Pirates Win The 1979 World Series

October 17, 1979 At Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, Jimmy Carter throws the ceremonial first pitch before the Pirates and Orioles play Game 7 of the Fall Classic. The toss marks the only time the Commander-in-Chief will perform the pregame ritual during his presidency.

With the World Series tied at three games, the Pittsburgh Pirates; winners of the last two games, find themselves having to win on the road in Baltimore to make their remarkable comeback complete. In this Series, it was the American League’s turn to play by National League rules, meaning no designated hitter and the Orioles’ pitchers would have to bat. This was particularly damaging to the Orioles because Lee May, their designated hitter for much of the season and a key part of their offense, was only able to bat three times in the whole series. The Pirates amazing comeback came on the strength of Willie Stargell, who went 4 for 5 with a single, two doubles, and a towering two-run homer in the sixth off Scott McGregor. Stargell, the series MVP, hit .400 with a record seven extra-base hits and matched Reggie Jackson’s record of 25 total bases set in 1977. The “We are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates were the last team to win Game 7 of the World Series on the road.

Pittsburgh Pirates Classic Radio Games in cluding 1960, 1971 and 1979 World Series