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1978 Pittsburgh Pirates season

1978 Pittsburgh Pirates
LeagueNational League
DivisionEast
BallparkThree Rivers Stadium
CityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania[1]
Record88–73 (.547)
Divisional place2nd
OwnersJohn W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholder)
General managersHarding "Pete" Peterson
ManagersChuck Tanner
TelevisionKDKA-TV
Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare
RadioKDKA
Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare
← 1977 Seasons 1979 →

The 1978 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 97th season of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise; the 92nd in the National League. The Pirates finished second in the National League East with a record of 88–73.

Offseason

Regular season

Season standings

NL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Philadelphia Phillies 90 72 .556 — 54‍–‍28 36‍–‍44
Pittsburgh Pirates 88 73 .547 1½ 55‍–‍26 33‍–‍47
Chicago Cubs 79 83 .488 11 44‍–‍38 35‍–‍45
Montreal Expos 76 86 .469 14 41‍–‍39 35‍–‍47
St. Louis Cardinals 69 93 .426 21 37‍–‍44 32‍–‍49
New York Mets 66 96 .407 24 33‍–‍47 33‍–‍49

Record vs. opponents

1978 National League record

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Team ATL CHC CIN HOU LAD MON NYM PHI PIT SD SF STL
Atlanta — 5–7 6–12 8–10 5–13 5–7 6–6 8–4 2–10 8–10 11–7 5–7
Chicago 7–5 — 7–5 6–6 4–8 7–11 11–7 4–14 7–11 7–5 4–8 15–3
Cincinnati 12–6 5–7 — 11–7 9–9 8–4 7–5 7–5 4–7 9–9 12–6 8–4
Houston 10–8 6–6 7–11 — 7–11 6–6 7–5 6–6 4–8 8–10 6–12 7–5
Los Angeles 13–5 8–4 9–9 11–7 — 8–4 7–5 7–5 7–5 9–9 11–7 5–7
Montreal 7–5 11–7 4–8 6–6 4–8 — 8–10 9–9 7–11 6–6 5–7 9–9
New York 6–6 7–11 5–7 5–7 5–7 10–8 — 6–12 7–11 5–7 3–9 7–11
Philadelphia 4-8 14–4 5–7 6–6 5–7 9–9 12–6 — 11–7 8–4 6–6 10–8
Pittsburgh 10–2 11–7 7–4 8–4 5–7 11–7 11–7 7–11 — 5–7 4–8 9–9
San Diego 10–8 5–7 9–9 10–8 9–9 6–6 7–5 4–8 7–5 — 8–10 9–3
San Francisco 7–11 8–4 6–12 12–6 7–11 7–5 9–3 6–6 8–4 10–8 — 9–3
St. Louis 7–5 3–15 4–8 5–7 7–5 9–9 11–7 8–10 9–9 3–9 3–9 —


