1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season

Background

The defending World Series champion Pirates finished first in the National League East with an MLB-best record of 96–59. The team was defeated three games to two by the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS. 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 ninth 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

• November, 1971: Danny Murtaugh steps down as Manager of the Pirates citing health reasons. Coach Bill Virdon is named Manager.
• January 12, 1972: Larry Demery was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft (secondary phase).
• March 15, 1972: José Martínez was purchased from the Pirates by the Kansas City Royals.

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Detailed records

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 15 || @ Mets || 0–4 || Seaver || Ellis (0–1) || McGraw || 15,893 || 0–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 2 || April 16 || @ Mets || 2–0 || Blass (1–0) || Gentry || Hernández (1) || 23,241 || 1–1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || April 18 || Cubs || 4–6 || Pappas || Moose (0–1) || McGinn || 47,489 || 1–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 4 || April 19 || Cubs || 5–2 || Briles (1–0) || Pizarro || — || 9,171 || 2–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 5 || April 20 || Cubs || 7–5 || Ellis (1–1) || Jenkins || Giusti (1) || 6,529 || 3–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 6 || April 21 || @ Phillies || 3–2 (10) || Hernández (1–0) || Short || — || 13,864 || 4–2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 7 || April 23 || @ Phillies || 4–5 (11) || Brandon || Miller (0–1) || — || 43,438 || 4–3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 8 || April 25 || Reds || 5–2 (13) || Miller (1–1) || McGlothlin || — || 6,509 || 5–3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 26 || Reds || 6–7 || Nolan || Blass (1–1) || Borbon || 6,380 || 5–4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 27 || Reds || 4–5 || Carroll || Giusti (0–1) || — || 12,504 || 5–5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 28 || Braves || 5–13 || Jarvis || Moose (0–2) || McQueen || 12,804 || 5–6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 29 || Braves || 5–9 || Kelley || Walker (0–1) || Stone || 10,684 || 5–7 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 13 || April 30 || Braves || 1–6 || Niekro || Johnson (0–1) || — || 12,264 || 5–8 |- |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 14 || May 1 || Astros || 8–9 || Ray || Giusti (0–2) || — || 4,788 || 5–9 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 15 || May 3 || Astros || 3–2 || Ellis (2–1) || Reuss || Kison (1) || 9,522 || 6–9 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || May 5 || @ Reds || 4–5 (10) || Carroll || Giusti (0–3) || — || 24,722 || 6–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 17 || May 6 || @ Reds || 8–1 || Blass (2–1) || Borbon || — || 12,284 || 7–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 18 || May 7 || @ Reds || 9–6 || Briles (2–0) || Billingham || Moose (1) || 19,281 || 8–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 19 || May 9 || @ Braves || 5–2 || Ellis (3–1) || Kelley || Kison (2) || 7,762 || 9–10 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || May 10 || @ Braves || 4–8 || Niekro || Johnson (0–2) || — || 6,708 || 9–11 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 21 || May 12 || @ Astros || 4–2 || Blass (3–1) || Dierker || Miller (1) || 17,863 || 10–11 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 22 || May 13 || @ Astros || 6–1 (12) || Moose (1–2) || Gladding || Miller (2) || 23,568 || 11–11 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || May 14 || @ Astros || 6–7 || Wilson || Briles (2–1) || Ray || 14,704 || 11–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 24 || May 15 || Cardinals || 4–1 || Ellis (4–1) || Gibson || — || 8,640 || 12–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 25 || May 16 || Cardinals || 4–3 || Walker (1–1) || Wise || Giusti (2) || 8,272 || 13–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 26 || May 17 || Cardinals || 12–0 || Blass (4–1) || Cleveland || — || 9,188 || 14–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 27 || May 19 || Expos || 8–0 || Moose (2–2) || Stoneman || — || 41,765 || 15–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 28 || May 20 || Expos || 6–0 || Ellis (5–1) || Morton || Kison (3) || 11,602 || 16–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 29 || May 21 || Expos || 1–0 || Walker (2–1) || McAnally || Hernández (2) || 30,418 || 17–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 30 || May 21 || Expos || 5–3 || Giusti (1–3) || Gilbert || — || 30,418 || 18–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 31 || May 23 || @ Cardinals || 6–2 || Blass (5–1) || Cleveland || Hernández (3) || 11,795 || 19–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 32 || May 24 || @ Cardinals || 9–4 (14) || Miller (2–1) || Higgins || — || 10,794 || 20–12 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 33 || May 25 || @ Cardinals || 2–4 || Gibson || Ellis (5–2) || — || 9,293 || 20–13 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 34 || May 26 || Phillies || 6–4 || Briles (3–1) || Carlton || — || 25,164 || 21–13 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || May 27 || Phillies || 1–2 (12) || Brandon || Giusti (1–4) || Short || 19,398 || 21–14 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 36 || May 28 || Phillies || 6–5 || Hernández (2–0) || Hoerner || — || 15,236 || 22–14 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 37 || May 29 || Phillies || 7–3 || Hernández (3–0) || Fryman || — || 36,464 || 23–14 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 38 || May 29 || Phillies || 4–2 || Moose (3–2) || Reynolds || Giusti (3) || 36,464 || 24–14 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 31 || @ Expos || 2–3 || McAnally || Briles (3–2) || — || 10,565 || 24–15 |- |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || June 2 || @ Giants || 4–7 || Marichal || Johnson (0–3) || — || 6,669 || 24–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 41 || June 3 || @ Giants || 4–3 || Blass (6–1) || McDowell || Giusti (4) || 11,216 || 25–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 42 || June 4 || @ Giants || 4–3 || Miller (3–1) || Johnson || Giusti (5) || || 26–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 43 || June 4 || @ Giants || 9–1 || Kison (1–0) || Williams || — || 19,929 || 27–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 44 || June 7 || @ Padres || 12–5 || Johnson (1–3) || Norman || — || || 28–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 45 || June 7 || @ Padres || 1–0 (18) || Miller (4–1) || Corkins || Johnson (1) || 7,371 || 29–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 46 || June 8 || @ Padres || 11–2 || Moose (4–2) || Arlin || — || 2,949 || 30–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 47 || June 9 || @ Dodgers || 5–1 || Blass (7–1) || Sutton || — || 35,078 || 31–16 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || June 10 || @ Dodgers || 1–2 || Osteen || Walker (2–2) || Brewer || 38,937 || 31–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 49 || June 11 || @ Dodgers || 7–5 || Kison (2–0) || Mikkelsen || Giusti (6) || 40,846 || 32–17 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 50 || June 14 || Giants || 1–3 || McDowell || Ellis (5–3) || — || 14,552 || 32–18 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 51 || June 15 || Giants || 4–1 || Briles (4–2) || Stone || Giusti (7) || || 33–18 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 52 || June 15 || Giants || 9–7 || Moose (5–2) || Bryant || Hernández (4) || 21,126 || 34–18 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 53 || June 16 || Padres || 2–1 || Blass (8–1) || Norman || — || 17,020 || 35–18 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 54 || June 17 || Padres || 0–4 || Kirby || Walker (2–3) || — || 20,718 || 35–19 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 55 || June 18 || Padres || 0–1 || Arlin || Kison (2–1) || — || 27,143 || 35–20 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 56 || June 19 || Dodgers || 13–3 || Ellis (6–3) || Sutton || Miller (3) || 15,430 || 36–20 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 21 || Dodgers || 3–5 (10) || Brewer || Moose (5–3) || — || 15,209 || 36–21 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 58 || June 23 || @ Cubs || 4–2 || Blass (9–1) || Jenkins || Giusti (8) || 28,177 || 37–21 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 59 || June 24 || @ Cubs || 3–1 || Briles (5–2) || Hands || Giusti (9) || 27,543 || 38–21 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 60 || June 25 || @ Cubs || 9–2 || Ellis (7–3) || Hooton || Giusti (10) || 35,099 || 39–21 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 61 || June 26 || @ Mets || 2–4 || Koosman || Moose (5–4) || McGraw || 48,820 || 39–22 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 62 || June 27 || @ Mets || 4–7 || Frisella || Walker (2–4) || — || 38,152 || 39–23 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 63 || June 28 || Expos || 1–3 || Stoneman || Blass (9–2) || — || 13,470 || 39–24 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 64 || June 29 || Expos || 9–0 || Briles (6–2) || McAnally || — || 18,364 || 40–24 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 30 || Cubs || 3–4 || Reuschel || Ellis (7–4) || Aker || 22,745 || 40–25 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 