Pittsburgh Pirates: Unveiling the 25-man All-Streak Team
By Matt Shetler
Bullpen
Mike Williams (closer)
Williams joined the Bucs in 1998 and recorded a total of 140 saves throughout six seasons. His best season came in 202 where his 46 saves were good for third in the National League.
September 9, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan (52) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Chicago Cubs won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Joel Hanrahan
Hanrahan played a big role in the Prates rebirth before being dealt to the Boston Red Sox prior to this season. He had two very good years as the Pirates closer, saving 40 games in 2011 with a 1.83 ERA and racked up 36 saves last year with a 2.72 ERA.
Huntington ended up getting a very nice haul for Hanrahan which not only played a big role in the winning season this year, but also sets the Bucs up nice for future success.
John Grabow
Grabow was a reliable southpaw out of the Bucs pen from 2003-09. He only had a 4.09 ERA during his seven seasons in Pittsburgh, but became a reliable set up man his final two seasons.
Ricardo Rincon
Rincon was only in Pittsburgh for two seasons, but appeared in 122 games, posting a 3.17 ERA. In one of Dave Littlefield’s only good moves, he was able to flip Rincon for Giles.
Salomon Torres
Torres didn’t play in the majors for four years before reviving his career in Pittsburgh from 2002-07. During that span he had his best run as a major leaguer. Torres appeared in 358 games as a Pirate with 29 saves and a 3.63 ERA.
Mike Gonzalez
Gonzalez had a nice four-year stint in Pittsburgh from 2003-06 where he compiled a 2.37 ERA. His last season was his best when he saved 24 games with a 2.17 ERA. He eventually was flipped to Atlanta for LaRoche.
Putting together this team is just a reminder of how little talent the Pirates truly had through a 20-year period. It also should make you appreciate the job that Huntington and his staff have done as currently the Pirates have more talent throughout the organization than at any time in the past two decades.