1970 Pittsburgh Pirates season

Offseason

Three Rivers Stadium

In 1958, the Pirates had sold Forbes Field to the University of Pittsburgh, who wanted the land for expanded graduate facilities. Pitt then leased Forbes back to the Pirates until a new multipurpose stadium could be built. The Steelers opted to play at Pitt Stadium in the meantime. In June 1970, the Pirates played their final game at Forbes Field. It was a doubleheader sweep of the Chicago Cubs and Bill Mazeroski got the final hit at Forbes Field.

A site on the North Side had been chosen earlier in the year, but it took until April 25, 1968, to finally break ground. Three Rivers Stadium opened on July 16, 1970, and became the home of the Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Notable transactions

• October 9, 1969: Danny Murtaugh named Manager of the Pirates.
• October 21, 1969: Dave Giusti and Dave Ricketts were traded to the Pirates by the St. Louis Cardinals for Carl Taylor.
• February 4, 1970: Bo Belinsky was traded by the Pirates to the Cincinnati Reds for Dennis Ribant.

Regular season

• June 12, 1970: Dock Ellis threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. Allegedly, Ellis pitched the no-hitter on acid. According to Ellis, in Donald Hall's book, In the Country of Baseball, the Pirates were starting a west-coast road trip. After the Pirates landed in San Diego, Ellis visited his hometown of Los Angeles for a party. Ellis had forgotten he was slated to pitch the next day, so he took some acid the night before the game. At around 10 a.m., after catching maybe an hour of sleep, he realized he was in the wrong place.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Detailed records

