The 1978 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 97th 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 92nd 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 Pirates finished second 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 a record of 88–73.

Offseason

* December 8, 1977:

Al Oliver Albert Oliver Jr. (born October 14, 1946) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder and first baseman from through , most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won ...

and

Nelson Norman Nelson Augusto Norman (born May 23, 1958) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from to for the Texas Rangers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He returned to ...

were traded by the Pirates to the Texas Rangers as part of a four-team trade.

Bert Blyleven Bert Blyleven (born Rik Aalbert Blijleven, April 6, 1951) is a Dutch-American former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1970 to 1992, primarily with the Minnesota Twins. Blyleven recorded 3,701 ...

was traded by the Rangers to the Pirates, and

John Milner John David Milner (December 28, 1949 – January 4, 2000) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman and left fielder from to for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates and the Montreal E ...

was traded by the

New York 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 ...

to the Pirates.

Willie Montañez Guillermo Montañez Naranjo (born April 1, 1948) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball first baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the California Angels (), Philadelphia Phillies (–, ), San Francisco Giants (–), A ...

was traded by the

Atlanta 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 ...

to the Mets, and the Rangers traded

Tom Grieve Thomas Alan Grieve (born March 4, 1948) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball from 1970 to 1979 for the Washington Senators / Texas Rangers, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals. He was nicknam ...

and a player to be named later to the Mets. The Rangers traded

Adrian Devine Paul Adrian Devine (December 2, 1951June 27, 2020) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher in and from through for the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. He batted and threw ri ...

Tommy Boggs Thomas Winton Boggs (October 25, 1955 – October 5, 2022) was an American professional baseball player and college baseball coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher for the Texas Rangers (1976–1977, 1985) and the ...

, and Eddie Miller to the Braves. The Mets traded

Jon Matlack Jonathan Trumpbour Matlack (born January 19, 1950) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher from through for the New York Mets and the Texas Rangers. The three-t ...

to the Rangers. The Rangers completed the deal by sending

Ken Henderson Kenneth Joseph Henderson (born June 15, 1946) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from through for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, ...

to the Mets on March 15, 1978. * March 18, 1978:

Carl Morton Carl Wendle Morton (January 18, 1944 – April 12, 1983) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from through for the Montreal Expos and the Atlanta Braves. Morton was named the ...

was released by the Pirates.

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

, - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 1 , , April 7 , , Cubs , , 1–0 , , Candelaria (1–0) , , Reuschel , , — , , 39,028 , , 1–0 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 2 , , April 8 , , Cubs , , 4–3 (10) , , Bibby (1–0) , , Sutter , , — , , 9,387 , , 2–0 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 3 , , April 9 , , Cubs , , 3–4 , , Moore , , Kison (0–1) , , Sutter , , 11,632 , , 2–1 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 4 , , April 10 , , @

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 ...

, , 2–11 , , Denny , , Rooker (0–1) , , — , , 19,241 , , 2–2 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 5 , , April 12 , , @

, , 1–5 , , Forsch , , Candelaria (1–1) , , — , , 12,294 , , 2–3 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 6 , , April 13 , , @

, , 5–6 , , Rasmussen , , Blyleven (0–1) , , — , , 12,351 , , 2–4 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 7 , , April 14 , , @ Cubs , , 4–5 , , Hernandez , , Bibby (1–1) , , — , , 45,777 , , 2–5 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 8 , , April 15 , , @ Cubs , , 13–10 , , Rooker (1–1) , , Lamp , , — , , 20,684 , , 3–5 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 9 , , April 16 , , @ Cubs , , 1–5 , , Reuschel , , Robinson (0–1) , , — , , 20,921 , , 3–6 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 10 , , April 17 , ,

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 Citizen ...

, , 2–6 , , Lonborg , , Candelaria (1–2) , , — , , 7,343 , , 3–7 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 11 , , April 22 , ,

, , 8–7 , , Tekulve (1–0) , , Urrea , , — , , 5,173 , , 4–7 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 12 , , April 23 , ,

, , 14–7 , , Kison (1–1) , , Forsch , , — , , , , 5–7 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 13 , , April 23 , ,

, , 5–4 , , Bibby (2–1) , , Vuckovich , , Robinson (1) , , 10,008 , , 6–7 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 14 , , April 24 , , @

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 ...

, , 4–2 , , Tekulve (2–0) , , Cornejo , , — , , 9,495 , , 7–7 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 15 , , April 25 , , @

, , 2–1 , , Robinson (1–1) , , Bruhert , , — , , 6,914 , , 8–7 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 16 , , April 26 , , @

, , 1–0 (11) , , Blyleven (1–1) , , Myrick , , — , , 6,506 , , 9–7 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 17 , , April 28 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–5 , , Montefusco , , Candelaria (1–3) , , Lavelle , , 7,881 , , 9–8 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 18 , , April 29 , ,

, , 6–2 , , Robinson (2–1) , , Barr , , — , , 7,976 , , 10–8 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 19 , , April 30 , ,

, , 3–7 , , Knepper , , Blyleven (1–2) , , — , , 7,929 , , 10–9 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 20 , , May 1 , ,

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 ...

, , 7–4 , , Bibby (3–1) , , Fingers , , — , , 2,786 , , 11–9 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 21 , , May 2 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Owchinko , , Candelaria (1–4) , , — , , 3,228 , , 11–10 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 22 , , May 3 , ,

, , 5–7 , , D'Acquisto , , Bibby (3–2) , , Fingers , , 5,052 , , 11–11 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 23 , , May 5 , ,

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 ...

, , 2–7 , , Hooton , , Blyleven (1–3) , , — , , 7,580 , , 11–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 24 , , May 6 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Candelaria (2–4) , , Sutton , , Jackson (1) , , 8,919 , , 12–12 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 25 , , May 7 , ,

, , 6–4 , , Rooker (2–1) , , John , , Tekulve (1) , , 18,208 , , 13–12 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 26 , , May 9 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Curtis , , Tekulve (2–1) , , — , , 10,459 , , 13–13 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 27 , , May 10 , , @

, , 5–1 , , Blyleven (2–3) , , Barr , , — , , 4,766 , , 14–13 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 28 , , May 11 , , @

, , 2–6 , , Knepper , , Candelaria (2–5) , , — , , 6,071 , , 14–14 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 29 , , May 12 , , @

, , 4–6 , , Lee , , Tekulve (2–2) , , Fingers , , 20,240 , , 14–15 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 30 , , May 13 , , @

, , 5–6 , , Spillner , , Kison (1–2) , , Fingers , , 32,648 , , 14–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 31 , , May 14 , , @

, , 1–0 , , Robinson (3–1) , , Jones , , — , , 18,572 , , 15–16 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 32 , , May 15 , , @

, , 6–7 , , Hough , , Blyleven (2–4) , , — , , 35,297 , , 15–17 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 33 , , May 16 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Sutton , , Candelaria (2–6) , , Forster , , 32,243 , , 15–18 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 34 , , May 17 , , @

, , 1–10 , , John , , Rooker (2–2) , , — , , 33,097 , , 15–19 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 35 , , 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 ...

