St. Louis Cardinals Dream Team

 

Every sport evolves with each passing generation -- from the

size and athleticism of players to game strategy. 

Baseball’s evolution, however, is both historic and unique given

the pre-integration and dead ball eras. For the former, full

segregation took place from 1887-1947. Full integration, which

was a gradual process, came in 1959. The Deadball Era was a

period in the early 20th century when baseball was characterized

by low scoring and emphasis on pitching. 

There was the Steroid Era, which has no definite start time though

it is generally assumed that the era ran from the late 1980s until the

late 2000s. This era was defined by shattered home run records

leading to exorbitant salaries. 

The St. Louis Cardinals have been a Major League Baseball

franchise since 1892. The franchise has 11 World Series titles and

19 National League pennants to its resume.

Today, I formed a Cardinals Dream Team that encompasses all

eras. For openers, to make this roster, four years as a Cardinal are

required. No exceptions. With the free agency era, I’m not going to

cheapen this roster with 1-3 year rentals. 

I’m forming a 12 man pitching staff, five starters and seven relievers.

For the latter, I want at least one lefthander in the bullpen. For

position players, I am taking what I believe is the best of the best

regardless of era. For the bench players, it’s the best of the rest with

versatility being heavily considered. Merit achievements such as

Hall of Fame, All Star appearances and Gold Gloves are considered

but not guaranteed. General impactfulness on the franchise is also

considered.

Generational reminders

If I believe you were the best at your position in the pre-integration

era, you are on the team. If you played on a World Series champion,

there is no guarantee of landing on this roster. If you played during

a bad season, that does not deter you from being on this roster.

Unlike the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, there are no morality

clauses. This is baseball, not the Boys Scouts. 

Starting pitchers

Bob Gibson, Dizzy Dean, Jesse Haines, Steve Carlton, John

Tudor

One would have to look long and hard to find a more intimidating

pitcher in Major League history than Gibson. On the way to a Hall of

Fame career, he was a nine-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove Award

winner, two time World Series MVP, two-time National League Cy

Young Award winner and National League MVP in 1968. Gibson one

251 games and pitched 255 complete games. On the way to a Hall

of Fame career, Dean was the National League MVP in 1934 and

won 30 games that season, becoming the first National Leaguer to

reach that total since 1917 and the last one to do it. Dean was a

four-time All-Star and helped deliver the Cardinals 1934 World Series

champion. That season he was the National League MVP. Haynes

pitched 18 seasons with the Cardinals and remains second and wins

and complete games behind Gibson. On the way to a Hall of Fame

career, he helped deliver three World Series Championships.

Carlton spent most of his Hall of Fame career with the Philadelphia

Phillies but also had seven impactful seasons with the Cardinals. In

a St. Louis uniform, Carlton helped deliver the franchise’s 1967

World Series title and was a three-time All-Star. Tudor was the

epitome of a finesse pitcher and won 62 games in his five seasons

with the Cardinals with 1985 being his peak performance. That

season, he won 21 games and helped the Cardinals reach the World

Series. He led the Major Leagues in shutouts with 10 and ERA at

1.93. 

Bullpen

Closer -- Jason Isringhausen

Bruce Sutter, Todd worrell, Lee Smith, Al Hrabosky, Trevor Rosenthal,

Lindy McDaniel

Isringhausen recorded 300 career saves, 217 came in a Cardinals

uniform. Isringhausen compiled a 2.98 ERA in a Cardinals uniform

and 2.36 in the postseason. Though he missed the 2006 playoffs,

Isringhausen delivered a lot of greatness in his seven seasons with

the Cardinals. Sutter popularized the split-finger fastball on the way to

becoming a dominant closer. Sutter led the National League in saves

in three of his four seasons in a Cardinals uniform. Sutter was an All-

Star twice and helped deliver the Cardinals 1982 World Series

championship. On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Smith recorded

478 career saves with only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman

recording more. Smith recorded 160 saves in a four-year span with

the Cardinals. He was an All-Star twice and led the National League

in saves twice in a St. Louis uniform. 

Worrell made an immediate impact with the Cardinals and won

National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1986. That season he

led the National League in saves and was the National League

Rolaids Relief Man Award winner. Hrabosky spent eight seasons with

the Cardinals and was the National League saves leader in 1975. Arm

trouble ended Rosenthal's career with the Cardinals after six seasons.

