# List of Pittsburgh Pirates Opening Day starting pitchers

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the National League Central division. Originally known as the Alleghenys, they played in the American Association from 1882 through 1886, and have played in the National League since 1887. The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starter is an honor, which is often given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season, though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day. The Pirates have used 71 Opening Day starting pitchers since they began to play as a Major League team in 1882. The Pirates have a record of 69 wins and 60 losses in their Opening Day games.
The Pirates have played in several different home ball parks. Between 1882 and 1909 they played in two parks called Exposition Park and in Recreation Park. They played in Forbes Field from 1909 to 1970 and Three Rivers Stadium from 1970 to 2000 and they have played in their current stadium, PNC Park, since 2001. They had a record of no wins and one loss in the first Exposition Park, four wins and no losses in Recreation Park and no wins and two losses in the second Exposition Park. They had a record of four wins and two losses at Forbes Field and a record of five wins and eight losses at Three Rivers Stadium. Through 2010, they have a record of two wins and one loss at PNC Park. That gives the Pirates an overall Opening Day record of 15 wins and 14 losses at home. They have a record of 54 wins and 46 losses in Opening Day games on the road.
Bob Friend has made the most Opening Day starts for the Pirates, with seven. Babe Adams and Frank Killen each made five Opening Day starts for the Pirates, and Deacon Phillippe, Howie Camnitz, Cy Blanton and Bob Veale each made four Opening Day starts. Ed Morris, Pud Galvin, Wilbur Cooper, Ray Kremer, Rip Sewell, Steve Blass, Dock Ellis, Rick Rhoden, Doug Drabek and Francisco Liriano all made three Opening Day starts for the Pirates. Several Pittsburgh Pirates Opening Day starting pitchers have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, including Galvin, Burleigh Grimes, Waite Hoyt, Jim Bunning, and Bert Blyleven. Bunning was elected as both a United States congressman and senator from Kentucky after retiring from baseball.
The Pirates have won nine National League titles, in 1901, 1902, 1903, 1909, 1925, 1927, 1960, 1971 and 1979. They went on to win the World Series in 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979 (the modern World Series began in 1903). Sam Leever was the Pirates Opening Day starting pitcher in 1901, Phillippe was the Opening Day starting pitcher in both 1902 and 1903, Camnitz was the Opening Day starting pitcher in 1909, Emil Yde in 1925, Kremer in 1927, Friend in 1960, Ellis in 1971 and Blyleven in 1979.

## Key

| Season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular Pirates season. |
| Pitcher (#) | Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Pirates |
| W | Win |
| L | Loss |
| T | Tie |
| ND (W) | No decision by starting pitcher; Pirates won game |
| ND (L) | No decision by starting pitcher; Pirates lost game |
| (W) | Pirates won game; no information on starting pitcher's decision |
| (L) | Pirates lost game; no information on starting pitcher's decision |
| * | Advanced to the post-season |
| ** | NL Champions |
| ⁂ | World Series Champions |

## Pitchers

| Season | Pitcher | Decision | Final score | Opponent | Location |
| 1882 | Jack Leary | (W) | 10–9 | Cincinnati Red Stockings | Bank Street Grounds |
| 1883 | Denny Driscoll | (L) | 0–4 | Philadelphia Athletics | Exposition Park I |
| 1884 | John Fox | (L) | 2–9 | Philadelphia Athletics | Recreation Park |