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 7 || Mets || 3–5 (11) || Taylor || Hartenstein (0–1) || McGraw || 34,249 || 0–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 2 || April 9 || Mets || 2–1 || Ellis (1–0) || Koosman || — || 9,884 || 1–1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || April 10 || @ Phillies || 0–2 || Fryman || Veale (0–1) || — || 3,663 || 1–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 4 || April 11 || @ Phillies || 4–0 || Walker (1–0) || Jackson || Hartenstein (1) || 7,673 || 2–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 5 || April 12 || @ Phillies || 3–1 (10) || Blass (1–0) || Bunning || — || 22,395 || 3–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 6 || April 14 || @ Mets || 6–4 (10) || Hartenstein (1–1) || McGraw || — || 41,679 || 4–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 7 || April 16 || @ Mets || 7–4 || Dal Canton (1–0) || Cardwell || — || 8,623 || 5–2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || || Cardinals || 2–5 || Culver || Blass (1–1) || — || 14,369 || 5–3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || || Cardinals || 1–6 || Carlton || Walker (1–1) || — || 8,465 || 5–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 10 || April 20 || Astros || 3–1 || Ellis (2–0) || Bouton || Giusti (1) || 4,051 || 6–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 11 || April 21 || Astros || 9–8 || Veale (1–1) || Dierker || Gibbon (1) || 3,589 || 7–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 12 || April 22 || Astros || 6–1 || Blass (2–1) || Lemaster || — || 6,178 || 8–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 13 || || Braves || 8–6 || Walker (2–1) || Jarvis || Giusti (2) || 4,987 || 9–4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 14 || || Braves || 0–9 || Nash || Moose (0–1) || — || 5,413 || 9–5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 15 || || Braves || 8–7 || Giusti (1–0) || Wilhelm || McBean (1) || 7,125 || 10–5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || || Braves || 0–2 || Niekro || Veale (1–2) || — || 15,307 || 10–6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 27 || Cubs || 0–1 || Decker || Blass (2–2) || Regan || 6,635 || 10–7 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 18 || April 28 || Cubs || 6–1 || Walker (3–1) || Holtzman || Giusti (3) || 6,717 || 11–7 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 29 || Cubs || 5–10 || Hands || Moose (0–2) || Regan || 7,900 || 11–8 |- |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || May 1 || @ Reds || 4–6 || Simpson || Ellis (2–1) || Gullett || 19,470 || 11–9 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || May 2 || @ Reds || 2–7 || McGlothlin || Veale (1–3) || — || 7,721 || 11–10 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || May 3 || @ Reds || 7–11 || Merritt || Blass (2–3) || Carroll || 15,219 || 11–11 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || || @ Braves || 3–5 || Nash || Walker (3–2) || Priddy || 7,457 || 11–12 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 24 || || @ Braves || 6–12 || Stone || Moose (0–3) || Wilhelm || 9,199 || 11–13 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || || @ Braves || 0–3 || Niekro || Ellis (2–2) || — || 9,782 || 11–14 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 26 || May 7 || @ Astros || 9–5 || Walker (4–2) || Bouton || Giusti (4) || 11,678 || 12–14 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || May 8 || @ Astros || 5–7 || Ray || Blass (2–4) || — || 13,383 || 12–15 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 28 || May 9 || @ Astros || 6–3 || Moose (1–3) || Griffin || — || 15,137 || 13–15 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 29 || May 10 || @ Astros || 2–9 || Dierker || Ellis (2–3) || — || 16,768 || 13–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 30 || May 11 || Reds || 4–1 || Veale (2–3) || McGlothlin || — || 7,722 || 14–16 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 31 || May 12 || Reds || 3–5 || Merritt || Blass (2–5) || — || 7,502 || 14–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 32 || || @ Cardinals || 5–1 || Moose (2–3) || Gibson || Giusti (5) || 12,677 || 15–17 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 33 || || @ Cardinals || 7–11 || Johnson || Garber (0–1) || — || 10,840 || 15–18 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 15 || Expos || 1–2 || McGinn || Veale (2–4) || — || 7,883 || 15–19 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 35 || May 16 || Expos || 4–3 || Walker (5–2) || Raymond || — || 4,237 || 16–19 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 17 || Expos || 7–8 || Strohmayer || Garber (0–2) || Raymond || 8,604 || 16–20 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 37 || May 18 || Phillies || 2–1 || Moose (3–3) || Bunning || — || 5,796 || 17–20 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 38 || May 19 || Phillies || 0–2 || Short || Ellis (2–4) || — || 6,251 || 17–21 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 39 || May 20 || Phillies || 3–2 (14) || Dal Canton (2–0) || Selma || — || 5,977 || 18–21 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 21 || @ Expos || 6–7 || Dillman || Walker (5–3) || — || 13,346 || 18–22 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 41 || May 22 || @ Expos || 3–6 || Stoneman || Moose (3–4) || — || 10,576 || 18–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 42 || May 23 || @ Expos || 