The 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 91st season of the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...

franchise; the 86th in the

National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...

. The defending

World Series The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, contested since 1903 between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner of the World ...

champion Pirates finished first in the

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 Leag ...

with an MLB-best record of 96–59. The team was defeated three games to two by the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...

in the 1972 National League Championship Series. 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 9th 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 walkoff run coming on a wild pitch.

Offseason

* November, 1971:

Danny Murtaugh Daniel Edward Murtaugh (October 8, 1917 – December 2, 1976) was an American second baseman, manager, front-office executive, and coach in Major League Baseball ( MLB). Murtaugh is best known for his 29-year association with the Pittsburgh Pira ...

steps down as Manager of the Pirates citing health reasons. Coach

Bill Virdon William Charles Virdon (June 9, 1931 – November 23, 2021) was an American professional baseball outfielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB). Virdon played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 t ...

is named Manager. * January 12, 1972:

Larry Demery Lawrence Calvin Demery (born June 4, 1953) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of four seasons in the majors, from until , for the Pittsburgh Pirates. A native of Bakersfield, California, Demery was the s ...

was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft (Secondary Phase). * March 15, 1972: José Martínez was purchased from the Pirates by the

Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Detailed records

Game log

, - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 1 , , April 15 , , @

Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...

, , 0–4 , , Seaver , , Ellis (0–1) , , McGraw , , 15,893 , , 0–1 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 2 , , April 16 , , @

, , 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 The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citize ...

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, , 4–5 (11) , , Brandon , , Miller (0–1) , , — , , 43,438 , , 4–3 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 8 , , April 25 , ,

Reds Reds may refer to: General * Red (political adjective), supporters of Communism or socialism * Reds (January Uprising), a faction of the Polish insurrectionists during the January Uprising in 1863 * USSR (or, to a lesser extent, China) during th ...

, , 5–2 (13) , , Miller (1–1) , , McGlothlin , , — , , 6,509 , , 5–3 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 9 , , April 26 , ,

, , 6–7 , , Nolan , , Blass (1–1) , , Borbon , , 6,380 , , 5–4 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 10 , , April 27 , ,

, , 4–5 , , Carroll , , Giusti (0–1) , , — , , 12,504 , , 5–5 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 11 , , April 28 , ,

Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...

, , 5–13 , , Jarvis , , Moose (0–2) , , McQueen , , 12,804 , , 5–6 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 12 , , April 29 , ,

, , 5–9 , , Kelley , , Walker (0–1) , , Stone , , 10,684 , , 5–7 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 13 , , April 30 , ,

, , 1–6 , , Niekro , , Johnson (0–1) , , — , , 12,264 , , 5–8 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 14 , , May 1 , ,

Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West division, having moved to the div ...

, , 8–9 , , Ray , , Giusti (0–2) , , — , , 4,788 , , 5–9 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 15 , , May 3 , ,

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, , 4–5 (10) , , Carroll , , Giusti (0–3) , , — , , 24,722 , , 6–10 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 17 , , May 6 , , @

, , 8–1 , , Blass (2–1) , , Borbon , , — , , 12,284 , , 7–10 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 18 , , May 7 , , @

, , 9–6 , , Briles (2–0) , , Billingham , , Moose (1) , , 19,281 , , 8–10 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 19 , , May 9 , , @

, , 5–2 , , Ellis (3–1) , , Kelley , , Kison (2) , , 7,762 , , 9–10 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 20 , , May 10 , , @

, , 4–8 , , Niekro , , Johnson (0–2) , , — , , 6,708 , , 9–11 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 21 , , May 12 , , @

, , 4–2 , , Blass (3–1) , , Dierker , , Miller (1) , , 17,863 , , 10–11 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 22 , , May 13 , , @

, , 6–1 (12) , , Moose (1–2) , , Gladding , , Miller (2) , , 23,568 , , 11–11 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 23 , , May 14 , , @

, , 6–7 , , Wilson , , Briles (2–1) , , Ray , , 14,704 , , 11–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 24 , , May 15 , ,

Cardinals Cardinal or The Cardinal may refer to: Animals * Cardinal (bird) or Cardinalidae, a family of North and South American birds **''Cardinalis'', genus of cardinal in the family Cardinalidae **''Cardinalis cardinalis'', or northern cardinal, the ...

