As a player and leader, Willie Stargell accomplished a lot while playing with the Pirates. Willie started playing in the 1960’s. He held outstanding records. He had hit 475 home runs in over 21 major league seasons. Willie was a very powerful hitter. In addition to hitting homeruns, Stargell led his team to the 1979 World Series in which they won against Baltimore. Stargell’s nickname was "Pops."

Honus Wagner was an extreme baseball player with amazing statistics. Honus was elected into the Hall of Fame the first year it opened. Honus also won eight batting titles as a Pirate. His first title was won with a .380 average. In 1901, Wagner was the most dominate player when the Pirates took 1^st place on June 16 and won by 7 games against the Phillies. Throughout the 1900’s, I would have to say, Honus was the best short stop.

In the 1980’s Barry Bonds was the Pirates number one draft pick. Bonds progressed as a left fielder very efficiently. In addition to performing great in the field, Barry hit 24 homeruns and batted .325.

The 1979 World Series was won by the Pittsburgh Pirates on October 10. The Pirates were playing the Baltimore Orioles and won the game, 4-1. It took all seven games to become world champions.

As a Pittsburgh Pirate, Bobby Bonilla performed exceptionally well. Bonilla was one of the biggest third basemen. Bobby stands at six-three and weighs 230 pounds. Bonilla’s body features were not everything. Bobby hit .274 with 24 homeruns and 100 RBI’s. He was also named the starting third basemen in the All Star Game over Mike Schmidt in 1989.

Roberto Clemente was the best player of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Roberto was a good person on and off the field. The Pirates chose Clemente on November 22,1954. They knew that he would bring a great talent to the city of Pittsburgh. In the 1960’s, Roberto hit 240 homeruns. He hit his 3000^th hit on September 30, 1972. Sad to say Roberto Clemente died in Isla Verde soon after his aircraft took off on December 31,1972, while delivering aid to Nicaragua.

Manny Sanguillen was a very good Pirates player in the 1960’s. While with the Pirates, Sanguillen had a lifetime batting average of .296. Sanguillen also helped lead the Pirates to the 1979 World Series. He was an outstanding catcher and wore number 35.

Steve Blass was an amazing pitcher for the Pirates throughout the 1960’s-1970’s. Blass pitched two winning games for the Pirates in the 1971 World Series. Steve Blass had 896 career strikeouts. Blass now broadcasts Pittsburgh games along with another former pitcher, Jim Rooker.

Forbes Field opened in 1909. At that time in history, fans arrived on opening day by automobile and horse-drawn omnibuses. Forbes Field was also the home of the opening game of the 1960 World Series. Forbes Field seated 25,000 people and was the local icon of the early 1900’s.