The 2008 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 127th season of the franchise. It was the first under new president Frank Coonelly, general manager Neal Huntington, and manager John Russell. Unable to improve on their 68–94, last place finish during the 2007 season, the Pirates had not had a winning record or made it to the playoffs since 1992, and finished 67–95 for their 16th straight losing season. The season was the final of play-by-play announcer Lanny Frattare, whose 33-year tenure as Pirates' broadcaster was the longest in franchise history.
On November 5, 2007, John Russell was introduced as the Pirates manager, replacing Jim Tracy. Team management cited three areas that the franchise hoped to improve: "refocused emphasis on fundamentals", holding players to a higher standard, and signing younger players. The Pirates won their season opener against the Atlanta Braves, by the score of 12–11, in 12 innings. The Pirates played their home opener against the division-rival Chicago Cubs on April 7, losing 10–8, also in 12 innings. The Pirates started out the season with a 7–7 record after the first half-month; however, after a five-game losing streak they began to struggle, finishing out April with an 11–16 record. The Pirates losing continued as they dropped three of four to the Washington Nationals to begin May. The team fought back, winning six straight games—the most consecutive since 2004, to bring their record within one victory of a .500 record. Throughout the remainder of May the team struggled, but never fell more than four games under .500. Throughout the early months of the season closer Matt Capps was perfect, getting saves in 15 consecutive opportunities. However, on June 10, Capps gave up a two-run home run to the Nationals, losing his first decision of the season. In addition, Capps would blow saves in two of his next three appearances; however, he achieved his first win of the season after an extra-inning victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Pittsburgh went 6–9 in interleague play, including two wins against the New York Yankees who returned to Pittsburgh for the first time since the 1960 World Series. On July 12, in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates came back to win a game that they trailed by six runs in the seventh inning. It was only the second time in the past 25 years that the Pirates won at home after scoring runs in the seventh, eighth, ninth, and extra innings. The Pirates finished out the remainder of July with a 6–9 record—50–58 overall. On the final day of July, the Pirates made a deal with the Yankees to send outfielder Xavier Nady and pitcher Dámaso Marte in return for Jeff Karstens, Daniel McCutchen, Ross Ohlendorf and José Tábata. Later in the day the team became involved in a three-team deal in which the Pirates sent Jason Bay to the Boston Red Sox in return for four players from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Pirates won seven of the first 18 games in August before dropping ten consecutive games to close out the month. Pittsburgh entered the final month of the season 21 games below the .500 mark. On September 7, the Pirates lost their 82nd game of the season, tying them with the Philadelphia Phillies as the only two franchises in professional sports history to have losing records in 16 consecutive seasons. The Pirates concluded their season on September 28 with a victory against the San Diego Padres. The team became the second in the Pirates' 122-year history to have no pitchers to win 10 games. The performance of the pitchers lead the team to fire pitching coach Jeff Andrews after the season.
Hitting
Pitching
Awards and honors
Xavier Nady named National League Player of the Week for the opening week of the 2008 regular season.
Ryan Doumit was named the co-National League Player of the Week, along with Ricky Nolasco, for the week of June 9.
Nate McLouth was elected to the 2008 National League all-star team. He batted 1–4, and threw a runner out at home plate from center field in the 11th inning, stopping the game-winning run.
Jason Bay was selected as the winner of the Chuck Tanner Award for "professionalism, cooperation and availability to and with Major League writers best assists them in carrying out daily responsibilities."
Nate McLouth received the Roberto Clemente as "the Pirates player who best exemplifies the standard of excellence achieved by Clemente."
(October 29, 2007 – March 24, 2008)
On November 5, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates hired John Russell as manager.
On November 7, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates promoted Bryan Minniti to director of baseball operations, hired Greg Smith as director of scouting and hired Kyle Stark as director of player development.
On November 9, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates named Chuck Tanner as a senior advisor to the baseball operations department.
On November 16, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates declined contract option for César Izturis.
On November 20, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates hired Tony Beasley as third-base coach, Gary Varsho as bench coach and Luis Dorante as bullpen coach.
On November 21, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates hired Jeff Andrews as pitching coach.
On November 27, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates hired Don Long as hitting coach.
On November 28, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates lost Shane Youman off of waivers to the Philadelphia Phillies.
On December 3, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Josh Wilson from the Tampa Bay Rays and Ty Taubenheim from the Toronto Blue Jays off of waivers.
On December 6, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Evan Meek from the Texas Rangers due to the Rule 5 draft.
On December 7, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Salomón Torres to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts.
On December 12, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent Chris Gomez to a 1-year contract.
On December 21, 2007 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Jorge Velandia, Michel Hernandez, Miguel Perez and Mike Thompson to Minor League contracts.
On January 7, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Adam Bernero and Elmer Dessens to Minor League contracts.
On January 11, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed T. J. Beam, Raul Chavez and José Macías to Minor League contracts.
On January 14, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed Adam LaRoche to a 1-year/$5 million contract.
On January 17, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed José Bautista to a 1-year/$1.8 million contract.
On January 18, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed Xavier Nady to a 1-year/$3.35 million contract and John Grabow to a 1-year/$1.135 million contract.
On January 23, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Jaret Wright to a Minor League contract.
On January 24, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Hector Carrasco and Casey Fossum to Minor League contracts.
On February 1, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Ray Olmedo off of waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.
On February 5, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed Freddy Sanchez to a 2-year/$11 million contract.
On February 11, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed New York Yankees free agent Doug Mientkiewicz to a Minor League contract.
On February 24, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent Byung-Hyun Kim to a 1-year/$850K contract.
On February 26, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates lost Ray Olmedo to the Philadelphia Phillies off of waivers.
On March 16, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates resigned Ian Snell to a 3-year contract.
(March 25, 2008 – October 29, 2008)
On March 26, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates announced the retirement of Masumi Kuwata, released Byung-Hyun Kim, Hector Carrasco and Juan Perez and acquired Tyler Yates from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Todd Redmond.
On March 31, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent Jason Davis and Matt Kata to Minor League contracts and released Josh Sharpless.
On April 4, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Matt Capps to a 2-year/$3.05 million contract.
On May 1, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates released Olivo Astacio.
On May 8, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Jason Michaels from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for a player to be named.
On June 4, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Franklyn Germán to a Minor League contract.
On June 25, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Denny Bautista from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Kyle Pearson and released Kevin Thompson.
On July 10, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Craig Wilson to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a player to be named, acquired Dan Reichert and Ryan Mulhern from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash considerations and lost Bryan Bullington to the Cleveland Indians off of waivers.
On July 26, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired José Tábata, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen from the New York Yankees in exchange for Xavier Nady and Dámaso Marte.
On July 31, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Jason Bay to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen from the Boston Red Sox as well as Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris from the Los Angeles Angels.
On August 21, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates traded José Bautista to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for a player to be named. (Robinzon Diaz converted on August 25, 2008)
On August 27, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates lost free agent Elmer Dessens to the Atlanta Braves.
On September 2, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates released Ty Taubenheim.
On September 24, 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Pedro Alvarez to a Major League contract.
Note
Age at time of draft.
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: VSL Pirates
