1997 Pittsburgh Pirates season

March 2026 November 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates logo 2014.svg 1997 National League Central Three Rivers Stadium Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaFrom 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Side in 1907. 79–83 (.488) 2nd Kevin McClatchy Cam Bonifay Gene Lamont WPGH-TV & WPTT-TVFox Sports Net Pittsburgh KDKA-AM(Steve Blass, Greg Brown, Lanny Frattare, Bob Walk) The 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 116th season of the franchise; the 111th in the National League. This was their 28th season at Three Rivers Stadium. The Pirates finished second in the National League Central with a record of 79–83. Offseason October 4, 1996: The Pirates promote 3rd base coach Gene Lamont to manager, after Jim Leyland resigned after the 1996 season. November 14, 1996: Dan Plesac, Carlos García and Orlando Merced were traded by the Pirates to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Silva, Brandon Cromer (minors), Jose Pett (minors), and players to be named later. The Blue Jays completed the deal by sending Abraham Núñez, Craig Wilson, and Mike Halperin (minors) to the Pirates on December 11.Dan Plesac at Baseball Reference December 13, 1996: Jay Bell and Jeff King were traded by the Pirates to the Kansas City Royals for Jeff Granger, Joe Randa, Jeff Wallace, and Jeff Martin (minors).Jay Bell page at Baseball References December 20, 1996: Kevin Elster was signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.https://www.baseball-reference.com/e/elsteke01.shtml Kevin Elster Stats New stadium referendum Perhaps the most interesting headline of the Pirates' 1997 season didn't occur on the field. In 1997 voters in Pittsburgh's Allegheny County and 10 surrounding counties were presented with a referendum, known as the Regional Renaissance Initiative, to raise their county sales tax by 1/2% for seven years to fund, among other things, new stadiums for the Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams were playing in Three Rivers Stadium, which at the time was considered by many to be obsolete. The unexpected pennant drive provided a backdrop for the question as it was debated throughout the summer, given the concern that the Pirates might leave the city if a new stadium wasn't procured. The referendum failed badly in all 11 counties. Only in Allegheny County was it close (58–42), while being rejected by 2–1 to 3–1 margins in other counties. The next year what became known as "Plan B" was pursued by local and state government officials which called again for two new stadiums as well as an expansion of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The new plan was eventually passed, this time without a referendum and despite polls showing the public was against this as well, resulting in the construction of PNC Park and Heinz Field, where both teams would start playing in 2001. Regular season The 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates were informally known as "The Freak Show,"Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "Pirates' 'Freak Show' hit zenith with July no-hitter" as the team of rookies and cheap veterans (the team only had a $9 million payroll) unexpectedly competed with the Houston Astros for the division title until the final week of the season. Season standings Pittsburgh Pirates Game log Pittsburgh Pirates 1997 Game Log (79–83) y Pittsburgh Pirates April (12–13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="background:#cfc;" | 1 || April 1 || @ Giants || 5–2 || Ruebel (1–0) || Rodriguez || Ericks (1) || 41,996 || 1–0 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 2 || April 3 || @ Giants || 5–7 || Fernandez || Cooke (0–1) || Beck || 8,099 || 1–1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 3 || April 4 || @ Dodgers || 3–5 || Candiotti || Wainhouse (0–1) || Worrell || 37,284 || 1–2 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 4 || April 5 || @ Dodgers || 3–1 || Cordova (1–0) || Park || Ericks (2) || 41,099 || 2–2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 5 || April 6 || @ Dodgers || 3–6 || Dreifort || Rincon (0–1) || Worrell || 37,493 || 2–3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 6 || April 7 || @ Padres || 2–3 (10) || Veras || Ruebel (1–1) || — || 29,895 || 2–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 7 || April 