1971 Flashback: 'Some Kind of a Comeback'
(This season marks the 40th anniversary of the Pirates 1971 World Series championship team. Sports Illustrated published "Some Kind of a Comeback" in its Oct. 25 issue that year.)
The 1971 World Series had been over for 10 minutes, and Steve Blass stood atop Manager Danny Murtaugh's desk in the visitors' clubhouse at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, exuberant over the 2-1 seventh-game victory he had just pitched against the Orioles. Blass was asked if he had received one of those phone calls, so fashionable these days, from someone holding high political office. "I certainly did," Blass replied. "It was from the First Selectman of Falls Village, Conn. He congratulated me and I told him I was darn proud to be a part of the Pittsburgh no-name pitching staff."
Eight days before, the Pirates had entered the Series about as underdog as a team can get. After three more days they were down by two games, and obviously the odds had been too short, if anything.
1971 Flashback: 'Some Kind of a Comeback'
October 4, 2011
(This season marks the 40th anniversary of the Pirates 1971 World Series championship team. Sports Illustrated published "Some Kind of a Comeback" in its Oct. 25 issue that year. » Full Story
Bucs Beat Miller Park Hex, Clinch Fourth Spot
September 27, 2011
MILWAUKEE -- As if victories at Miller Park weren't hard enough to come by already, the Pirates faced another obstacle against the Milwaukee Brewers in their final series of the season. » Full Story
Bigger Things Are Expected of Smallball Attack
September 26, 2011
MILWAUKEE -- In the absence of established power hitters in the middle of the batting order, manager Clint Hurdle planned to revisit the smallball plan that he had promoted last spring. » Full Story
Up-and-down Season Ends on a Down Note
September 25, 2011
PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates closed their home schedule with a loss against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon, 5-4, but one crucial question remained for the front office in the days ahead. » Full Story
Take Two: Improved Defense Does Its Part
September 25, 2011
PITTSBURGH -- Defense was a major point of emphasis for the Pirates even before training camp began last spring. » Full Story
Harrison, Jaramillo Slice Magic Number to 4
September 24, 2011
PITTSBURGH -- Only four games remain in the regular season, but Pirates manager Clint Hurdle and his staff still have work be done. » Full Story
Healthy Meek Is the X Factor in Bullpen Plan
September 24, 2011
PITTSBURGH -- Other than closer Joel Hanrahan perhaps, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is reluctant to pencil in the name of any reliever on the Opening Day roster next season. » Full Story
Doumit Finishes Strong, but Doubts Persist
September 23, 2011
PITTSBURGH -- No Pirates player finished the season stronger than Ryan Doumit, who took .404 batting average this month into the weeken. » Full Story
Hearty Fans Are Treated to a Late Show
September 23, 2011
PITTSBURGH -- While the Pirates blew hot and cold and colder yet this season, the fans were the constant from start to finis. » Full Story
Morton Wins 10th, Magic Number Sliced to 7
September 21, 2011
PHOENIX -- It's time to take off the kid gloves and give Charlie Morton the darn ball already. » Full Story