List of Pittsburgh Pirates owners and executives
Encyclopedia
The Pittsburgh Pirates
are a Major League Baseball
(MLB) franchise based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. They play in the National League Central
division. The team began play in 1882 as the Alleghenies (alternately spelled "Alleghenys") in the American Association
. The franchise moved to the National League
after owner William Nimick
became upset over a contract dispute, thus beginning the modern day franchise.
From the franchise's beginning, the owner and manager fulfilled the duties of the general manager
. However, in 1946, Roy Hamey
left his position as president of the second American Association
to become the Pirates' first general manager. The franchises' second general manager, Branch Rickey, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1967. Hired in September 2007, Neal Huntington
is the Pirates's current general manager. Barney Dreyfuss
purchased the franchise in 1900, bringing players including Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke with him from the Louisville Colonels
, which he had previously owned. In his 32 years as owner, Dreyfuss built Forbes Field and helped to organize the World Series. Dreyfuss was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2008. Robert Nutting
served as Chairman of the Board from 2003 to 2007, at which point he became majority owner of the franchise.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
are a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) franchise based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. They play in the National League Central
National League Central
The National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was created in 1994, by moving two teams from the Western Division and three teams from the Eastern Division of the National League...
division. The team began play in 1882 as the Alleghenies (alternately spelled "Alleghenys") in the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
. The franchise moved to the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
after owner William Nimick
William A. Nimick
William A. Nimick was the owner of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys/Pirates baseball team of the National League from through . In 1887, Nimick purchased the club from Denny McKnight. He sold the Pirates to William Kerr and Phil Auten in 1891.-References:*...
became upset over a contract dispute, thus beginning the modern day franchise.
From the franchise's beginning, the owner and manager fulfilled the duties of the general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
. However, in 1946, Roy Hamey
Roy Hamey
Henry Roy Hamey was an American front-office executive in Major League Baseball. A longtime employee of the New York Yankees, he reached the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed the general manager of the Yanks in November 1960. Although he inherited a pennant winner from his predecessor,...
left his position as president of the second American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
to become the Pirates' first general manager. The franchises' second general manager, Branch Rickey, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1967. Hired in September 2007, Neal Huntington
Neal Huntington
Neal Alden Huntington is the 12th person to serve as General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball organization...
is the Pirates's current general manager. Barney Dreyfuss
Barney Dreyfuss
Bernhard "Barney" Dreyfuss was an executive in Major League Baseball who owned the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise from 1900 to 1932....
purchased the franchise in 1900, bringing players including Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke with him from the Louisville Colonels
Louisville Colonels
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that played in the American Association throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891, first as the Louisville Eclipse and later as the Louisville Colonels , the latter name derived from the historic Kentucky colonels...
, which he had previously owned. In his 32 years as owner, Dreyfuss built Forbes Field and helped to organize the World Series. Dreyfuss was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2008. Robert Nutting
Robert Nutting
Robert Nutting is a businessman and sports team owner. He is currently Chairman of the Board and principal owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a Major League Baseball team. His other business activities include serving as CEO of Ogden Newspapers Inc...
served as Chairman of the Board from 2003 to 2007, at which point he became majority owner of the franchise.
Table key
| Years | Seasons; each is linked to an article about that particular season |
| Div | Division titles: number of division titles won by the general manager |
| Pen | Pennants: number of pennants (league championships) won by the manager |
| WS | World Series: number of World Series World Series The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy... victories achieved by the manager |
| * | Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of... |
Owners
| Owner(s) | Years | Div | Pen | WS | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denny McKnight Denny McKnight Harmar Denny McKnight was the founding owner of the Allegheny Baseball Club of Pittsburgh in anticipation of playing in the new American Association. He founded the club on October 15, . The club then became known as the Pittsburgh Alleghenys... |
– | — | — | — | |
| William A. Nimick William A. Nimick William A. Nimick was the owner of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys/Pirates baseball team of the National League from through . In 1887, Nimick purchased the club from Denny McKnight. He sold the Pirates to William Kerr and Phil Auten in 1891.-References:*... |
– | — | — | — | |
| William Kerr William Kerr (baseball) William Kerr was the co-owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team of the National League from through with Phil Auten. They purchased the team from William A. Nimick in 1891. They sold the Pirates to Barney Dreyfuss in 1900.... and Phil Auten Phil Auten Phil Auten was the co-owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team of the National League from through with William Kerr. They purchased the team from William A. Nimick in 1891. They sold the Pirates to Barney Dreyfuss in 1900.-References:*... |
– | — | — | — | |
| Barney Dreyfuss Barney Dreyfuss Bernhard "Barney" Dreyfuss was an executive in Major League Baseball who owned the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise from 1900 to 1932.... * |
– | 0 | 6 | 2 | |
| Florence W. Dreyfess | – | — | — | — | |
| John Galbreath (majority), with Frank McKinney, Thomas Johnson, Bing Crosby Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation.... and Warner Communications Warner Communications Warner Communications or Warner Communications, Inc. was established in 1971 when Kinney National Company spun off its non-entertainment assets, due to a financial scandal over its parking operations and changed its name.... |
– | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Pittsburgh Associates Pittsburgh Associates Pittsburgh Associates was a consortium of the City of Pittsburgh and local businesses which owned the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1985-1996. It was spearheaded during a dark year for the ball club with national media focused on the Pittsburgh drug trials where many former Pirates as well as other... |
– | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kevin McClatchy Kevin McClatchy Kevin S. McClatchy is the former owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. He led a group of investors that purchased the team in 1996, and served as the team's CEO and lead owner until 2007, when Bob Nutting took over as lead owner, and McClatchy and Nutting hired Frank Coonelly to become... |
– | — | — | — | |
| Robert Nutting Robert Nutting Robert Nutting is a businessman and sports team owner. He is currently Chairman of the Board and principal owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a Major League Baseball team. His other business activities include serving as CEO of Ogden Newspapers Inc... |
–present | — | — | — |
General managers
| # | General manager | Years | Div | Pen | WS | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Benswanger William Benswanger William Edward Benswanger was an American businessman who served for almost 15 years as president and chief executive of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball franchise of the National League from through .... |
– | — | — | — | (see note) |
| 2 | Ray Kennedy Ray Kennedy (baseball) Raymond Lincoln Kennedy was an American professional baseball player, scout and front office executive. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-Playing career: One MLB at-bat:... |
— | — | — | ||
| 3 | Roy Hamey Roy Hamey Henry Roy Hamey was an American front-office executive in Major League Baseball. A longtime employee of the New York Yankees, he reached the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed the general manager of the Yanks in November 1960. Although he inherited a pennant winner from his predecessor,... |
– | — | — | — | |
| 4 | Branch Rickey Branch Rickey Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967... * |
– | — | — | — | |
| 5 | Joe L. Brown Joe L. Brown Joe L. Brown was an American front office executive in Major League Baseball.-Biography:Brown served as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from November 1, 1955, through the end of the 1976 season... |
–, | 5 | 2 | 2 | |
| 6 | Harding Peterson | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 7 | Syd Thrift Syd Thrift Sydnor W. Thrift Jr. was an American scout and executive in Major League Baseball who served as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1985 to 1988, and the de facto general manager of the Baltimore Orioles from 1999 to 2002... |
– | — | — | — | |
| 8 | Larry Doughty Larry Doughty Larry Doughty was the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, from 1989 to 1991.Doughty then became a scout for the Cincinnati Reds, becoming scouting supervisor and later Scouting Director for the Reds from 1983 to 1987... |
– | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Ted Simmons Ted Simmons Ted Lyle Simmons is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A switch-hitter, Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals , the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves... |
– | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Cam Bonifay Cam Bonifay Cameron Hubert Bonifay is a former major league baseball executive and scout, best known as general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1993 to 2001.... |
– | — | — | — | |
| 11 | Dave Littlefield Dave Littlefield David Littlefield is a former Major League Baseball executive. Littlefield was employed as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a position he held from July 13, 2001 to September 7, 2007. He took over as GM for Roy Smith, who had assumed the position on a temporary... |
– | — | — | — | |
| 12 | Neal Huntington Neal Huntington Neal Alden Huntington is the 12th person to serve as General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball organization... |
–present | — | — | — |
- As the deceased owners son-in-law Benswanger officially served as "President and Chief Executive" but in effect was General Manager for his mother-in-law owner.
Presidents
- Harry PulliamHarry PulliamHarry Clay Pulliam was an American baseball executive who served as the sixth President of the National League, from 1903 until his death , in the period in which the NL and the fledgling American League settled their hostilities and formed a National Agreement which led to the creation of the...
- William Chase TempleWilliam Chase TempleWilliam Chase Temple was a coal, citrus, and lumber baron during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was also a part owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates from baseball's National League...
- Malcolm Prime
- Carl BargerCarl BargerCarl F. Barger was a high-powered Pittsburgh attorney and baseball executive.-Biography:...
- Mark Sauer
- Kevin McClatchyKevin McClatchyKevin S. McClatchy is the former owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. He led a group of investors that purchased the team in 1996, and served as the team's CEO and lead owner until 2007, when Bob Nutting took over as lead owner, and McClatchy and Nutting hired Frank Coonelly to become...
- Frank CoonellyFrank CoonellyFrank Coonelly is the president of the Pittsburgh Pirates. His hiring was announced by the Pirates on September 13, 2007. He replaced Kevin McClatchy who purchased the Pirates with a group of investors in 1996 and served as the CEO for the next 12 seasons...
Other executives
- Jim BowdenJim Bowden-Early life and career:Bowden was born in Boston, MA and raised in Weston, Massachusetts and Boothbay Harbor, ME. He graduated from Rollins College in 1983 with a B.A. degree in Communications and Business Administration. He was the Sports Director at the College radio station as well doing the...
- Murray CookMurray Cook (baseball)George Earl Murray Cook is a Canadian scout and former front office executive in Major League Baseball...
- Brian GrahamBrian GrahamFor the Scottish footballer, see Brian Graham Brian Graham is a former minor league baseball player, coach and manager and major league coach for the Cleveland Indians...
- Bill LajoieBill LajoieWilliam Richard "Bill" Lajoie was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and front-office executive...
- Branch Rickey, Jr.
- Roy SmithRoy Smith (1980s pitcher)Le Roy Purdy Smith is a former professional baseball pitcher and executive. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball from until . He is currently a scout for the New York Mets.-Playing career:...
- Pete VuckovichPete VuckovichPeter Dennis Vuckovich is a retired American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who came across as an intimidating presence on the mound with his 6'4" 220 lb frame and Fu Manchu moustache. Vuckovich was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1974...