8 || @ Padres || 2–0 || Cooke (1–1) || Bergman || Ericks (3) || 14,278 || 3–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 8 || April 9 || @ Padres || 4–2 || Loaiza (1–0) || Worrell || Ericks (4) || 24,735 || 4–4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 9 || April 11 || Dodgers || 1–7 || Martinez || Cordova (1–1) || — || 43,126 || 4–5 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 10 || April 13 || Dodgers || 5–14 || Nomo || Schmidt (0–1) || — || 14,885 || 4–6 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 11 || April 15 || Padres || 3–2 || Ericks (1–0) || Ashby || — || 6,851 || 5–6 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 12 || April 16 || Padres || 5–7 || Valenzuela || Cooke (1–2) || Hoffman || 6,777 || 5–7 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 13 || April 17 || Reds || 3–2 || Loaiza (2–0) || Morgan || Ericks (5) || 6,039 || 6–7 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 14 || April 18 || Reds || 1–6 || Burba || Cordova (1–2) || — || 9,082 || 6–8 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 15 || April 19 || Reds || 6–5 || Rincon (1–1) || Remlinger || — || 11,457 || 7–8 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 16 || April 20 || Reds || 5–3 || Lieber (1–0) || Mercker || Ericks (6) || 14,542 || 8–8 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 17 || April 21 || Phillies || 2–10 || Schilling || Cooke (1–3) || — || 9,015 || 8–9 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 18 || April 23 || Phillies || 3–2 || Rincon (2–1) || Spradlin || — || 8,850 || 9–9 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 19 || April 24 || @ Cubs || 4–3 || Loiselle (1–0) || Rojas || — || 21,787 || 10–9 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 20 || April 25 || @ Cubs || 1–11 || Foster || Lieber (1–1) || — || 18,333 || 10–10 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 21 || April 26 || @ Cubs || 6–7 || Patterson || Rincon (2–2) || Rojas || 29,323 || 10–11 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 22 || April 27 || @ Cubs || 7–0 || Schmidt (1–1) || Telemaco || — || 21,083 || 11–11 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 23 || April 28 || @ Phillies || 9–4 (12) || Wilkins (1–0) || Mimbs || — || 12,017 || 12–11 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 24 || April 29 || @ Phillies || 2–8 || Maduro || Ruebel (1–2) || — || 12,453 || 12–12 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 25 || April 30 || Giants || 1–6 || Gardner || Lieber (1–2) || — || 10,073 || 12–13 |- y Pittsburgh Pirates May (14–14) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="background:#cfc;" | 26 || May 1 || Giants || 3–2 || Cooke (2–3) || Estes || Rincon (1) || 10,507 || 13–13 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 27 || May 2 || @ Braves || 3–2 || Peters (1–0) || Bielecki || Loiselle (1) || 37,577 || 14–13 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 28 || May 3 || @ Braves || 3–0 || Loaiza (3–0) || Glavine || Rincon (2) || 46,602 || 15–13 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 29 || May 4 || @ Braves || 1–3 || Wade || Cordova (1–3) || Wohlers || 42,037 || 15–14 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 30 || May 5 || @ Marlins || 0–3 || Helling || Lieber (1–3) || Nen || 16,616 || 15–15 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 31 || May 6 || @ Marlins || 4–0 || Cooke (3–3) || Fernandez || — || 18,063 || 16–15 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 32 || May 7 || @ Rockies || 14–3 || Wilkins (2–0) || Thompson || — || 48,056 || 17–15 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 33 || May 8 || @ Rockies || 10–8 || Loaiza (4–0) || Wright || Loiselle (2) || 48,050 || 18–15 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 34 || May 9 || Braves || 9–0 || Cordova (2–3) || Wade || — || 18,006 || 19–15 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 35 || May 10 || Braves || 3–9 || Neagle || Lieber (1–4) || — || 34,143 || 19–16 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 36 || May 11 || Braves || 2–8 || Smoltz || Cooke (3–4) || — || 29,895 || 19–17 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 37 || May 12 || Braves || 2–10 || Maddux || Schmidt (1–2) || — || 12,114 || 19–18 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 38 || May 14 || Rockies || 15–10 || Wilkins (3–0) || Reed || — || 11,841 || 20–18 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 39 || May 15 || Rockies || 4–3 || Cordova (3–3) || Bailey || Rincon (3) || 8,548 || 21–18 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 40 || May 16 || Marlins || 1–3 || Fernandez || Lieber (1–5) || Nen || 17,156 || 21–19 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 41 || May 17 || Marlins || 1–11 || Rapp || Cooke (3–5) || — || 32,066 || 21–20 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 42 || May 18 || Marlins || 3–5 (10) || Nen || Loiselle (1–1) || Stanifer || 28,702 || 21–21 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 43 || May 20 || @ Cardinals || 1–3 || Jackson || Loaiza (4–1) || Eckersley || 25,990 || 21–22 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 44 || May 21 || @ Cardinals || 3–2 || Ruebel (2–2) || Fossas || Loiselle (3) || 34,738 || 22–22 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 45 || May 22 || @ Expos || 9–3 || Lieber (2–5) || Perez || Rincon (4) || 12,620 || 23–22 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 46 || May 23 || @ Expos || 1–4 || Martinez || Cooke (3–6) || — || 18,499 || 23–23 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 47 || May 24 || @ Expos || 3–7 || Juden || Schmidt (1–3) || Urbina || 26,154 || 23–24 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 48 || May 25 || @ Expos || 8–6 || Wilkins (4–0) || Daal || Loiselle (4) || 27,253 || 24–24 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 49 || May 26 || Cubs || 1–2 || Foster || Cordova (3–4) || Adams || 20,609 || 24–25 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 50 || May 27 || Cubs || 7–8 || Gonzalez || Lieber (2–6) || Adams || 9,641 || 24–26 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 51 || May 28 || Cubs || 4–1 || Cooke (4–6) || Mulholland || — || 10,198 || 25–26 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 52 || May 30 || Expos || 10–2 || Peters (2–0) || Juden || — || 14,676 || 26–26 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 53 || May 31 || Expos || 2–4 || Hermanson || Loaiza (4–2) || Urbina || 14,628 || 26–27 |- y Pittsburgh Pirates June (11–16) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="background:#cfc;" | 54 || June 1 || Expos || 11–2 || Cordova (4–4) || Bullinger || — || 25,752 || 27–27 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 55 || June 2 || @ Cubs || 2–3 || Mulholland || Lieber (2–7) || Adams || 21,773 || 27–28 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 56 || June 3 || @ Cubs || 3–1 || Cooke (5–6) || Trachsel || Loiselle (5) || 17,317 || 28–28 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 57 || June 4 || Cardinals || 0–10 || Benes || Schmidt (1–4) || — || 19,181 || 28–29 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 58 || June 5 || Cardinals || 9–3 || Loaiza (5–2) || Stottlemyre || — || 11,382 || 29–29 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 59 || June 6 || Phillies || 5–4 (10) || Wilkins (5–0) || Spradlin || — || 15,165 || 30–29 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 60 || June 7 || Phillies || 9–2 || Lieber (3–7) || Nye || — || 25,664 || 31–29 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 61 || June 8 || Phillies || 2–3 || Schilling || Cooke (5–7) || Bottalico || 30,667 || 31–30 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 62 || June 10 || @ Reds || 5–8 || Remlinger || Rincon (2–3) || Shaw || 18,556 || 31–31 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 63 || June 11 || @ Reds || 1–2 || Tomko || Loaiza (5–3) || Shaw || 20,854 || 31–32 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 64 || June 13 || Royals || 5–3 || Cordova (5–4) || Williams || Loiselle (6) || 33,253 || 32–32 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 65 || June 14 || Royals || 3–8 || Belcher || Lieber (3–8) || Montgomery || 39,509 || 32–33 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 66 || June 15 || Royals || 1–8 || Appier || Cooke (5–8) || — || 35,774 || 32–34 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 67 || June 16 || @ Twins || 8–6 || Schmidt (2–4) || Aldred || Loiselle (7) || 16,007 || 33–34 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 68 || June 17 || @ Twins || 1–13 || Hawkins || Loaiza (5–4) || — || 14,894 || 33–35 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 69 || June 18 || @ Twins || 2–8 || Radke || Cordova (5–5) || — || 15,688 || 33–36 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 70 || June 19 || @ Mets || 6–7 || Franco || Rincon (2–4) || — || 15,492 || 33–37 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 71 || June 20 || @ Mets || 0–1 || Jones || Cooke (5–9) || Franco || 18,737 || 33–38 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 72 || June 21 || @ Mets || 2–3 || Mlicki || Wilkins (5–1) || McMichael || 32,908 || 33–39 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 73 || June 22 || @ Mets || 9–12 (10) || Kashiwada || Peters (2–1) || — || 23,247 || 33–40 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 74 || June 23 || @ Astros || 6–0 || Cordova (6–5) || Garcia || — || 16,738 || 34–40 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 75 || June 24 || @ Astros || 8–3 || Lieber (4–8) || Wall || — || 17,972 || 35–40 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 76 || June 25 || @ Astros || 1–5 || Kile || Sodowsky (0–1) || — || 26,954 || 35–41 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 77 || June 27 || Mets || 6–1 || Schmidt (3–4) || Mlicki || — || 18,103 || 36–41 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 78 || June 28 || Mets || 3–8 || Reynoso || Loaiza (5–5) || — || 23,711 || 36–42 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 79 || June 29 || Mets || 8–10 || Jordan || Peters (2–2) || Franco || 26,499 || 36–43 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 80 || June 30 || White Sox || 3–1 || Lieber (5–8) || Darwin || — || 28,070 || 37–43 |- y Pittsburgh Pirates July (16–12) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="background:#cfc;" | 81 || July 1 || White Sox || 3–0 || Cooke (6–9) || Baldwin || Loiselle (8) || 22,163 || 38–43 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 82 || July 2 || White Sox || 3–1 || Schmidt (4–4) || Navarro || — || 25,772 || 39–43 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 83 || July 3 || @ Cardinals || 6–4 || Loaiza (6–5) || Valenzuela || Loiselle (9) || 30,753 || 40–43 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 84 || July 4 || @ Cardinals || 7–5 (10) || Wilkins (6–1) || Eckersley || Loiselle (10) || 33,885 || 41–43 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 85 || July 5 || @ Cardinals || 4–3 || Lieber (6–8) || Morris || Wilkins (1) || 39,593 || 42–43 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 86 || July 6 || @ Cardinals || 6–3 || Cooke (7–9) || Stottlemyre || — || 29,290 || 43–43 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 87 || July 10 || Astros || 0–7 || Kile || Schmidt (4–5) || — || 17,335 || 43–44 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 88 || July 11 || Astros || 0–10 || Hampton || Loaiza (6–6) || — || 21,913 || 43–45 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 89 || July 12 || Astros || 3–0 (10) || Rincon (3–4) || Hudek || — || 44,119 || 44–45 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 90 || July 13 || Astros || 5–3 || Sodowsky (1–1) || Springer || Loiselle (11) || 25,675 || 45–45 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 91 || July 14 || Mets || 5–4 || Rincon (4–4) || McMichael || Loiselle (12) || 12,794 || 46–45 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 92 || July 15 || Mets || 4–3 || Christiansen (1–0) || Acevedo || Loiselle (13) || 12,244 || 47–45 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 93 || July 16 || Reds || 3–7 || Burba || Loaiza (6–7) || — || 30,698 || 47–46 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 94 || July 17 || Reds || 5–9 || Smiley || Cordova (6–6) || — || 19,710 || 47–47 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 95 || July 18 || @ Phillies || 6–8 || Leiter || Lieber (6–9) || Bottalico || 19,676 || 47–48 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 96 || July 19 || @ Phillies || 13–3 || Cooke (8–9) || Green || — || 17,472 || 48–48 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 97 || July 20 || @ Phillies || 1–4 || Stephenson || Schmidt (4–6) || Bottalico || 20,431 || 48–49 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 98 || July 21 || @ Phillies || 3–2 || Loaiza (7–7) || Schilling || Loiselle (14) || 19,303 || 49–49 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 99 || July 22 || @ Padres || 2–3 || Hoffman || Loiselle (1–2) || — || 18,306 || 49–50 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 