, , 4–1 , , Ellis (4–1) , , Gibson , , — , , 8,640 , , 12–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 25 , , May 16 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Walker (1–1) , , Wise , , Giusti (2) , , 8,272 , , 13–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 26 , , May 17 , ,

, , 12–0 , , Blass (4–1) , , Cleveland , , — , , 9,188 , , 14–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 27 , , May 19 , ,

Expos The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in t ...

, , 8–0 , , Moose (2–2) , , Stoneman , , — , , 41,765 , , 15–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 28 , , May 20 , ,

, , 6–0 , , Ellis (5–1) , , Morton , , Kison (3) , , 11,602 , , 16–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 29 , , May 21 , ,

, , 1–0 , , Walker (2–1) , , McAnally , , Hernández (2) , , 30,418 , , 17–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 30 , , May 21 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Giusti (1–3) , , Gilbert , , — , , 30,418 , , 18–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 31 , , May 23 , , @

, , 6–2 , , Blass (5–1) , , Cleveland , , Hernández (3) , , 11,795 , , 19–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 32 , , May 24 , , @

, , 9–4 (14) , , Miller (2–1) , , Higgins , , — , , 10,794 , , 20–12 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 33 , , May 25 , , @

, , 2–4 , , Gibson , , Ellis (5–2) , , — , , 9,293 , , 20–13 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 34 , , May 26 , ,

, , 6–4 , , Briles (3–1) , , Carlton , , — , , 25,164 , , 21–13 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 35 , , May 27 , ,

, , 1–2 (12) , , Brandon , , Giusti (1–4) , , Short , , 19,398 , , 21–14 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 36 , , May 28 , ,

, , 6–5 , , Hernández (2–0) , , Hoerner , , — , , 15,236 , , 22–14 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 37 , , May 29 , ,

, , 7–3 , , Hernández (3–0) , , Fryman , , — , , 36,464 , , 23–14 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 38 , , May 29 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Moose (3–2) , , Reynolds , , Giusti (3) , , 36,464 , , 24–14 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 39 , , May 31 , , @

, , 2–3 , , McAnally , , Briles (3–2) , , — , , 10,565 , , 24–15 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 40 , , June 2 , , @

Giants A giant is a being of human appearance, sometimes of prodigious size and strength, common in folklore. Giant(s) or The Giant(s) may also refer to: Mythology and religion *Giants (Greek mythology) *Jötunn, a Germanic term often translated as 'gi ...

, , 4–7 , , Marichal , , Johnson (0–3) , , — , , 6,669 , , 24–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 41 , , June 3 , , @

, , 4–3 , , Blass (6–1) , , McDowell , , Giusti (4) , , 11,216 , , 25–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 42 , , June 4 , , @

, , 4–3 , , Miller (3–1) , , Johnson , , Giusti (5) , , , , 26–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 43 , , June 4 , , @

, , 9–1 , , Kison (1–0) , , Williams , , — , , 19,929 , , 27–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 44 , , June 7 , , @

Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...

, , 12–5 , , Johnson (1–3) , , Norman , , — , , , , 28–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 45 , , June 7 , , @

, , 1–0 (18) , , Miller (4–1) , , Corkins , , Johnson (1) , , 7,371 , , 29–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 46 , , June 8 , , @

, , 11–2 , , Moose (4–2) , , Arlin , , — , , 2,949 , , 30–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 47 , , June 9 , , @

Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...

, , 5–1 , , Blass (7–1) , , Sutton , , — , , 35,078 , , 31–16 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 48 , , June 10 , , @

, , 1–2 , , Osteen , , Walker (2–2) , , Brewer , , 38,937 , , 31–17 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 49 , , June 11 , , @

, , 7–5 , , Kison (2–0) , , Mikkelsen , , Giusti (6) , , 40,846 , , 32–17 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 50 , , June 14 , ,

, , 1–3 , , McDowell , , Ellis (5–3) , , — , , 14,552 , , 32–18 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 51 , , June 15 , ,

, , 4–1 , , Briles (4–2) , , Stone , , Giusti (7) , , , , 33–18 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 52 , , June 15 , ,

, , 9–7 , , Moose (5–2) , , Bryant , , Hernández (4) , , 21,126 , , 34–18 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 53 , , June 16 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Blass (8–1) , , Norman , , — , , 17,020 , , 35–18 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 54 , , June 17 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Kirby , , Walker (2–3) , , — , , 20,718 , , 35–19 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 55 , , June 18 , ,

