Puneet Varma (Editor)

1953 Pittsburgh Pirates season

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General manager(s)
  
Branch Rickey

Local television
  
none

Manager(s)
  
Fred Haney

Owner(s)
  
John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Bing Crosby, Thomas Johnson, Branch Rickey (minority shareholders)

Local radio
  
WWSW Rosey Rowswell, Bob Prince

The 1953 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 72nd in franchise history. In April 1953, the New York Yankees visited Forbes Field and played two preseason games against the Pirates. Mickey Mantle hit a 500-foot home run that landed on the roof.

Contents

Offseason

  • October 14, 1952: Gus Bell was traded by the Pirates to the Cincinnati Reds for Cal Abrams, Joe Rossi, and Gail Henley.
  • Prior to 1953 season: Don Williams was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates.
  • March 19, 1953: Johnny O'Brien was signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent (bonus baby).
  • March 19, 1953: Eddie O'Brien was signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent (bonus baby).

    • Notable transactions

  • June 4, 1953: Ralph Kiner, Joe Garagiola, Catfish Metkovich, and Howie Pollet were traded by the Pirates to the Chicago Cubs for Toby Atwell, Bob Schultz, Preston Ward, George Freese, Bob Addis, Gene Hermanski, and $150,000.
  • June 14, 1953: Pete Castiglione was traded by the Pirates to the St. Louis Cardinals for Hal Rice.

    • Starters by position

    Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

    Other batters

    Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

    Starting pitchers

    Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

    Other pitchers

    Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

    Relief pitchers

    Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

    Farm system

    LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Hutchinson, Brunswick

    Waco franchise transferred to Longview, May 22, 1953

    References

    1953 Pittsburgh Pirates season Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA