1997 Pittsburgh Pirates season

MLB yearly infobox alt
name = Pittsburgh Pirates
season = 1997
misc =

current league = National League
y1 = 1887
division = Central Division
y2 = 1994
Uniform
ballpark = Three Rivers Stadium
y4 = 1970
city = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
y5 = 1887
owners =Kevin McClatchy
general managers = Cam Bonifay
managers = Gene Lamont
television = WPGH-TV/WPTT
Lanny Frattare
Steve Blass
Greg Brown
Bob Walk
Fox Sports Pittsburgh
radio = KDKA
Steve Blass
Lanny Frattare
Greg Brown
Bob Walk|

Offseason

* November 14, 1996: Dan Plesac was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates with Carlos Garcia and Orlando Merced to the Toronto Blue Jays for players to be named later, Jose Silva, Brandon Cromer (minors), and Jose Pett (minors). The Toronto Blue Jays sent Mike Halperin (minors) (December 11, 1996), Abraham Nunez (December 11, 1996), and Craig Wilson (December 11, 1996) to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/plesada01.shtml Dan Plesac Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com ] ]
*December 13, 1996: Jay Bell was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates with Jeff King to the Kansas City Royals for Jeff Granger, Joe Randa, Jeff Wallace, and Jeff Martin (minors). [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bellja01.shtml Jay Bell Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com ] ]

Regular season

The 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates were informally known as "The Freak Show," as the team of rookies and cheap veterans (the team only had a $9 million payroll) unexpectedly competed with the Houston Astros for the division title until the final week of the season.

Opening Day Starters

eason standings

Transactions

*July 8, 1997: Midre Cummings was selected off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Pittsburgh Pirates. [http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cummimi01.shtml]

Roster

tarting pitchers

Award Winners

1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
* Tony Womack, Second Base, Reserve

References

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1997.shtml 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates team page at Baseball Reference]
* [http://baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1997&t=PIT 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates team page at www.baseball-almanac.com]