He was an All-Star in 2015 and in back-to-back seasons, he recorded

45 and 48 saves. McDaniel's versatility earns him a spot on this roster

because he alternated between starter and reliever, in the process

recording 66 wins and 66 saves along with four seasons in which he

recorded double-figure victories. McDaniel was a two-time All-Star. 

Infield

Catcher -- Yadier Molina, First base -- Albert Pujols, Second base --

Rogers Hornsby, Third base -- Ken Boyer, Shortstop -- Ozzie Smith

Molina's legacy is still in progress but is still quite amazing even if he

never plays another inning of baseball. In Molina’s 17 year career, all

with the Cardinals, he is a nine-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove

Award winner and has delivered two World Series Championships for

the Cardinals. Pujols was drafted in the 13th round of the 1999 draft

and became an all-time great player. Pujols was a three-time National

League MVP, 10 time All Star, six-time Silver Slugger Award winner,

two-time Gold Glove Award winner and 2003 batting title. Although it's

easy to focus on his hitting exploits, Pujols became an above-

average defensive player and base runner. 

Hornsby is still considered by many to be the best second baseman

of all time and for good reason. On the way to a Hall of Fame career,

he was a seven-time National League batting champion, two-time

Triple Crown winner, two-time National League MVP, two-time National

League home run leader and four-time National League RBI leader.

He helped deliver the Cardinals their 1926 World Series championship.

Boyer was a centerpiece for the Cardinals, especially in the 1960s. He

spent 11 seasons in St Louis, seven as an All-Star. He was a five-time

Gold Glove Award winner, National League RBI leader in 1964. He

also won the MVP this season and helped deliver the Cardinals their

World Series championship. Smith is known for his spectacular

defense, and rightfully so, because he was a 13 time Gold Glove

Award winner on the way to a Hall of Fame career but he gradually

got better throughout his career as a hitter in amassing 2,460 career

base hits. Smith was a 15 time All Star who helped the Cardinals

deliver their 1982 world series title and he helped them win two more

pennants as well. He was the NLCS MVP in 1985. 

Outfield

Leftfield -- Lou Brock, Centerfield -- Jim Edmonds, Rightfield --

Stan Musial

Brock was the stolen base king for both a single-season and career

records until Rickey Henderson broke both marks. Brock led the

National League in stolen bases eight times and the Major Leagues

on four other occasions. On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Brock

was a six-time All-Star and helped deliver two World Series titles for

the Cardinals. In centerfield, the Cardinals have an embarrassment

of riches but Edmunds gets the top choice with this team. In his eight

seasons with the Cardinals, he was a five-time Gold Glove Award

winner and three-time All-Star. He was a Silver Slugger Award winner

in 2004 and helped deliver the 2006 World Series title. Musial spent

all 22 seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Cardinals and

might be the best player in franchise history regardless of position.

Musial spent a one year hiatus serving the US Navy but was a 20-

time All Star, seven-time National League batting champion, three-

time National League MVP, two-time National League RBI leader

and helped deliver three World Series titles for the Cardinals. 

Bench

Ted Simmons, Johnny Mize, Red Schoendienst, Scott Rolen, Enos

Slaughter, Curt Flood

On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Simmons compiled 1,389 RBIs,

ranked second among history and catchers to Yogi Berra. He is

considered one of the top hitting catchers of all time and one of the

best switch hitters. Six of Simmons' eight All-Star appearances came

in a Cardinals uniform. Mize spent six of his Hall of Fame seasons

with the Cardinals, during which time he compiled a .336 batting

average. He was second in the MVP voting in 1939 and 1940. Aside

from Pujols, there is not a better first baseman in franchise history

than Mize. You simply cannot mention the Cardinals without

mentioning Schoendienst, who on the way to a Hall of Fame career

spent 14 years as a player, 14 is a manager and 20 others in a

supporting role. Quite simply Mr. Cardinal. As a player, Schoendiest

was an All-Star nine times and helped deliver the franchise's 1946

World Series championship. 

Rolen played for four different teams but the most successful stretch

of his career were his six seasons with the Cardinals. Rolen helped

deliver the franchise's 2006 World Series title. Five of his seven

career All-Star appearances came in a Cardinals uniform and he

also won three of his eight Gold Gloves in St Louis uniform. On the

way to a Hall of Fame career, Slaughter was an All-Star in 10 of his

13 Seasons with the franchise that he helped deliver two World

Series titles.  Slaughter was a reliable contact hitter and was known

for his trademark intensity. He was the national league RBI leader

in 1946, the year he returned to Major League Baseball after

serving three years in the Army in World War II. Flood was a fixture

in 12 seasons after coming over in a trade from the Cincinnati Reds.

