New York-Penn League (1970-1979)
Tombstone
Born: 1970
Died: 1979
First Game: June 26, 1970 (L 3-1 vs. Jamestown Falcons)
Last Game: August 30, 1979 (L 6-5 @ Auburn Red Stars)
New York-Penn League Champions: 1972
Stadium
Sal Maglie Stadium
Opened: 1939
Ownership & Affiliation
Owners: Niagara Falls Baseball Club, Inc. (Richard Webb, John Langley, et al.)
Major League Affiliation:
- 1970-1977: Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1978-1979: Independent
Attendance
Tap (mobile) or mouse over chart for figures. Tilting your mobile device may offer better viewing.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (1st ed.), Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, 1993
Background
The Niagara Falls Pirates were the short-season Class A farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates for most of the 1970’s. Future Pittsburgh regulars such as Dale Berra, Omar Moreno, Ed Ott and Rod Scurry all began their climb to the Major Leagues in Niagara Falls.
After the 1977 season, Pittsburgh cancelled its affiliation with Niagara Falls after eight seasons. The move staggered the franchise financially. Niagara Falls nearly folded on the eve of the 1978 New York-Penn League season. But ultimately, the club carried on for two further seasons as an independent operation without Major League support. Despite the loss of its affiliation with Pittsburgh, Niagara Falls continued to use the Pirates name in 1978 and 1979.
The team managed only three winning seasons out of ten. Niagara Falls’ finest hour came during the summer of 1972 when the club won the New York-Penn League pennant with a 48-22 record.
The Pirates’ final season in Niagara Falls was the summer of 1979. The NY-Penn League returned to Sal Maglie Stadium in 1982 with the arrival of the Niagara Falls White Sox.
Downloads
1973 Pirates vs. Auburn Phillies Roster Insert
1973 Niagara Falls Pirates vs Auburn Phillies Roster Sheet
1976 Pirates vs. Newark Co-Pilots Roster Insert
Links
New York-Penn League Media Guides
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