8–4 || Ellis (3–4) || McGinn || Giusti (6) || 28,702 || 19–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 43 || May 24 || @ Expos || 3–0 || Veale (3–4) || Morton || — || 29,306 || 20–23 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 26 || @ Cubs || 3–6 || Holtzman || Blass (2–6) || — || 12,440 || 20–24 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 45 || May 27 || @ Cubs || 4–0 || Moose (4–4) || Jenkins || — || 11,002 || 21–24 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 46 || May 28 || @ Cubs || 7–8 || Colborn || Garber (0–3) || — || 10,805 || 21–25 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 47 || May 29 || Giants || 6–3 || Veale (4–4) || Robertson || Giusti (7) || 11,497 || 22–25 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || May 30 || Giants || 11–13 || Bryant || Blass (2–7) || Faul || 10,658 || 22–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 49 || May 31 || Giants || 7–3 || Moose (5–4) || Marichal || Giusti (8) || 9,515 || 23–26 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 50 || || Padres || 5–1 || Ellis (4–4) || Coombs || — || 5,036 || 24–26 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 51 || || Padres || 8–14 || Herbel || Veale (4–5) || Dukes || 4,747 || 24–27 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 52 || || Dodgers || 0–5 || Osteen || Blass (2–8) || — || 5,423 || 24–28 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 53 || || Dodgers || 3–0 || Moose (6–4) || Moeller || — || 7,691 || 25–28 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 54 || || Dodgers || 7–6 (12) || Giusti (2–0) || Pena || — || 13,153 || 26–28 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 55 || || Dodgers || 3–1 || Veale (5–5) || Foster || — || 11,243 || 27–28 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 56 || June 9 || @ Giants || 5–1 || Blass (3–8) || Marichal || — || 4,250 || 28–28 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 10 || @ Giants || 2–4 || Perry || Moose (6–5) || — || 3,732 || 28–29 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 58 || || @ Padres || 2–0 || Ellis (5–4) || Roberts || — || || 29–29 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 59 || || @ Padres || 2–5 || Coombs || Veale (5–6) || — || 9,903 || 29–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 60 || || @ Padres || 7–2 || Blass (4–8) || Santorini || — || 7,105 || 30–30 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 61 || || @ Padres || 1–2 || Kirby || Moose (6–6) || — || 15,781 || 30–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 62 || || @ Dodgers || 5–2 || Nelson (1–0) || Moeller || Giusti (9) || 14,490 || 31–31 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 63 || || @ Dodgers || 0–1 || Sutton || Veale (5–7) || — || 20,069 || 31–32 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || || @ Dodgers || 0–4 || Osteen || Ellis (5–5) || — || 17,327 || 31–33 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 65 || June 19 || Expos || 8–4 || Dal Canton (3–0) || Dillman || Walker (1) || 9,707 || 32–33 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 66 || June 20 || Expos || 4–2 || Blass (5–8) || Morton || Giusti (10) || 5,148 || 33–33 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 67 || June 21 || Expos || 2–3 || Nye || Veale (5–8) || — || 12,325 || 33–34 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 68 || || Cardinals || 1–6 || Reuss || Ellis (5–6) || — || || 33–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 69 || || Cardinals || 1–0 (10) || Nelson (2–0) || Linzy || — || 15,158 || 34–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 70 || || Cardinals || 7–2 || Moose (7–6) || Taylor || — || 7,654 || 35–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 71 || || Cardinals || 4–3 (11) || Walker (6–3) || McCool || — || 8,095 || 36–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 72 || || Cardinals || 3–2 || Giusti (3–0) || Carlton || — || 9,910 || 37–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 73 || June 27 || Cubs || 2–1 || Ellis (6–6) || Jenkins || — || 10,188 || 38–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 74 || June 28 || Cubs || 3–2 || Giusti (4–0) || Hands || Walker (2) || || 39–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 75 || June 28 || Cubs || 4–1 || Nelson (3–0) || Pappas || Giusti (11) || 40,918 || 40–35 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || June 29 || @ Mets || 2–3 || Seaver || Blass (5–9) || — || 42,416 || 40–36 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || June 30 || @ Mets || 6–7 || Koosman || Veale (5–9) || Taylor || 38,681 || 40–37 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 78 || July 1 || @ Mets || 4–3 || Ellis (7–6) || McAndrew || Giusti (12) || 34,316 || 41–37 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 79 || July 3 || @ Cubs || 16–14 || Giusti (5–0) || Regan || — || 26,602 || 42–37 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 80 || July 4 || @ Cubs || 10–6 || Blass (6–9) || Holtzman || Walker (3) || || 43–37 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 81 || July 4 || @ Cubs || 2–7 || Pappas || Veale (5–10) || Gura || 26,634 || 43–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 82 || July 5 || @ Cubs || 5–2 || Ellis (8–6) || Jenkins || — || 25,569 || 44–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 83 || July 6 || @ Phillies || 7–5 || Nelson (4–0) || Bunning || Giusti (13) || 6,145 || 45–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 