Ranking every World Series winners in history

By Staff | Nov 3, 2015

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 05: Brooklyn Dodgers president Walter O'Malley and his manager, Walter Alston, exchange hugs and grins after bringing Brooklyn its first World Series championship in history. Flock did it the hard way, winning the final game in Yankee Stadium. (Photo by NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) /

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BALTIMORE – OCTOBER 17: The Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate after winning Game Seven of the World Series at Memorial Stadium on October 17, 1979 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Pirates defeated the Orioles 4-1. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

40. 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates

98-64, AL East Champions, Won World Series 4-3 Over Baltimore

Known as the “We Are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates, and famous for their mix-and-match black and gold uniform sets, the 1979 Bucs posted a 98-64 record and captured the National League East in a tight race with the Montreal Expos.

Pittsburgh swept the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS, then overcame a 3-1 series deficit to claim the World Championship with a 4-1 victory in Game 7 of the World Series over the mighty Baltimore Orioles, who won 102 games in the regular season.

Willie Stargell was the heart and soul of the Pirates in 1979, and won the first and only NL MVP Award of his 21-year Hall of Fame career by hitting .281/.352/.552 with 32 home runs and 82 RBI as a 39-year old. Dave Parker (.310/.380/.526, 25 HR, 94 RBI, 109 R), Bill Robinson (24 HR, 77 RBI) and Omar Moreno (.282/.333/.381, 69 RBI, 110 R, 77 SB) also played big roles in the NL’s highest-scoring offense.

Hall of Fame ace Bert Blyleven (12-5, 3.60) and closer Kent Tekulve (10-8, 2.75 ERA, 31 saves) led the pitching staff, which held the Orioles to just two runs combined over the final three games of the Fall Classic – the last World Championship for the franchise to date.

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