What Is 1937 Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team

Overview

The 1937 Pittsburgh Pirates were a Major League Baseball team competing in the National League during the 1937 season. They posted a winning record of 86 wins and 67 losses, finishing in fifth place, 17 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs. Managed by George Gibson, the team showed moderate offensive strength but lacked the consistency to challenge for the pennant.

Playing their home games at the historic Forbes Field, the Pirates drew a total attendance of approximately 370,000 fans throughout the season. Despite solid individual performances, the team did not qualify for postseason play, as the World Series was still limited to the two league champions at the time. The 1937 season marked a transitional phase for the franchise between competitive eras.

• Record: The team finished with an 86–67 win-loss record, one of their better performances in the late 1930s.
• League Standing: They placed fifth in the eight-team National League, trailing the Cubs, Giants, Dodgers, and Cardinals.
• Manager:George Gibson served as field manager for the entire season, his second full year in charge.
• Home Field: All home games were played at Forbes Field, which had been their home since 1909.
• Attendance: Total attendance for the season was around 370,000, averaging roughly 5,500 fans per game.

Season Performance

The 1937 campaign featured a balanced offense and an inconsistent pitching staff. While the Pirates ranked in the middle of the league in most statistical categories, standout individual efforts helped keep them competitive throughout the summer months.

• Batting Average: The team hit .277 as a unit, ranking sixth in the National League.
• Home Runs: Pittsburgh hit 69 home runs, led by outfielder Herman Sattenfield with 11.
• Runs Scored: They scored 668 runs, averaging 4.35 per game, slightly above league average.
• Team ERA: The pitching staff posted a collective 3.78 ERA, seventh in the league.
• Starting Rotation:Red Lucas led the staff with 12 wins, while Bill Swift added 11 victories.
• Closer Role: The concept of a dedicated closer did not exist, but Ray Harrell recorded 7 saves, unofficially leading the team.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1937 Pirates compared to other top National League teams:

The table highlights that while Pittsburgh had a winning season, they fell significantly behind the dominant Cubs and Giants in both win percentage and offensive output. Their run total was the lowest among the top five teams, indicating a lack of consistent power hitting. However, their 86 wins were still among the best in franchise history for the decade.

Why It Matters

The 1937 season is remembered as a stable, if unspectacular, year in Pirates history. It reflected a team in transition, building toward a stronger period in the early 1940s. Though not a pennant contender, the season provided valuable experience for young players and helped shape future roster decisions.

• The performance underscored the need for stronger pitching, which led to trades in the following off-season.
• Herman Sattenfield’s .300 average marked him as a potential cornerstone for the offense.
• Manager George Gibson was under increasing pressure to deliver a playoff-caliber team.
• The season highlighted Forbes Field’s continued role as a key Pittsburgh landmark.
• Attendance figures suggested steady fan support despite the lack of postseason play.
• It served as a benchmark for evaluating future team improvements in the late 1930s.