84 || July 7 || @ Phillies || 4–2 || Veale (6–10) || Short || Giusti (14) || 6,938 || 46–38 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 85 || July 8 || @ Phillies || 0–2 || Wise || Blass (6–10) || — || 7,038 || 46–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 86 || || @ Cardinals || 6–0 || Ellis (9–6) || Carlton || — || 22,345 || 47–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 87 || || @ Cardinals || 6–2 || Giusti (6–0) || Gibson || — || 23,920 || 48–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 88 || || @ Cardinals || 8–7 || Dal Canton (4–0) || Taylor || Pena (1) || 25,686 || 49–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 89 || || @ Cardinals || 7–6 (10) || Giusti (7–0) || Hrabosky || Dal Canton (1) || 45,776 || 50–39 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 90 || July 16 || Reds || 2–3 || Carroll || Ellis (9–7) || — || 48,846 || 50–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 91 || July 17 || Reds || 4–3 || Giusti (8–0) || Simpson || — || 23,298 || 51–40 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 92 || July 18 || Reds || 1–3 (10) || Merritt || Giusti (8–1) || Granger || 27,906 || 51–41 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 93 || July 19 || Reds || 7–3 || Walker (7–3) || Gullett || Gibbon (2) || 32,294 || 52–41 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 94 || July 20 || @ Astros || 4–5 (12) || Cook || Dal Canton (4–1) || — || 17,934 || 52–42 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 95 || July 21 || @ Astros || 1–3 || Wilson || Nelson (4–1) || Cook || 17,741 || 52–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 96 || || Braves || 5–3 || Dal Canton (5–1) || Stone || Giusti (15) || 19,145 || 53–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 97 || || Braves || 6–5 || Colpaert (1–0) || McQueen || Giusti (16) || 14,377 || 54–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 98 || July 24 || Astros || 11–0 || Ellis (10–7) || Griffin || — || 43,290 || 55–43 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 99 || July 25 || Astros || 4–8 || Cook || Veale (6–11) || Dierker || 14,069 || 55–44 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 100 || July 26 || Astros || 4–6 (10) || Lemaster || Giusti (8–2) || Gladding || 40,131 || 55–45 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 101 || July 28 || @ Reds || 4–3 || Dal Canton (6–1) || McGlothlin || Giusti (17) || 25,807 || 56–45 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 102 || July 29 || @ Reds || 3–4 || Nolan || Ellis (10–8) || Granger || 25,788 || 56–46 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 30 || @ Reds || 4–8 || Cloninger || Veale (6–12) || Gullett || 26,298 || 56–47 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 104 || || @ Braves || 3–4 || Jarvis || Nelson (4–2) || Wilhelm || 12,196 || 56–48 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 105 || || @ Braves || 20–10 || Pena (1–0) || Stone || Giusti (18) || 28,333 || 57–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 106 || || @ Braves || 10–7 || Ellis (11–8) || Nash || Giusti (19) || 15,227 || 58–48 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 107 || August 3 || @ Expos || 0–8 || McGinn || Moose (7–7) || — || 18,110 || 58–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 108 || August 4 || @ Expos || 4–2 || Veale (7–12) || Marshall || — || 27,112 || 59–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 109 || August 5 || Phillies || 4–0 || Walker (8–3) || Wise || — || 12,915 || 60–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 110 || August 6 || Phillies || 4–0 || Ellis (12–8) || Bunning || — || || 61–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 111 || August 6 || Phillies || 8–3 || Dal Canton (7–1) || Champion || — || 26,664 || 62–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 112 || August 7 || Mets || 6–1 || Moose (8–7) || McAndrew || — || 37,556 || 63–49 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 113 || August 8 || Mets || 9–12 || Koosman || Veale (7–13) || Gentry || 27,843 || 63–50 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 114 || August 9 || Mets || 8–3 || Walker (9–3) || Ryan || Pena (2) || 41,772 || 64–50 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 115 || August 10 || Mets || 2–10 || Seaver || Ellis (12–9) || — || 47,148 || 64–51 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 116 || || Dodgers || 4–5 || Osteen || Dal Canton (7–2) || Brewer || 16,708 || 64–52 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 117 || || Dodgers || 4–11 || Mikkelsen || Moose (8–8) || Hough || 34,551 || 64–53 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 118 || || Padres || 2–1 || Pena (2–0) || Roberts || — || || 65–53 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 119 || || Padres || 10–1 || Walker (10–3) || Dobson || — || 26,979 || 66–53 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 120 || || Padres || 9–3 || Veale (8–13) || Wilson || — || 14,110 || 67–53 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 121 || || Padres || 6–8 || Herbel || Pena (2–1) || Dukes || 18,969 || 67–54 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 122 || August 17 || Giants || 4–5 || Perry || Dal Canton (7–3) || — || 21,148 || 67–55 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 123 || August 18 || Giants || 6–2 || Blass (7–10) || Pitlock || Giusti (20) || 25,325 || 68–55 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 