Author Description

The 1979 World Series champion Pirates are one of the most memorable teams in baseball history and helped define an era. One look at their pillbox caps--adorned with stars distributed by team captain Willie Stargell--or their typically garish uniforms, complete with striking yellow jerseys often worn with same-colored pants, and the viewer is transported back to the Steel City at the close of the 1970s. When Pops Led the Family celebrates this team and its cast of characters, including Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen, Frank Tavares, and Dale Berra. Featuring contributions from 39 members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), this book includes biographies of all of the players, members of coaching staff, and some of the the front office, an in-depth season summary, and detailed game accounts from some of the most pivotal games of the season and all of the postseason games. Essays on Three Rivers Stadium, Tanner's use of his bullpen, and the "We Are Family" Song help round out the volume. Includes over 70 photos. CONTENTS: Three Rivers Stadium, by Chip Greene PLAYERS How the Pirates Were Put Together, by Rod Nelson Matt Alexander, by Rory Costello Dale Berra, by Bob Hurte Jim Bibby, by Rory Costello Bert Blyleven, by Gregory H. Wolf Doe Boyland, by Rory Costello John Candelaria, by Steve West Joe Coleman, by Gregory H. Wolf Mike Easler, by Clayton Trutor Dock Ellis, by Paul Geisler Tim Foli, by Norm King Phil Garner, by Norm King Gary Hargis, by Michael Jaffe Grant Jackson, by Maxwell Kates Bruce Kison, by Gregory H. Wolf Lee Lacy, by Gregory H. Wolf Alberto Lois, by Tom Crist Bill Madlock, by Norm King John Milner, by Jon Springer Omar Moreno, by Norm King Steve Nicosia, by Phillip Bolda Ed Ott, by Bob Hurte Dave Parker, by J. G. Preston Rick Rhoden, by Paul Hofmann Dave Roberts, by Gregory H. Wolf Bill Robinson, by Alan Cohen Don Robinson, by Th