Flood was a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner, three-time All-

Star and helped the Cardinals win two World Series titles.

Some may see Mark McGwire as one who should be on this team.

He set the record for single-season home runs in 1998 before Barry

Bonds broke it four years later. McGwire’s association with PEDs

did not keep him off this team because the franchise is loaded with

too many Hall of Famers who were more impactful. McGwire made

the Oakland Athletics Dream Team.

Manager

Tony LaRussa

LaRussa, who is a Hall of Famer and recently took over the Chicago

White Sox managerial position, is third among Major League

managers with 2,728 victories and counting behind Connie Mack

and John McGraw. LaRussa is the winningest manager in franchise

history and guided the Cardinals to nine playoff appearances in his

six seasons including World Series titles in 2006 and 2011. LaRussa

took over a losing culture in 1996 and quickly turned them into

winners. 

Team

1967

When you are a franchise with 11 World Series titles, you are not

without choices but the 1967 team gets the nod based on the depth

of greatness. Gibson and Brock were each in their prime of their Hall

of Fame careers. The lineup also featured two other Hall of Famers

with Carlton and Orlando Cepeda, who was the National League

MVP. The team also included Hall of Famers managing from the

dugout and front office with Schoendiest (field manager) and Musial

(general manager). On the field, the Cardinals won 101 regular

season games to win the National League pennant, outdistancing

the San Francisco Giants by 10 1/2 games and they defeated the

Boston Red Sox in the World Series. 

Dan The Weatherman brought a storm of humor and kindness

 

Some days life is like a gut punch. 

For family, friends and acquaintances of Danny Staehr, that day

was Saturday, February 20, 2021. Dan passed away at age 68

in Lincoln, NE. Dan was born in York, NE and lived much of his

life in Lincoln. Dan leaves behind his wife (Susan) of 46 years

and sons (Andrew and William) along with four grandchildren

and various extended family members and friends. 

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 24,

2021 at Holy Savior Lutheran Church with Pastor James Irwin

officiating. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only invited guests will

be in attendance. Video access to the service can be viewed

on Holy Savior’s website https://www.holysavior.org. A copy of

the services will be available on the church’s YouTube page

(link is available on the Holy Savior webpage on February 26th).

Burial will be at York Cemetery, date yet to be determined.

For a complete obituary and life details refer to the link below: 

https://roperandsons.com/danny-staehr/?fbclid=IwAR0VKSmhGLsgmRgLfEZqsReBhn7w-Q4u8q_hyo5fCz7npFb6eXauPFeoppw

Dan wore many hats: Nebraska National Guard Band and

Communication Department, Boy Scout, Zoo Butterfly Curator,

member of the International Butterfly Organization and owner

of Staehr Media Services. He was best known as “Dan The

Weatherman” on KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln. 

Dan The Weatherman, however, brought a storm of both humor

and genuine kindness. 

To give you context, I am a Northern California (Napa, CA) native

who attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska

(1997). Though I only spent four years of my life in Nebraska, it

is a time that I still hold dear to my heart not just for my

Cornhusker fandom but because of the many great people I met.

I had three groups of friends: a) My Cather-Pound Hall dorm

friends, b) My Daily Nebraskan friends and c) My Broadcast

House friends. 

To this day, I consider Dan an integral part of Group C. Like Dan,

I graduated with my degree in broadcasting and while he

minored in meteorology, I also gained experience as a writer.

That skill turned into a 19 year career in the newspaper industry,

mostly in the Napa Valley. I learned so much from him about

journalism and life. He believed in being the reporter of the story,

not the creator. That quality is becoming exceedingly harder to

find.  

Dan was funny but his sense of humor was never malicious. As

a person, you have to look long and hard to find a more genuinely

kind soul than Dan. While his short and squatty build could be

intimidating, Dan was a gentle giant. 

I worked with him for four years, doing a variety of roles at

Broadcast House from board operator, production assistant and

occasional on-air talent. As an out of stater, Dan and many others

made me feel welcome. If not for my family being in Northern

California, I could have happily stayed in Lincoln for about 1/10

the cost. Napa, CA is my hometown. Lincoln, NE is my college

hometown. 