, , 5–3 , , Robinson (4–1) , , May , , Tekulve (2) , , 13,088 , , 16–19 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 36 , , May 20 , , @

, , 6–0 , , Blyleven (3–4) , , Twitchell , , — , , 13,834 , , 17–19 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 37 , , May 21 , , @

, , 7–0 , , Candelaria (3–6) , , Grimsley , , Tekulve (3) , , 20,016 , , 18–19 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 38 , , May 22 , , @

, , 2–5 , , Rogers , , Rooker (2–3) , , Knowles , , 12,300 , , 18–20 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 39 , , May 23 , ,

, , 3–7 , , Espinosa , , Jackson (0–1) , , Lockwood , , 2,869 , , 18–21 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 40 , , May 24 , ,

, , 6–5 (10) , , Tekulve (3–2) , , Lockwood , , — , , 5,302 , , 19–21 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 41 , , May 25 , ,

, , 2–3 (11) , , Murray , , Tekulve (3–3) , , — , , 5,766 , , 19–22 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 42 , , May 26 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Candelaria (4–6) , , Rogers , , Tekulve (4) , , 8,816 , , 20–22 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 43 , , May 27 , ,

, , 1–15 , , May , , Rooker (2–4) , , — , , 10,773 , , 20–23 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 44 , , May 28 , ,

, , 5–2 , , Bibby (4–2) , , Dues , , — , , 26,564 , , 21–23 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 45 , , May 29 , , @

, , 3–4 (14) , , Brusstar , , Hamilton (0–1) , , — , , 34,353 , , 21–24 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 46 , , May 30 , , @

, , 1–6 , , Carlton , , Blyleven (3–5) , , — , , 26,123 , , 21–25 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 47 , , May 31 , , @

, , 2–1 , , Candelaria (5–6) , , Lerch , , Tekulve (5) , , 29,595 , , 22–25 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 48 , , June 2 , , @

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 ...

, , 2–3 , , Tomlin , , Rooker (2–5) , , — , , 40,495 , , 22–26 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 49 , , June 3 , , @

, , 3–4 , , Norman , , Robinson (4–2) , , Sarmiento , , 50,152 , , 22–27 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 50 , , June 4 , , @

, , 4–1 , , Blyleven (4–5) , , Moskau , , Jackson (2) , , 37,304 , , 23–27 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 51 , , June 5 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–8 , , Easterly , , Tekulve (3–4) , , — , , 5,248 , , 23–28 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 52 , , June 6 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Bibby (5–2) , , Devine , , Tekulve (6) , , 4,914 , , 24–28 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 53 , , June 9 , ,

, , 11–9 , , Jackson (1–1) , , Bair , , Candelaria (1) , , 21,710 , , 25–28 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 54 , , June 10 , ,

, , 4–6 , , Seaver , , Jackson (1–2) , , — , , 34,009 , , 25–29 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 55 , , June 11 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Jackson (2–2) , , Sarmiento , , Whitson (1) , , 24,972 , , 26–29 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 56 , , June 12 , , @

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 ...

, , 5–6 , , Williams , , Whitson (0–1) , , Sambito , , 9,886 , , 26–30 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 57 , , June 13 , , @

, , 1–2 , , Forsch , , Bibby (5–3) , , Sambito , , 10,487 , , 26–31 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 58 , , June 14 , , @

, , 6–4 , , Whitson (1–1) , , Richard , , Tekulve (7) , , 12,440 , , 27–31 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 59 , , June 16 , , @

, , 9–4 , , Blyleven (5–5) , , Niekro , , Whitson (2) , , 18,572 , , 28–31 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 60 , , June 17 , , @

, , 5–3 , , Candelaria (6–6) , , Mahler , , Jackson (3) , , 16,284 , , 29–31 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 61 , , June 18 , , @

, , 7–8 , , Hanna , , Bibby (5–4) , , Skok , , 21,498 , , 29–32 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 62 , , June 19 , , Cubs , , 4–6 (10) , , Sutter , , Jackson (2–3) , , Hernandez , , 8,878 , , 29–33 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 63 , , June 20 , , Cubs , , 6–1 , , Blyleven (6–5) , , Holtzman , , — , , 10,912 , , 30–33 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 64 , , June 21 , , Cubs , , 2–1 , , Candelaria (7–6) , , Burris , , — , , 11,064 , , 31–33 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 65 , , June 23 , , @

