The 1979 World Series vs. the Baltimore Orioles

Lore & Background

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. 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.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Three Rivers Stadium on October 16, 1979, felt thick with anticipation and the chill of an early autumn evening. In the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7, with two outs and a runner on second, the world seemed to hold its breath. Willie Stargell stepped into the batter's box, his bat heavy in his hands, eyes locked on the pitcher. The stadium, packed to the rafters, erupted as he connected, sending the ball soaring over the left-field fence. In that split second, a city of steelworkers and dreamers found their champion.

Reader's Guide

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. The 1979 Pirates were the last team to win Game 7 of a World Series on the road until 2014, when the San Francisco Giants defeated the Royals in Kansas City. Pittsburgh became the third city to win the Super Bowl and the World Series in the same season or calendar year, with the Steelers having already won Super Bowl XIII (they would later repeat in Super Bowl XIV following the Pirates' championship). New York's Jets and Mets won championships in the 1969 calendar year, followed by Baltimore (Orioles and Colts) in the 1970 season, New York (Mets and Giants) in the 1986 season, and Boston/New England in the 2004 (Red Sox and Patriots) and 2018 seasons (Red Sox and Patriots). As of 2026, this is Pittsburgh's last World Series victory and appearance, and their second-most recent postseason victory. The Pirates currently hold the longest active World Series appearance drought in the National League, and the fifth longest championship drought in the majors.

Did You Know?

• Willie Stargell hit three home runs in the World Series to become the oldest player to be regular season MVP and World Series MVP in the same year.
• The Pirates won Game 7 on the road, the last team to do so until 2014.
• Tim Stoddard got his first major league hit and RBI in Game 4.

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.