The Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates: A Historic Rivalry in Evolving Times

I don’t think Phillies fans think about the Pittsburgh Pirates that often. I became a baseball fan at age 9 and grew up in Philadelphia. In the early 1950s, the Pirates were a terrible team. At that time, if anything Phillies fans were sympathetic to the Pirates.

The Pirates won the World Series in 1960 on Bill Mazeroski's dramatic walk-off home run in the 9th inning of game 7. The Pirates had their moments since that time but, recently, they have been one of the less competitive teams in the league.

I haven’t lived in Philadelphia since 1970 but still have relatives and friends there, and I still root for the Phillies.

A Nostalgic Look Back

I could care less about the Pirates. Their whole team could go down in a plane crash, and I still wouldn't have a thought about them. It’s understandable that many are indifferent, as the rivalry between the Phillies and Pirates has significantly cooled over the years. In the 1970s and 1980s, the two Pennsylvania teams combined for ten of eleven National League East titles and three World Series championships. The alignment of the division was a factor in this exceptional period of competition.

However, with the realignment of 1994, the two have not been division rivals for almost three decades now. Additionally, both teams have not been good at the same time for over four decades, with 1983 being the last season when both had winning records. This long period without a real rivalry has led to a decrease in the intensity and passion associated with the games between these two teams.

Experiences and Observations

Let me share a personal recollection from when I was at PNC Park in Pittsburgh for a game against the Phillies, probably around 2009-2010. The Phillies were one of the game’s best teams at the time, while the Pirates were irrelevant. Half the stadium was filled with Phillies fans, and everyone got along with no fierce rivalries. The stakes were simply not that high and it was clear that the passion had cooled considerably.

I suspect that today’s Phillies fan would rather hate the Mets and the Braves, two teams that are currently much more relevant and competitive, rather than the Pirates.

One has to wonder if Major League Baseball (MLB) had been more geographically accurate with the division realignment in 1994, putting Atlanta in the Central division and Pittsburgh in the East division, how the dynamics might have evolved differently. Perhaps the fallout from such a realignment could have preserved the relevance and the historical rivalry.

Conclusion

While the historical rivalry between the Phillies and Pirates offered intense competition and passionate fans, the current landscape has seen a significant cooling of this rivalry. The alignment of teams in the modern era has led to a decrease in the intensity of the matchups, leaving Phillies fans indifferent towards the Pirates. However, the legacy of this historic rivalry lives on, and for true baseball enthusiasts, the history remains a testament to the rich tapestry of baseball in Pennsylvania.