The Phillies–Pirates rivalry, also known as the PooP series, is a
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB)
rivalry
A rivalry is the state of two people or groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each participant ...
between the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
and
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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
. Both clubs are members of MLB's
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
(NL); the Phillies are members of the
NL East division, while the Pirates are members of the
NL Central division. The rivalry was considered by some to be one of the best in the NL.
The rivalry started when the Pittsburgh Pirates entered NL play in their fifth season of 1887, four years after the Phillies.
The Phillies and Pirates had remained together after the NL split into two divisions in . During the period of two-division play (1969–), the two NL East division rivals won the two highest numbers of division championships, reigning almost exclusively as NL East champions in the 1970s and again in the early 1990s,
the Pirates 9, the Phillies 6; together, the two teams' 15 championships accounted for more than half of the 25 NL East championships during that span.
After the Pirates moved to the NL Central in , the teams face each other only in two series each year and the rivalry has diminished.
[ However, many fans, especially older ones, retain their dislike for the other team and regional differences between Eastern and ]Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania is a region in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the Unite ...
still fuel the rivalry. The rivalry is mirrored in the National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
's so-called " Battle of Pennsylvania".
Early history to before 1970
Before 1970, the rivalry seemed to be low-key, because the two teams were seldom equally good at the same time.[ However, in 1901, the Pirates and the Phillies finished first and second in the standings for the first time respectively,] with the Pirates finishing games ahead of the Phillies.
However, afterward, the Phillies would not win their first National League pennant until 1915, thanks to the pitching of Grover Cleveland Alexander and the batting prowess of Gavvy Cravath, who set the major-league single-season record for home runs with 24. During that time, the Pirates dominated the National League, winning three more pennants, in 1902, 1903, when they lost the inaugural World Series, and when they won their first World Series, in , becoming the first team to open a new stadium with a World Series championship, having played their first season at Forbes Field
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland (Pittsburgh), Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to June 28, 1970. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) team, and the fir ...
that year.
The Phillies were in the midst of a period of futility from 1918 to 1948 when the Pirates won the 1925 World Series and the 1927 National League pennant. During that time, the Phillies had only one winning season, in 1932. From 1933 to 1948, the Phillies posted 16 consecutive losing seasons, a major league record that stood until 2009 (ironically broken by the Pirates).
After World War II, the Pirates had limited success, despite the presence of a genuine star in Ralph Kiner, who led the National League in home runs for seven consecutive seasons (1946–1952). During that time, the Phillies would have their first winning season in 17 years in 1949, and the following year, the Whiz Kids of the Phillies would win their second National League pennant, though they lost to the New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
in the 1950 World Series
The 1950 World Series was the 47th World Series between the American League, American and National League (baseball), National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The 1950 Philadelphia Phillies season, Philadelphia Phillies as ...
. In 1960, the Phillies were in last place when the Pirates won the World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
.
1970s: Exclusive reign of division championships
It was during the 1970s that the rivalry became intense. The Phillies and the Pirates made up 10 of the possible 11 National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) postseason. It is contested by the winners of the two Natio ...
appearances from 1970 to 1980. However, neither team enjoyed success during LCS appearances. The Phillies went 1–3 and the Pirates went 2–4 in NLCS appearances. In most cases, the teams had to face " The Big Red Machine" of the Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
in the NLCS. In each of the years the two teams won a pennant, they won a World Series (Pirates in and and Phillies in ).
From 1970 to 1980, the two teams reigned exclusively as National League East champions, except in 1973, when the New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
won the National League pennant.[ The Phillies' success under manager Danny Ozark was attributed to a well-rounded lineup with Greg Luzinski and ]Mike Schmidt
Michael Jack Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who spent his entire 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972 to 1989. Schmidt was a 12-time Al ...
leading the team in homers, Steve Carlton and Tug McGraw leading the pitching, and Larry Bowa and Garry Maddox being the secretaries of Philadelphia's defense. The Pirates, under managers Danny Murtaugh and Chuck Tanner, also had tremendous offense led by Roberto Clemente
Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker (; August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, primarily as a right fielder. On December ...
, 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 ...
, Dave Parker
David Gene Parker (born June 9, 1951), nicknamed "the Cobra", is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right fielder from 1973 to 1991. A seven-time All-Star, Parker won two National League ba ...
, and Rennie Stennett, catcher Manny Sanguillén, infielders Bill Madlock and Phil Garner being the defensive specialists, and Dock Ellis, John Candelaria
John Robert Candelaria (born November 6, 1953) is a Puerto Rican-American former 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, ...
