The 1979 World Series vs. the Baltimore Orioles

Lore & Background

This marked the second time in the 1970s that the Pirates won a World Series Game 7 on the road against the Orioles, the previous time being in 1971. The Pirates were known for adopting Sister Sledge's hit 'We Are Family' as their theme song during the season. Willie Stargell, Bruce Kison, and Manny Sanguillén were the only players left from the Pirates team that defeated the Orioles in 1971, and Jim Palmer and Mark Belanger, along with manager Earl Weaver, were the only remaining Orioles from the 1971 team. Grant Jackson pitched for the Orioles in the 1971 series and for the Pirates in the 1979 series, and Frank Robinson, the Orioles' hitting coach, played for Baltimore in 1971. Pirates' infielder Rennie Stennett was not on the team's World Series roster in 1971.

Reader's Guide

In this series, each game was played under National League rules. As a result, the Orioles' pitchers had to bat, and Tim Stoddard got his first major league hit and runs batted in (R.B.I.) in Game 4. Lee May, Baltimore's Designated Hitter, was reduced to three pinch-hitting appearances, but if the DH had been in use, Pittsburgh would have platooned Lee Lacy and Mike Easler in the role, which would have negated any advantage to Baltimore. Willie Stargell was voted World Series Most Valuable Player after batting .400 with a record seven extra-base hits, matching Reggie Jackson's record of 25 total bases set two years earlier. At age 38, Stargell became the oldest World Series MVP, breaking the previous mark set by his late teammate Roberto Clemente, who was MVP in 1971 at the age of 37.

Historical Context and Team Continuity

The 1979 World Series featured a dramatic rematch between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles, echoing their 1971 championship encounter. While both franchises had undergone significant roster turnover over the eight-year gap, key figures remained to bridge the eras. For the Pirates, only Willie Stargell, Bruce Kison, and Manny Sanguillén were left from the previous title squad. Similarly, the Orioles retained manager Earl Weaver alongside veterans Jim Palmer and Mark Belanger.

An unusual twist involved Grant Jackson, who pitched for Baltimore in 1971 but donned a Pirates uniform in 1979, while Frank Robinson transitioned from an Orioles player to their hitting coach. Despite these connections, the teams were vastly different; Baltimore boasted stars like Eddie Murray and Mike Flanagan, whereas Pittsburgh relied on new acquisitions Tim Foli and Bill Madlock to secure their National League East title.

The Miraculous Comeback Narrative

Entering the final stretch of the series, the Pirates faced a seemingly insurmountable three-games-to-one deficit against the heavily favored Orioles. In a historic display of resilience, Pittsburgh became only the fourth team in baseball history to overcome such a disadvantage and claim the championship. This victory marked the second time within a decade that the Pirates defeated Baltimore in a decisive Game 7 on the road, having achieved the same feat in 1971. The emotional atmosphere was further amplified by the team's adoption of Sister Sledge's anthem 'We Are Family,' which served as their rallying cry throughout the season and culminated in this improbable triumph against a formidable American League opponent.

Willie Stargell's Legendary Performance

At age 38, veteran slugger Willie Stargell delivered one of the most dominant individual performances in World Series history to earn the Most Valuable Player award. His heroics included three home runs during the series, cementing his legacy as the oldest player ever to win both a regular-season MVP and World Series MVP in the same year. Stargell also surpassed his late teammate Roberto Clemente, who had been MVP at 37 in 1971, becoming the new benchmark for longevity and excellence on baseball's biggest stage.

Unique Rules and Lasting Legacy

The series was played under National League rules, forcing Baltimore pitchers to bat and creating unique strategic moments, such as reliever Tim Stoddard recording his first major league hit and RBI in Game 4. This rule set also limited the Orioles' designated hitter, Lee May, to pinch-hitting appearances. The Pirates' victory established a long-standing record; they remained the last team to win a World Series Game 7 on the road until 2014. Furthermore, Pittsburgh joined an elite group of cities winning both a Super Bowl and World Series in the same calendar year, following their Steelers' Super Bowl XIII triumph.