, , 0–1 , , Arlin , , Kison (2–1) , , — , , 27,143 , , 35–20 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 56 , , June 19 , ,

, , 13–3 , , Ellis (6–3) , , Sutton , , Miller (3) , , 15,430 , , 36–20 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 57 , , June 21 , ,

, , 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 , , @

, , 2–4 , , Koosman , , Moose (5–4) , , McGraw , , 48,820 , , 39–22 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 62 , , June 27 , , @

, , 4–7 , , Frisella , , Walker (2–4) , , — , , 38,152 , , 39–23 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 63 , , June 28 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Stoneman , , Blass (9–2) , , — , , 13,470 , , 39–24 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 64 , , June 29 , ,

, , 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 , - , - 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 , , @

, , 0–6 , , Dierker , , Briles (6–3) , , — , , 31,164 , , 43–26 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 70 , , July 5 , , @

, , 6–4 , , Johnson (2–3) , , Forsch , , — , , 23,646 , , 44–26 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 71 , , July 6 , , @

, , 7–3 (17) , , Hernández (4–0) , , Ray , , — , , 23,540 , , 45–26 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 72 , , July 7 , , @

, , 10–2 , , Walker (3–4) , , Kelley , , — , , , , 46–26 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 73 , , July 7 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Hardin , , Kison (3–2) , , — , , 25,253 , , 46–27 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 74 , , July 8 , , @

, , 5–3 , , Blass (10–2) , , Reed , , Giusti (11) , , 20,256 , , 47–27 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 75 , , July 9 , , @

, , 7–4 , , Briles (7–3) , , McLain , , — , , 20,130 , , 48–27 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 76 , , July 11 , , @

, , 0–5 , , Billingham , , Moose (5–5) , , — , , 24,047 , , 48–28 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 77 , , July 12 , , @

, , 3–6 , , Simpson , , Walker (3–5) , , Carroll , , 28,058 , , 48–29 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 78 , , July 13 , , @

, , 0–2 , , Nolan , , Blass (10–3) , , Carroll , , 32,060 , , 48–30 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 79 , , July 14 , ,

, , 5–2 , , Briles (8–3) , , Dierker , , — , , 24,487 , , 49–30 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 80 , , July 15 , ,

, , 5–1 , , Ellis (8–4) , , Forsch , , Giusti (12) , , 16,202 , , 50–30 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 81 , , July 16 , ,

, , 3–2 (10) , , Giusti (4–4) , , Gladding , , — , , , , 51–30 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 82 , , July 16 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Kison (4–2) , , Wilson , , Giusti (13) , , 49,341 , , 52–30 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 83 , , July 17 , ,

, , 6–5 , , Hernández (5–0) , , Hoerner , , Giusti (14) , , 14,866 , , 53–30 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 84 , , July 18 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Reed , , Blass (10–4) , , — , , 20,162 , , 53–31 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 85 , , July 19 , ,

, , 8–3 , , Briles (9–3) , , Niekro , , Walker (1) , , 24,847 , , 54–31 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 86 , , July 21 , ,

, , 5–11 , , Borbon , , Kison (4–3) , , Gullett , , 32,255 , , 54–32 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 87 , , July 22 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Sprague , , Moose (5–6) , , Carroll , , 40,837 , , 54–33 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 88 , , July 23 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Blass (11–4) , , Grimsley , , Hernández (6) , , 29,487 , , 55–33 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 89 , , July 27 , ,

, , 0–1 (10) , , Matlack , , Briles (9–4) , , — , , , , 55–34 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 90 , , July 27 , ,

, , 7–5 , , Moose (6–6) , , Koosman , , Giusti (15) , , 49,886 , , 56–34 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 91 , , July 28 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Ellis (9–4) , , Seaver , , — , , 39,035 , , 57–34 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 92 , , July 29 , , @

, , 2–5 , , Fryman , , Blass (11–5) , , Selma , , 37,544 , , 57–35 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 93 , , July 29 , , @

, , 3–2 , , Walker (4–5) , , Brandon , , Giusti (16) , , 37,544 , , 58–35 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 94 , , July 30 , , @

, , 7–1 , , Kison (5–3) , , Lersch , , — , , 28,451 , , 59–35 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 95 , , July 31 , , @

, , 2–0 , , Moose (7–6) , , Reynolds , , — , , 17,455 , , 60–35 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 96 , , August 1 , , @