, Steve Blass and Bob Moose leading the pitching.
1970–1972: Pirates three-peat
Both teams opened new stadiums in successive years. The Pirates opened Three Rivers Stadium in 1970, while the Phillies opened Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, at the northeast corner of Broad Street (Philadelphia), Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The seating ca ...
in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex the following year.
During this period, the Pirates won three straight division champions, from 1970 to 1972.[ However, the Phillies didn't enjoy any success, finishing next-to-last in 1970 and in last place in 1971 and 1972. On June 25, 1971, Willie Stargell of the Pirates hit the longest home run in the history of Veterans Stadium in a 14–4 Pirates win. The spot where the ball landed was marked with a yellow star with a black "S" inside a white circle until Stargell's 2001 death, when the white circle was painted black. The star remained until the stadium's 2004 demolition.
]
1974–1980
The rivalry was heated as both the Phillies and Pirates reigned exclusively as 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.
After having internal, informal divisions for ...
Division champions. They also played each other 126 times and split the games, 63–63.[ For four straight years, the team that didn't win the division finished second in the standings.]
The Pirates won the division in 1974, 1975, and 1979, while the Phillies won three consecutive division titles from 1976 to 1978 and again in 1980.[
During the 1974 season. Phillies' second baseman Dave Cash coined the phrase "Yes We Can" for the team. Indeed, for a while, it looked as if they could. They led the division for 51 days.] However, in August and September, the Phillies suffered a minor collapse, going 25–32 and it was "No They Couldn't," giving the Pirates the division title. The Pirates lost in the 1974 National League Championship Series to the Los Angeles 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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
.
In 1975, the Pirates won the division championship at home against the Phillies and finished games ahead of the Phillies. In the 1975 National League Championship Series, they were swept by the eventual champion Reds.
In 1976, the two teams opened their season against each other in Philadelphia. Johnny Oates of the Phillies had been designated to platoon alongside catcher Bob Boone in the season. However, in the season opener, Oates cracked his collar bone in a collision at home plate with Dave Parker and missed almost half the season.[ The Phillies won their first National League East title, eclipsing the century mark for wins in a season for the first time in franchise history with 101 wins, nine games over the Pirates.] However, like the Pirates the year before, the Phillies were swept in the National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) postseason. It is contested by the winners of the two Natio ...
by the eventual champion Reds.
In 1977, the Phillies eclipsed the century mark for wins in a season for the second year in a row with 101 wins, five games over the Pirates. However, they lost in the 1977 National League Championship Series to the Los Angeles 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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
.
In 1978, the Pirates came from fourth place and games behind in mid-August to challenge the Phillies for the division title and the teams met in the last regular-season series of the season to decide the division title. The Phillies arrived in Pittsburgh for a four-game series ahead of the Pirates by on September 29. The Pirates swept a double-header to extend their winning streak of home wins to 24 and to trim the gap to games. In the third game of the series, Willie Stargell hit a grand slam home run and it looked like the lead would be cut to half a game. Instead, Phillies pitcher Randy Lerch hit two home runs to help the Phillies come from behind to win the game, 10–8, to win their third straight division title on the next-to-last day of the season. This was the first time that visiting teams won a division title at Three Rivers Stadium. In the postseason, the Phillies lost for the second year in a row to the Dodgers in the 1978 National League Championship Series.
Both teams won World Series in successive years in 1979 and 1980. In 1979, the Phillies acquired infielders Manny Trillo
Jesús Manuel Marcano Trillo (born December 25, 1950), nicknamed "Indio", is a Venezuelan people, Venezuelan former professional baseball second baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Philade ...
and Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose Sr. (April 14, 1941 – September 30, 2024), nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1963 to 1986, most prominently as a member of ...
, but the Pirates were too dominant as Stargell shared MVP honors with Keith Hernandez
Keith Hernandez (born October 20, 1953) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, and Cleveland Indians. Hernandez was a five-time Major League ...
and won their most recent one that year. The following year, the Phillies won their first one.
The Phillies winning the 1980 World Series was a moment of peace in the rivalry. Moments after Tug McGraw struck out Willie Wilson of 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) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
with the bases loaded to preserve the win for Steve Carlton and the Phillies, leaping from the mound to embrace catcher Bob Boone on the field at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh, himself from Pittsburgh, signed a proclamation declaring the next day "World Championship Philadelphia Phillies Day" in the state. During the team's post-parade celebration that day at John F. Kennedy Stadium, the governor said that the rivalry was at peace because "nobody competes with the Phillies today. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, today is the baseball capital of the world. All Pennsylvania is proud of you."
1980s
In the 1980s, the rivalry saw a moment of peace twice. The game between the two teams during the Phillies home opener on April 13, 1981, was a moment of peace in the rivalry. When the Phillies received their World Series rings, the team in the visitors' dugout was the Pirates. The Phillies won the game 5–1, giving Phillies starter Steve Carlton his 250th career victory.
In 1982, when Willie Stargell played his final season, both the Phillies and Pirates declared "Willie Stargell Day" in honor of Stargell's last games. The Pirates honored him on September 6 before they won a game against the New York Mets,[ while the Phillies honored him during a game against the Pirates on September 19, Stargell's final game in Philadelphia.][
Both teams finished first and second in the standings with the Phillies finishing six games ahead of the Pirates in their pennant season of 1983.]
In the mid to late 1980s, the rivalry was often low-key, as both teams sank in the standings. The only time during that period either team was able to post a winning record was during the playoff years of the New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
, and on both occasions, not only finished second in the standings but also the only team in the National League East other than the Mets to post a winning record (Phillies in and Pirates in 1988).
However, the rivalry had some memorable moments during that time. During a Phillies 8–6 win in Pittsburgh, on April 18, 1987, Mike Schmidt of the Phillies hit his 500th career home run in the ninth inning, a three-run home run.
1989: Phillies ten-run comeback
Perhaps the most memorable moment in the rivalry during the 1980s came on June 8, 1989. The Pirates scored 10 runs in the top of the first inning of a game at Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, at the northeast corner of Broad Street (Philadelphia), Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The seating ca ...
, including three on a Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964) is an American former professional baseball left fielder who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Bonds was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1986 to 1992 and the San Francisco Giants f ...
home run. As the Phillies came to bat in the bottom of the first, Pirates broadcaster (and former pitcher) Jim Rooker said on the air, "If we lose this game, I'll walk home." Instead, both Von Hayes and Steve Jeltz hit two home runs (the latter would hit only five during his Major League career) to trigger a Phillies comeback.
The Phillies, trailing now only 11–10 in the eighth inning, scored the tying run on a wild pitch, then took the lead on Darren Daulton
Darren Arthur Daulton (January 3, 1962 – August 6, 2017), nicknamed "Dutch", was an American professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies (, –) and Miami Marlins, Florida Marlins (199 ...
's two-run single and went on to win 15–11. The Pirates became the first team to lose a game after scoring 10 runs in the first inning. Rooker had to wait until after the season to make good on his "walk home" promise, conducting a 300-plus-mile charity walk from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.
1990–1993: Another exclusive reign of division championships
In 1990, the Phillies and Pirates began another exclusive reign of National League East championships, although both franchises did not field contenders until deep into the season during that reign. The Pirates, with sluggers Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964) is an American former professional baseball left fielder who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Bonds was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1986 to 1992 and the San Francisco Giants f ...
and Bobby Bonilla and pitcher Doug Drabek, and managed by Jim Leyland, won three straight, from 1990 to 1992 (Bonilla wasn't with the Pirates in 1992),[ while the Phillies, led by stars such as ]Darren Daulton
Darren Arthur Daulton (January 3, 1962 – August 6, 2017), nicknamed "Dutch", was an American professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies (, –) and Miami Marlins, Florida Marlins (199 ...
, John Kruk, Lenny Dykstra, and Curt Schilling, won the 1993 NL pennant. All NL East division titles during this period, except for 1990, were won at Three Rivers Stadium.[
]
1990–1992: Another Pirates three-peat
In 1990, the Pirates returned to the postseason for the first time since winning the 1979 World Series, but lost to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Championship Series.
The 1991 Pirates won the division for the second straight year, aided by their 12–6 record against the Phillies, and won the division championship in the final meeting between the two teams. When the Phillies saw the Pirates celebrate the championship, several Phillies, including outfielder
An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder. As an outfielder, their duty is to catch ...
Wes Chamberlain and shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball positions, baseball or softball fielding position between second base, second and third base, which is considered to be among the Defensive spectrum, most demanding defensive positions. Historically, the ...
