What Is 1947 Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team

Overview

The 1947 Pittsburgh Pirates season marked another challenging year for the franchise in the National League. Despite a roster that included emerging power hitters and veteran leadership, the team struggled to compete with stronger clubs in the league.

Playing their home games at the historic Forbes Field, the Pirates finished well below .500 and failed to make a serious push for contention. However, the season laid groundwork for future improvements, particularly in offensive development.

• 62–92 record: The Pirates ended the season with only 62 wins against 92 losses, placing them seventh in the eight-team National League.
• Forbes Field: Located in Pittsburgh, this iconic ballpark hosted all 77 of the team’s home games with an average attendance of around 10,000 per game.
• Frankie Frisch: In his fifth full season as manager, Frisch maintained control of on-field strategy despite mounting pressure due to poor results.
• Ralph Kiner: The slugger led the team with 23 home runs and 74 RBIs, establishing himself as a core offensive force.
• Hank Greenberg: Acquired mid-season, the veteran first baseman added 15 home runs and 53 RBIs in just 78 games played.

Key Players and Performance

The 1947 Pirates roster combined young talent with experienced veterans attempting to revive their careers. While the team lacked consistency, several individual performances stood out amid the losing record.

• Ralph Kiner: At age 24, Kiner hit 23 home runs and slugged .501, finishing 4th in the NL MVP voting despite the team’s poor record.
• Johnny Gee: A reliable pitcher, Gee appeared in 32 games with 11 starts, posting a 4.73 ERA over 133 innings pitched.
• Bob Elliott: Contributed 15 home runs and 65 RBIs while playing primarily at third base and second base.
• Hank Greenberg: Signed in May 1947, he brought leadership and power, hitting .249 with 15 homers before retiring at season’s end.
• Bill Werle: The rookie left-hander led the staff with 10 wins, though his ERA was a high 4.62 over 163 innings.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1947 Pirates compared poorly to other National League teams in both wins and offensive production, as shown in the table below:

Despite ranking second in team home runs with 107, the Pirates’ pitching and fielding flaws overshadowed offensive gains. Their .403 winning percentage highlighted a lack of overall competitiveness compared to league leaders.

Why It Matters

The 1947 season is notable for its role in shaping the Pirates’ future identity around power hitting and player development. Though unsuccessful on the scoreboard, it signaled a shift in team-building philosophy.

• The emergence of Ralph Kiner as a consistent home run threat began a franchise trend of emphasizing power hitters in the lineup.
• Signing Hank Greenberg, a future Hall of Famer, provided mentorship and demonstrated a commitment to experienced leadership.
• The team’s high home run total (107) ranked second in the NL, showing early signs of an offensive-focused strategy.
• Continued struggles under Frankie Frisch led to his dismissal after the 1949 season, prompting managerial changes.
• Low attendance and poor record underscored the need for ballpark and marketing improvements in the coming decade.
• The season reflected post-war transitions in baseball, including integration, though the Pirates did not sign a Black player until 1954.

Ultimately, the 1947 Pittsburgh Pirates serve as a case study in how individual excellence can coexist with team underperformance, setting the stage for future reformation.