RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Built as a replacement for Forbes Field, which opened in 1909, the US$55 million ($388.1 million today) multi-purpose facility was designed to maximize efficiency. Ground was broken in April 1968 and an oft behind-schedule construction plan lasted for 29 months. The stadium opened on July 16, 1970, when the Pirates played their first game there. In the 1971 World Series, Three Rivers Stadium hosted the first World Series game played at night. The following year, the stadium was the site of the Immaculate Reception. The final game in the stadium was won by the Steelers on December 16, 2000. Three Rivers Stadium also hosted the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team for a single season each.
After its closing, Three Rivers Stadium was imploded in 2001, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers moved into newly built stadiums: PNC Park and Heinz Field, respectively.
Built as a replacement for Forbes Field, which opened in 1909, the US$55 million ($388.1 million today) multi-purpose facility was designed to maximize efficiency. Ground was broken in April 1968 and an oft behind-schedule construction plan lasted for 29 months. The stadium opened on July 16, 1970, when the Pirates played their first game there. In the 1971 World Series, Three Rivers Stadium hosted the first World Series game played at night. The following year, the stadium was the site of the Immaculate Reception. The final game in the stadium was won by the Steelers on December 16, 2000. Three Rivers Stadium also hosted the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team for a single season each.
After its closing, Three Rivers Stadium was imploded in 2001, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers moved into newly built stadiums: PNC Park and Heinz Field, respectively.
Recap
Built as a replacement for Forbes Field, which opened in 1909, the US$55 million ($388.1 million today) multi-purpose facility was designed to maximize efficiency. Ground was broken in April 1968 and an oft behind-schedule construction plan lasted for 29 months. The stadium opened on July 16, 1970, when the Pirates played their first game there. In the 1971 World Series, Three Rivers Stadium hosted the first World Series game played at night. The following year, the stadium was the site of the Immaculate Reception. The final game in the stadium was won by the Steelers on December 16, 2000. Three Rivers Stadium also hosted the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team for a single season each.
After its closing, Three Rivers Stadium was imploded in 2001, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers moved into newly built stadiums: PNC Park and Heinz Field, respectively.
On September 30, 1979, the Chicago Cubs met the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium...
1979-Sep-30 • CHC/PIT • Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates - Clinch - Radio Broadcast / On September 30, 1979, the Chicago Cubs met the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in a game that would determine the fate of the Pirates' season. Coming into the game, the Pirates had a magic number of one to clinify the National League East title, meaning a win against the Cubs would secure their place in the postseason. The Pirates were having a stellar season, with players like Willie Stargell and Dave Parker leading the charge. The Cubs, on the other hand, were struggling to find their footing, but still posed a significant threat with their roster that included the likes of Bruce Sutter and Bill Buckner. This game wasn't just about securing a playoff spot, but also about the Pirates proving their dominance in the league.
The 1979 season was historic for the Pirates as they would go on to win the World Series, with Stargell picking up the NL MVP and World Series MVP awards. This game, therefore, holds a pivotal place in that narrative. The Cubs, despite their struggles, were no easy opponent, and the tension of the game was palpable on the radio broadcast. The stakes were high, the air was thick with anticipation, and the game was set to be a memorable one.
The game took place on Monday, September 22, 1975, between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the...
Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates - Clincher - Radio Broadcast / The game took place on Monday, September 22, 1975, between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies at Three Rivers Stadium. The Pirates, who were having a solid season, were looking to solidify their standing in the National League East, while the Phillies were trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. The starting pitchers for the game were Bruce Kison for the Pirates and Tom Underwood for the Phillies. Kison was in the midst of a solid season, looking to build on his 11-11 record, while Underwood, with a 14-12 record, was hoping to provide the Phillies with a much-needed boost. The 1975 season overall had been marked by the dominance of the Cincinnati Reds, also known as the "Big Red Machine", who were in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in baseball history.
The game started off with both teams unable to score in the first inning. The Pirates got on the scoreboard first in the second inning and added three more runs in the fourth inning. The Phillies, on the other hand, were held scoreless until the fifth inning when they managed to score a single run. The Pirates' offense was led by Willie Stargell and Dave Parker, who combined for five hits and six runs batted in. Stargell, in particular, had a big day at the plate, reaching base five times and scoring four runs. The Phillies' offense was largely stifled by Kison and reliever Kent Tekulve, who combined to allow just three runs.