66 || July 1 || Cubs || 4–3 || Giusti (2–4) || Jenkins || — || 16,102 || 41–25 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 67 || July 2 || Cubs || 7–4 || Kison (3–1) || Hands || Hernández (5) || 25,229 || 42–25 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 68 || July 3 || Cubs || 3–2 || Giusti (3–4) || Hooton || — || 26,933 || 43–25 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 69 || July 4 || @ Astros || 0–6 || Dierker || Briles (6–3) || — || 31,164 || 43–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 70 || July 5 || @ Astros || 6–4 || Johnson (2–3) || Forsch || — || 23,646 || 44–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 71 || July 6 || @ Astros || 7–3 (17) || Hernández (4–0) || Ray || — || 23,540 || 45–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 72 || July 7 || @ Braves || 10–2 || Walker (3–4) || Kelley || — || || 46–26 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 73 || July 7 || @ Braves || 2–3 || Hardin || Kison (3–2) || — || 25,253 || 46–27 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 74 || July 8 || @ Braves || 5–3 || Blass (10–2) || Reed || Giusti (11) || 20,256 || 47–27 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 75 || July 9 || @ Braves || 7–4 || Briles (7–3) || McLain || — || 20,130 || 48–27 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || July 11 || @ Reds || 0–5 || Billingham || Moose (5–5) || — || 24,047 || 48–28 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || July 12 || @ Reds || 3–6 || Simpson || Walker (3–5) || Carroll || 28,058 || 48–29 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 78 || July 13 || @ Reds || 0–2 || Nolan || Blass (10–3) || Carroll || 32,060 || 48–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 79 || July 14 || Astros || 5–2 || Briles (8–3) || Dierker || — || 24,487 || 49–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 80 || July 15 || Astros || 5–1 || Ellis (8–4) || Forsch || Giusti (12) || 16,202 || 50–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 81 || July 16 || Astros || 3–2 (10) || Giusti (4–4) || Gladding || — || || 51–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 82 || July 16 || Astros || 3–2 || Kison (4–2) || Wilson || Giusti (13) || 49,341 || 52–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 83 || July 17 || Braves || 6–5 || Hernández (5–0) || Hoerner || Giusti (14) || 14,866 || 53–30 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 84 || July 18 || Braves || 2–4 || Reed || Blass (10–4) || — || 20,162 || 53–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 85 || July 19 || Braves || 8–3 || Briles (9–3) || Niekro || Walker (1) || 24,847 || 54–31 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 86 || July 21 || Reds || 5–11 || Borbon || Kison (4–3) || Gullett || 32,255 || 54–32 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 87 || July 22 || Reds || 3–6 || Sprague || Moose (5–6) || Carroll || 40,837 || 54–33 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 88 || July 23 || Reds || 3–2 || Blass (11–4) || Grimsley || Hernández (6) || 29,487 || 55–33 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 89 || July 27 || Mets || 0–1 (10) || Matlack || Briles (9–4) || — || || 55–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 90 || July 27 || Mets || 7–5 || Moose (6–6) || Koosman || Giusti (15) || 49,886 || 56–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 91 || July 28 || Mets || 3–1 || Ellis (9–4) || Seaver || — || 39,035 || 57–34 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 92 || July 29 || @ Phillies || 2–5 || Fryman || Blass (11–5) || Selma || 37,544 || 57–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 93 || July 29 || @ Phillies || 3–2 || Walker (4–5) || Brandon || Giusti (16) || 37,544 || 58–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 94 || July 30 || @ Phillies || 7–1 || Kison (5–3) || Lersch || — || 28,451 || 59–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 95 || July 31 || @ Phillies || 2–0 || Moose (7–6) || Reynolds || — || 17,455 || 60–35 |- |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 96 || August 1 || @ Cardinals || 4–7 || Santorini || Briles (9–5) || Segui || 23,712 || 60–36 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || August 2 || @ Cardinals || 5–10 (7) || Gibson || Ellis (9–5) || — || 24,961 || 60–37 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 98 || August 3 || @ Cardinals || 2–1 (10) || Blass (12–5) || Wise || Hernández (7) || 14,836 || 61–37 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 99 || August 4 || @ Expos || 1–2 || Moore || Kison (5–4) || — || 18,436 || 61–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 100 || August 5 || @ Expos || 7–4 || Briles (10–5) || Stoneman || Giusti (17) || 20,905 || 62–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 