100 || July 23 || @ Padres || 1–9 || Smith || Lieber (6–10) || — || 16,151 || 49–51 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 101 || July 24 || @ Padres || 6–8 || Bruske || Sodowsky (1–2) || Hoffman || 18,715 || 49–52 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 102 || July 25 || @ Giants || 5–2 || Schmidt (5–6) || Rueter || Loiselle (15) || 14,236 || 50–52 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 103 || July 26 || @ Giants || 10–3 || Loaiza (8–7) || Creek || — || 25,962 || 51–52 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 104 || July 27 || @ Giants || 5–6 (13) || Henry || Wilkins (6–2) || — || 0 || 51–53 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 105 || July 27 || @ Giants || 10–7 || Cordova (7–6) || VanLandingham || — || 38,866 || 52–53 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 106 || July 28 || @ Dodgers || 2–4 || Valdez || Lieber (6–11) || Worrell || 53,503 || 52–54 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 107 || July 29 || @ Dodgers || 1–3 || Astacio || Cooke (8–10) || Worrell || 43,791 || 52–55 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 108 || July 31 || Rockies || 4–1 || Schmidt (6–6) || Bailey || Loiselle (16) || 16,654 || 53–55 |- y Pittsburgh Pirates August (15–14) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="background:#fbb;" | 109 || August 1 || Rockies || 6–7 || Reed || Rincon (4–5) || Dipoto || 22,657 || 53–56 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 110 || August 2 || Rockies || 6–5 || Cordova (8–6) || Swift || Loiselle (17) || 32,388 || 54–56 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 111 || August 3 || Rockies || 8–4 || Ruebel (3–2) || Reed || — || 24,989 || 55–56 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 112 || August 4 || Braves || 0–6 || Smoltz || Cooke (8–11) || — || 21,609 || 55–57 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 113 || August 5 || Braves || 5–4 || Schmidt (7–6) || Glavine || Loiselle (18) || 20,069 || 56–57 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 114 || August 6 || Marlins || 3–12 || Brown || Loaiza (8–8) || — || 32,594 || 56–58 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 115 || August 7 || Marlins || 5–1 || Wilkins (7–2) || Leiter || — || 18,042 || 57–58 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 116 || August 8 || @ Rockies || 3–5 || Wright || Lieber (6–12) || Dipoto || 48,262 || 57–59 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 117 || August 9 || @ Rockies || 7–8 || Munoz || Rincon (4–6) || — || 48,323 || 57–60 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 118 || August 10 || @ Rockies || 7–8 || Leskanic || Wilkins (7–3) || Dipoto || 48,018 || 57–61 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 119 || August 12 || @ Braves || 5–2 || Sodowsky (2–2) || Wohlers || Loiselle (19) || 42,435 || 58–61 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 120 || August 13 || @ Braves || 2–1 || Lieber (7–12) || Smoltz || Loiselle (20) || 40,793 || 59–61 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 121 || August 15 || @ Marlins || 5–6 || Powell || Loiselle (1–3) || — || 26,092 || 59–62 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 122 || August 16 || @ Marlins || 10–5 || Cordova (9–6) || Saunders || — || 40,031 || 60–62 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 123 || August 17 || @ Marlins || 2–10 || Brown || Cooke (8–12) || — || 38,221 || 60–63 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 124 || August 18 || @ Marlins || 7–2 || Loaiza (9–8) || Alfonseca || — || 30,200 || 61–63 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 125 || August 19 || Padres || 5–3 || Lieber (8–12) || Smith || Loiselle (21) || 12,411 || 62–63 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 126 || August 20 || Padres || 7–3 || Schmidt (8–6) || Ashby || — || 10,222 || 63–63 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 127 || August 21 || Padres || 4–9 || Hitchcock || Cordova (9–7) || — || 13,129 || 63–64 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 128 || August 22 || Giants || 3–2 || Cooke (9–12) || Rueter || Loiselle (22) || 18,562 || 64–64 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 129 || August 23 || Giants || 6–4 || Loaiza (10–8) || Darwin || Loiselle (23) || 42,502 || 65–64 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 130 || August 