Game log

1978 Game Log: 88–73 (Home: 55–26; Away: 33–47)
April: 10–9 (Home: 6–4; Away: 4–5)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 April 7 Cubs 1–0 Candelaria (1–0) Reuschel — 39,028 1–0
2 April 8 Cubs 4–3 (10) Bibby (1–0) Sutter — 9,387 2–0
3 April 9 Cubs 3–4 Moore Kison (0–1) Sutter 11,632 2–1
4 April 10 @ Cardinals 2–11 Denny Rooker (0–1) — 19,241 2–2
5 April 12 @ Cardinals 1–5 Forsch Candelaria (1–1) — 12,294 2–3
6 April 13 @ Cardinals 5–6 Rasmussen Blyleven (0–1) — 12,351 2–4
7 April 14 @ Cubs 4–5 Hernandez Bibby (1–1) — 45,777 2–5
8 April 15 @ Cubs 13–10 Rooker (1–1) Lamp — 20,684 3–5
9 April 16 @ Cubs 1–5 Reuschel Robinson (0–1) — 20,921 3–6
10 April 17 Phillies 2–6 Lonborg Candelaria (1–2) — 7,343 3–7
11 April 22 Cardinals 8–7 Tekulve (1–0) Urrea — 5,173 4–7
12 April 23 Cardinals 14–7 Kison (1–1) Forsch — 5–7
13 April 23 Cardinals 5–4 Bibby (2–1) Vuckovich Robinson (1) 10,008 6–7
14 April 24 @ Mets 4–2 Tekulve (2–0) Cornejo — 9,495 7–7
15 April 25 @ Mets 2–1 Robinson (1–1) Bruhert — 6,914 8–7
16 April 26 @ Mets 1–0 (11) Blyleven (1–1) Myrick — 6,506 9–7
17 April 28 Giants 4–5 Montefusco Candelaria (1–3) Lavelle 7,881 9–8
18 April 29 Giants 6–2 Robinson (2–1) Barr — 7,976 10–8
19 April 30 Giants 3–7 Knepper Blyleven (1–2) — 7,929 10–9
May: 12–16 (Home: 6–6; Away: 6–10)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
20 May 1 Padres 7–4 Bibby (3–1) Fingers — 2,786 11–9
21 May 2 Padres 1–2 Owchinko Candelaria (1–4) — 3,228 11–10
22 May 3 Padres 5–7 D'Acquisto Bibby (3–2) Fingers 5,052 11–11
23 May 5 Dodgers 2–7 Hooton Blyleven (1–3) — 7,580 11–12
24 May 6 Dodgers 3–2 Candelaria (2–4) Sutton Jackson (1) 8,919 12–12
25 May 7 Dodgers 6–4 Rooker (2–1) John Tekulve (1) 18,208 13–12
26 May 9 @ Giants 2–3 Curtis Tekulve (2–1) — 10,459 13–13
27 May 10 @ Giants 5–1 Blyleven (2–3) Barr — 4,766 14–13
28 May 11 @ Giants 2–6 Knepper Candelaria (2–5) — 6,071 14–14
29 May 12 @ Padres 4–6 Lee Tekulve (2–2) Fingers 20,240 14–15
30 May 13 @ Padres 5–6 Spillner Kison (1–2) Fingers 32,648 14–16
31 May 14 @ Padres 1–0 Robinson (3–1) Jones — 18,572 15–16
32 May 15 @ Dodgers 6–7 Hough Blyleven (2–4) — 35,297 15–17
33 May 16 @ Dodgers 2–3 Sutton Candelaria (2–6) Forster 32,243 15–18
34 May 17 @ Dodgers 1–10 John Rooker (2–2) — 33,097 15–19
35 May 19 @ Expos 5–3 Robinson (4–1) May Tekulve (2) 13,088 16–19
36 May 20 @ Expos 6–0 Blyleven (3–4) Twitchell — 13,834 17–19
37 May 21 @ Expos 7–0 Candelaria (3–6) Grimsley Tekulve (3) 20,016 18–19
38 May 22 @ Expos 2–5 Rogers Rooker (2–3) Knowles 12,300 18–20
39 May 23 Mets 3–7 Espinosa Jackson (0–1) Lockwood 2,869 18–21
40 May 24 Mets 6–5 (10) Tekulve (3–2) Lockwood — 5,302 19–21
41 May 25 Mets 2–3 (11) Murray Tekulve (3–3) — 5,766 19–22
42 May 26 Expos 2–1 Candelaria (4–6) Rogers Tekulve (4) 8,816 20–22