Though the media industry is no longer my career, I remain active

as a freelance writer. Being a commercial delivery driver has

been my career since 2014. I met many people in the media

industry, some of which give off a vibe of arrogance. Dan was

the polar opposite. I felt like I could talk to him about most

anything: work, family, life, etc. 

The gesture that I will never forget as long as I live came on

Thanksgiving 1997. I volunteered to work since I wanted to fly

back home for Christmas. No more than a couple of days before

Thanksgiving, Dan told me that he and Susan would bring me,

“a goodie plate for dinner.” I obliged. Dan and Susan did not

disappoint. They brought me enough food for three days. I was

absolutely astounded. Their gesture was not expected but so

appreciated. I remain humbled that they thought of me. 

I speak from experience but the media industry can be a stressful

life that can swallow you up. Dan, however, by definition was the

calm in the eye of the storm. Spoiler alert but the Midwest has

inclimate weather from tornado watches/warnings, thunderstorms,

and occasionally wicked snow storms. Dan would heroically brave

the elements so he could bring Nebraskans the most up-to-date

news.

Dan and I also had some personal humor as I was a huge fan of

comedian George Carlin, who once created hilarious bits that

depicted the radio industry with “Al Sleet the hippy dippy

weatherman” and “Biff Barf” for sports updates. With the former,

the bit was highlighted by “tonight’s forecast -- dark. With widely

scattered light in the morning.” With Biff Barf, there was, “here’s a

partial score -- Stanford 29.” The DJ was known as “Wonderful

Wino.” One of Carlin’s pet peeves with weather forecasts were

referring to “rain events.” 

Suffice it to say, Dan and I had some very fun banter. Most

updates combine news, sports, and weather. I was doing sports

updates one day and I couldn’t resist, “Now it’s time for Dan

The Hippy Dippy Weatherman.” Without skipping a beat, Dan

utters, “Thanks, Biff. Tonight’s forecast -- Dark with widely

scattered light in the morning.” Keeping a straight face was

next to impossible. 

Another gesture from Dan I will never forget was that my last

class at the University of Nebraska was needing to fulfill a

science requirement. So I took a meteorology class which Dr.

Ken Dewey taught. Science was not my long suit. I struggled

mightily but not because of Dewey. Dan’s coaching alone

helped me pass the class and graduate. After hearing the

news that I passed the class, I fired up a cigar. 

Another memory I have of Dan came in the summer of 1999,

one year after I moved back to the Napa Valley. I was living

with my parents. Dan, Susan and his uncle, I believe, were

visiting family in Livermore, CA, which is the East Bay Area.

Napa, where I live, is North Bay. Dan alerted me that he was

in the area. He drove to my house in Napa. We decided to go

wine tasting. Dan and I rode in my 1998 Dodge Dakota as

Susan and his uncle followed us to Beringer Vineyards.

Between the half-hour drive to St. Helena, CA and sipping

glasses of fermented grape juice, the conversation and

friendship was tremendous. 

Two years later, August 2001, Ken Bettinelli (my childhood

friend) and I flew back to Lincoln to watch the Huskers play

TCU. The day after the game, we met Dan for breakfast at

Perkins. Once again, the friendship oozed great vibes. 

Any friendship with Dan was such that neither time nor

distance could break it. 

Dan “The Hippy Dippy Weatherman,” I’m in no hurry to get

where you are going but I know we'll meet again some day.

I’ll bring Biff Barf with me too as well as a bottle of Beringer

Cabernet. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Dream Team

 

Every sport evolves with each passing generation -- from the

size and athleticism of players to game strategy. 

Baseball’s evolution, however, is both historic and unique given

the pre-integration and dead ball eras. For the former, full

segregation took place from 1887-1947. Full integration, which

was a gradual process, came in 1959. The Deadball Era was a

period in the early 20th century when baseball was

characterized by low scoring and emphasis on pitching. 

There was the Steroid Era, which has no definite start time though

it is generally assumed that the era ran from the late 1980s until

the late 2000s. This era was defined by shattered home run

records leading to exorbitant salaries. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates have existed since 1882. They were known

as Allegheny from 1882-1886 before being renamed the Pittsburgh

Alleghenies from 1887-1890. They have been known as the Pirates

ever since and occasionally are referred to as the Bucs or Buccos.

The franchise has five World Series titles (1909, 1925, 1960, 1971,

1979) and nine National League pennants to its resume. They have

won nine division titles and been to the playoffs three times as a

wild card team. 

