What Is 2000 Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2000 Pittsburgh Pirates finished the MLB season with a 67–95 record, placing fourth in the National League Central. It was their 11th consecutive losing season, continuing a prolonged period of struggle after their 1992 playoff appearance.

Key Facts

The 2000 Pittsburgh Pirates had a final record of 67 wins and 95 losses.
They played their home games at PNC Park, which opened in 2001, so they still used Three Rivers Stadium in 2000.
Manager Lloyd McClendon was not hired until 2001, so Lloyd Moseby served as interim manager for part of the season.
Star player Kevin Young led the team with 18 home runs and 71 RBIs.
The Pirates' .414 winning percentage ranked among the lowest in the National League that year.

Overview

The 2000 Pittsburgh Pirates season marked another challenging year in what became one of the longest postseason droughts in Major League Baseball history. After last making the playoffs in 1992, the team continued to rebuild through the late 1990s and early 2000s, struggling to maintain consistent competitiveness.

The Pirates finished the 2000 season with a record of 67–95, placing fourth in the National League Central Division. Their home games were still held at Three Rivers Stadium, as the new PNC Park opened the following year in 2001, symbolizing a transition phase for the franchise.

Season Record: The Pirates ended the year with a 67–95 win-loss record, reflecting ongoing struggles in player development and team performance.
Division Standing: They finished 26 games behind the division-winning St. Louis Cardinals, highlighting a significant gap in competitiveness.
Home Venue: All home games were played at Three Rivers Stadium, which hosted Pirates games from 1970 until its closure after the 2000 season.
Managerial Leadership:Lloyd Moseby served as interim manager for part of the season, before Chuck Tracy took over as acting skipper for the remainder.
Offensive Leader: Third baseman Kevin Young was the team's top performer, recording 18 home runs and 71 RBIs—both team highs.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 2000 season was defined by inconsistent pitching and underwhelming offensive production outside of a few key contributors. Despite flashes of potential, the team failed to sustain momentum over the long season.

Starting Pitching: The rotation was led by Kris Benson, who posted a 10–12 record with a 4.08 ERA over 31 starts.
Bullpen Struggles: The relief corps had a collective ERA of 5.02, among the worst in the National League, contributing to late-game collapses.
Offensive Output: The team scored 688 runs, ranking 12th out of 16 NL teams, with a team batting average of .257.
Defensive Metrics: The Pirates committed 107 errors during the season, slightly above the league average for fielding miscues.
Notable Trade: Mid-season, Pittsburgh traded Armando Ríos to the Giants for prospects, signaling a focus on future rebuilding.
Attendance: Average home attendance was 19,085 per game, reflecting fan fatigue during the team’s prolonged losing streak.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2000 Pirates compared to other NL Central teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Record	Win %	Runs Scored	Runs Allowed
St. Louis Cardinals	95–67	.586	809	718
Houston Astros	72–90	.444	777	839
Pittsburgh Pirates	67–95	.414	688	835
Cincinnati Reds	76–86	.469	791	847
Chicago Cubs	85–77	.525	806	790

The Pirates ranked near the bottom in nearly every major category, particularly in runs allowed. Their pitching staff gave up 835 runs, the second-worst in the league, underscoring systemic issues on the mound. While the offense showed occasional spark, it wasn’t enough to offset defensive shortcomings.

Why It Matters

The 2000 season exemplifies a transitional era for the Pittsburgh Pirates, caught between eras of competitiveness. It was part of a 13-year postseason drought from 1993 to 2013, the longest in MLB history at the time.

Historical Context: The 2000 record extended a string of losing seasons that began in 1993, reshaping fan expectations and front-office strategy.
Rebuilding Phase: The team prioritized developing young talent, including prospects like Sean Casey and Jason Schmidt, both of whom were later traded.
Stadium Transition: The final year at Three Rivers Stadium marked the end of an era, with PNC Park symbolizing a new, more fan-friendly direction.
Front Office Shifts: General Manager Cam Bonifay was dismissed mid-season, signaling instability in leadership.
Player Development: The Pirates’ reliance on homegrown talent began laying groundwork for future success, though results took over a decade to materialize.
Cultural Impact: The prolonged losing streak became a talking point in baseball media, influencing discussions about competitive balance in MLB.

The 2000 Pittsburgh Pirates may not stand out in terms of wins, but they represent a crucial chapter in the franchise’s journey from prolonged struggle toward eventual resurgence in the 2010s.