43 May 27 Expos 1–15 May Rooker (2–4) — 10,773 20–23
44 May 28 Expos 5–2 Bibby (4–2) Dues — 26,564 21–23
45 May 29 @ Phillies 3–4 (14) Brusstar Hamilton (0–1) — 34,353 21–24
46 May 30 @ Phillies 1–6 Carlton Blyleven (3–5) — 26,123 21–25
47 May 31 @ Phillies 2–1 Candelaria (5–6) Lerch Tekulve (5) 29,595 22–25
June: 13–13 (Home: 7–7; Away: 6–6)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
48 June 2 @ Reds 2–3 Tomlin Rooker (2–5) — 40,495 22–26
49 June 3 @ Reds 3–4 Norman Robinson (4–2) Sarmiento 50,152 22–27
50 June 4 @ Reds 4–1 Blyleven (4–5) Moskau Jackson (2) 37,304 23–27
51 June 5 Braves 4–8 Easterly Tekulve (3–4) — 5,248 23–28
52 June 6 Braves 4–2 Bibby (5–2) Devine Tekulve (6) 4,914 24–28
53 June 9 Reds 11–9 Jackson (1–1) Bair Candelaria (1) 21,710 25–28
54 June 10 Reds 4–6 Seaver Jackson (1–2) — 34,009 25–29
55 June 11 Reds 3–1 Jackson (2–2) Sarmiento Whitson (1) 24,972 26–29
56 June 12 @ Astros 5–6 Williams Whitson (0–1) Sambito 9,886 26–30
57 June 13 @ Astros 1–2 Forsch Bibby (5–3) Sambito 10,487 26–31
58 June 14 @ Astros 6–4 Whitson (1–1) Richard Tekulve (7) 12,440 27–31
59 June 16 @ Braves 9–4 Blyleven (5–5) Niekro Whitson (2) 18,572 28–31
60 June 17 @ Braves 5–3 Candelaria (6–6) Mahler Jackson (3) 16,284 29–31
61 June 18 @ Braves 7–8 Hanna Bibby (5–4) Skok 21,498 29–32
62 June 19 Cubs 4–6 (10) Sutter Jackson (2–3) Hernandez 8,878 29–33
63 June 20 Cubs 6–1 Blyleven (6–5) Holtzman — 10,912 30–33
64 June 21 Cubs 2–1 Candelaria (7–6) Burris — 11,064 31–33
65 June 23 @ Mets 2–3 (11) Murray Whitson (1–2) — 16,594 31–34
66 June 24 @ Mets 7–4 (12) Tekulve (4–4) Siebert Hamilton (1) 17,810 32–34
67 June 25 @ Mets 4–0 Blyleven (7–5) Espinosa — 16,748 33–34
68 June 26 Cardinals 11–8 Whitson (2–2) Urrea Tekulve (8) 5,045 34–34
69 June 27 Cardinals 0–2 Vuckovich Candelaria (7–7) Schultz 34–35
70 June 27 Cardinals 1–6 Falcone Reuss (0–1) — 9,229 34–36
71 June 28 Cardinals 5–7 (11) Thomas Tekulve (4–5) — 7,742 34–37
72 June 29 Mets 4–3 Jackson (3–3) Lockwood Whitson (3) 6,367 35–37
73 June 30 Mets 5–6 Murray Hamilton (0–2) — 31,947 35–38
July: 13–14 (Home: 9–4; Away: 4–10)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
74 July 1 Mets 1–0 Rooker (3–5) Lockwood Tekulve (9) 7,912 36–38
75 July 3 Expos 0–2 Dues Candelaria (7–8) Rogers 7,480 36–39
76 July 4 Expos 3–1 Blyleven (8–5) Schatzeder Tekulve (10) 37–39
77 July 4 Expos 4–3 Robinson (5–2) Twitchell Tekulve (11) 15,001 38–39
78 July 6 @ Cardinals 2–3 Denny Rooker (3–6) — 14,832 38–40
79 July 7 @ Cardinals 2–1 Candelaria (8–8) Vuckovich Tekulve (12) 13,813 39–40
80 July 8 @ Cardinals 0–4 Martinez Robinson (5–3) — 20,524 39–41
81 July 9 @ Cardinals 6–1 Blyleven (9–5) Forsch Tekulve (13) 22,101 40–41
82 July 13 Giants 0–4 Knepper Candelaria (8–9) — 13,984 40–42
83 July 14 Giants 5–2 Rooker (4–6) Montefusco Tekulve (14) 15,733 41–42
84 July 15 Giants 5–6 (11) Lavelle Whitson (2–3) — 16,174 41–43
85 July 16 Padres 3–2 (10) Whitson (3–3) Fingers — 42–43
86 July 16 Padres 10–6 Jackson (4–3) Kinney Tekulve (15) 16,303 43–43
87 July 17 Padres 8–7 (10) Tekulve (5–5) Fingers — 7,045 44–43
88 July 18 Dodgers 2–7 Sutton Robinson (5–4) — 15,125 44–44
89 July 19 Dodgers 6–3 Rooker (5–6) Rau Tekulve (16) 15,527 45–44
90 July 20 Dodgers 7–6 (10) Kison (2–2) Forster — 13,823 46–44
91 July 21 @ Giants 3–0 Bibby (6–4) Knepper — 23,882 47–44
92 July 22 @ Giants 2–3 (10) Curtis Tekulve (5–6) — 18,872 47–45
93 July 23 @ Giants 1–3 Barr Candelaria (8–10) — 41,923 47–46
94 July 25 @ Padres 1–2 Owchinko Rooker (5–7) — 17,522 47–47
95 July 26 @ Padres 5–6 Perry Kison (2–3) Fingers 16,556 47–48
96 July 27 @ Padres 3–6 Shirley Whitson (3–4) Fingers 14,076 47–49
97 July 28 @ Dodgers 3–7 John Candelaria (8–11) Forster 43,600 47–50
98 July 29 @ Dodgers 1–2 Sutton Robinson (5–5) — 46,139 47–51
99 July 30 @ Dodgers 5–3 Rooker (6–7) Rau Tekulve (17) 48,587 48–51
100 July 31 @ Expos 2–3 Garman Blyleven (9–6) — 22,152 48–52
August: 18–12 (Home: 9–4; Away: 9–8)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
101 August 1 @ Expos 3–4 Rogers Bibby (6–5) Knowles 21,287 48–53
102 August 2 @ Expos 3–0 Kison (3–3) Schatzeder Tekulve (18) 15,378 49–53
103 August 4 Phillies 0–2 Christenson Rooker (6–8) — 49–54
104 August 4 Phillies 5–2 Robinson (6–5) Kaat — 30,865 50–54
105 August 6 Phillies 2–3 Ruthven Blyleven (9–7) — 50–55
106 August 6 Phillies 0–5 Carlton Bibby (6–6) — 31,141 50–56
107 August 7 @ Cubs 4–5 Moore Reuss (0–2) Sutter 18,615 50–57
108 August 8 @ Cubs 9–5 Robinson (7–5) Reuschel — 26,037 51–57
109 August 9 @ Cubs 4–5 Roberts Whitson (3–5) — 23,310 51–58
110 August 10 @ Phillies 1–3 Ruthven Blyleven (9–8) — 34,672 51–59
111 August 11 @ Phillies 4–15 Carlton Kison (3–4) — 35,101 51–60
112 August 12 @ Phillies 1–10 Lerch Bibby (6–7) — 30,110 51–61
113 August 13 @ Phillies 7–3 Robinson (8–5) Christenson — 38,119 52–61
114 August 14 Reds 7–4 Rooker (7–8) Moskau Tekulve (19) 26,514 53–61
115 August 15 Reds 3–4 (10) Bair Whitson (3–6) — 16,400 53–62
116 August 16 Reds 13–2 Candelaria (9–11) Bonham Jackson (4) 15,490 54–62
117 August 17 Astros 5–1 Robinson (9–5) Richard — 55–62
118 August 17 Astros 3–2 Kison (4–4) Lemongello Tekulve (20) 8,470 56–62
119 August 18 Astros 6–3 Bibby (7–7) Ruhle Tekulve (21) 8,632 57–62
120 August 19 Astros 4–2 Blyleven (10–8) Bannister Tekulve (22) 22,015 58–62
121 August 20 Astros 7–6 Rooker (8–8) Dixon Tekulve (23) 59–62
122 August 20 Astros 3–1 Reuss (1–2) Niekro — 21,851 60–62
123 August 22 @ Braves 3–1 Robinson (10–5) Mahler Tekulve (24) 9,348 61–62
124 August 23 @ Braves 4–3 (12) Jackson (5–3) Campbell — 6,553 62–62
125 August 24 @ Braves 5–1 Blyleven (11–8) Niekro Tekulve (25) 7,965 63–62
126 August 25 @ Astros 5–7 Niekro Rooker (8–9) Andujar 11,641 63–63
127 August 26 @ Astros 2–7 Richard Kison (4–5) — 9,985 63–64
128 August 27 @ Astros 8–5 Jackson (6–3) Lemongello Tekulve (26) 10,947 64–64
129 August 28 @ Reds 3–1 Candelaria (10–11) Norman Whitson (4) 23,612 65–64
130 August 29 @ Reds 5–0 Blyleven (12–8) LaCoss — 24,967 66–64
September: 21–9 (Home: 17–1; Away: 4–8)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
131 September 1 Braves 8–3 Robinson (11–5) Niekro Tekulve (27) 67–64
132 September 1 Braves 3–0 Kison (5–5) Mahler Tekulve (28) 14,306 68–64
133 September 2 Braves 4–3 (12) Jackson (7–3) Camp — 9,580 69–64
134 September 3 Braves 6–3 Tekulve (6–6) Garber — 8,594 70–64
135 September 4 Mets 7–4 Whitson (4–6) Lockwood Jackson (5) 71–64
136 September 4 Mets 7–0 Bibby (8–7) Berenguer — 25,765 72–64
137 September 5 Mets 8–0 Reuss (2–2) Koosman — 18,476 73–64
138 September 6 @ Cardinals 4–1 Robinson (12–5) Denny — 7,945 74–64
139 September 7 @ Cardinals 4–5 Lopez Jackson (7–4) Littell 7,805 74–65
140 September 8 @ Mets 2–3 Murray Blyleven (12–9) — 4,749 74–66
141 September 9 @ Mets 1–4 Kobel Rooker (8–10) — 8,881 74–67
142 September 10 @ Mets 9–11 Bernard Tekulve (6–7) Cornejo 9,256 74–68
143 September 11 @ Phillies 3–10 Carlton Robinson (12–6) — 33,198 74–69
144 September 12 @ Phillies 5–1 Candelaria (11–11) Christenson Tekulve (29) 31,355 75–69
145 September 13 Cardinals 7–1 Blyleven (13–9) Falcone — 6,398 76–69
146 September 14 Cardinals 7–4 Rooker (9–10) Forsch — 5,294 77–69
147 September 15 Expos 6–1 Kison (6–5) Fryman — 15,146 78–69
148 September 16 Expos 12–5 Robinson (13–6) Grimsley — 8,079 79–69
149 September 17 Expos 5–3 Blyleven (14–9) May Tekulve (30) 8,544 80–69
150 September 19 @ Cubs 12–11 (11) Jones (1–0) Sutter — 6,137 81–69
151 September 20 @ Cubs 1–5 Krukow Rooker (9–11) — 5,269 81–70
152 September 21 @ Cubs 3–2 (14) Whitson (5–6) Sutter Bibby (1) 2,423 82–70
153 September 23 @ Expos 2–3 Grimsley Blyleven (14–10) — 20,324 82–71
154 September 24 @ Expos 0–4 Sanderson Kison (6–6) — 23,260 82–72
155 September 25 Cubs 7–4 Candelaria (12–11) Krukow — 5,937 83–72
156 September 26 Cubs 5–2 Robinson (14–6) Lamp — 6,515 84–72
157 September 27 Cubs 8–3 Reuss (3–2) Burris — 7,467 85–72
158 September 29 Phillies 5–4 Tekulve (7–7) Reed — 86–72
159 September 29 Phillies 2–1 Tekulve (8–7) Carlton — 45,134 87–72
160 September 30 Phillies 8–10 Lerch Jackson (7–5) Reed 28,905 87–73
October: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Away: 0–0)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
161 October 1 Phillies 5–3 Jones (2–0) Saucier Tekulve (31) 30,224 88–73
Legend:        = Win        = Loss
Bold = Pirates team member