101 || August 6 || @ Expos || 8–0 || Moose (8–6) || Torrez || — || || 63–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 102 || August 6 || @ Expos || 7–2 || Johnson (3–3) || Renko || Hernández (8) || 28,330 || 64–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 103 || August 8 || Phillies || 4–2 || Ellis (10–5) || Champion || — || 18,228 || 65–38 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 104 || August 9 || Phillies || 0–2 || Carlton || Blass (12–6) || — || 19,832 || 65–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 105 || August 11 || Cardinals || 10–5 || Briles (11–5) || Cleveland || Hernández (9) || 34,248 || 66–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 106 || August 12 || Cardinals || 6–5 || Moose (9–6) || Gibson || Giusti (18) || 23,474 || 67–39 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 107 || August 13 || Cardinals || 0–2 || Wise || Ellis (10–6) || — || || 67–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 108 || August 13 || Cardinals || 7–5 || Blass (13–6) || Santorini || Giusti (19) || 47,300 || 68–40 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 109 || August 15 || @ Dodgers || 6–8 || Richert || Johnson (3–4) || Brewer || 27,484 || 68–41 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 110 || August 16 || @ Dodgers || 3–2 || Miller (5–1) || Sutton || — || 28,318 || 69–41 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 111 || August 17 || @ Dodgers || 2–4 || Downing || Moose (9–7) || Richert || 29,777 || 69–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 112 || August 18 || @ Padres || 4–2 || Blass (14–6) || Greif || — || 30,610 || 70–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 113 || August 20 || @ Padres || 9–3 || Ellis (11–6) || Corkins || Johnson (2) || || 71–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 114 || August 20 || @ Padres || 5–2 || Kison (6–4) || Norman || — || 9,759 || 72–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 115 || August 22 || @ Giants || 1–0 || Briles (12–5) || Marichal || — || 9,389 || 73–42 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 116 || August 23 || @ Giants || 0–8 || Barr || Moose (9–8) || — || 8,330 || 73–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 117 || August 25 || Dodgers || 3–2 (12) || Giusti (5–4) || Richert || — || || 74–43 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 118 || August 25 || Dodgers || 3–4 || Osteen || Kison (6–5) || — || 39,574 || 74–44 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 119 || August 26 || Dodgers || 3–7 || Sutton || Ellis (11–7) || — || 20,174 || 74–45 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 120 || August 27 || Dodgers || 4–7 || Mikkelsen || Briles (12–6) || Brewer || 25,672 || 74–46 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 121 || August 28 || Padres || 5–3 || Moose (10–8) || Caldwell || Hernández (10) || 13,438 || 75–46 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 122 || August 29 || Padres || 5–3 || Blass (15–6) || Corkins || Giusti (20) || 12,329 || 76–46 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 123 || August 30 || Padres || 11–0 || Kison (7–5) || Arlin || — || 19,009 || 77–46 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 124 || September 1 || Giants || 10–6 || Ellis (12–7) || Bryant || Giusti (21) || 20,678 || 78–46 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 125 || September 2 || Giants || 6–3 || Briles (13–6) || McDowell || — || 14,194 || 79–46 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 126 || September 3 || Giants || 2–1 (10) || Giusti (6–4) || Johnson || — || 16,760 || 80–46 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 127 || September 4 || Phillies || 10–0 || Blass (16–6) || Twitchell || — || 26,627 || 81–46 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 128 || September 4 || Phillies || 5–1 || Kison (8–5) || Nash || — || 26,627 || 82–46 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 129 || September 6 || Cubs || 4–0 || Ellis (13–7) || McGinn || — || 12,470 || 83–46 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 130 || September 7 || Cubs || 2–4 || Hooton || Briles (13–7) || — || 12,306 || 83–47 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 131 || September 8 || @ Expos || 7–1 || Johnson (4–4) || Morton || — || || 84–47 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 132 || September 8 || @ Expos || 4–2 (12) || Giusti (7–4) || Marshall || Hernández (11) || 12,118 || 85–47 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 133 || September 9 || @ Expos || 8–3 || Blass (17–6) || Stoneman || — || 17,092 || 86–47 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 134 || September 10 || @ Expos || 2–8 || Torrez || Kison (8–6) || — || 20,253 || 86–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 