Today, I formed a Pirates Dream Team that encompasses all eras.

For openers, to make this roster, four years as a Pirate are required.

No exceptions. With the free agency era, I’m not going to cheapen

this roster with 1-3 year rentals. 

I’m forming a 12 man pitching staff, five starters and seven relievers.

For the latter, I want at least one lefthander in the bullpen. For position

players, I am taking what I believe is the best of the best regardless

of era. For the bench players, it’s the best of the rest with versatility

being heavily considered. Merit achievements such as Hall of Fame,

All Star appearances and Gold Gloves are considered but not

guaranteed. General impactfulness on the franchise is also

considered.

Generational reminders

If I believe you were the best at your position in the pre-integration era,

you are on the team. If you played on a World Series champion, there

is no guarantee of landing on this roster. If you played during a bad

season, that does not deter you from being on this roster. Unlike the

Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, there are no morality clauses.

This is baseball, not the Boys Scouts. 

Starting pitchers

Bob Friend, Sam Leever, Babe Adams, Wilbur Cooper, John

Candelaria

The Pirates have a lot of history as a franchise but do not have a Hall

of Fame starting pitcher. Adams was a tremendous control picture who

has the franchise lead for career victories and holds the team record

for career shutouts. He helped deliver two World Series titles. Friend

pitched 15 seasons for the Pirates, four of which were All Star

seasons. He helped deliver a World Series championship in 1960

and was the National League ERA leader in 1955 in Major League

wins leader in 1950. Leever pitched 13 seasons for the Pirates

including helping them win the 1909 World Series and he was the

National League ERA leader in 1903. 

Cooper pitched 13 seasons for the Pirates and while he does not

have a World Series Championship on his resume, Cooper remains

atop of the Pirates leaderboard at various categories. He led the

National League in victories in 1921. Candelaria pitched 11 seasons

with the Pirates with 1977 being an All-Star campaign in which he

led the Major Leagues in ERA. Candelaria was also a significant

piece in leading the Pirates to their 1979 World Series title. 

Bullpen

Closer -- Roy Face

Kent Tekulve, Dave Giusti, Mark Melancon, Mike Williams, Al

McBean, Joel Hanrohan

Face pitched before “save” was an official statistic but in retrospect

he recorded 193 in his 15-year career. Face also recorded 96

career wins in relief, which is still a National League record . Face

was a six-time All-Star who helped the Pirates to their 1960 World

Series championship. The sidewinding/submarining Tekulve

pitched 12 seasons for the Pirates with 1980 being his one All-Star

campaign and he helped deliver the franchise’s 1979 World

Series championship. Tekulve recorded 158 saves in a Pirates

uniform. Face and Tekulve also recorded three saves in their

teams World Series victories. Giusti pitched seven seasons for the

Pirates with the palmball being his go-to pitch. He led the National

League in saves in 1971 on the way to helping the Pirates win a

World Series Championship. Giusti’s performance helped him

garner National League Cy Young and National League MVP

consideration. 

Williams pitched five seasons for the Pirates and is third in franchise

history in saves. He was an All-Star back-to-back seasons in 2002

and 2003. Melancon was a steady closer in his four seasons with

the Pirates, three of them were All Star campaigns. Melancon led

the National League in saves in 2015. Hanrahan only pitched for

the Pirates for four Seasons but in that span became one of the

game's top relievers. He was an All-Star in two of his four seasons

in Pittsburgh. 

Infield

Catcher -- Jason Kendall, First base -- Willie Stargell, Second

base -- Bill Mazeroski, Third base -- Harold “Pie” Traynor,

Shortstop -- Honus Wagner

Kendall played nine seasons with the Pirates and though he did not

play for a winning team in that span, Kendall was a remarkably

durable player despite playing a demanding position. Kendall

averaged 149 games per season. He was the only player in

franchise history to hit for the cycle at Three Rivers Stadium, the

Pirates’ former home. Kendall had three All-Star seasons in

Pittsburgh. Stargell, who was simply known as “Pops,” and spent

all 21 years of his Hall of Fame career with the Pirates. Leftfield

was his primary position but in the interest of putting together the

best team we put him at first base. Stargell helped deliver two

World Series titles to the franchise. He was a seven-time All-Star,

National League MVP and World Series MVP and NLCS MVP

in 1979. He led the National League in home runs twice and

RBIs once. 