124 || August 19 || Giants || 4–7 || Marichal || Walker (10–4) || — || 24,655 || 68–56 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 125 || || @ Dodgers || 1–2 || Osteen || Veale (8–14) || — || 24,372 || 68–57 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 126 || || @ Dodgers || 2–1 (16) || Dal Canton (8–3) || Mikkelsen || — || 39,829 || 69–57 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 127 || || @ Dodgers || 11–0 || Blass (8–10) || Foster || — || 20,678 || 70–57 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 128 || || @ Padres || 3–4 || Dukes || Walker (10–5) || — || 4,876 || 70–58 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 129 || || @ Padres || 1–2 || Dobson || Cambria (0–1) || Dukes || 6,067 || 70–59 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 130 || August 28 || @ Giants || 1–5 || Marichal || Moose (8–9) || — || 6,174 || 70–60 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 131 || August 29 || @ Giants || 9–10 (10) || McMahon || Dal Canton (8–4) || — || 8,188 || 70–61 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 132 || August 30 || @ Giants || 3–7 || Johnson || Walker (10–6) || Robertson || || 70–62 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 133 || August 30 || @ Giants || 1–2 || Bryant || Giusti (8–3) || — || 15,963 || 70–63 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 134 || September 1 || @ Expos || 8–4 || Veale (9–14) || Stoneman || Giusti (21) || 20,123 || 71–63 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 135 || September 2 || @ Expos || 7–10 || Marshall || Gibbon (0–1) || — || 15,461 || 71–64 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 136 || September 4 || Phillies || 4–3 || Blass (9–10) || Wise || Lamb (1) || 22,547 || 72–64 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 137 || September 5 || Phillies || 6–4 || Cambria (1–1) || Lersch || Giusti (22) || 22,925 || 73–64 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 138 || September 6 || Phillies || 4–3 (10) || Walker (11–6) || Selma || — || 19,049 || 74–64 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 139 || September 7 || Cubs || 8–3 || Moose (9–9) || Pappas || — || || 75–64 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 140 || September 7 || Cubs || 2–9 || Jenkins || Veale (9–15) || — || 42,556 || 75–65 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 141 || September 8 || Cubs || 3–10 || Hands || Blass (9–11) || — || 6,777 || 75–66 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 142 || || Cardinals || 4–6 || Bertaina || Cambria (1–2) || Hilgendorf || 14,927 || 75–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 143 || || Cardinals || 2–0 || Walker (12–6) || Briles || — || 14,386 || 76–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 144 || September 12 || @ Cubs || 5–4 || Moose (10–9) || Jenkins || Giusti (23) || 33,199 || 77–67 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 145 || September 13 || @ Cubs || 2–3 || Hands || Blass (9–12) || — || 22,567 || 77–68 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 146 || September 15 || @ Phillies || 8–3 || Walker (13–6) || Lersch || Giusti (24) || 4,802 || 78–68 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 147 || September 16 || @ Phillies || 5–3 || Moose (11–9) || Bunning || Lamb (2) || 4,418 || 79–68 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 148 || September 17 || @ Phillies || 2–3 || Short || Lamb (0–1) || Selma || 4,199 || 79–69 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 149 || September 18 || @ Mets || 3–2 || Blass (10–12) || McAndrew || Giusti (25) || 42,225 || 80–69 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 150 || September 19 || @ Mets || 2–1 || Walker (14–6) || Gentry || Gibbon (3) || 41,323 || 81–69 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 151 || September 20 || @ Mets || 1–4 || Koosman || Moose (11–10) || — || || 81–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 152 || September 20 || @ Mets || 9–5 (10) || Giusti (9–3) || McGraw || — || 54,806 || 82–70 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 153 || September 22 || Expos || 0–1 || Stoneman || Ellis (12–10) || — || || 82–71 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 154 || September 22 || Expos || 3–1 || Veale (10–15) || Wegener || Gibbon (4) || 19,524 || 83–71 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || September 23 || Expos || 2–3 || Morton || Brunet (0–1) || Marshall || 12,420 || 83–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 156 || September 24 || Expos || 8–0 || Walker (15–6) || Renko || — || 14,026 || 84–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 157 || September 25 || Mets || 4–3 || Grant (1–0) || Chance || Gibbon (5) || 41,484 || 85–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 158 || September 26 || Mets || 4–3 || Grant (2–0) || Herbel || — || 34,311 || 86–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 159 || September 27 || Mets || 2–1 || Ellis (13–10) || McAndrew || Giusti (26) || 50,469 || 87–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 160 || || @ Cardinals || 7–2 || Dal Canton (9–4) || Gibson || Lamb (3) || 13,232 || 88–72 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 161 || || @ Cardinals || 3–4 || Briles || Grant (2–1) || — || 8,084 || 88–73 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 162 || || @ Cardinals || 9–5 || Brunet (1–1) || Cleveland || Acosta (1) || 8,457 || 89–73