, , 2–3 (11) , , Murray , , Whitson (1–2) , , — , , 16,594 , , 31–34 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 66 , , June 24 , , @

, , 7–4 (12) , , Tekulve (4–4) , , Siebert , , Hamilton (1) , , 17,810 , , 32–34 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 67 , , June 25 , , @

, , 4–0 , , Blyleven (7–5) , , Espinosa , , — , , 16,748 , , 33–34 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 68 , , June 26 , ,

, , 11–8 , , Whitson (2–2) , , Urrea , , Tekulve (8) , , 5,045 , , 34–34 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 69 , , June 27 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Vuckovich , , Candelaria (7–7) , , Schultz , , , , 34–35 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 70 , , June 27 , ,

, , 1–6 , , Falcone , , Reuss (0–1) , , — , , 9,229 , , 34–36 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 71 , , June 28 , ,

, , 5–7 (11) , , Thomas , , Tekulve (4–5) , , — , , 7,742 , , 34–37 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 72 , , June 29 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Jackson (3–3) , , Lockwood , , Whitson (3) , , 6,367 , , 35–37 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 73 , , June 30 , ,

, , 5–6 , , Murray , , Hamilton (0–2) , , — , , 31,947 , , 35–38 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 74 , , July 1 , ,

, , 1–0 , , Rooker (3–5) , , Lockwood , , Tekulve (9) , , 7,912 , , 36–38 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 75 , , July 3 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Dues , , Candelaria (7–8) , , Rogers , , 7,480 , , 36–39 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 76 , , July 4 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Blyleven (8–5) , , Schatzeder , , Tekulve (10) , , , , 37–39 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 77 , , July 4 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Robinson (5–2) , , Twitchell , , Tekulve (11) , , 15,001 , , 38–39 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 78 , , July 6 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Denny , , Rooker (3–6) , , — , , 14,832 , , 38–40 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 79 , , July 7 , , @

, , 2–1 , , Candelaria (8–8) , , Vuckovich , , Tekulve (12) , , 13,813 , , 39–40 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 80 , , July 8 , , @

, , 0–4 , , Martinez , , Robinson (5–3) , , — , , 20,524 , , 39–41 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 81 , , July 9 , , @

, , 6–1 , , Blyleven (9–5) , , Forsch , , Tekulve (13) , , 22,101 , , 40–41 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 82 , , July 13 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Knepper , , Candelaria (8–9) , , — , , 13,984 , , 40–42 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 83 , , July 14 , ,

, , 5–2 , , Rooker (4–6) , , Montefusco , , Tekulve (14) , , 15,733 , , 41–42 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 84 , , July 15 , ,

, , 5–6 (11) , , Lavelle , , Whitson (2–3) , , — , , 16,174 , , 41–43 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 85 , , July 16 , ,

, , 3–2 (10) , , Whitson (3–3) , , Fingers , , — , , , , 42–43 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 86 , , July 16 , ,

, , 10–6 , , Jackson (4–3) , , Kinney , , Tekulve (15) , , 16,303 , , 43–43 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 87 , , July 17 , ,

, , 8–7 (10) , , Tekulve (5–5) , , Fingers , , — , , 7,045 , , 44–43 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 88 , , July 18 , ,

, , 2–7 , , Sutton , , Robinson (5–4) , , — , , 15,125 , , 44–44 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 89 , , July 19 , ,

, , 6–3 , , Rooker (5–6) , , Rau , , Tekulve (16) , , 15,527 , , 45–44 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 90 , , July 20 , ,

, , 7–6 (10) , , Kison (2–2) , , Forster , , — , , 13,823 , , 46–44 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 91 , , July 21 , , @

, , 3–0 , , Bibby (6–4) , , Knepper , , — , , 23,882 , , 47–44 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 92 , , July 22 , , @

, , 2–3 (10) , , Curtis , , Tekulve (5–6) , , — , , 18,872 , , 47–45 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 93 , , July 23 , , @