Mazeroski is best known for his walk off homerun in Game 7 of

the 1960 World Series, the first in the history of the Fall Classic.

Mazeroski, however, might be the best defensive second

baseman in Major League history. On the way to a Hall of

Fame career, he helped the Pirates to two World Series titles.

He was a 10-time All Star and eight-time Gold Glove Award

winner. Traynor gets forgotten after the more modern-day

players of his position but is regarded as one of the best third

baseman in major league history. He was not a traditional

power hitter but recorded a .320 batting average, only Wade

Boggs has a higher career mark among third baseman in Major

League history. Traynot was a two-time All-Star and helped the

Pirates win their 1925 World Series title. Wagner was part of the

Hall of fame's first class in 1936 along with Ty Cobb, Babe

Ruth, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson. Wagner gets

forgotten because of the era in which he played but was an

eight-time National League batting champion, five-time National

League RBI leader and 5 time stolen base leader and helped

deliver a World Series championship in 1909.

Outfield

Leftfield -- Barry Bonds, Centerfield -- Andrew McCutcheon,

Rightfield -- Roberto Clemente

Bonds is best known for his 15 years with the San Francisco

Giants but his seven years in Pittsburgh were also very impactful

in more ways than just on the field. Before Bonds arrived in 1986,

fan interest in Pittsburgh had plummeted but with the arrival of

Bonds and a handful of others, the Pirates became interesting.

As a Pirate, Bonds was an All-Star twice and MVP two more

times. He was a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and three-

time Silver Slugger Award winner. Bonds helped lead the

Pirates to three consecutive division championships. Some

may view the choice of McCutchen is recency bias but his nine

years with the Pirates were incredibly impactful with five All-Star

appearances and an MVP award in 2013. McCutcheon was an

excellent all-around player offensively, defensively and on the

bases. Clemente is one of the most iconic players regardless of

position not just with the Pirates but in Major League Baseball

history. On the way to a Hall of Fame career, he was a 15-time

All-Star and helped the Pirates win two World Series titles. He

was the National League MVP in 1966 and World Series MVP

in 1971. Clemente was a 12 time Gold Glove Award winner

and four-time National League batting champion. 

Bench

Tony Pena, Joseph “Arky” Vaughn, Bill Madlock, Ralph Kiner,

Paul Waner, Dave Parker

Pena had an unorthodox squat behind the plate.  His seven

seasons with the Pirates were some of the most productive of

his career. In that span, he was a four-time All-Star and three-

time Gold Glove award winner. On the way to a Hall of Fame

career, Vaughn was the epitome of consistency as he compiled

a .300 or better batting average in each of 10 seasons with the

franchise. Vaughn was a nine-time All-Star, National League

batting champion 1935. Madlock won two batting titles and

appeared to All Star Games in a Pirates uniform and he also

helped deliver the 1979 World Series championship.

Only Willie Stargell has hit more homeruns in a Pirates uniform

than Kiner and only six players have driven in more runs than

him. On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Kiner led the National

League in home runs seven times and RBIs in 1949. He was a

six-time All-Star. If not for the presence of Clemente, Waner

would be the starting right fielder on this team. On the way to a

Hall of Fame career, Waner was a four-time All-Star, three-time

National League batting champion, led the national league in

RBIs in 1927 and he was also the MVP that season. Injuries,

weight gain and involvement in a drug scandal hurt Parker in

the latter stages of his 11-year career with the Pirates but he

was an intimidating presence in the batter's box. In a Pirates

uniform, Parker was a four-time All-Star and National League

MVP in 1978. He also won three Gold Gloves, three Silver

Slugger Award winners and two National League batting

championships. He helped deliver a World Series for the

Pirates in 1979.

Manager

Danny Murtaugh

Murtaugh managed the Pirates for 15 years over the course

of four different stints. Murtaugh managed the Pirates to 1,111

regular-season victories and two World Series Championships.

Though he may not have the national acclaim and the two

managers teams he defeated in the World Series, Earl

Weaver and Casey Stengel, Murtaugh is worthy of Hall of

Fame discussion. 

Team

1979

In a sense this choice might be considered recency bias but

despite having just one All-Star, Parker, Stargell being the

co-MVP of the National League, this was the most captivating

team in franchise history as they adopted the theme song

“We Are Family” by Sister Sledge. This team had great depth

and one of the best managerial minds in Chuck Tanner. The

Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS and

subsequently the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.