, , 4–7 , , Santorini , , Briles (9–5) , , Segui , , 23,712 , , 60–36 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 97 , , August 2 , , @

, , 5–10 (7) , , Gibson , , Ellis (9–5) , , — , , 24,961 , , 60–37 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 98 , , August 3 , , @

, , 2–1 (10) , , Blass (12–5) , , Wise , , Hernández (7) , , 14,836 , , 61–37 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 99 , , August 4 , , @

, , 1–2 , , Moore , , Kison (5–4) , , — , , 18,436 , , 61–38 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 100 , , August 5 , , @

, , 7–4 , , Briles (10–5) , , Stoneman , , Giusti (17) , , 20,905 , , 62–38 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 101 , , August 6 , , @

, , 8–0 , , Moose (8–6) , , Torrez , , — , , , , 63–38 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 102 , , August 6 , , @

, , 7–2 , , Johnson (3–3) , , Renko , , Hernández (8) , , 28,330 , , 64–38 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 103 , , August 8 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Ellis (10–5) , , Champion , , — , , 18,228 , , 65–38 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 104 , , August 9 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Carlton , , Blass (12–6) , , — , , 19,832 , , 65–39 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 105 , , August 11 , ,

, , 10–5 , , Briles (11–5) , , Cleveland , , Hernández (9) , , 34,248 , , 66–39 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 106 , , August 12 , ,

, , 6–5 , , Moose (9–6) , , Gibson , , Giusti (18) , , 23,474 , , 67–39 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 107 , , August 13 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Wise , , Ellis (10–6) , , — , , , , 67–40 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 108 , , August 13 , ,

, , 7–5 , , Blass (13–6) , , Santorini , , Giusti (19) , , 47,300 , , 68–40 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 109 , , August 15 , , @

, , 6–8 , , Richert , , Johnson (3–4) , , Brewer , , 27,484 , , 68–41 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 110 , , August 16 , , @

, , 3–2 , , Miller (5–1) , , Sutton , , — , , 28,318 , , 69–41 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 111 , , August 17 , , @

, , 2–4 , , Downing , , Moose (9–7) , , Richert , , 29,777 , , 69–42 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 112 , , August 18 , , @

, , 4–2 , , Blass (14–6) , , Greif , , — , , 30,610 , , 70–42 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 113 , , August 20 , , @

, , 9–3 , , Ellis (11–6) , , Corkins , , Johnson (2) , , , , 71–42 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 114 , , August 20 , , @

, , 5–2 , , Kison (6–4) , , Norman , , — , , 9,759 , , 72–42 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 115 , , August 22 , , @

, , 1–0 , , Briles (12–5) , , Marichal , , — , , 9,389 , , 73–42 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 116 , , August 23 , , @

, , 0–8 , , Barr , , Moose (9–8) , , — , , 8,330 , , 73–43 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 117 , , August 25 , ,

, , 3–2 (12) , , Giusti (5–4) , , Richert , , — , , , , 74–43 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 118 , , August 25 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Osteen , , Kison (6–5) , , — , , 39,574 , , 74–44 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 119 , , August 26 , ,

, , 3–7 , , Sutton , , Ellis (11–7) , , — , , 20,174 , , 74–45 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 120 , , August 27 , ,

, , 4–7 , , Mikkelsen , , Briles (12–6) , , Brewer , , 25,672 , , 74–46 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 121 , , August 28 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Moose (10–8) , , Caldwell , , Hernández (10) , , 13,438 , , 75–46 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 122 , , August 29 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Blass (15–6) , , Corkins , , Giusti (20) , , 12,329 , , 76–46 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 123 , , August 30 , ,

, , 11–0 , , Kison (7–5) , , Arlin , , — , , 19,009 , , 77–46 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 124 , , September 1 , ,

, , 10–6 , , Ellis (12–7) , , Bryant , , Giusti (21) , , 20,678 , , 78–46 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 125 , , September 2 , ,

, , 6–3 , , Briles (13–6) , , McDowell , , — , , 14,194 , , 79–46 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 126 , , September 3 , ,

, , 2–1 (10) , , Giusti (6–4) , , Johnson , , — , , 16,760 , , 80–46 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 127 , , September 4 , ,

, , 10–0 , , Blass (16–6) , , Twitchell , , — , , 26,627 , , 81–46 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 128 , , September 4 , ,