135 || September 12 || @ Cubs || 7–0 || Ellis (14–7) || Hooton || Giusti (22) || 4,153 || 87–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 136 || September 13 || @ Cubs || 6–4 || Briles (14–7) || Jenkins || Hernández (12) || 4,418 || 88–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 137 || September 14 || @ Cubs || 5–2 || Moose (11–8) || Reuschel || Hernández (13) || 4,603 || 89–48 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 138 || September 15 || @ Cardinals || 4–10 || Wise || Kison (8–7) || — || 10,853 || 89–49 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 139 || September 16 || @ Cardinals || 0–4 || Santorini || Blass (17–7) || — || 11,850 || 89–50 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 140 || September 17 || @ Cardinals || 4–5 || Cleveland || Miller (5–2) || Segui || 11,802 || 89–51 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 141 || September 18 || @ Mets || 0–1 || Matlack || Briles (14–8) || — || 15,622 || 89–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 142 || September 19 || @ Mets || 5–1 || Moose (12–8) || Koosman || — || 15,537 || 90–52 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 143 || September 20 || @ Mets || 1–4 || Seaver || Walker (4–6) || — || 15,147 || 90–53 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 144 || September 21 || @ Mets || 6–2 || Blass (18–7) || Gentry || — || 10,991 || 91–53 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 145 || September 22 || Expos || 4–3 (12) || McKee (1–0) || Marshall || — || 15,365 || 92–53 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 146 || September 23 || Expos || 0–3 || McAnally || Briles (14–9) || — || 8,580 || 92–54 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 24 || Expos || 1–2 || Morton || Moose (12–9) || — || 9,116 || 92–55 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 148 || September 26 || @ Phillies || 5–1 || Blass (19–7) || Champion || — || 8,472 || 93–55 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 149 || September 27 || @ Phillies || 3–1 || Kison (9–7) || Reynolds || Walker (2) || 5,335 || 94–55 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 150 || September 28 || @ Phillies || 1–2 || Carlton || Moose (12–10) || — || 12,216 || 94–56 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 151 || September 29 || Mets || 0–1 || Seaver || Briles (14–10) || — || 24,193 || 94–57 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 152 || September 30 || Mets || 5–0 || Ellis (15–7) || Matlack || Johnson (3) || 13,117 || 95–57 |- |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 153 || October 1 || Mets || 3–7 || Koosman || Blass (19–8) || — || 30,031 || 95–58 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 154 || October 3 || Cardinals || 6–2 || Moose (13–10) || Santorini || Hernández (14) || 5,905 || 96–58 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || October 4 || Cardinals || 3–4 || Gibson || Briles (14–11) || — || 4,603 || 96–59

Opening Day lineup

Notable transactions

• June 6, 1972: 1972 Major League Baseball draft
  • John Candelaria was drafted by the Pirates in the 2nd round.
  • Ken Macha was drafted by the Pirates in the 6th round.
  • Willie Randolph was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round.
• September 2, 1972 Bob Veale was sold by the Pirates to the Boston Red Sox.

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

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

Other batters

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

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

Other pitchers

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

Relief pitchers

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

National League Championship Series

Main article: 1972 National League Championship Series

Awards and honors

1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Salem, Niagara Falls

Notes

References

• 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Reference
• 1972 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. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/demerla01.shtml Larry Demery] at ''Baseball Reference''
3. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martijo04.shtml José Martínez] at ''Baseball Reference''
4. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197204150NYN 1972 Opening Day lineup] at "Baseball-Almanac"
5. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/candejo01.shtml John Candelaria] at ''Baseball Reference''
6. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/machake01.shtml Ken Macha] at ''Baseball Reference''
7. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/r/randowi01.shtml Willie Randolph] at ''Baseball Reference''
8. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=vealebo01 Bob Veale] at ''Baseball Almanac''