Dickie Thon said that they had seen it before, but Phillies manager Jim Fregosi "didn't watch it" after seeing Pittsburgh Police and Pirates security ring the field. The Pirates became the first NL East team to win consecutive division titles since the Phillies in 1978, but lost to 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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...
in the 1991 National League Championship Series.
In 1992, Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini performed an unassisted triple play
In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes triple play, all three outs by himself in one continuous play, without his teammates making any Assist (baseball), assists. Neal Ball was the first to achieve this in Majo ...
against the Pirates and, in doing so, became the first second baseman in National League history and the first overall player in the regular season to do so. The Pirates went on to three-peat for the second time, and were the first National League East team to do so since the Phillies in 1976–1978. Once again, they lost to the Braves in the National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) postseason. It is contested by the winners of the two Natio ...
.
1993: Phillies go from worst to the National League pennant
In 1993, the Phillies, who finished in last place in 1992, steadily led the NL East and were in first place every day but one day, April 9. The Pirates were in first place on the very day that the Phillies weren't in first place. On August 29, the Phillies had a -game lead, but a September slip caused some columnists in the city to compare the club to the 1964 team, which surrendered a game lead during the last weeks of the season, losing 10 games in a row with 12 games remaining and losing the pennant by one game to the eventual champion St. Louis Cardinals. They dropped five of seven at home, reducing their lead to four with 13 games remaining.
On September 27, the Phillies came into Pittsburgh for a four-game series against the Pirates. The Phillies were ahead by 6 games with seven games left: four against the Pirates and the last three against the Cardinals. The Phillies won the opener, 6–4, and with the Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. The team plays its home games at LoanDepot Park.
The ...
winning at home against the second place Montréal Expos
The Montreal Expos () were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in the National League (NL) East division from 19 ...
, 3–1, clinched at least a tie for first place in the division. The next day, the Phillies were trailing 4–3 after giving up three runs in the sixth, but with a six-run seventh inning, capped by Mariano Duncan
Mariano Duncan Nalasco (born March 13, 1963) is a Dominican former second baseman and shortstop who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and ...
's grand slam home run, they won their first division title since winning the 1983 National League pennant. Outfielder Wes Chamberlain ended all the references to 1964, screaming, "It's 1993, baby! It ain't 1964. Where are all those ghosts now?" Many Phillies fans had made the cross-state trip to Pittsburgh to see their team clinch and after the game, manager Jim Fregosi threw his cap to them as he walked off the field. Although Fregosi won the American League West
The American League West is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The division has five teams as of the 2013 season, but had four teams from 1994 to 2012, and had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams cu ...
title as manager of the California Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. Since 1966, the team has pl ...
in 1979, he said that 1993 was "the most gratifying year I have ever spent in baseball. It's just great. There's nothing like that. I'm just so proud of these guys. They've been great all year long."
Pirates manager Jim Leyland, this time, had to see the Phillies celebration from the home team dugout. He watched the celebration, unlike Fregosi two years before, and said: "To me, the real grind is the 162-game schedule...On behalf of the entire Pirates organization, I congratulate the Phillies. They did a tremendous job. It's well deserved. They earned everything they got. They should be real proud of doing it—and real proud of the way they did it." It was only the third time that a visiting team had won a division title at Three Rivers Stadium, following the Phillies themselves in 1978 and the Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
in 1984.[
Like the Pirates in 1991 and 1992, the Phillies faced the Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series. However, they beat the Braves, but lost to the ]Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...
in the World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
on the famous walk-off home run by Joe Carter.
End of divisional rivalry
The two teams met 18 times during a season for the last time in 1992.[ The following year, the number of meetings was reduced to 13, as the National League expanded to include the ]Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. The team plays its home games at LoanDepot Park.
The ...
.
The rivalry came to an end when MLB realigned for in the form of three divisions in each league, and the addition of an expanded playoff format. When agreeing on the realignment, the Pirates switched to the newly created Central Division and gave up their spot in the NL East to 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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...
.[
]
Reaction to realignment
Pirates President Mark Sauer said that "there are a lot of reasons for the Pirates to be in...the Central...Our key marketing people...all think this is the way to go." He also cited that " he Cleveland ">ndians the closest franchise to Pittsburgh, also chose the Central when faced with the same East vs. Central decision." However, manager Jim Leyland felt that the "move should have little on-field impact."[ Pittsburgh's general manager, Cam Bonifay, said that "based on our rivalries and our fan base, we feel comfortable being in the Central Division."] He also based it that the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...
in the National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
were in the same division as two of the same cities the Steelers have in their division, Cincinnati
Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...
and Houston
Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...
, saying that "we don't feel that there's any major difference between the Eastern and Central Divisions. With the Steelers' being in the Central Division, from our fans' viewpoint, it would not limit our rivalries. Our fan base understands where we are geographically. The size of the markets of Houston, St. Louis and Cincinnati are more in line." Additionally, even though the Marlins did offer to go to the Central, the Pirates didn't want to play in the same division as the Braves since the team wasn't sure how long the Braves were going to be good, and felt it would be more competitive in the Central.
On the Phillies side, President Bill Giles said that the realignment made him "disappointed at losing the cross-state rivalry,"[ and "strongly feel Pittsburgh should be in the East, because we've had a rivalry with them for 104 years. I just think there's a more legitimate argument for keeping the two Pennsylvania teams together."] However, he was fortunate that the realignment solidified their rivalry
A rivalry is the state of two people or groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each participant ...
with the New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
.[
]
After realignment
After their loss to 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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...
in the 1992 NLCS, the Pirates lost Bonds and Doug Drabek to free agency, and had a long and protracted recovery following that: they had 20 straight losing seasons between 1993 and 2012, and did not reach the playoffs again until 2013. (The team's predictions on the Braves did turn out to be correct, however: the Braves would win every NL East title through the 2005 season, excluding the 1994 season, which was cut short due to the player's strike.) The Phillies, after winning the 1993 pennant, also struggled through the 1990s, but won five straight division championships from 2007 to 2011, had the best record in baseball back-to-back in 2010 and 2011, in 2011 set a franchise record for wins in a season with 102, breaking the previous record of 101 in 1976 and 1977, and broke the Curse of Billy Penn to win the 2008 World Series.
Although the rivalry may not reignite soon,[ since 2005, those associated with the Phillies and the Pirates would like to see the rivalry reignited, so that they can see both teams play each other quite often.
In 2000, there was talk of subdividing the National League into four divisions. The proposed realignment had the Pirates return to a four-team NL East with the Phillies, Mets, and ]Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos () were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in the National League (baseball), National League ...
. The alignment would've gone into effect for the 2001 MLB season, coinciding with the Pirates opening PNC Park. The proposal eventually was abandoned before reaching a vote.
In 2005, Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber, a former Pirate, called it "a shame" that the two teams "don't play more often", and "we'd get back to playing more National League teams."[ Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk said that "this is a rivalry that I grew up with...For some of us older Pirates and Phillies fans and faithful and players, the rivalry is kind of still there...I know the history of it...Because I was on the other side of it, too."][ Phillies General Manager Ed Wade said that he could "certainly feel it, having been on both ends", having started his career with the Pirates in their public relations department in the late 1970s.][
During the series between the two teams at ]Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a baseball stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the city's South Philadelphia Sports Complex. Home to Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, the stadium opened April 3, 2004. It is named after Citizens Financi ...
in Philadelphia in 2006, Pirates outfielder Jason Bay said that "you only face these guys one (series) here and once at our place. Six games is tough to really fire that rivalry in there...If we ever get into playoffs, it would definitely be magnified." However, Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu said that the realignment meant games between the Phillies and the Pirates "are just two teams playing against each other, just trying to get a win."
Pirates President Frank Coonelly, himself born and raised in Philadelphia, said that he wanted to see more of both the Phillies and the New York Mets at PNC Park. He said that "it is a shame our fans only get one opportunity a year to see two clubs with whom we have had such great rivalries," and that "our challenge...is that the combination of interleague play and the unbalanced schedule means that we only see...the Phillies and the Mets one time a year in Pittsburgh. We need to have these rivals in Pittsburgh more often. That can be accomplished through realignment or a more balanced schedule." Manager John Russell and first baseman
A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...
Adam LaRoche agreed, saying that the Phillies, Pirates, and Mets should be in the same division, as all three "were interchangeable for a while, with the great matchups...But now, we're the ones separated." After becoming manager of the Mets for the season, Terry Collins raised the issue further when he chose to wear 10 to honor Jim Leyland, having served on his coaching staff when with the Pirates in 1992 and 1993. In 2011, when MLB was considering moving an existing National League team to the American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is the younger of two sports leagues, leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western L ...
and requiring year-round interleague play, Coonelly suggested moving the Pirates back to the NL East if MLB decided against having a team switch leagues, with him adding, "If one National League division has to have six teams, nothing says it has to be the Central." MLB eventually decided to move the Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...
to the American League for the 2013 MLB season, leaving the Pirates in a reduced NL Central.
