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1977 Pittsburgh Pirates Season
The 1977 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 96th season of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise; their 91st in the National League. The Pirates finished second in the National League East with a record of 96–66. Offseason * November 5, 1976: Manny Sanguillén was traded by the Pirates to the Oakland Athletics for manager Chuck Tanner. * December 10, 1976: Richie Zisk and Silvio Martínez were traded by the Pirates to the Chicago White Sox for Goose Gossage and Terry Forster. * March 15, 1977: Rick Langford, Tony Armas, Doug Bair, Dave Giusti, Doc Medich, and Mitchell Page were traded by the Pirates to the Oakland Athletics for Phil Garner, Tommy Helms, and Chris Batton. Regular season * May 11: Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner appointed himself manager (baseball), manager of the team before a game against the Pirates. After losing the game 2–1, Turner stepped down. *June 30: Willie Stargell hits his 400th career home run versus 1977 Philadelphia Phillies season, Philadelphia Phi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
National League East
The National League East is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. Along with the American League Central it is one of two divisions to have every member win at least one World Series title. The division was created when the National League (along with the American League) added two expansion teams and divided into two divisions, East and West effective for the 1969 season. The National League's geographical alignment was rather peculiar as its partitioning was really more north and south instead of east and west. Two teams in the Eastern Time Zone, the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds, were in the same division as teams on the Pacific coast. This was due to the demands of the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, who refused to support expansion unless they were promised they would be kept together in the newly created East division. During the two-division era, from 1969 to 1993, the Phillies–Pirates rivalry, Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates toget ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Manny Sanguillén
Manuel De Jesus Sanguillén Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillén or "Sangy" (born March 21, 1944), is a Panamanian former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher in and from through , most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won five National League Eastern Division titles in six years between and and won the World Series in and , twice over the Baltimore Orioles. He also played one season for the Oakland Athletics. A three-time All-Star, Sanguillén's lifetime batting average of .296 is the fourth-highest by a catcher since World War II, and tenth-highest for catchers in Major League Baseball history. Although he was often overshadowed by his contemporary, Johnny Bench, Sanguillén was considered one of the best catchers in Major League baseball in the early 1970s. While he didn't possess Bench's power hitting ability, Sanguillen hit for a higher batting average. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Phil Garner
Philip Mason Garner (born April 30, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as an infielder with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants from to . With the Pirates, he won the 1979 World Series over the Baltimore Orioles. He was manager of the Astros from July 14, to August 27, , leading Houston to a World Series appearance in . Baseball career Garner was originally drafted out of The University of Tennessee by the Montreal Expos in the eighth round of the 1970 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign. Seven months later, he was the third overall pick by the Oakland Athletics in the secondary January 1971 draft. Originally a third baseman when he signed with the Athletics, he was converted to a second baseman as the Athletics had perennial All-Star Sal Bando at third. Garner won two World Series during his time in Oakland in 1973 and 1974. Sp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mitchell Page
Mitchell Otis Page (October 15, 1951 – March 12, 2011) was a Major League Baseball player. He finished second to Hall of Famer Eddie Murray in American League Rookie of the Year balloting when he came up with the Oakland Athletics in . Page played the role of the California Angels first baseman, "Abascal", in the Disney movie '' Angels in the Outfield''. Early years Page was born in Los Angeles, California. He originally drafted out of Centennial High School in Compton, California by the A's in the fourth round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft, but chose instead to attend Compton Community College. After transferring to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round of the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft. After hitting 43 home runs and driving in 173 runs with a .292 batting average over two seasons in the Pirates' farm system, the A's finally acquired Page on March 15, 1977, along with Tony Armas, Do ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Doc Medich
George Francis "Doc" Medich (born December 9, 1948) is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972–1982. He was a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh, and acquired the nickname "Doc" during his early baseball career. Early years While in college, Medich (of Serbian descent) pitched for the Pitt baseball team and played tight end on the Pittsburgh Panthers football team. Professional career Draft and minors Medich was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the 1970 Major League Baseball draft, and spent three seasons as a starting pitcher in their farm system, going 21-13 over that span with a 2.27 ERA. New York Yankees Medich received a call to the majors in September , facing four batters in his major league debut, giving up two singles and two walks. From there, Medich improved substantially, as he went 14-9 with a 2.95 ERA in to finish third in American League Rookie of the Year balloting. He was also the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dave Giusti