, , 1–3 , , Barr , , Candelaria (8–10) , , — , , 41,923 , , 47–46 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 94 , , July 25 , , @

, , 1–2 , , Owchinko , , Rooker (5–7) , , — , , 17,522 , , 47–47 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 95 , , July 26 , , @

, , 5–6 , , Perry , , Kison (2–3) , , Fingers , , 16,556 , , 47–48 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 96 , , July 27 , , @

, , 3–6 , , Shirley , , Whitson (3–4) , , Fingers , , 14,076 , , 47–49 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 97 , , July 28 , , @

, , 3–7 , , John , , Candelaria (8–11) , , Forster , , 43,600 , , 47–50 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 98 , , July 29 , , @

, , 1–2 , , Sutton , , Robinson (5–5) , , — , , 46,139 , , 47–51 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 99 , , July 30 , , @

, , 5–3 , , Rooker (6–7) , , Rau , , Tekulve (17) , , 48,587 , , 48–51 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 100 , , July 31 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Garman , , Blyleven (9–6) , , — , , 22,152 , , 48–52 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 101 , , August 1 , , @

, , 3–4 , , Rogers , , Bibby (6–5) , , Knowles , , 21,287 , , 48–53 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 102 , , August 2 , , @

, , 3–0 , , Kison (3–3) , , Schatzeder , , Tekulve (18) , , 15,378 , , 49–53 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 103 , , August 4 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Christenson , , Rooker (6–8) , , — , , , , 49–54 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 104 , , August 4 , ,

, , 5–2 , , Robinson (6–5) , , Kaat , , — , , 30,865 , , 50–54 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 105 , , August 6 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Ruthven , , Blyleven (9–7) , , — , , , , 50–55 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 106 , , August 6 , ,

, , 0–5 , , Carlton , , Bibby (6–6) , , — , , 31,141 , , 50–56 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 107 , , August 7 , , @ Cubs , , 4–5 , , Moore , , Reuss (0–2) , , Sutter , , 18,615 , , 50–57 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 108 , , August 8 , , @ Cubs , , 9–5 , , Robinson (7–5) , , Reuschel , , — , , 26,037 , , 51–57 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 109 , , August 9 , , @ Cubs , , 4–5 , , Roberts , , Whitson (3–5) , , — , , 23,310 , , 51–58 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 110 , , August 10 , , @

, , 1–3 , , Ruthven , , Blyleven (9–8) , , — , , 34,672 , , 51–59 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 111 , , August 11 , , @

, , 4–15 , , Carlton , , Kison (3–4) , , — , , 35,101 , , 51–60 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 112 , , August 12 , , @

, , 1–10 , , Lerch , , Bibby (6–7) , , — , , 30,110 , , 51–61 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 113 , , August 13 , , @

, , 7–3 , , Robinson (8–5) , , Christenson , , — , , 38,119 , , 52–61 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 114 , , August 14 , ,

, , 7–4 , , Rooker (7–8) , , Moskau , , Tekulve (19) , , 26,514 , , 53–61 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 115 , , August 15 , ,

, , 3–4 (10) , , Bair , , Whitson (3–6) , , — , , 16,400 , , 53–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 116 , , August 16 , ,

, , 13–2 , , Candelaria (9–11) , , Bonham , , Jackson (4) , , 15,490 , , 54–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 117 , , August 17 , ,

, , 5–1 , , Robinson (9–5) , , Richard , , — , , , , 55–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 118 , , August 17 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Kison (4–4) , , Lemongello , , Tekulve (20) , , 8,470 , , 56–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 119 , , August 18 , ,

, , 6–3 , , Bibby (7–7) , , Ruhle , , Tekulve (21) , , 8,632 , , 57–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 120 , , August 19 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Blyleven (10–8) , , Bannister , , Tekulve (22) , , 22,015 , , 58–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 121 , , August 20 , ,