| 1885 | Ed Morris | (W) | 7–0 | St. Louis Browns | Sportsman's Park |
| 1886 | Ed Morris (2) | (L) | 4–8 | St. Louis Browns | Sportsman's Park |
| 1887 | Pud Galvin | (W) | 6–2 | Chicago White Stockings | Recreation Park |
| 1888 | Ed Morris (3) | (W) | 5–2 | Detroit Wolverines | Recreation Park |
| 1889 | Pud Galvin (2) | (W) | 8–5 | Chicago White Stockings | Recreation Park |
| 1890 | Pete Daniels | (W) | 3–2 | Cleveland Spiders | Recreation Park |
| 1891 | Pud Galvin (3) | (L) | 6–7 | Chicago Colts | Exposition Park III |
| 1892 | Mark Baldwin | (W) | 7–5 | Cincinnati Reds | League Park |
| 1893 | Frank Killen | (L) | 2–7 | Cleveland Spiders | Exposition Park III |
| 1894 | Frank Killen (2) | (L) | 3–11 | St. Louis Browns | Robison Field |
| 1895 | Frank Killen (3) | (L) | 2–11 | Louisville Colonels | Eclipse Park |
| 1896 | Pink Hawley | (W) | 9–1 | Cincinnati Reds | League Park |
| 1897 | Frank Killen (4) | (W) | 4–1 | St. Louis Browns | Robison Field |
| 1898 | Frank Killen (5) | (L) | 3–10 | Louisville Colonels | Eclipse Park |
| 1899 | Jesse Tannehill | (W) | 5–2 | Cincinnati Reds | League Park |
| 1900 | Sam Leever | (L) | 0–3 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1901** | Sam Leever (2) | (W) | 4–2 | Cincinnati Reds | League Park |
| 1902** | Deacon Phillippe | (W) | 1–0 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1903** | Deacon Phillippe (2) | (W) | 7–1 | Cincinnati Reds | Palace of the Fans |
| 1904 | Deacon Phillippe (3) | (W) | 5–4 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1905 | Patsy Flaherty | (W) | 9–4 | Cincinnati Reds | Palace of the Fans |
| 1906 | Vic Willis | (W) | 2–1 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1907 | Deacon Phillippe (4) | (L) | 3–4 | Cincinnati Reds | Palace of the Fans |
| 1908 | Howie Camnitz | (W) | 3–1 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1909⁂ | Howie Camnitz (2) | (W) | 3–0 | Cincinnati Reds | Palace of the Fans |
| 1910 | Howie Camnitz (3) | (W) | 5–1 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1911 | Babe Adams | W | 14–0 | Cincinnati Reds | Palace of the Fans |
| 1912 | Howie Camnitz (4) | (L) | 0–7 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1913 | Babe Adams (2) | (W) | 9–2 | Cincinnati Reds | Redland Field |
| 1914 | Babe Adams (3) | (L) | 1–2 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1915 | George McQuillan | (W) | 9–2 | Cincinnati Reds | Redland Field |
| 1916 | Erv Kantlehner | (L) | 1–2 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1917 | Elmer Jacobs | (L) | 3–5 | Chicago Cubs | Weeghman Park |
| 1918 | Wilbur Cooper | (L) | 0–2 | Cincinnati Reds | Redland Field |
| 1919 | Wilbur Cooper (2) | (L) | 1–5 | Chicago Cubs | Weeghman Park |
| 1920 | Babe Adams (4) | W | 5–4 | St. Louis Cardinals | Robison Field |
| 1921 | Babe Adams (5) | L | 3–5 | Cincinnati Reds | Redland Field |
| 1922 | Wilbur Cooper (3) | L | 1–10 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1923 | Johnny Morrison | W | 3–2 | Chicago Cubs | Cubs Park |
| 1924 | Johnny Morrison (2) | ND (L) | 5–6 | Cincinnati Reds | Redland Field |
| 1925⁂ | Emil Yde | L | 2–8 | Chicago Cubs | Cubs Park |
| 1926 | Vic Aldridge | L | 6–7 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1927** | Ray Kremer | W | 2–1 | Cincinnati Reds | Redland Field |
| 1928 | Ray Kremer (2) | L | 7–14 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1929 | Burleigh Grimes | W | 4–3 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 1930 | Ray Kremer (3) | ND (W) | 7–6 | Cincinnati Reds | Redland Field |
| 1931 | Larry French | (L) | 2–6 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 1932 | Larry French (2) | (L) | 2–10 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1933 | Bill Swift | W | 4–1 | Cincinnati Reds | Redland Field |
