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The Pittsburgh Pirates have won five championships in their franchise history, but you’d have to go back to 1979 to find the last championship team. That team was led by Bert Blyleven on the mound and Willie Stargell at the plate. This team is hoping to find a similar type of leadership from their up-and-coming group in 2004.
The Pittsburgh Pirates recently moved into their new ballpark, PNC Park at North Shore. The left field wall is only six feet high, but the right field wall is raised to a level of 21 feet in honor of the legendary Pirate outfielder, #21 Roberto Clemente. The park was also built along the Allegheny River, and the distance to the river from home plate is 443 feet and 4 inches, straight to right center field.
Although the Pirates traded all-star outfielder Brian Giles to San Diego late last season, his missing presence won’t really be felt until this season, so he would be the biggest loss to this team. They still have perennial all-star catcher Jason Kendall behind the plate and leading off the lineup, and Jose Castillo will look to take over at second base this season.
The biggest off-season acquisition for the Pirates was definitely the pickup of closer Jose Mesa from Philadelphia. Kip Wells and Kris Benson will lead the starting rotation, and Josh Fogg will look to build on a productive 2003 season in 2004. Lloyd McClendon, the third year manager of the Pirates, will have his work cut out for him when he takes charge of this young staff. McClendon is well known for his passion of the game, but without a leader like Giles in the dugout, it could be a long year for the group from Pittsburgh.
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