The Phillies–Pirates rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) rivalry between the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates. Both clubs are members of MLB's National League (NL); the Phillies are members of the NL East division, while the Pirates are members of the NL Central division. The rivalry was considered by some to be one of the best in the NL. The rivalry started when the Pittsburgh Pirates entered NL play in their fifth season of 1887, four years after the Phillies.
Jim Leyland managed the Pirates to three straight division championships. However, he watched the Phillies win the 1993 division championship in Pittsburgh.
Jason Bay thought the rivalry "would definitely be magnified" if the two teams meet in the playoffs.
The 1960 World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League (NL) and the New York Yankees of the American League (AL) from October 5–13, 1960. In Game 7, Bill Mazeroski hit the series winning ninth-inning home run, the first time a winner-take-all World Series game ended with a home run, and the first World Series to end on a home run. Mazeroski's home run gave the Pirates their third title overall and their first since 1925.
Statue commemorating Mazeroski's walk-off home run in Pittsburgh
Mickey Mantle
Bobby Richardson
Vernon Law