24 || Giants || 9–6 || Christiansen (2–0) || Henry || Wilkins (2) || 33,363 || 66–64 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 131 || August 25 || Dodgers || 2–8 || Martinez || Schmidt (8–7) || Guthrie || 0 || 66–65 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 132 || August 25 || Dodgers || 4–3 || Wilkins (8–3) || Worrell || — || 14,018 || 67–65 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 133 || August 26 || Dodgers || 4–6 || Dreifort || Rincon (4–7) || — || 13,689 || 67–66 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 134 || August 27 || Dodgers || 5–9 || Reyes || Cooke (9–13) || — || 48,032 || 67–67 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 135 || August 29 || @ Brewers || 1–4 || Karl || Loaiza (10–9) || Jones || 17,539 || 67–68 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 136 || August 30 || @ Brewers || 3–1 || Lieber (9–12) || Mercedes || Loiselle (24) || 23,673 || 68–68 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 137 || August 31 || @ Brewers || 2–3 || Jones || Wilkins (8–4) || — || 32,541 || 68–69 |- y Pittsburgh Pirates September (11–14) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="background:#fbb;" | 138 || September 1 || Indians || 5–7 || Ogea || Cooke (9–14) || Mesa || 45,298 || 68–70 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 139 || September 2 || Indians || 6–4 || Silva (1–0) || Wright || Loiselle (25) || 43,380 || 69–70 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 140 || September 3 || Indians || 3–7 || Hershiser || Loaiza (10–10) || — || 37,513 || 69–71 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 141 || September 4 || @ Reds || 2–5 || Morgan || Lieber (9–13) || Shaw || 15,136 || 69–72 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 142 || September 5 || @ Reds || 6–8 || Sullivan || Wilkins (8–5) || Shaw || 21,492 || 69–73 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 143 || September 6 || @ Reds || 13–4 || Cordova (10–7) || Remlinger || — || 20,383 || 70–73 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 144 || September 7 || @ Reds || 3–6 || Burba || Silva (1–1) || Shaw || 19,682 || 70–74 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 145 || September 9 || @ Expos || 4–5 (10) || Urbina || Loiselle (1–4) || — || 8,782 || 70–75 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 146 || September 10 || @ Expos || 4–5 || Martinez || Lieber (9–14) || Urbina || 10,139 || 70–76 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 147 || September 12 || Cubs || 3–1 || Schmidt (9–7) || Batista || Loiselle (26) || 13,833 || 71–76 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 148 || September 13 || Cubs || 1–4 || Trachsel || Cordova (10–8) || Adams || 21,505 || 71–77 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 149 || September 14 || Cubs || 2–3 || Clark || Rincon (4–8) || Adams || 20,120 || 71–78 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 150 || September 15 || Expos || 5–4 (10) || Wilkins (9–5) || Telford || — || 7,736 || 72–78 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 151 || September 16 || Expos || 8–2 || Lieber (10–14) || Johnson || — || 8,010 || 73–78 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 152 || September 17 || Astros || 4–8 || Reynolds || Schmidt (9–8) || — || 27,422 || 73–79 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 153 || September 18 || Astros || 12–3 || Cordova (11–8) || Kile || — || 14,852 || 74–79 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 154 || September 19 || Cardinals || 5–6 (11) || King || Loiselle (1–5) || Eckersley || 16,235 || 74–80 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 155 || September 20 || Cardinals || 10–1 || Loaiza (11–10) || Beltran || — || 21,053 || 75–80 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 156 || September 21 || Cardinals || 14–2 || Lieber (11–14) || Busby || — || 26,247 || 76–80 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 157 || September 22 || Cardinals || 3–1 || Schmidt (10–8) || Morris || Loiselle (27) || 17,919 || 77–80 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 158 || September 23 || @ Mets || 5–4 || Silva (2–1) || Lidle || Loiselle (28) || 14,670 || 78–80 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 159 || September 24 || @ Mets || 5–7 || Crawford || Cooke (9–15) || Rojas || 13,195 || 78–81 