The Team That Changed The Game

On September 1st, 1971 the Pittsburgh Pirates sent out a roster comprised entirely of non white players.  It was the first time a MLB team had a starting lineup of such ethnicity.

To celebrate that incredible time in our history I thought it would be fun to look at a Pirates All Time lineup consisting of only black and latin players.  

I will be using each of the 9 traditional positions along with a utility player, a 4th outfielder, DH, some extra bats, and a few extra arms to use in the bullpen. 

3rd Base

Bill Madlock

Madlock won two batting titles for the Pirates and was a key part of the 1979 World Series Champion team.  He can play both 2B and 3B.

Left Field

Barry Bonds

Before Barry was the *All Time Home Run King, he was hitting leadoff for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was a true power/speed athlete becoming just the second member of the 40/40 club in the history of the game.  His .380 OBP (Pirates years only) combined with the speed and power make him a perfect match for the number 2 hitter in the lineup.

Right Field

Roberto Clemente

The Pirates All Time hit leader, finished his career with exactly 3,000 hits and a .317 batting average

1st Base

Willie Stargell

The Pirates All Time Home Run Champ finished his Pirates career with 475 HR and 1,540 RBI.  Pops is a perfect fit for knocking in the guys on base ahead of him in.

DH

Bobby Bonilla

I really didn't know who to play at 3rd and who to make the team's DH.  Bonilla is still earning a paycheck from the Mets so if he's still collecting a paycheck from a MLB team, I'm putting him in the field, albeit at the DH spot. His pop is loud enough to protect Willie from the 5th spot.

Centerfield

Andrew McCutchen

Cutch has batted leadoff for every team he has played for.  He had developed into a more of the middle of the lineup threat after his first two seasons, and it certainly wouldn't hurt to put a run on the board early in the game with his 203 Pirates HRs ranking 4th all time in Pirates franchise history had I chosen to bat him leadoff, but one of his best months of his career occurred in June 2017 when he was named player of the month and batted predominately from the 6 hole, a lineup spot he has also batted for Team USA and the Phillies. 

Catcher

Manny Sanguillen

Manny was a pretty good hitter and was a part of two World Series teams with the Pirates.  Besides one season in Oakland, Sangy played his entire career with the Pirates. He made 3 All Star teams and finished his Pirates career with a .299 batting average. 

2nd Base

Josh Harrison

For an undersized player and a prospect that was a throw in from the Cubs for John Grabow, the man known as JHay was a spark plug for the success of the mid 2010s Pirates teams.  He served on two All Star teams and played a multiple of positions for the Pirates as they reached the postseason three consecutive years.

Shortstop

Rennie Stennet

There just wasn't many options for this team at Shortstop.  

Pitcher

Bob Veale

From 1964-1966, Veale struck out 755 batters.

Bench Bats

Pedro Alvarez

Pedro didn't have a very long career despite being the second overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft.  He won a Silver Slugger in 2013 and participated in the All Star Game that same season when he won the National League Home Run title.  He hit 131 HR in Pittsburgh and become the first player in MLB history to collect an RBI in each of their first 6 postseason games.  He likely will be used as a pinch hitter on this squad of a HR is needed.

Dave Parker

The Cobra will serve as the team's 4th outfielder and has won an MVP, batting title, and possesses an absolute cannon for an arm in the outfield.  He could be a late inning defensive substitute or a clutch hitting pinch hitter.

Al Oliver

This borderline Hall of Famer is one of the most underrated hitters of the 1970s.  Oliver can play all three outfield positions and 1st Base

Tony Pena

A criminally underrated catcher in his day, Pena could serve as backup to Sanguillen.

Starling Marte

Marte has developed into a prime five tool athlete.  He is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game even in his 30s and can still swipe up to 20 bags a year while hitting .270+ and providing double digit homerun totals.  He won't walk much, but once on the bases he is a dangerous threat.

Cole Tucker

Ok, he hasn't lived up to what made him a number one draft pick, but I am a huge fan of Cole Tucker.  He is a super fan friendly player and heck...hes dating Vanessa Hudgens so let's give a reason to allow her to come to PNC Park more often.  He could play 2B, SS, 3B, and any of the outfield positions.

Pitchers

Dock Ellis

He threw a no hitter on LSD and was the pitcher on the mound for that legendary September 1st 1971 game.

Francisco Liriano

Liriano pitched the most important game in the history of PNC Park when he got the winning decision of the "Blackout Game", the 2013 Wild Card Game.  It was the first time the Pirates were in the post season for over 2 decades and the first time PNC Park hosted a postseason game.  Over his 5 year Pirates career, Liriano had a 9.4K/9 and a 3.65 ERA.  His last season with the Pirates was strictly out of the bullpen, but his previous four were as a front of the rotation starter.  He won the 2013 Comeback Player of the Year.

John Candaleria

The Candy Man has served as a long man and starting pitcher for the Pirates. 

He who shall not be named

Nicknamed, the Nightmare, this man is currently serving a four year prison sentence for crimes he committed while a member of the Pirates.  He made a couple All Star Games and was one of the best relief pitchers in the game, collecting 86 saves over 3 years as the primary closer and having an 11.8K/9 rate.  This doesn't ignore the fact that he is a terrible human being and I hope to never discuss his name on this blog again.

How do you think this team would compete versus other team's all time non white teams?

Could the Steel City take on teams like the Giants or A's, both teams very rich in black and Latino talents? 

I challenge other bloggers to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this culture changing game by creating their favorite team's lineup using only Black and Latino players.