1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season


The 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 91st season of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise; the 86th in the National League. The defending World Series champion Pirates finished first in the National League East with a record of 96–59. The team was defeated three games to two by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1972 National League Championship Series. Despite losing the series, the Pirates put up a good fight, unlike the last time the two teams met in the playoffs. In game 5, the Pirates led 3-2 in the 9th inning, and were 3 outs away from pulling off a major upset over the Reds. All looked good until the Pirates collapsed in the 9th inning and allowed 2 runs to score, with the walk off run coming on a wild pitch.

Offseason

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Detailed records




MonthGamesWonLostWin %
April13585166
May2619714079
June26161012577
July302010121100
August281711125102
September29181111775
October3121213
Total1559659691512

Game log

Opening Day lineup

Notable transactions

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
PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C136520155.298771
1B138495145.29333112
2B99425120.282330
SS11934786.248336
3B124427128.3001972
LF117368117.318428
CF140565176.3121289
RF102378118.3121060

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
109370106.286330
11530659.1931241
107311104.334017
7217633.188114
5713939.281014
5312732.25238
346412.18803
17377.18904
572.28600
430.00000
320.00000
110.00000

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO
33249.21982.49117
3122613102.91144
28195.214113.08120
25163.11572.7096
32152973.26102

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO
31115.2442.9679
2692.2463.4048
59006.006
46.1007.113
25100.004

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGWLSVERASO
5474221.9354
5350141.6747
365232.6518

National League Championship Series

Awards and honors

1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Salem, Niagara Falls