| 1934 | Heinie Meine | (L) | 1–7 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1935 | Waite Hoyt | W | 12–6 | Cincinnati Reds | Crosley Field |
| 1936 | Cy Blanton | ND (W) | 8–6 | Cincinnati Reds | Crosley Field |
| 1937 | Cy Blanton (2) | W | 5–0 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 1938 | Cy Blanton (3) | ND (W) | 4–3 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1939 | Cy Blanton (4) | W | 7–5 | Cincinnati Reds | Crosley Field |
| 1940 | Bob Klinger | W | 6–4 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1941 | Bob Klinger (2) | (L) | 4–7 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 1942 | Max Butcher | W | 4–2 | Cincinnati Reds | Crosley Field |
| 1943 | Rip Sewell | W | 6–0 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 1944 | Preacher Roe | (L) | 0–2 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1945 | Fritz Ostermueller | (L) | 6–7 | Cincinnati Reds | Crosley Field |
| 1946 | Fritz Ostermueller (2) | ND (W) | 6–4 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1947 | Rip Sewell (2) | W | 1–0 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 1948 | Hal Gregg | (L) | 1–4 | Cincinnati Reds | Crosley Field |
| 1949 | Rip Sewell (3) | W | 1–0 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 1950 | Bob Chesnes | (L) | 2–4 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1951 | Cliff Chambers | W | 4–3 | Cincinnati Reds | Crosley Field |
| 1952 | Murry Dickson | L | 2–3 | St. Louis Cardinals | Sportsman's Park |
| 1953 | Murry Dickson (2) | L | 5–8 | Brooklyn Dodgers | Ebbets Field |
| 1954 | Bob Friend | ND (W) | 4–2 | Philadelphia Phillies | Forbes Field |
| 1955 | Max Surkont | L | 1–6 | Brooklyn Dodgers | Ebbets Field |
| 1956 | Bob Friend (2) | L | 3–4 | New York Giants | Polo Grounds |
| 1957 | Bob Friend (3) | W | 9–2 | New York Giants | Forbes Field |
| 1958 | Bob Friend (4) | ND (W) | 4–3 | Milwaukee Braves | County Stadium |
| 1959 | Ron Kline | L | 1–4 | Cincinnati Reds | Crosley Field |
| 1960⁂ | Bob Friend (5) | ND (L) | 3–4 | Milwaukee Braves | County Stadium |
| 1961 | Bob Friend (6) | ND (W) | 8–7 | San Francisco Giants | Candlestick Park |
| 1962 | Bob Friend (7) | W | 6–0 | Philadelphia Phillies | Forbes Field |
| 1963 | Earl Francis | L | 2–5 | Cincinnati Reds | Crosley Field |
| 1964 | Bob Veale | ND (L) | 8–4 | Chicago Cubs | Forbes Field |
| 1965 | Bob Veale (2) | W | 1–0 | San Francisco Giants | Forbes Field |
| 1966 | Bob Veale (3) | ND (W) | 3–2 | Atlanta Braves | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium |
| 1967 | Bob Veale (4) | W | 6–3 | New York Mets | Shea Stadium |
| 1968 | Jim Bunning | ND (L) | 4–5 | Houston Astros | Astrodome |
| 1969 | Steve Blass | ND (W) | 6–2 | St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium |
| 1970* | Steve Blass (2) | ND (L) | 3–5 | New York Mets | Forbes Field |
| 1971⁂ | Dock Ellis | W | 4–2 | Philadelphia Phillies | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1972* | Dock Ellis (2) | L | 0–4 | New York Mets | Shea Stadium |
| 1973 | Steve Blass (3) | ND (W) | 7–5 | St. Louis Cardinals | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1974* | Jerry Reuss | ND (L) | 5–6 | St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium |
| 1975* | Dock Ellis (3) | ND (W) | 8–4 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 1976 | Doc Medich | ND (W) | 5–4 | Philadelphia Phillies | Veterans Stadium |
| 1977 | Jerry Reuss (2) | L | 6–12 | St. Louis Cardinals | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1978 | John Candelaria | W | 1–0 | Chicago Cubs | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1979⁂ | Bert Blyleven | ND (L) | 2–3 | Montreal Expos | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1980 | Bert Blyleven (2) | L | 0–1 | St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium |
