The 1992 NLCS Game 5 Comeback

Lore & Background

The series ended in dramatic fashion; in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7, with Atlanta down 2–1 and the bases loaded, the Braves' Francisco Cabrera cracked a two-run single that scored David Justice and Sid Bream. Bream famously slid to score the Series-winning run, beating the throw by Pirates left fielder Barry Bonds. The Braves would go on to lose to the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series in six games, while the Pirates did not return to the playoffs until 2013, suffering a sports-record 20 consecutive losing season drought. As of 2026, this is Pittsburgh’s last postseason appearance outside of the divisional round.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Three Rivers Stadium was crisp and heavy with the scent of autumn rain mixed with popcorn. As Doug Drabek stepped onto the mound in the bottom of the ninth, leading a scoreless game, the roar of the crowd shifted from anxious murmurs to a deafening chant of 'P-I-R-A-T-E-S'. Every pitch seemed to hang in the air longer than usual, watched by thousands holding their breath. When the final out was recorded, the stadium erupted not just with cheers, but with a collective release of tension that had built up over four grueling games.

Reader's Guide

The Pirates lost slugging right fielder Bobby Bonilla to free agency after the 1991 season, replacing him with speedster Alex Cole. Ace pitcher John Smiley was traded to the Minnesota Twins. Despite the departure of Smiley and Bonilla, Pittsburgh charged out to a seven-game lead by late June, suffered through an 11–15 July that allowed the Montreal Expos to tie them for the lead by the end of the month, then won 11 straight in early August before pulling away from the Expos in September to earn its third straight NL East title, becoming the first team to win three straight NL East titles since the Phillies from 1976 to 1978. Future home run champion Barry Bonds won his second MVP Award and led the Pirates with 34 home runs and 103 RBI. Pressure beyond the moment made it imperative for the Pirates to break through and win the pennant in 1992. Financial demands had already resulted in losing Smiley and Bonilla, and the departure of pending free agents Bonds (left fielder) and Doug Drabek (starting pitcher) loomed. 1992 appeared to be the last chance for Pittsburgh to win with its current core of players.

Did You Know?

• The 1992 NLCS was the first time two teams faced each other in back-to-back postseasons since 1978.
• Barry Bonds won his second MVP Award in 1992, leading the Pirates with 34 home runs and 103 RBI.
• The Pirates became the first team to win three straight NL East titles since the Phillies from 1976 to 1978.