Nineteen Years, 19 Gangplanks

By JOHN W. MILLER

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Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen (2012)

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on track to end a streak of 19 straight losing seasons. With a 67-55 record entering Tuesday's game at San Diego, this isn't a small deal. The team's current stretch of futility is a record for all major North American pro-sports teams going back to the 19th century.

Pittsburgh's National League chapter opened shop as the Alleghenys in 1882. With five World Series titles and over 9,900 wins, the Pirates have actually won more games than the New York Yankees. And yet 15% of the club's existence has now been gobbled up by this cancerous streak.

Since their last winning season in 1992, when a (skinny) Barry Bonds patrolled left field, the Bucs have only been .500 during the month of August three times (1997, 1999, and 2011). Here is a dissection of 19 sorry campaigns:

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Jay Bell (1996)

1993: 75-87; Last day at .500: June 28

The Pirates had won three straight NL East titles. Dynasty? Not with 11 players departing in the off-season, including Bonds, who signed a six-year, $43 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. (The Pirates actually tried to offer Bonds $60 million over 30 years.)

1994: 53-61; Last day at .500: June 30

Competing in the newly formed NL Central, the Pirates hung in the race until late June. "We've had games where it seems we've lost 10-0 or 20-0, but our confidence is getting better," outfielder Orlando Merced said June 29. It was all downhill after that.

1995: 58-86; Last day at .500: Never

The Pirates' .403 winning percentage was the worst since 1986, manager Jim Leyland's first season. In what was becoming the club's playbook, Pittsburgh rolled out 15 rookies, causing Leyland to reflect, "The hardest thing about managing rookies is the number of them."

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The Chicago Cubs' Shawon Dunston helps Pirates baserunner Orlando Merced (1995)

1996: 73-89; Last day at .500: May 5

After the season, Leyland left for Florida, where he immediately won a World Series with the Marlins.

1997: 79-83; Last day at .500: Aug. 30

The Bucs finished second in the division—but, once again, not over .500. In good news, the state legislature started debating plans for a new stadium.

1998: 69-93; Last day at .500: June 14

Like many Pirate teams of this era, this one featured future stars for other teams, such as 20-year-old Aramis Ramirez and 22-year-old Jose Guillen.

1999: 78-83; Last day at .500: Sept. 1

A not-too-terrible team, the Pirates hit 171 homers, including 39 by Brian Giles. Jason Schmidt won 13 games, and a guy named Todd Ritchie won 15. After beating Colorado with a three-run ninth inning Sept. 1, the Pirates were demolished 12-2 at home by the Giants. (A guy named Bonds went 2-for-3 with a triple.)

2000: 69-93; Last day at .500: April 7

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Lloyd McClendon, who managed the Pirates from 2001- 05.

In the last game in Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh native John Wehner, who earlier in the day had hit the last home run in the stadium, grounded out with runners on second and third, and the Pirates lost to the Cubs 10-9.

2001: 62-100; Last day at .500: April 11

The opening of a stunning new stadium—PNC Park—was overshadowed by the death of 1970s great Willie Stargell on the same day. During the season, first baseman Kevin Young said, "They say adversity builds character. I'm working on the Empire State Building of character."

2002: 72-89; Last day at .500: May 15

The Pirates started the season 5-1 and were in first place on April 25. Manager Lloyd McClendon remained optimistic. "If we continue to do the things we're doing, we're going to be a championship club very soon."

2003: 75-87; Last day at .500: May 2

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Joe Randa fails to beat out a throw to first (1997)

There were omens of misfortune in the spring, after relief pitcher Mike Lincoln jammed his shoulder after tripping on a golf ball. The team's lone All-Star representative, closer Mike Williams, had an ERA of 6.44 when he was selected to the game.

2004: 72-89; Last day at .500: May 30

It was another June swoon, with the Pirates going 4-19 during one stretch from late May into June. One bright spot: Pittsburgh did have a 10-game winning streak during the season.

2005: 67-95; Last day at .500: June 11

On June 11, the Pirates slaughtered Tampa Bay 18-2 for their fourth straight win. They promptly lost four in a row, on their way to finishing 33 games out of first place. One major highlight for the year: The Pirates picked Andrew McCutchen in the amateur draft.

2006: 67-95; Last day at .500: Never

The team went 37-35 in the second half, injecting hope. "We know now that we can play into October," said catcher Ronny Paulino.

2007: 68-94; Last day at .500: April 30

On June 30, with the team at 35-45, a group calling itself "Fans for Change," wearing green shirts to protest the Pirates' small payroll, staged a walkout.

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2008: 67-95; Last day at .500: April 15

The season started with dramatic promise, as the Pirates beat the Braves 12-11 on Opening Day in 12 innings. After trading outfielders Xavier Nady and Jason Bay, the Pirates played to a, ahem, 17-37 record down the stretch.

2009: 62-99; Last day at .500: May 3

The best off-season buzz came from the signings of two men from India after the pair won a game show, "Million Dollar Arm." The 2009 season broke the 1933-48 Phillies record of 16 consecutive losing seasons for a professional sports team.

2010: 57-105; Last day at .500: April 21

This team never had a chance. Somehow the Pirates started 7-5, then went 50-100. "Fans would come to the park that year and put paper bags over their heads," pitcher Jeff Karstens said recently.

2011: 72-90; Last day at .500: Aug. 2

Under new manager Clint Hurdle, the Pirates won 70 games for the first time since 2004. The team was in the race until after the All-Star break, and was even a buyer at the trading deadline. After beating the Braves on national television—the team's first ESPN telecast since 2004—the Pirates were tied for first place. The next day, however, the Bucs lost a bone-crushing 4-3 game to Atlanta. Julio Lugo was called safe at the plate for the winning run in the 19th inning although replays showed he was out. The Pirates would lose 11 of their next 12 and finish under .500 for the 19th year in a row.