, , 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 , , @

, , 7–1 , , Johnson (4–4) , , Morton , , — , , , , 84–47 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 132 , , September 8 , , @

, , 4–2 (12) , , Giusti (7–4) , , Marshall , , Hernández (11) , , 12,118 , , 85–47 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 133 , , September 9 , , @

, , 8–3 , , Blass (17–6) , , Stoneman , , — , , 17,092 , , 86–47 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 134 , , September 10 , , @

, , 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 , , @

, , 4–10 , , Wise , , Kison (8–7) , , — , , 10,853 , , 89–49 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 139 , , September 16 , , @

, , 0–4 , , Santorini , , Blass (17–7) , , — , , 11,850 , , 89–50 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 140 , , September 17 , , @

, , 4–5 , , Cleveland , , Miller (5–2) , , Segui , , 11,802 , , 89–51 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 141 , , September 18 , , @

, , 0–1 , , Matlack , , Briles (14–8) , , — , , 15,622 , , 89–52 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 142 , , September 19 , , @

, , 5–1 , , Moose (12–8) , , Koosman , , — , , 15,537 , , 90–52 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 143 , , September 20 , , @

, , 1–4 , , Seaver , , Walker (4–6) , , — , , 15,147 , , 90–53 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 144 , , September 21 , , @

, , 6–2 , , Blass (18–7) , , Gentry , , — , , 10,991 , , 91–53 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 145 , , September 22 , ,

, , 4–3 (12) , , McKee (1–0) , , Marshall , , — , , 15,365 , , 92–53 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 146 , , September 23 , ,

, , 0–3 , , McAnally , , Briles (14–9) , , — , , 8,580 , , 92–54 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 147 , , September 24 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Morton , , Moose (12–9) , , — , , 9,116 , , 92–55 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 148 , , September 26 , , @

, , 5–1 , , Blass (19–7) , , Champion , , — , , 8,472 , , 93–55 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 149 , , September 27 , , @

, , 3–1 , , Kison (9–7) , , Reynolds , , Walker (2) , , 5,335 , , 94–55 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 150 , , September 28 , , @

, , 1–2 , , Carlton , , Moose (12–10) , , — , , 12,216 , , 94–56 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 151 , , September 29 , ,

, , 0–1 , , Seaver , , Briles (14–10) , , — , , 24,193 , , 94–57 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 152 , , September 30 , ,

, , 5–0 , , Ellis (15–7) , , Matlack , , Johnson (3) , , 13,117 , , 95–57 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 153 , , October 1 , ,

, , 3–7 , , Koosman , , Blass (19–8) , , — , , 30,031 , , 95–58 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 154 , , October 3 , ,

, , 6–2 , , Moose (13–10) , , Santorini , , Hernández (14) , , 5,905 , , 96–58 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 155 , , October 4 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Gibson , , Briles (14–11) , , — , , 4,603 , , 96–59 , - , - , ''Legend: = Win = Loss
Bold = Pirates team member''

Opening Day lineup

Notable transactions

* June 6, 1972: 1972 Major League Baseball draft **

John Candelaria John Robert Candelaria (born November 6, 1953) is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. Nicknamed "The Candy Man", he played in MLB during the years 1975–1993 for eight teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels, New York Mets, New Y ...

was drafted by the Pirates in the 2nd round. **

Ken Macha Kenneth Edward Macha (; born September 29, 1950) is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He managed the Oakland Athletics from 2003–2006, including American League Western Division championships in both his first and final s ...

was drafted by the Pirates in the 6th round. **

Willie Randolph William Larry Randolph (born July 6, 1954) is an American former professional baseball second baseman, coach, and manager. During an 18-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB), he played from 1975 to 1992 for six different teams, most notabl ...

was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round. * September 2, 1972 Bob Veale was sold by the Pirates to the

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...

.Bob Veale
at ''Baseball Almanac''

Roster

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''

Other batters

''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Pitching

Starting pitchers

''Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''

Other pitchers

''Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''

Relief pitchers

''Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''

National League Championship Series

Awards and honors

1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Salem, Niagara Falls

Notes

References

1972 Pittsburgh Pirates
at ''Baseball Reference''
1972 Pittsburgh Pirates
at ''Baseball Almanac'' * {{Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates seasons Pittsburgh Pirates season National League East champion seasons Pittsburg