Opening Day lineup

Notable transactions

• April 24, 1970: Al McBean was signed by the Pirates.
• May 18, 1970: Al McBean was released by the Pirates.
• June 4, 1970: 1970 Major League Baseball draft
  • Dave Parker was drafted by the Pirates in the 14th round of the 1970 Major League Baseball draft.
  • Ed Ott was drafted by the Pirates in the 23rd round of the 1970 Major League Baseball draft.
• June 9, 1970: Orlando Peña was signed by the Pirates.
• June 22, 1970: Chuck Hartenstein was selected off waivers from the Pirates by the St. Louis Cardinals.
• August 26, 1970: Orlando Pena was released by the Pirates.
• August 31, 1970: George Brunet was traded to the Pirates by the Washington Senators for Denny Riddleberger.
• September 14, 1970: Dave Ricketts was released by the Pirates.
• September 14, 1970: Mudcat Grant was traded to the Pirates by the Oakland Athletics for Angel Mangual.

Roster

Postseason

National League Championship Series

Main article: 1970 National League Championship Series

The Cincinnati Reds won the series, three games to none, over the Pirates.

Statistics

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

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

Awards and honors

• Danny Murtaugh, Associated Press NL Manager of the Year 1970 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Waterbury

Notes

References

• 1970 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Reference
• 1970 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Almanac

References

1. From 1882–1906, the team played in [[Allegheny, Pennsylvania]], which became annexed by [[Pittsburgh]] as the [[North Side (Pittsburgh). North Side]] in 1907.
2. "Pirates tickets, merchandise, news and more... The Official Site of The Pittsburgh Pirates: History: Pirates Uniforms and Logos".
3. The Best Game Ever, Preface, p.xiii, Jim Reisler, Carroll & Graf Publishers, New York, 2007, {{ISBN. 978-0-7867-1943-3
4. [[Danny Murtaugh]]
5. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=giustda01 Dave Giusti] at "Baseball Almanac"
6. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/belinbo01.shtml Bo Belinsky] at ''Baseball Reference''
7. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197006121SDN Dock Ellis No Hitter]
8. [https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/baseballrumors.html ESPN.com – Page2 – The List: Baseball's biggest rumors]
9. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197004070PIT 1970 Opening Day lineup] at "Baseball-Almanac"
10. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=mcbeaal01 Al McBean] at ''Baseball Reference''
11. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/p/parkeda01.shtml Dave Parker] at ''Baseball Reference''
12. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=otted01 Ed Ott] at ''Baseball Almanac''
13. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=penaor01 Orlando Pena] at ''Baseball Almanac''
14. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hartech01.shtml Chuck Hartenstein] at ''Baseball-Reference''
15. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=brunege01 George Brunet] at ''Baseball Almanac''
16. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=rickeda01 Dave Ricketts] at ''Baseball Almanac''
17. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=grantmu01 Mudcat Grant] at ''Baseball Almanac''
18. "Major League Baseball Regular Season Hitting Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates.
19. "Major League Baseball Postseason Hitting Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates.
20. "Major League Baseball Regular Season Pitching Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates.
21. "Major League Baseball Postseason Pitching Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates.