Pittsburgh Pirates Uniform History 1970-2004
Click to view: 1900-1970 2005-present
1970-76
Coinciding with the move to Three Rivers Stadium in July 1970, the Pirates become the first MLB team to introduce a cotton-nylon pullover jersey with an elasticized waist. It started what became the double-knit revolution (with polyester taking over) which was cooler, lighter and with more stretch than woven flannel. By 1973 all teams were using a stretch knit fabric of some type.
Rawlings
Cap changes to a smoother fabric and a more yellow gold color.
The Clemente patch was added to this 1972 jersey for reuse in 1973.
Rawlings (home), Wilson (road)
Shirts are no longer straight cut.
NL Centennial sleeve patch added in 1976. The Pirates, like a number of other clubs, use the pillbox cap to celebrate the NL's 100th year. Except they use it every game.
1977-78
The team enters their “Bumblebee” period where a dizzying array of jersey, pant, and cap styles allows for seven possible uniform combinations which the club varies on a nightly basis. The gold cap changes to yellow and a black one debuts. Any combination of gold, black, and striped white are used both home and on the road. With maybe one exception the cap never matched a black or gold jersey. Either color cap was worn with the white jersey or pants.
Decente (pinstripes, black), Rawlings (gold)
Decente (pinstripes, black), Wilson (gold)
1979
NOB added. The striped white jersey and pants are only worn with each other, and only at home. Except for one game only black caps are worn with stripes. Black and gold are still mixed and matched, both at home and on the road.
Decente (pinstripes, black), Wilson (gold)
1980-84
Pinstripe home jersey is replaced by solid white. With the exception of one game in 1980, white is worn at home with black caps. Black and gold are mixed & matched on the road.
Rawlings (home) Decente (black), Wilson (gold)
2 different jerseys to show NOB.
NOB restored here.
1985-86
Black and gold jerseys are dropped in favor of a grey road jersey. Gold cap dropped.
Rawlings (home), Wilson (road)
NOB is missing.
1987
Team centennial patch added. Cap returns to normal.
Rawlings
1988-89
Pirates keep the sleeve patch, modifying it slightly by dropping the dates.
Rawlings
1990
Home jersey becomes button-down. Roadie stays as a pullover, front is changed to "Pittsburgh" in script. Sleeve cuff stripes get a bit smaller.
Rawlings
1991-94
Road jersey also becomes a button-down.
Rawlings
Rawlings, Russell Athletic
Both Rawlings and Russell are used.
The Pirates wear the 1994 All Star game patch instead of the MLB 125th anniversary patch.
1995
Pirate Fans sleeve patch worn to lure fans back after the strike. NOB removed from home jerseys. Both Rawlings and Russell are used.
Rawlings, Russell Athletic
1996
NOB returns to the home jersey. Both Rawlings and Russell are used.
Rawlings, Russell Athletic
1997-2000
Lettering revised on home jersey. Pinstripes added to road jersey along with a grey road cap (not used too often though). Sleeve cuffs removed from both. Black alternate jersey added with red trim and a red-billed cap, adding red for the first time since 1947. New sleeve patch.
Rawlings (home, road), Russell Athletic (home, road, alternate)
Roberto Clemente and Jackie Robinson patches worn in 1997.
Road grey cap is rarely used.
Three Rivers Stadium patch worn on 2000 home and alternate jerseys.
2001-04
Home and road jerseys change to sleeveless vests. New alternate cap.
Rawlings
Majestic