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 160 || September 26 || @ Astros || 0–2 || Garcia || Loaiza (11–11) || Wagner || 37,850 || 78–82 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 161 || September 27 || @ Astros || 1–8 || Reynolds || Schmidt (10–9) || — || 36,170 || 78–83 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 162 || September 28 || @ Astros || 5–4 (11) || Christiansen (3–0) || Henriquez || Loiselle (29) || 30,606 || 79–83 |- |- | Legend:      #cfc = Win      #fbb = LossBold = Pirates team member Record vs. opponents PIT Detailed records National League Opponent W L WP RS Runs scored RA Runs against NL East Atlanta Braves 6 5 6 5 y 35 45 Florida Marlins 4 7 4 7 y 41 58 Montreal Expos 6 5 6 5 y 65 44 New York Mets 4 7 4 7 y 53 60 Philadelphia Phillies 6 5 6 5 y 55 50 Total 26 29 26 29 y 249 257 NL Central Chicago Cubs 5 7 5 7 y 41 44 Cincinnati Reds 4 8 4 8 y 53 65 Houston Astros 6 6 6 6 y 45 53 St. Louis Cardinals 9 3 9 3 y 68 43 Total 24 24 24 24 y 207 205 NL West Colorado Rockies 7 4 7 4 y 84 62 Los Angeles Dodgers 2 9 2 9 y 33 66 San Diego Padres 5 6 5 6 y 41 49 San Francisco Giants 8 3 8 3 y 62 47 Total 22 22 22 22 y 220 224 American League Chicago White Sox 3 0 3 0 y 9 2 Cleveland Indians 1 2 1 2 y 14 18 Kansas City Royals 1 2 1 2 y 9 19 Milwaukee Brewers 1 2 1 2 y 6 8 Minnesota Twins 1 2 1 2 y 11 27 Total 7 8 7 8 y 49 74 Season Total 79 83 79 83 y 725 760 Month Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against April 25 12 13 12 13 y 91 123 May 28 14 14 14 14 y 127 122 June 27 11 16 11 16 y 119 135 July 28 16 12 16 12 y 123 122 August 29 15 14 15 14 y 136 147 September 25 11 14 11 14 y 129 111 Total 162 79 83 79 83 y 725 760 Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against Home 81 43 38 43 38 y 365 395 Away 81 36 45 36 45 y 360 365 Total 162 79 83 79 83 y 725 760 Roster 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates Roster Pitchers 41 Jason Christiansen 26 Steve Cooke 67 Francisco Córdova 71 Elmer Dessens 57 John Ericks 39 Jeff Granger 36 Jason Johnson 47 Jon Lieber 34 Esteban Loaiza 51 Rich Loiselle 55 Ramón Morel 38 Chris Peters 73 Ricardo Rincón 49 Matt Ruebel 42 Jason Schmidt 56 José Silva 63 Clint Sodowsky 43 Paul Wagner 53 Dave Wainhouse 39 Jeff Wallace 35 Marc Wilkins Catchers 18 Jason Kendall 15 Keith Osik Infielders  6 Lou Collier  3 Shawon Dunston 10 Kevin Elster 22 Freddy García 36 Mark Johnson 48 Abraham Núñez  2 Kevin Polcovich 16 Joe Randa 17 Dale Sveum 30 Eddie Williams  5 Tony Womack 29 Kevin Young Outfielders 46 Jermaine Allensworth 13 Adrian Brown 19 Emil Brown 30 Midre Cummings 11 José Guillén 28 Al Martin 25 Mark Smith 12 Turner Ward Manager 32 Gene Lamont Coaches 37 Joe Jones (first base) 45 Jack Lind (third base) 23 Lloyd McClendon (hitting) 44 Rick Renick (bench) 50 Pete Vuckovich (pitching) 54 Spin Williams (bullpen) Opening Day lineup +Opening Day Starters # Name Position5 Tony Womack 2B 46 Jermaine Allensworth CF 28 Al Martin LF 36 Mark Johnson 1B10 Kevin Elster SS 18 Jason Kendall C 11 José Guillén RF16 Joe Randa 3B47 Jon Lieber SP Player stats Batting Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Regular seasonMajor League Baseball Stats pirates.com: Stats http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp#elem=%5Bobject+Object%5D&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+hitting&game_type='R'&season=1997&season_type=ANY&league_code='MLB'&sectionType=sp&statType=hitting&page=1&ts=1439916756385&timeframe=&playerType=ALL&sportCode='mlb'&split=&team_id=134&active_sw=&position=&page_type=SortablePlayer&sortOrder='desc'&sortColumn=avg&results=&perPage=50&last_x_days=&extended=0 Pittsburgh Pirates Player G Games played AB At bats H Hits Avg. Batting average HR Home runs RBI Runs batted in C. Sodowsky Clint Sodowsky 45 2 1 0.500 0 0 S. Dunston Shawon Dunston 18 71 28 0.394 5 16 T. Ward Turner Ward 71 167 59 0.353 7 33 J. Randa Joe Randa 126 443 134 0.302 7 60 K. Young Kevin Young (baseball) 97 333 100 0.300 18 74 J. Kendall Jason Kendall 144 486 143 0.294 8 49 A. Martin Al Martin 113 423 123 0.291 13 59 M. Smith Mark Smith (outfielder) 71 193 55 0.285 9 35 T. Womack Tony Womack 155 641 178 0.278 6 50 K. Polcovich Kevin Polcovich 84 245 67 0.273 4 21 J. Guillén José Guillén 143 498 133 0.267 14 70 D. Sveum Dale Sveum 126 306 80 0.261 12 47 K. Osik Keith Osik 49 105 27 0.257 0 7 J. Allensworth Jermaine Allensworth 108 369 94 0.255 