Gastonia Pirates
The Gastonia Pirates were a minor league baseball team, based in Gastonia, North Carolina, between 1959 and 1972. The club was a Class-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and played primarily in the Western Carolinas League. The club was originally named the Columbus Pirates prior to 1959 and were based in Columbus, Georgia, as a member of the South Atlantic League On July 6, 1959 the Pirates moved to Gastonia and became the Gastonia Pirates. In 1960 the Pirates were not an affiliate of the Gastonia team and the void was filled by the Gastonia Rippers in the Western Carolinas League.
| Gastonia Pirates 1959–1972 (1959, 1963-1970, 1972) Gastonia, North Carolina | |
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Previous parks | Sims Legion Park I |
After the Pirates folded after the 1972 season, the Gastonia Rangers, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers became the city's representative in the Western Carolinas League.
Season-by-season
(from Pirates' Baseball Reference Bullpen) (from Rippers' Baseball Reference Bullpen)
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
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| 1959* | 70-69 | 4th | Ray Hathaway | League Champs |
| 1960 | 36-62 | 8th | Billy Queen / Jack Falls | |
| 1963 | 73-52 | 1st | Bob Clear | |
| 1964 | 60-68 | 5th | Bob Clear (32-46) / Ray Hathaway (28-22) | |
| 1965 | 70-54 | 3rd | Clyde Sukeforth / Don Osborn | |
| 1966 | 67-57 | 4th | Bob Clear | No playoffs |
| 1967 | 61-59 | 2nd | Don Leppert | No playoffs |
| 1968 | 68-55 | 4th | Frank Oceak | |
| 1969 | 67-58 | 2nd | Frank Oceak | |
| 1970 | 55-75 | 6th | Ed Hobaugh | No playoffs |
| 1972 | 60-70 | 4th | Tom Saffell |
* Columbus Pirates moved to Gastonia on July 6, 1959
Notable alumni
- Tony Armas (1972) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Dave Cash (1967) 3 x MLB All-Star
- Bob Moose (1966)
- Omar Moreno (1972) 2 x NL Stolen Base Leader (1978-1979)
- Al Oliver (1965) 7 x MLB All-Star; 1982 AL Batting Title
- Freddie Patek (1966) 3 x MLB All-Star
- Craig Reynolds (1972) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Bob Robertson (1965)
- Rennie Stennett (1969)
- Frank Taveras (1969-1970) 1977 NL Stolen Base Leader
- Milt May (1969)
- Richie Zisk (1968) 2 x MLB All-Star