How to watch Pittsburgh Pirates on TV?

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

The Pittsburgh Pirates were founded in 1881 as the Pittsburgh Allegheny. The team added an “s” in 1887 and joined the National League the same year. In 1891, they took the name “Pirates” and have also been known as the “Bucs” or “Buccos” which are both taken from the word “buccaneer,” another name for a pirate.

The Pirates enjoyed early success playing in the first-ever World Series in 1903. Pittsburgh has won five World Series titles, but has not played in one since 1979. In fact, the Pirates were the first MLB team to ever record 20 straight losing seasons when they did so from 1993 to 2012.

Pirates’ fans love to watch the team on TV on national broadcasts on FOX Sports, the MLB Network, and ESPN. Locally, fans can watch the complete Pirates schedule on AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh. Games are available for live streaming at MLB.TV.

HOME OF THE PIRATES

The Pirates have had five different homes beginning with three different versions of Exposition Park. Pittsburgh played at the legendary Forbes Field until 1970 when they moved into the iconic Three Rivers Stadium. In 2001, the team moved into its current home, PNC Park. It is one of MLB’s “retro” ballparks and offers outstanding views of the Pittsburgh skyline and the Allegheny River. PNC Park seats 38,747 fans.

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

With the Pirates early success, the franchise has won nine NL pennants (1901, 1902, 1903, 1909, 1925, 1927, 1960, 1971, and 1979). Five of those MLB league championship series wins turned into World Series victories (1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, and 1979).

The Pirates claim nine NL East Division titles (1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1990, 1991, and 1992). Since moving to the Central Division in 1994, Pittsburgh has not won a division championship.

Pittsburgh also made the playoffs as a MLB wild card in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

BEST OF THE PIRATES

In his 18 seasons in Pittsburgh, Roberto Clemente was an All-Star 15 times. He was the NL MVP in 1966 and played on both the 1960 and 1970 Pirates teams that won the World Series. Clemente was the MVP of the 1971 series. He was a four-time NL batting champion and a 12-time Gold Glove Award winner showcasing both his offensive and defensive skills. His untimely death in 1972 led to the Baseball Hall of Fame making players that have been deceased for at least six months eligible for induction. Clemente was inducted in 1973.

Bill Mazeroski played his entire 17-year career in Pittsburgh. He is considered by many to be the greatest defensive second baseman ever. He also hit the “shot heard ‘round the world” in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. It is still to this day the only World Series to end on a walk-off game-winning home run. Mazeroski was a 10-time All-Star, eight-time Gold Glove Award winner, and like Clemente played on both the 1960 and 1971 Pirates World Series teams.

In the early years of the Pirates franchise, Honus Wagner was the team’s star. He won a record eight NL batting titles and was the NL stolen base leader five times. He led the Pirates to their first-ever World Series win in 1909 and finished his career with 3,430 hits.