3 43 C. Peters Chris Peters 31 4 1 0.250 0 2 E. Williams Eddie Williams (baseball) 30 89 22 0.247 3 11 A. Núñez Abraham Núñez (infielder) 19 40 9 0.225 0 6 K. Elster Kevin Elster 39 138 31 0.225 7 25 M. Johnson Mark Johnson (first baseman) 78 219 47 0.215 4 29 A. Brown Adrian Brown (baseball) 48 147 28 0.190 1 10 M. Cummings Midre Cummings 52 106 20 0.189 3 8 E. Brown Emil Brown 66 95 17 0.179 2 6 E. Loaiza Esteban Loaiza 33 60 10 0.167 0 5 F. García Freddy García (infielder) 20 40 6 0.150 3 5 J. Silva José Silva (baseball) 11 7 1 0.143 0 0 L. Collier Lou Collier 18 37 5 0.135 0 3 J. Lieber Jon Lieber 33 58 7 0.121 0 8 J. Schmidt Jason Schmidt 32 56 6 0.107 0 2 F. Córdova Francisco Córdova (baseball pitcher born 1972) 29 56 5 0.089 0 0 S. Cooke Steve Cooke (baseball) 32 52 3 0.058 0 1 J. Johnson Jason Johnson (baseball) 3 1 0 0.000 0 0 R. Loiselle Rich Loiselle 72 1 0 0.000 0 0 R. Rincón Ricardo Rincón 62 1 0 0.000 0 0 M. Ruebel Matt Ruebel 44 7 0 0.000 0 0 P. Wagner Paul Wagner 14 1 0 0.000 0 0 D. Wainhouse Dave Wainhouse 25 2 0 0.000 0 0 M. Wilkins Marc Wilkins (baseball) 70 4 0 0.000 0 1 J. Christiansen Jason Christiansen 39 0 0 -1 — 0 0 E. Dessens Elmer Dessens 3 0 0 -1 — 0 0 J. Ericks John Ericks 10 0 0 -1 — 0 0 J. Granger Jeff Granger 9 0 0 -1 — 0 0 R. Morel Ramón Morel 5 0 0 -1 — 0 0 J. Wallace Jeff Wallace 11 0 0 -1 — 0 0Team totals1625,5031,4400.262129686 Pitching Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Regular seasonMajor League Baseball Stats pirates.com: Stats http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp#elem=%5Bobject+Object%5D&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+pitching&game_type='R'&season=1997&season_type=ANY&league_code='MLB'&sectionType=sp&statType=pitching&page=1&ts=1439916791143&timeframe=&playerType=ALL&sportCode='mlb'&split=&team_id=134&active_sw=&position=&page_type=SortablePlayer&sortOrder='asc'&sortColumn=era&results=&perPage=50&last_x_days=&extended=0 Pittsburgh Pirates Player G Games IP Innings pitched W Wins L Loss ERA Earned run average SO Strikeouts E. Dessens Elmer Dessens 3 31 3 0 0 0.00 2 J. Wallace Jeff Wallace 11 12 0 0 0.75 14 J. Ericks John Ericks 10 91 3 1 0 1.93 6 J. Christiansen Jason Christiansen 39 332 3 3 0 2.94 37 R. Loiselle Rich Loiselle 72 722 3 1 5 3.10 66 R. Rincón Ricardo Rincón 62 60 4 8 3.45 71 F. Córdova Francisco Córdova (baseball pitcher born 1972) 29 1782 3 11 8 3.63 121 C. Sodowsky Clint Sodowsky 45 52 2 2 3.63 51 M. Wilkins Marc Wilkins (baseball) 70 752 3 9 5 3.69 47 P. Wagner Paul Wagner 14 16 0 0 3.94 9 E. Loaiza Esteban Loaiza 33 1961 3 11 11 4.13 122 S. Cooke Steve Cooke (baseball) 32 1671 3 9 15 4.30 109 J. Lieber Jon Lieber 33 1881 3 11 14 4.49 160 C. Peters Chris Peters 31 371 3 2 2 4.58 17 J. Schmidt Jason Schmidt 32 1872 3 10 9 4.60 136 R. Morel Ramón Morel 5 2 3 0 0 4.70 4 J. Silva José Silva (baseball) 11 361 3 2 1 5.94 30 J. Johnson Jason Johnson (baseball) 3 6 0 0 6.00 3 M. Ruebel Matt Ruebel 44 622 3 3 2 6.32 50 D. Wainhouse Dave Wainhouse 25 28 0 1 8.04 21 J. Granger Jeff Granger 9 5 0 0 18.00 4Team totals1621,43679834.281,080 Awards and honors The Sporting News Executive of the Year Award Cam Bonifay, GM 1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Tony Womack, 2B, reserve Notable transactions July 8, 1997: Midre Cummings was selected off waivers from the Pirates by the Philadelphia Phillies.Midre Cummings at Baseball Reference Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Calgary Cannons Pacific Coast League Trent Jewett AA Carolina Mudcats Southern League Marc Hill and Jeff Banister A Lynchburg Hillcats Carolina League Jeff Banister and Jeff Richardson A Augusta Greenjackets South Atlantic League Jeff Richardson and Scott Little A-Short Season Erie SeaWolves New York–Penn League Marty Brown Rookie GCL Pirates Gulf Coast League Woody Huyke LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Lynchburg References 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Reference 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Almanac Johnson Lloyd Wolff Miles The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball 3rd Durham, North Carolina Baseball America 2007 978-1-932391-17-6 Further reading September 1997 editorial 100% Category:Pittsburgh Pirates seasons Pittsburgh Pirates Season, 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates Season, 1997 Pitts Category:1997 in Pittsburgh