Opening Day lineup

Notable transactions

Roster

1978 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

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

Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
C Ed Ott 112 379 102 .269 9 38
1B Willie Stargell 122 390 115 .295 28 97
2B Rennie Stennett 106 333 81 .243 3 35
SS Frank Taveras 157 654 182 .278 0 38
3B Phil Garner 154 528 138 .261 10 66
LF Bill Robinson 136 499 123 .246 14 80
CF Omar Moreno 155 515 121 .235 2 33
RF Dave Parker 148 581 194 .334 30 117

Other batters

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

Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
John Milner 108 295 80 .271 6 38
Manny Sanguillén 85 220 58 .264 3 16
Duffy Dyer 58 175 37 .211 0 13
Dale Berra 56 135 28 .207 6 14
Steve Brye 66 115 27 .235 1 9
Mario Mendoza 57 55 12 .218 1 3
Ken Macha 29 52 11 .212 0 5
Fernando González 9 21 4 .190 0 0
Jim Fregosi 20 20 4 .200 0 1
Doe Boyland 6 8 2 .250 0 1
Steve Nicosia 3 5 0 .000 0 1
Dave May 5 4 0 .000 0 0
Alberto Lois 3 4 1 .250 0 0
Cito Gaston 2 2 1 .500 0 0
Matt Alexander 7 0 0 ---- 0 0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

Player G IP W L ERA SO
Bert Blyleven 34 243.2 14 10 3.03 182
Don Robinson 35 228.1 14 6 3.47 135
John Candelaria 30 189.0 12 11 3.24 94
Jim Rooker 28 163.1 9 11 4.24 76

Other pitchers

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

Player G IP W L ERA SO
Jim Bibby 34 107.0 8 7 3.53 72
Bruce Kison 28 96.0 6 6 3.19 62
Jerry Reuss 23 82.2 3 2 4.90 42
Odell Jones 3 9.0 2 0 2.00 10

Relief pitchers

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

Player G W L SV ERA SO
Kent Tekulve 91 8 7 31 2.33 77
Grant Jackson 60 7 5 5 3.26 45
Ed Whitson 43 5 6 4 3.28 64
Dave Hamilton 16 0 2 1 3.42 15
Will McEnaney 6 0 0 0 10.38 6
Clay Carroll 2 0 0 0 2.25 0

Awards and honors

All-Stars

1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

  • Willie Stargell, reserve

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball
Level Team League Manager
AAA Columbus Clippers International League Johnny Lipon
AA Shreveport Captains Texas League Steve Demeter
A Salem Pirates Carolina League Jim Mahoney
A Charleston Patriots Western Carolinas League Bill Scripture
Rookie GCL Pirates Gulf Coast League Woody Huyke

Notes

  1. ^ From 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Side in 1907.
  2. ^ Bert Blyleven page at Baseball Reference
  3. ^ Carl Morton page at Baseball Reference
  4. ^ Manny Sanguillen page at Baseball Reference
  5. ^ Jim Fregosi page at Baseball Reference
  6. ^ Vance Law page at Baseball Reference
  7. ^ Cito Gaston page at Baseball Reference
  8. ^ "Hutch Award | Baseball Almanac".

References

Retrieved from "https://en.Wik.ipedia.Pro.org/w/index.php?title=1978_Pittsburgh_Pirates_season&oldid=1187487503"

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