Who were the all-time greatest Pirates pitchers?

[GypsyDavy]

Tough to say. From olden times, I like Deacon Phillipe. In the modern era, which I define as occuring in my own memory, I like John Candelaria, Bob Friend, Bob Veale, Vern Law, Kent Tekulve, and Elroy Face. Not forgetting to mention Harvey Haddix, who had some brilliant moments. These days, I like Zach Duke and Ian Snell, of course, with a nod of approval to Paul Maholm. Any favorites from the 20s, 30s, and 40s?

[steveironcity]

Babe Adams, Vern Law, Deacon Phillipe, Elroy Face, are some of the best

[DoWnWiThTheSiCkNeSs]

im young so in my day John Candelaria, Kent Tekulve and now Zach Duke and Paul Maholm

[Sliding Billy]

Bob Friend

[KCGHOST]

I'd go with Wilbur Cooper, Sam Leever, Babe Adams, Deacon Phillippe , Jesse Tannehill, and Kent Tekulve.

[Bucco Fanatic]

Oliver Perez...

[soberdennis]

There is one Pirate Pitcher in the HOF. Even though he is best known for something he did for another team, he had some very good years in Pittsburgh. His name was Jack Chesbro.

[W_Marone]

You forgot Lou Marone, he has the same last name as me....hahaha therfore he rules, in the two years he pitched.

[Dalkowski110]

Best starter, Deacon Phillippe or Babe Adams. Best reliever, Roy Face. Although Tekulve comes in second, it's a pretty distant second, IMO.

[soberdennis]

1899 Pirates 19 17 2 6 9 .400 4.11 15 0 0 149.0 664 165 68 99 3 59 - 28 5 11 0 -
1900 Pirates 32 26 4 15 13 .536 3.67 20 3 1 215.2 947 220 88 123 4 79 - 56 7 12 0 -
1901 Pirates 36 28 8 21 10 .677 2.38 26 6 1 287.2 1,187 261 76 104 4 52 - 129 5 14 0 -
1902 Pirates 35 33 2 28 6 .824 2.17 31 8 1 286.1 1,163 242 69 81 1 62 - 136 3 21 1 -
The above shows Chesbros 4 years with the Pirates. total w-l record 70-38.

[BossNoll]

Tough to say. From olden times, I like Deacon Phillipe. In the modern era, which I define as occuring in my own memory, I like John Candelaria, Bob Friend, Bob Veale, Vern Law, Kent Tekulve, and Elroy Face. Not forgetting to mention Harvey Haddix, who had some brilliant moments. These days, I like Zach Duke and Ian Snell, of course, with a nod of approval to Paul Maholm. Any favorites from the 20s, 30s, and 40s?
Well there was Basil Van Dodo, a Brilliant Pitcher who in 1889 pitched 4 consecutive shutouts and ended the season 23 & 7:clapping

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Old post but Ray Kremer would probably be a top 10 pitcher for the Pirates.

[BeatEmBucs]

Kramer was a solid pitcher, and helped the Bucs win in '25, and the NL pennant in '27. His 143 wins are still tied for 7th on the Bucs all time list. The Bucs haven't been known for having strong pitching, especially in the latter part of the 20th century. There have been guys who have had good 2-3 year runs, but for 1 reason or another weren't able to keep it up for an extended period, like Vernon Law,Bob Veale, Steve Blass, John Candelaria, Doug Drabek, and Denny Neagle to name a few. I'm surprised the Pirates have only one 200-game winner (Cooper), and he pitched nearly 100 years ago.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Kramer was a solid pitcher, and helped the Bucs win in '25, and the NL pennant in '27. His 143 wins are still tied for 7th on the Bucs all time list. The Bucs haven't been known for having strong pitching, especially in the latter part of the 20th century. There have been guys who have had good 2-3 year runs, but for 1 reason or another weren't able to keep it up for an extended period, like Vernon Law,Bob Veale, Steve Blass, John Candelaria, Doug Drabek, and Denny Neagle to name a few. I'm surprised the Pirates have only one 200-game winner (Cooper), and he pitched nearly 100 years ago.

I always thought that 1925 team was the best Pirates team they ever had.

[Gold Pinstripes]

There is one Pirate Pitcher in the HOF. Even though he is best known for something he did for another team, he had some very good years in Pittsburgh. His name was Jack Chesbro.

Yes, it's very odd a franchise like the Pirates doesn't have a pitcher in Cooperstown who spent the majority of his career as a Buc. As has been stated, a number of quality pitchers, some of whom put together HOF caliber seasons in Pittsburgh, but not enough for induction. When compared with the rest of MLB, the Pirates have a large number of HOF members, and more primary ones, than teams like the Red Sox and Tigers.