Mets 3–1 Reuss (15–10) Matlack 27,599 77–59
137 September 5 @ Expos 3–4 (10) Taylor Tekulve (1–2) 77–60
138 September 5 @ Expos 5–2 Rooker (11–9) Renko Hernandez (4) 15,130 78–60
139 September 6 @ Expos 12–5 (11) Brett (8–5) Murray 10,206 79–60
140 September 7 @ Expos 6–0 Reuss (16–10) Blair 14,041 80–60
141 September 8 Cubs 4–1 Ellis (8–7) Prall Hernandez (5) 6,756 81–60
142 September 9 Cubs 5–6 Bonham Demery (7–4) Reuschel 7,346 81–61
143 September 10 Mets 8–4 Rooker (12–9) Seaver 11,988 82–61
144 September 11 Mets 0–7 Koosman Reuss (16–11) 4,762 82–62
145 September 12 Expos 6–3 Moose (1–2) Carrithers 9,449 83–62
146 September 13 Expos 2–5 Warthen Ellis (8–8) Fryman 17,310 83–63
147 September 14 Expos 4–3 Hernandez (7–2) Fryman Giusti (17) 12,335 84–63
148 September 15 @ Cubs 5–6 Knowles Giusti (5–4) 84–64
149 September 15 @ Cubs 9–1 Rooker (13–9) Prall 5,432 85–64
150 September 16 @ Cubs 22–0 Candelaria (8–5) Reuschel 4,932 86–64
151 September 17 @ Phillies 9–1 Kison (11–11) Underwood 38,085 87–64
152 September 18 @ Phillies 1–4 Carlton Ellis (8–9) 27,093 87–65
153 September 19 Cardinals 7–1 Brett (9–5) Denny 19,671 88–65
154 September 20 Cardinals 2–8 Rasmussen Rooker (13–10) Hrabosky 13,493 88–66
155 September 21 Cardinals 5–3 Reuss (17–11) Garman Tekulve (3) 35,648 89–66
156 September 22 Phillies 11–3 Kison (12–11) Underwood Tekulve (4) 13,176 90–66
157 September 23 Phillies 3–1 Moose (2–2) Carlton 6,445 91–66
158 September 24 Phillies 1–8 Christenson Demery (7–5) 6,253 91–67
159 September 26 @ Cardinals 0–1 Forsch Rooker (13–11) 23,496 91–68
160 September 27 @ Cardinals 4–2 Reuss (18–11) McGlothen Tekulve (5) 19,180 92–68
161 September 28 @ Cardinals 2–6 Reed Candelaria (8–6) 20,909 92–69
Legend:        = Win        = Loss
Bold = Pirates team member

Detailed records

Opening Day lineup

Notable transactions

Roster

1975 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders Manager

Coaches

Player stats

= Indicates team leader

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 Manny Sanguillén 133 481 158 .328 9 58
1B Willie Stargell 124 461 136 .295 22 90
2B Rennie Stennett 148 616 176 .286 7 62
3B Richie Hebner 128 472 116 .246 15 57
SS Frank Taveras 134 378 80 .212 0 23
LF Richie Zisk 147 504 146 .290 20 75
CF Al Oliver 155 628 176 .280 18 84
RF Dave Parker 148 558 172 .308 25 101

[8]

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
Bill Robinson 92 200 56 .280 6 33
Art Howe 63 146 25 .171 1 10
Ed Kirkpatrick 89 144 34 .236 5 16
Bob Robertson 75 124 34 .274 6 18
Duffy Dyer 48 132 30 .227 3 16
Craig Reynolds 31 76 17 .224 0 4
Willie Randolph 30 61 10 .164 0 3
Mario Mendoza 56 50 9 .180 0 2
Paul Popovich 25 40 8 .200 0 1
Omar Moreno 6 6 1 .167 0 0
Miguel Diloné 18 6 0 .000 0 0
Ed Ott 5 5 1 .200 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
Jerry Reuss 32 237.1 18 11 2.54 131
Jim Rooker 28 196.2 13 11 2.97 102
Bruce Kison 33 192.0 12 11 3.23 89
Dock Ellis 27 140.0 8 9 3.79 69
John Candelaria 18 120.2 8 6 2.76 95
Ken Brett 23 118.0 9 5 3.36 47

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
Larry Demery 45 114.2 7 5 2.90 59
Bob Moose 23 67.2 2 2 3.72 34

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
Dave Giusti 61 5 4 17 2.95 38
Ramón Hernández 46 7 2 5 2.95 43
Kent Tekulve 34 1 2 5 2.25 28
Sam McDowell 14 2 1 0 2.86 29
Odell Jones 2 0 0 0 0.00 2
Jim Minshall 1 0 0 0 0.00 2

National League Championship Series

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3 games to 0.

Game Score Date Location Attendance
1 Pittsburgh – 3, Cincinnati – 8 October 4 Riverfront Stadium 54,633
2 Pittsburgh – 1, Cincinnati – 6 October 5 Riverfront Stadium 54,752
3 Cincinnati – 5, Pittsburgh – 3 October 7 Three Rivers Stadium 46,355

Awards and honors

1975 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Farm system

Level Team League Manager
AAA Charleston Charlies International League Steve Demeter
AA Shreveport Captains Texas League Tim Murtaugh
A Salem Pirates Carolina League Johnny Lipon
A Charleston Pirates 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

  1. ^ From 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Side in 1907.
  2. ^ Duffy Dyer at Baseball Reference
  3. ^ Nelson Norman at Baseball Reference
  4. ^ Albert Williams at Baseball Reference
  5. ^ a b Sam McDowell at Baseball Reference
  6. ^ Ernie Camacho at Baseball Reference
  7. ^ Paul Popovich at Baseball Reference
  8. ^ "1975 Pittsburgh Pirates Statistics".

References