1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season

March 2026 January 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates 1972 National League East champions National League East Three Rivers Stadium Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaFrom 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Side in 1907. 96–59 (.619) 1st John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Bing Crosby, Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholders) Joe L. Brown Bill Virdon KDKA-TVBob Prince, Nellie King KDKABob 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 walk-off 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. January 12, 1972: Larry Demery was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft (secondary phase).Larry Demery at Baseball Reference March 15, 1972: José Martínez was purchased from the Pirates by the Kansas City Royals.José Martínez at Baseball Reference Regular season Season standings Pittsburgh Pirates Record vs. opponents PIT Detailed records National League Opponent W L WP RS Runs scored RA Runs against NL East Chicago Cubs 12 3 12 3 y 73 41 Montreal Expos 12 6 12 6 y 81 39 New York Mets 6 8 6 8 y 38 38 Philadelphia Phillies 13 5 13 5 y 73 40 Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals 10 8 10 8 y 88 74 Total 53 30 53 30 y 353 232 NL West Atlanta Braves 6 6 6 6 y 60 62 Cincinnati Reds 4 8 4 8 y 50 58 Houston Astros 9 3 9 3 y 56 41 Los Angeles Dodgers 5 7 5 7 y 53 50 San Diego Padres 10 2 10 2 y 65 26 San Francisco Giants 9 3 9 3 y 54 43 Total 43 29 43 29 y 338 280 Season Total 96 59 96 59 y 691 512 Month Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against April 13 5 8 5 8 y 51 66 May 26 19 7 19 7 y 140 79 June 26 16 10 16 10 y 125 77 July 30 20 10 20 10 y 121 100 August 28 17 11 17 11 y 125 102 September 29 18 11 18 11 y 117 75 October 3 1 2 1 2 y 12 13 Total 155 96 59 96 59 y 691 512 Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against Home 78 49 29 49 29 y 351 259 Away 77 47 30 47 30 y 340 253 Total 155 96 59 96 59 y 691 512 Game log 1972 game log: 96–59 (home: 49–29; Away: 47–30) y background:#F9F9F9; April: 5–8 (home: 3–6; Away: 2–2) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- 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 |- y background:#F9F9F9; May: 19–7 (home: 12–2; Away: 7–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- 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 |- y background:#F9F9F9; June: 16–10 (home: 5–6; Away: 11–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- 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 |- y background:#F9F9F9; July: 20–10 (home: 12–4; Away: 8–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- 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 |- y background:#F9F9F9; August: 17–11 (home: 8–5; Away: 9–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- 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 |- y background:#F9F9F9; September: 18–11 (home: 8–4; Away: 10–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- 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 |- y background:#F9F9F9; October: 1–2 (home: 1–2; Away: 0–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- 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:      #cfc = Win      #fbb = LossBold = Pirates team member Opening Day lineup +Opening Day Starters # Name Position6 Rennie Stennett 2B16 Al Oliver CF21 Roberto Clemente RF8 Willie Stargell LF3 Richie Hebner 3B35 Manny Sanguillén C7 Bob Robertson 1B2 Jackie Hernández SS17 Dock Ellis SP 1972 Opening Day lineup at "Baseball-Almanac" Notable transactions June 6, 1972: 1972 Major League Baseball draft John Candelaria was drafted by the Pirates in the 2nd round.John Candelaria at Baseball Reference Ken Macha was drafted by the Pirates in the 6th round.Ken Macha at Baseball Reference Willie Randolph was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round.Willie Randolph at Baseball Reference September 2, 1972 Bob Veale was sold by the Pirates to the Boston Red Sox.Bob Veale at Baseball Almanac Roster 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates Roster Pitchers 28 Steve Blass 34 Nelson Briles 17 Dock Ellis 12 Gene Garber 31 Dave Giusti 36 Ramón Hernández 27 Bob Johnson 25 Bruce Kison 39 Jim McKee 32 Bob Miller 38 Bob Moose 39 Bob Veale 23 Luke Walker Catchers 29 Milt May 35 Manny Sanguillén Infielders 14 Gene Alley 30 Dave Cash 12 Chuck Goggin 37 Fernando González  3 Richie Hebner  2 Jackie Hernández  9 Bill Mazeroski 11 José Pagán  7 Bob Robertson  8 Willie Stargell  6 Rennie Stennett 10 Frank Taveras Outfielders 21 Roberto Clemente 15 Gene Clines 18 Vic Davalillo 16 Al Oliver 22 Richie Zisk Other batters  4 Charlie Sands Manager 41 Bill Virdon Coaches 43 Don Leppert(First Base) 45 Joe Morgan(Hitting) 44 Frank Oceak(Third Base) 42 Don Osborn(Pitching)  5 Dave Ricketts(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 Manny Sanguillén 136 520 155 .298 7 71 1B Willie Stargell 138 495 145 .293 33 112 2B Dave Cash Dave Cash (baseball) 99 425 120 .282 3 30 SS Gene Alley 119 347 86 .248 3 36 3B Richie Hebner 124 427 128 .300 19 72 LF Vic Davalillo 117 368 117 .318 4 28 CF Al Oliver 140 565 176 .312 12 89 RF Roberto Clemente 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 Rennie Stennett 109 370 106 .286 3 30 Gene Clines 107 311 104 .334 0 17 Bob Robertson 115 306 59 .193 12 41 Jackie Hernández 72 176 33 .188 1 14 Milt May 57 139 39 .281 0 14 José Pagán 53 127 32 .252 3 8 Bill Mazeroski 34 64 12 .188 0 3 Richie Zisk 17 37 7 .189 0 4 Chuck Goggin 5 7 2 .286 0 0 Frank Taveras 4 3 0 .000 0 0 Fernando González Fernando González (baseball) 3 2 0 .000 0 0 Charlie Sands Charlie Sands (baseball) 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 Steve Blass 33 249.2 19 8 2.49 117 Bob Moose 31 226.0 13 10 2.91 144 Nelson Briles 28 195.2 14 11 3.08 120 Dock Ellis 25 163.1 15 7 2.70 96 Bruce Kison 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 Bob Johnson Bob Johnson (pitcher) 31 115.2 4 4 2.96 79 Luke Walker 26 92.2 4 6 3.40 48 Bob Veale 5 9.0 0 0 6.00 6 Gene Garber 4 6.1 0 0 7.11 3 Jim McKee 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 Dave Giusti 54 7 4 22 1.93 54 Ramón Hernández Ramón Hernández (pitcher) 53 5 0 14 1.67 47 Bob Miller Bob Miller (baseball, born 1939) 36 5 2 3 2.65 18 National League Championship Series 1972 National League Championship Series Awards and honors 1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Charleston Charlies International League Red Davis AA Sherbrooke Pirates Eastern League Steve Demeter A Salem Pirates Carolina League Tim Murtaugh A Gastonia Pirates Western Carolinas League Tom Saffell A-Short Season Niagara Falls Pirates New York–Penn League Chuck Cottier Rookie GCL Pirates Gulf Coast League Ed Napoleon LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Salem, Niagara Falls Notes References 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Reference 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Almanac Johnson Lloyd Wolff Miles The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball 2nd Durham, North Carolina Baseball America 1997 978-0-9637189-8-3 Category:Pittsburgh Pirates seasons Pittsburgh Pirates season Category:National League East champion seasons Pittsburg