, , 7–6 , , Rooker (8–8) , , Dixon , , Tekulve (23) , , , , 59–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 122 , , August 20 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Reuss (1–2) , , Niekro , , — , , 21,851 , , 60–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 123 , , August 22 , , @

, , 3–1 , , Robinson (10–5) , , Mahler , , Tekulve (24) , , 9,348 , , 61–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 124 , , August 23 , , @

, , 4–3 (12) , , Jackson (5–3) , , Campbell , , — , , 6,553 , , 62–62 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 125 , , August 24 , , @

, , 5–1 , , Blyleven (11–8) , , Niekro , , Tekulve (25) , , 7,965 , , 63–62 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 126 , , August 25 , , @

, , 5–7 , , Niekro , , Rooker (8–9) , , Andujar , , 11,641 , , 63–63 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 127 , , August 26 , , @

, , 2–7 , , Richard , , Kison (4–5) , , — , , 9,985 , , 63–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 128 , , August 27 , , @

, , 8–5 , , Jackson (6–3) , , Lemongello , , Tekulve (26) , , 10,947 , , 64–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 129 , , August 28 , , @

, , 3–1 , , Candelaria (10–11) , , Norman , , Whitson (4) , , 23,612 , , 65–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 130 , , August 29 , , @

, , 5–0 , , Blyleven (12–8) , , LaCoss , , — , , 24,967 , , 66–64 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 131 , , September 1 , ,

, , 8–3 , , Robinson (11–5) , , Niekro , , Tekulve (27) , , , , 67–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 132 , , September 1 , ,

, , 3–0 , , Kison (5–5) , , Mahler , , Tekulve (28) , , 14,306 , , 68–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 133 , , September 2 , ,

, , 4–3 (12) , , Jackson (7–3) , , Camp , , — , , 9,580 , , 69–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 134 , , September 3 , ,

, , 6–3 , , Tekulve (6–6) , , Garber , , — , , 8,594 , , 70–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 135 , , September 4 , ,

, , 7–4 , , Whitson (4–6) , , Lockwood , , Jackson (5) , , , , 71–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 136 , , September 4 , ,

, , 7–0 , , Bibby (8–7) , , Berenguer , , — , , 25,765 , , 72–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 137 , , September 5 , ,

, , 8–0 , , Reuss (2–2) , , Koosman , , — , , 18,476 , , 73–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 138 , , September 6 , , @

, , 4–1 , , Robinson (12–5) , , Denny , , — , , 7,945 , , 74–64 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 139 , , September 7 , , @

, , 4–5 , , Lopez , , Jackson (7–4) , , Littell , , 7,805 , , 74–65 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 140 , , September 8 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Murray , , Blyleven (12–9) , , — , , 4,749 , , 74–66 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 141 , , September 9 , , @

, , 1–4 , , Kobel , , Rooker (8–10) , , — , , 8,881 , , 74–67 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 142 , , September 10 , , @

, , 9–11 , , Bernard , , Tekulve (6–7) , , Cornejo , , 9,256 , , 74–68 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 143 , , September 11 , , @

, , 3–10 , , Carlton , , Robinson (12–6) , , — , , 33,198 , , 74–69 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 144 , , September 12 , , @

, , 5–1 , , Candelaria (11–11) , , Christenson , , Tekulve (29) , , 31,355 , , 75–69 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 145 , , September 13 , ,

, , 7–1 , , Blyleven (13–9) , , Falcone , , — , , 6,398 , , 76–69 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 146 , , September 14 , ,

, , 7–4 , , Rooker (9–10) , , Forsch , , — , , 5,294 , , 77–69 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 147 , , September 15 , ,

, , 6–1 , , Kison (6–5) , , Fryman , , — , , 15,146 , , 78–69 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 148 , , September 16 , ,