| 1981 | Jim Bibby | ND (L) | 2–6 | Montreal Expos | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1982 | Rick Rhoden | ND (W) | 11–7 | St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium |
| 1983 | John Candelaria (2) | W | 7–1 | St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium |
| 1984 | Rick Rhoden (2) | L | 1–5 | San Diego Padres | Jack Murphy Stadium |
| 1985 | Rick Rhoden (3) | L | 1–2 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 1986 | Rick Reuschel | L | 2–4 | New York Mets | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1987 | Bob Patterson | L | 2–3 | New York Mets | Shea Stadium |
| 1988 | Mike Dunne | W | 5–3 | Philadelphia Phillies | Veterans Stadium |
| 1989 | Bob Walk | ND (L) | 5–6 | Montreal Expos | Olympic Stadium |
| 1990* | Doug Drabek | W | 12–3 | New York Mets | Shea Stadium |
| 1991* | Doug Drabek (2) | L | 0–7 | Montreal Expos | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1992* | Doug Drabek (3) | W | 2–0 | Montreal Expos | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1993 | Tim Wakefield | W | 9–4 | San Diego Padres | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1994 | Zane Smith | L | 0–8 | San Francisco Giants | Candlestick Park |
| 1995 | Jon Lieber | L | 2–6 | Montreal Expos | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 1996 | Paul Wagner | W | 4–0 | Florida Marlins | Joe Robbie Stadium |
| 1997 | Jon Lieber (2) | ND (W) | 5–2 | San Francisco Giants | Candlestick Park |
| 1998 | Francisco Córdova | W | 4–0 | Montreal Expos | Olympic Stadium |
| 1999 | Francisco Córdova (2) | L | 2–9 | Montreal Expos | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 2000 | Jason Schmidt | L | 2–5 | Houston Astros | Three Rivers Stadium |
| 2001 | Todd Ritchie | L | 2–3 | Cincinnati Reds | Cinergy Field |
| 2002 | Ron Villone | L | 2–6 | New York Mets | Shea Stadium |
| 2003 | Kris Benson | W | 10–1 | Cincinnati Reds | Great American Ball Park |
| 2004 | Kip Wells | W | 2–1 | Philadelphia Phillies | PNC Park |
| 2005 | Óliver Pérez | L | 2–9 | Milwaukee Brewers | PNC Park |
| 2006 | Óliver Pérez (2) | ND (L) | 2–5 | Milwaukee Brewers | Miller Park |
| 2007 | Zach Duke | ND (W) | 4–2 | Houston Astros | Minute Maid Park |
| 2008 | Ian Snell | ND (W) | 12–11 | Atlanta Braves | Turner Field |
| 2009 | Paul Maholm | ND (W) | 6–4 | St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium |
| 2010 | Zach Duke (2) | W | 11–5 | Los Angeles Dodgers | PNC Park |
| 2011 | Kevin Correia | W | 6–3 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 2012 | Érik Bédard | L | 1–0 | Philadelphia Phillies | PNC Park |
| 2013* | A. J. Burnett | L | 3–1 | Chicago Cubs | PNC Park |
| 2014* | Francisco Liriano | ND (W) | 1–0 | Chicago Cubs | PNC Park |
| 2015* | Francisco Liriano (2) | ND (L) | 2–5 | Cincinnati Reds | Great American Ball Park |
| 2016 | Francisco Liriano (3) | W | 4–1 | St. Louis Cardinals | PNC Park |
| 2017 | Gerrit Cole | L | 3–5 | Boston Red Sox | Fenway Park |
| 2018 | Iván Nova | ND (W) | 13–10 | Detroit Tigers | Comerica Park |
| 2019 | Jameson Taillon | L | 3–5 | Cincinnati Reds | Great American Ball Park |
| 2020 | Joe Musgrove | L | 4–5 | St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium |
| 2021 | Chad Kuhl | ND (W) | 5–3 | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field |
| 2022 | J. T. Brubaker | L | 0–9 | St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium |
| 2023 | Mitch Keller | ND (W) | 5–4 | Cincinnati Reds | Great American Ball Park |
| 2024 | Mitch Keller (2) | ND (W) | 6–5 | Miami Marlins | LoanDepot Park |
| 2025 | Paul Skenes | | | Miami Marlins | LoanDepot Park |