The Gastonia Pirates were a minor league baseball team, based in Gastonia, North Carolina, between 1959 and 1972. The club was a Class-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and played primarily in the Western Carolinas League. The club was originally named the Columbus Pirates prior to 1959 and were based in Columbus, Georgia, as a member of the South Atlantic League. On July 6, 1959 the Pirates moved to Gastonia and became the Gastonia Pirates. In 1960 the Pirates were not an affiliate of the Gastonia team and the void was filled by the Gastonia Rippers in the Western Carolinas League.
After the Pirates folded after the 1972 season, the Gastonia Rangers, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers became the city's representative in the Western Carolinas League.
Season-by-season
Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs1959* 70-69 4th Ray Hathaway League Champs 1960 36-62 8th Billy Queen / Jack Falls 1963 73-52 1st Bob Clear 1964 60-68 5th Bob Clear (32-46) / Ray Hathaway (28-22) 1965 70-54 3rd Clyde Sukeforth / Don Osborn 1966 67-57 4th Bob Clear No playoffs1967 61-59 2nd Don Leppert No playoffs 1968 68-55 4th Frank Oceak 1969 67-58 2nd Frank Oceak 1970 55-75 6th Ed Hobaugh No playoffs 1972 60-70 4th Tom Saffell * Columbus Pirates moved to Gastonia on July 6, 1959
Notable alumni
Tony Armas (1972) 2 x MLB All-Star Dave Cash (1967) 3 x MLB All-Star Bob Moose (1966) Omar Moreno (1972) 2 x NL Stolen Base Leader (1978-1979) Al Oliver (1965) 7 x MLB All-Star; 1982 AL Batting Title Freddie Patek (1966) 3 x MLB All-Star Craig Reynolds (1972) 2 x MLB All-Star Bob Robertson (1965) Rennie Stennett (1969) Frank Taveras (1969-1970) 1977 NL Stolen Base Leader Milt May (1969) Richie Zisk (1968) 2 x MLB All-Star
References