On October 16, 2017, it was reported that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and the owners were seriously considering a radical realignment if MLB decided to pursue adding two expansion teams
An expansion team is a new team in a sports league, usually from a city that has not hosted a team in that league before, formed with the intention of satisfying the demand for a local team from a population in a new area. Sporting leagues also ...
by eliminating the American and National League designations altogether and realigning teams to four eight-team divisions based on geography to cut travel costs down. The proposal would have the Pirates and Phillies within the East division, alongside existing rivals such as the Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
(for the Phillies) and Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
(for the Pirates) while including the Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...
; the proposal, however, would leave the Mets (and by proxy the New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
) out as well as the Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
, all of whom would be included in the proposed North division despite the Mets having historic or existing rivalries with both the Pirates and Phillies and the Indians making geographic sense with the Pirates. The proposal is considered unrealistic by some experts, but more realistic proposals that retain the NL-AL setup have the two teams remain in separate divisions contingent on Montreal
Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...
returning to the National League.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the season delayed the start of the season by nearly four months and went to a greatly reduced schedule that only had each team face division rivals as well as teams from the corresponding divisions in the other league, in order to reduce travel and limit the spread of COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
. As both teams also missed the expanded postseason (the Pirates having the worst record in baseball), 2020 marked the first time in 134 years that the Phillies and Pirates didn't play each other at all. The two teams resumed playing each other in 2021.
Some sports fans in Philadelphia
Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
and Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...
also want the rivalry to be reignited. The rivalry has also been attributed to the proximity between the two largest cities in the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...
, which are approximately six hours apart by car. The Phillies' fanbase comes from the Delaware Valley
The Philadelphia metropolitan area, also known as Greater Philadelphia and informally called the Delaware Valley, the Philadelphia tri-state area, and locally and colloquially Philly–Jersey–Delaware, is a major metropolitan area in the Nor ...
(the Philadelphia metropolitan area), which includes Southeastern Pennsylvania, central New Jersey
New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...
south of Princeton, southern New Jersey, northern Delaware
Delaware ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic states, South Atlantic regions of the United States. It borders Maryland to its south and west, Pennsylvania to its north, New Jersey ...
and extreme northeast parts of Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...
. Conversely, the Pirates' fanbase generally draws from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area
Greater Pittsburgh is the metropolitan area surrounding the city of Pittsburgh in Western Pennsylvania, United States. The region includes Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh's urban core county and economic hub, and s ...
, which includes Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania is a region in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the Unite ...
, most of the state of West Virginia
West Virginia is a mountainous U.S. state, state in the Southern United States, Southern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.The United States Census Bureau, Census Bureau and the Association of American ...
, and parts of both Southeastern Ohio
Ohio ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the ...
and the Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...
Panhandle. The Philadelphia–Pittsburgh rivalry is evident in other sports, as seen between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins and in the National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
.
Between 2022 and 2024, the Phillies–Pirates series was jokingly referred to as the "PooP" series, mainly due to an updated scorebug of NBC Sports Philadelphia
NBC Sports Philadelphia is an American regional sports network owned by the NBC Sports Group unit of NBCUniversal, which in turn is owned by locally based cable television provider Comcast (and owns a controlling 75% interest), and the Phila ...
(the Phillies' broadcaster) beginning the game with the score 0–0 and were strategically placed between the two teams' "P" cap logos. This came to an end after the 2024 season, when NBCSP updated its scorebug by using team abbreviations instead of logos.
Season-by-season results
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 126
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Phillies, 72
, style=";" , Phillies
126
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 1461
, style=";" , Phillies, 74
, style=";" , Phillies, 721
, style=";" , Phillies
26121
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 99
, style=";" , Phillies, 71
, style=";" , Pirates, 82
, style=";" , Phillies
35211
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 172
, style=";" , Phillies, 161
, Tie, 11
, style=";" , Phillies
52231
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 128
, style=";" , Phillies, 64
, style=";" , Phillies, 64
, style=";" , Phillies
64311
, Alleghenys rename to "Pittsburgh Pirates"
Pirates open another new Exposition Park
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 86
, style=";" , Phillies, 43
, style=";" , Phillies, 43
, style=";" , Phillies
72371
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Phillies, 51
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Phillies
79421
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Phillies, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Phillies
87461
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Phillies, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Phillies
95501
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 66
, style=";" , Phillies, 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Phillies
101561
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Phillies
106631
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 86
, style=";" , Phillies, 43
, style=";" , Pirates, 52
, style=";" , Phillies
112711
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 86
, style=";" , Phillies, 52
, style=";" , Pirates, 61
, style=";" , Phillies
118791
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 119
, style=";" , Phillies, 64
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Phillies
127901
, Pirates lose 1900 Chronicle-Telegraph Cup
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 137
, style=";" , Pirates, 64
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Phillies
1341031
, Pirates win 1901 National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
pennant
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 182
, style=";" , Pirates, 82
, style=";" , Pirates, 100
, style=";" , Phillies
1361211
, Pirates win 1902 National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
pennant
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1641
, style=";" , Pirates, 821
, style=";" , Pirates, 82
, style=";" , Phillies
1401372
, Pirates lose the inaugural 1903 World Series
The 1903 World Series was the first modern World Series to be played in Major League Baseball. It matched the American League (AL) champion 1903 Boston Americans season, Boston Americans against the National League (baseball), National League (NL ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
1501492
, Pirates take a 1501492 lead on October 3 in the series, a lead they would never relinquish.
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Pirates, 82
, style=";" , Pirates, 84
, style=";" , Pirates
1661552
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
1801632
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Phillies, 74
, style=";" , Phillies, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
1881772
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
2011862
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
2161932
, Pirates open Forbes Field
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland (Pittsburgh), Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to June 28, 1970. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) team, and the fir ...
Pirates win 1909 World Series
, -
,
, Tie
, 1111
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
2272042
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Phillies, 92
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
2362172
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
2502252
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1192
, style=";" , Pirates, 831
, style=";" , Phillies, 631
, style=";" , Pirates
2612344
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Phillies, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
2712464
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
2832564
, Phillies lose 1915 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Phillies, 92
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
2922694
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Phillies, 83
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
3002834
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Phillies, 52
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
3072944
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 146
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Pirates
3213004
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
3343094
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 184
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates, 101
, style=";" , Pirates
3523134
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 193
, style=";" , Pirates, 92
, style=";" , Pirates, 101
, style=";" , Pirates
3713164
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
3843254
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 138
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
3973334
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
4113414
, Pirates win 1925 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
4253494
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1571
, style=";" , Pirates, 651
, style=";" , Pirates, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
4403565
, Pirates lose 1927 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 184
, style=";" , Pirates, 92
, style=";" , Pirates, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
4583605
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 1111
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
4693715
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
4823805
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Phillies, 83
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
4913935
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Phillies, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
4994075
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
5144145
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 137
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
5274215
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
5434275
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Pirates, 93
, style=";" , Pirates, 64
, style=";" , Pirates
5584345
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 1111
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
5694455
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1281
, style=";" , Pirates, 631
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
5814536
, Phillies move into Shibe Park
Shibe Park ( , rhymes with "vibe"), known later as Connie Mack Stadium, was a ballpark located in Philadelphia. It was the home of the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League (AL) from 1909 to 1954 and the Philadelphia Phillies of the Natio ...
midway through the season
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
5954616
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Pirates, 93
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Pirates
6114676
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
6274736
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 136
, style=";" , Phils, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 91
, style=";" , Pirates
6404796
, Phillies change their name to "Phils"
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 12101
, style=";" , Phillies, 651
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
6524896
, Phils revert their name to "Phillies"
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 129
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
6644986
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
6805046
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Phillies, 83
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
6885186
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Phillies, 74
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
6975316
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 12101
, style=";" , Phillies, 73
, style=";" , Pirates, 751
, style=";" , Pirates
7075436
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Phillies, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
7165566
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Phillies, 83
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
7245706
, Phillies lose 1950 World Series
The 1950 World Series was the 47th World Series between the American League, American and National League (baseball), National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The 1950 Philadelphia Phillies season, Philadelphia Phillies as ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Phillies, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
7315856
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Phillies, 101
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
7376016
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Phillies, 92
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
7446166
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Phillies, 74
, style=";" , Phillies, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
7506326
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Phillies, 74
, style=";" , Phillies, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
7576476
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
7726546
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Phillies, 74
, style=";" , Phillies, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
7816676
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Phillies, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
7916796
, Phillies' Shibe Park renamed Connie Mack Stadium
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
8046886
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
8196956
, Pirates win 1960 World Series
The 1960 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1960 Major League Baseball season, 1960 season. The 57th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff that matched the National Leag ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Pirates, 92
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
8347026
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 107
, Tie, 44
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
8447096
, NL expansion reduces schedule to 18 meetings per year.