David John Giusti, Jr. (born November 27, 1939) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from 1962 to 1977, most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won five National League Eastern Division titles in six years between and and, won the World Series in . Early life While playing baseball for Syracuse University, Giusti pitched in the 1961 College World Series as a starting pitcher. He signed out of a college as a free agent with the Houston Colt .45s (later the Houston Astros), and played in Houston from 1962–68. Shortly before the 1968 expansion draft, Giusti was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, who left him unprotected, and he was then drafted by the San Diego Padres. Two months later, Giusti was then traded back to the Cardinals. He competed for the fifth starter's role in spring training but lost out to Mike Torrez. After the 1969 baseball season, Giusti was traded to the Pittsb ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Doug Bair
Charles Douglas Bair (born August 22, 1949) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played for 15 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons — from 1976 to 1990 — for seven teams. Career Pittsburgh Pirates Bair was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Bowling Green State University in the second round of the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft and made his Major League debut on September 13, 1976, pitching two scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the New York Mets in a 5–0 loss. On March 15, 1977, Bair, Tony Armas, Dave Giusti, Rick Langford, Doc Medich, and Mitchell Page were traded to the Oakland Athletics for Chris Batton, Phil Garner, and Tommy Helms. Oakland Athletics Bair earned his first career victory on April 14, 1977, against the California Angels. On August 13, 1977, Bair recorded his first career save in a 9–6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Overall, Bair finished the season with a 4–6 record and a 3.46 ERA in 83 innings pitched, whi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tony Armas
Antonio Rafael Armas Machado (born July 2, 1953) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder from 1976 to 1989. He is the father of pitcher Tony Armas Jr. and the older brother of outfielder Marcos Armas. Armas Sr. was one of the top power hitters in the American League in the early 1980s. Twice he led the American League in home runs, and topped all of Major League Baseball in runs batted in during the season. He was, however, prone to injuries that affected his career. In his major league career, Armas went to the disabled list twelve times, missing 302 games. Career Pittsburgh Pirates Armas debuted with the Pittsburgh Pirates' Gulf Coast League affiliate in just shy of his eighteenth birthday. He spent six seasons in their farm system, batting .270 with 69 home runs when he received a September call-up in . He appeared in four games for the Pirates, and collected two hits in six at-bats. During spring trai ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rick Langford
James Rick Langford (born March 20, 1952) is an American retired professional baseball pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1976 through 1986. He has served as a coach for the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB and for their farm teams in Minor League Baseball. Career Langford grew up in Varina, Virginia. He attended Varina High School, where he participated in four sports. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent in 1973. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 1976. Before the 1977 season, the Pirates traded Langford, Tony Armas, Doug Bair, Dave Giusti, Doc Medich and Mitchell Page to the Oakland Athletics for Phil Garner, Chris Batton, and Tommy Helms. In a streak that began on May 23, 1980, Langford pitched 22 consecutive complete games. The streak ended on September 17, when he came within of an inning of another complete game. He then pitched consecutive complete games in his next three starts. Langf ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Terry Forster
Terry Jay Forster (born January 14, 1952) is a retired left-handed relief pitcher who played for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues. He played for five teams in his career and recorded 127 saves during his time in the majors. Early life Forster grew up in California and attended Santana High School in Santee, California. A talented pitcher at the high school level, he was made a second round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 1970 MLB Amateur Draft. Career Forster rapidly ascended to the big league level, making the White Sox's opening day roster in 1971 after only 10 games at the single-A level in the minor leagues. He recorded a 3.99 ERA and hit .400 (2 for 5) as a 19-year-old. He became Chicago's top relief pitcher in 1972 and saved 29 games, which ranked second in the American League that season. After splitting time between the bullpen and the starting rotation in 1973, Forster returned primarily to the bullpen in 1974 and led the American League in saves with 24. He t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Goose Gossage
Richard Michael "Goose" Gossage (born July 5, 1951) is an American former baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1972 and 1994. He pitched for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Gossage was one of the earliest manifestations of the modern closer, with facial hair and a gruff demeanor to go along with his fastball. He led the American League (AL) in saves three times and was runner-up twice; by the end of the 1987 season he ranked second in major-league career saves, trailing only Rollie Fingers, although by the end of his career his total of 310 had slipped to fourth all time. When he retired he also ranked third in major-league career games pitched (1,002), and he remains third in wins in relief (115) and innings pitched in relief (1,556); his 1,502 strikeouts place him behind only Hoyt Wilhelm among pitchers who pitched primarily in relief. He ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and plays its home games at Guaranteed Rate Field, located on Chicago's South Side. The White Sox are one of two MLB teams based in Chicago, the other being the Chicago Cubs of the National League (NL) Central division. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the White Sox were established as a major league baseball club in as the Chicago White Stockings, before shortening their name to the White Sox in . The team originally played their home games at South Side Park before moving to Comiskey Park in , where they played until . They moved into their current home, which was originally also known as Comiskey Park like its predecessor and later carried sponsorship from U.S. Cellular, for the 1991 season. The White Sox won t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
