Thursday was an off day for the Pittsburgh Pirates, making it a good time to pause and celebrate their past.
The Pirates did just that, officially inducting the three newest members of their Hall of Fame in a special ceremony at PNC Park: Kiki Cuyler, Vern Law and Al Oliver — all former World Series champs with Pittsburgh.
Cuyler, who passed away in 1950, was represented by members of his family. The talented outfielder spent the first seven seasons of his 18-year Hall of Fame career with the Pirates, helping them win the 1925 World Series in seven games over the Washington Senators to cap off the best season of his career.
A fast outfielder with good pop for his era, Cuyler led the National League in stolen bases four times, doubles once and triples once. He also paced the NL in runs twice, reached double-digit homers five times and batted .321/.386/.474 for his career.
Law, 95, was the ace of the 1960 squad that upset the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic. While that team is remembered for Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off homer in Game 7, Law went 20-9 with a 3.08 ERA en route to the MLB Cy Young Award that season (there was only one award for both leagues through 1966). Pittsburgh also won all three of his World Series starts, including Game 7.
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Law spent his entire 16-year career with the Pirates from 1950 to 1967, missing two seasons due to military service during the Korean War. He went 162-147 with a 3.77 ERA, receiving NL MVP votes four times.
Oliver, 78, spent the first 10 seasons of his 18-year career with Pittsburgh from 1968 to 1977. One of the best hitters of his era, he made seven All-Star teams (three with the Pirates) and won three Silver Sluggers, finishing with 2,743 career hits and a .303/.344/.451 batting line.
Oliver teamed up with Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Dave Parker during the 1970s, helping Pittsburgh win it all in 1971.
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It was a fitting honor for all three men, cementing their legacies as some of the greatest players in Pirates history.
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Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images