, , 12–5 , , Robinson (13–6) , , Grimsley , , — , , 8,079 , , 79–69 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 149 , , September 17 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Blyleven (14–9) , , May , , Tekulve (30) , , 8,544 , , 80–69 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 150 , , September 19 , , @ Cubs , , 12–11 (11) , , Jones (1–0) , , Sutter , , — , , 6,137 , , 81–69 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 151 , , September 20 , , @ Cubs , , 1–5 , , Krukow , , Rooker (9–11) , , — , , 5,269 , , 81–70 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 152 , , September 21 , , @ Cubs , , 3–2 (14) , , Whitson (5–6) , , Sutter , , Bibby (1) , , 2,423 , , 82–70 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 153 , , September 23 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Grimsley , , Blyleven (14–10) , , — , , 20,324 , , 82–71 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 154 , , September 24 , , @

, , 0–4 , , Sanderson , , Kison (6–6) , , — , , 23,260 , , 82–72 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 155 , , September 25 , , Cubs , , 7–4 , , Candelaria (12–11) , , Krukow , , — , , 5,937 , , 83–72 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 156 , , September 26 , , Cubs , , 5–2 , , Robinson (14–6) , , Lamp , , — , , 6,515 , , 84–72 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 157 , , September 27 , , Cubs , , 8–3 , , Reuss (3–2) , , Burris , , — , , 7,467 , , 85–72 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 158 , , September 29 , ,

, , 5–4 , , Tekulve (7–7) , , Reed , , — , , , , 86–72 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 159 , , September 29 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Tekulve (8–7) , , Carlton , , — , , 45,134 , , 87–72 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 160 , , September 30 , ,

, , 8–10 , , Lerch , , Jackson (7–5) , , Reed , , 28,905 , , 87–73 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 161 , , October 1 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Jones (2–0) , , Saucier , , Tekulve (31) , , 30,224 , , 88–73 , - , - , ''Legend: = Win = Loss
Bold = Pirates team member''

Opening Day lineup

Notable transactions

* April 4, 1978:

Miguel Diloné Miguel Ángel Diloné Reyes (born November 1, 1954) is a former Major League Baseball switch hitting outfielder. He played 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Montreal Exp ...

Elías Sosa Elías Sosa Martínez (born June 10, 1950) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He was signed by the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB) as an amateur free agent on March 4, 1968, and played for the Giants (1972–1 ...

and a player to be named later were traded by the Pirates to the

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...

for

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 ...

. The Pirates completed the deal by sending Mike Edwards to the Athletics on April 7. * June 1, 1978:

Jim Fregosi James Louis Fregosi (April 4, 1942 – February 14, 2014) was an American professional baseball shortstop and manager, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from to , primarily for the Los Angeles / California Angels. He also played for the ...

was released by the Pirates. * June 6, 1978:

Vance Law Vance Aaron Law (born October 1, 1956) is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1980–81), Chicago White Sox (1982–84), Montreal Expos (1985–87), Chicag ...

was drafted by the Pirates in the 39th round of the 1978 amateur draft. * September 22, 1978:

Cito Gaston Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston (; born March 17, 1944) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967 to 1978, most notably with the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves. He spent his en ...

was purchased by the Pirates from the

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''

Awards and honors

Willie Stargell Wilver Dornell Stargell (March 6, 1940 – April 9, 2001), nicknamed "Pops" later in his career, was an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman who spent all of his 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) ( 1962– 1982 ...

Hutch Award The Hutch Award is given annually to an active Major League Baseball (MLB) player who "best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire" of Fred Hutchinson, by persevering through adversity. The award was created in 1965 in honor of Hu ...

All-Stars

1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 49th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 11, 197 ...

* Willie Stargell, reserve

Farm system

Notes

References

1978 Pittsburgh Pirates team page at Baseball Reference

1978 Pittsburgh Pirates team page at www.baseball-almanac.com
* {{Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates seasons Pittsburgh Pirates season Pittsburg