The Phillies made an attempt to come back in the seventh inning, scoring two runs to cut the Pirates' lead to 5-3. However, the Pirates responded with a massive five-run eighth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run by Parker, his 25th of the season, to extend their lead to 11-3. The Phillies were unable to mount a comeback in the ninth inning, and the Pirates secured a comfortable victory.
The Pirates' victory on September 22, 1975, was a key moment in their successful season. They would go on to finish second in the National League East, just 6.5 games behind the division-winning Philadelphia Phillies. Despite their loss in this game, the Phillies would rally to win the division and make the playoffs, but they were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Championship Series. The Reds would go on to win the World Series, cementing their status as one of the greatest teams in baseball history. The 1975 season also saw a number of individual accolades, with Joe Morgan of the Reds winning the National League Most Valuable Player award, and Tom Seaver of the New York Mets winning the Cy Young Award.
The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of...
/ The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of the booklets have slight variations in content, they orginate from Pearson Corporation. There was a alternate version of the fact book that is most often seen with "Kessler Whiskey" branding. The Kessler books tended to be a little larger format with a higher quality paper. Publication features team rosters, previews, major & minor league schedules, stadium diagrams, team logos, MLB records, Hall of Fame, World Series results, etc.
The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of...
/ The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of the booklets have slight variations in content, they orginate from Pearson Corporation. There was a alternate version of the fact book that is most often seen with "Kessler Whiskey" branding. The Kessler books tended to be a little larger format with a higher quality paper. Publication features team rosters, previews, major & minor league schedules, stadium diagrams, team logos, MLB records, Hall of Fame, World Series results, etc.
The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of...
/ The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of the booklets have slight variations in content, they orginate from Pearson Corporation. There was a alternate version of the fact book that is most often seen with "Kessler Whiskey" branding. The Kessler books tended to be a little larger format with a higher quality paper. Publication features team rosters, previews, major & minor league schedules, stadium diagrams, team logos, MLB records, Hall of Fame, World Series results, etc.
The booklets were published and distributed primarily for Kessler Whiskey. Most years these seem to be published by Pearson Corporation,...
/ The booklets were published and distributed primarily for Kessler Whiskey. Most years these seem to be published by Pearson Corporation, which also published a alternate version of the fact book that is most often seen with other company's branding. These alternate books tended to be a little smaller format with a lower quality paper, probably intended to be re-branded for companies with smaller budgets. Publication features team rosters, previews, major & minor league schedules, stadium diagrams, team logos, MLB records, Hall of Fame, World Series results, etc.
The booklets were published and distributed primarily for Kessler Whiskey. Most years these seem to be published by Pearson Corporation,...
/ The booklets were published and distributed primarily for Kessler Whiskey. Most years these seem to be published by Pearson Corporation, which also published a alternate version of the fact book that is most often seen with other company's branding. These alternate books tended to be a little smaller format with a lower quality paper, probably intended to be re-branded for companies with smaller budgets. Publication features team rosters, previews, major & minor league schedules, stadium diagrams, team logos, MLB records, Hall of Fame, World Series results, etc.
The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK,...
/ The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK, which was first published in 1949, was a continuation of the 1942 Dope Book.
There was at least one "Al Schracht Dope Book" Published by Sporting News in 1944. This edition consisted of dozens of colorful short news snippets with cartoon illustrations, followed by statistics and writeups of current Hall of Famers and past World Series'.
The Dope Book from 1948 thru 1985 was of an entirely different format. It featured a wide spectrum of articles and statistics. Several features, such as Club Rosters and All Star Game Records, were carried yearly for many years.
Beginning in the 1930s The American and National League printed its Red and Green books to serve as a research...
/ Beginning in the 1930s The American and National League printed its Red and Green books to serve as a research tool for the media, The Green Book was full of information about the National League teams, including attendance data, official game schedules, spring training information and club standings. There is also substantial information on the players, such as, batting averages, lifetime pitching records, grand slam home runs, and MVP awards. While the Red and Green books were eventually sold to fans for a time, in 2009 they stopped printing them and sent digital versions to the press
Beginning in the 1930s The American and National League printed its Red and Green books to serve as a research...
/ Beginning in the 1930s The American and National League printed its Red and Green books to serve as a research tool for the media, The Green Book was full of information about the National League teams, including attendance data, official game schedules, spring training information and club standings. There is also substantial information on the players, such as, batting averages, lifetime pitching records, grand slam home runs, and MVP awards. While the Red and Green books were eventually sold to fans for a time, in 2009 they stopped printing them and sent digital versions to the press