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 135
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Phillies, 81
, style=";" , Pirates
8497226
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Phillies, 72
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
8577326
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
8677406
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Phillies, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
8757506
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Phillies, 63
, style=";" , Pirates, 72
, style=";" , Pirates
8857586
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 99
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Phillies, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
8947676
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
9027776
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 144
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates, 81
, style=";" , Pirates
9167816
, Phillies open Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, at the northeast corner of Broad Street (Philadelphia), Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The seating ca ...
Pirates open Three Rivers Stadium
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 126
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
9287876
, Pirates win 1971 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 135
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates, 72
, style=";" , Pirates
9417926
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
9518006
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Phillies, 81
, style=";" , Pirates, 72
, style=";" , Pirates
9598106
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Phillies, 81
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
9668216
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
9768296
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Phillies, 72
, style=";" , Pirates, 81
, style=";" , Pirates
9868376
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Phillies, 63
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
9938486
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0038566
, Pirates win 1979 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 72
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0148636
, Phillies win 1980 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Phillies, 51
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0198706
, Strike-shortened season.
, -
,
, Tie
, 99
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0288796
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Phillies, 63
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0358906
, Phillies lose 1983 World Series
The 1983 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1983 season. The 80th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League champion Baltimore Orioles and the Nationa ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0468976
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Phillies, 63
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0539086
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Phillies, 63
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0609196
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Phillies, 63
, style=";" , Phillies, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0679306
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0789376
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 1081
, style=";" , Phillies, 721
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0869476
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 126
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1,0989536
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 126
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 72
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1109596
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 135
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 81
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1239646
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 76
, style=";" , Phillies, 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 43
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1299716
, Phillies lose 1993 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 54
, style=";" , Phillies, 52
, style=";" , Pirates, 20
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1339766
, Strike-shortened season
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 63
, style=";" , Phillies, 41
, Tie, 22
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1369826
, Strike-shortened season
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Phillies, 42
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1419896
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 65
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates, 32
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1479946
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 81
, style=";" , Phillies, 51
, style=";" , Phillies, 30
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1481,0026
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 43
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates, 31
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1521,0056
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 63
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1581,0086
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 51
, style=";" , Phillies, 30
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1591,0136
, Pirates open PNC Park
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates, 30
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1631,0156
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1671,0176
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 33
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1701,0206
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 43
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, Tie, 22
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1731,0246
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 33
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
117610276
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Phillies, 30
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1781,0316
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1801,0356
, Phillies win 2008 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Phillies, 30
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1821,0396
, Phillies lose 2009 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 42
, Tie, 11
, style=";" , Pirates, 31
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1861,0416
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Phillies, 30
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1881,0456
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 43
, Tie, 22
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,1921,0486
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 43
, style=";" , Pirates, 31
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
119610519
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 61
, style=";" , Pirates, 31
, style=";" , Pirates, 30
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2021,0529
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 52
, Tie, 22
, style=";" , Pirates, 30
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2071,0549
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 43
, Tie, 22
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2111,0579
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 52
, style=";" , Pirates, 31
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2161,0599
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 61
, style=";" , Phillies, 40
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2171,0659
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2191,0699
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 43
, style=";" , Phillies, 31
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2221,0739
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Phillies
, style=";" , 61
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Phillies, 40
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2231,0799
, Phillies lose 2022 World Series
The 2022 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2022 Major League Baseball season, 2022 season. The 118th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL ...
, -
,
, Tie
, 33
, style=";" , Phillies, 21
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2261,0829
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 43
, Tie, 22
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2301,0859
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 33
, style=";" , Phillies, 30
, style=";" , Pirates, 30
, style=";" , Pirates
1,2331,0889
,
, -
, Regular season games
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1,2331,0889
, style=";" , Phillies, 6165526
, style=";" , Pirates, 6814693
,
See also
*Major League Baseball rivalries
Throughout its history, Major League Baseball rivalries have occurred between many teams and cities. Rivalries have arisen for many different reasons, the primary ones including geographic proximity, familiarity with opponents, various incidents, ...
* Eagles–Steelers rivalry
* Flyers–Penguins rivalry
References
;Footnotes
;Bibliography
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phillies-Pirates rivalry
Major League Baseball rivalries
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates
Baseball in Pennsylvania
1887 establishments in Pennsylvania