9 Pirates Legends Named in Sporting News' 140 Greatest Baseball Players Ever Project
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From Roberto Clemente and Honus Wagner to Willie Stargell and Ralph Kiner, Pittsburgh's history is represented in Sporting News' collection of baseball's greatest players.
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The Pirates have been home to some of baseball's most influential players, including Hall of Famers who helped define different eras of the sport.
That history is reflected in The Sporting News 140: Baseball's Greatest Players, a project celebrating 140 of the greatest players in MLB history. The collection groups its selections into 14 distinct categories, each featuring 10 players connected by a common thread.
Nine players with Pirates ties earned spots in the project, representing generations of Pittsburgh baseball and a wide range of accomplishments.
Here is a closer look at the Pirates legends featured in the project and what helped distinguish their careers.
(Editor's note: Player write-ups are courtesy of Paul Hembekides and Greg Thompson, co-authors of Baseball's Greatest Players.
The Immortals
Roberto Clemente (1955-1972)
The first Latin American baseball star, Roberto Clemente paved the way for generations that regard him as their version of Jackie Robinson.
Roberto Clemente led the majors with a .331 batting average over his 12 consecutive Gold Glove seasons from 1961-72.
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Honus Wagner (1900-1917)
More than a century after playing his final game, Honus Wagner remains the standard by which all shortstops are measured.
Honus Wagner stole six bases in Pittsburgh's 1909 World Series triumph, matching Detroit's team total. His six steals remained the World Series record until Lou Brock swiped seven in 1967.
On July 1, 1916, Honus Wagner became the oldest player to ever hit an inside-the-park home run at the age of 42 years and 4 months. https://t.co/iiRzaWM6vI
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 1, 2025
The Supernovas
Chuck Klein (1939)
Chuck Klein enjoyed a six-year offensive eruption to begin his career, his production amplified by the inviting contours of Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl.
Klein batted .395 at Baker Bowl (Phillies home park until 1938), the highest average by any player with at least 2,000 PA at any stadium in the modern era (since 1900).
Rube Waddell (1990-1901)
Rube Waddell was baseball’s first great strikeout force, his overpowering stuff and eccentric personality making him one of the game’s most colorful spectacles.
Waddell recorded 349 strikeouts in 1904 (Athletics) and 232 in 1908 (Browns, became Orioles), both of which remain single-season franchise records.
the most unhinged superstar in sports history might have been a baseball player from the early 1900s. he wrestled alligators, fought fires, disappeared to go fishing, and was somehow one of the greatest pitchers of his generation. meet rube waddell. 🧵 https://t.co/RZF17p84R9
— history of sports (@historyovsports) October 23, 2026
Ralph Kiner (1946-1953)
Ralph Kiner condensed a lifetime of home runs into seven seasons, but his assault on the record book succumbed to a bad back at 32.
Kiner owns the all-time record for most home runs through a player's fourth (168), fifth (215), sixth (257), seventh (294), and eighth (329) seasons.
Ralph Kiner led the National League in home runs in each of his first seven seasons – a record not matched before or since in the Senior Circuit. The Hall of Famer and @Pirates slugger was born #OTD in 1922. https://t.co/w9a75G6MAB
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) October 27, 2026
The Unsung
Arky Vaughan (1932-1941)
Arky Vaughan walked away from the game for three years during his prime, stunting the career of the National League’s greatest shortstop since his mentor, Honus Wagner.
Vaughan accumulated 67.3 WAR through his age-29 season; among shortstops, only Alex Rodriguez had more through his twenties.
The Pioneers
Hank Greenberg (1947)
Steadfastly devoted to his faith and his country, Hank Greenberg embodied strength at the plate and became a symbol of pride in the Jewish community as its first baseball star.
Using averages from his eight pre-military seasons, Greenberg would have totaled approximately 470 home runs and 1,800 RBI if not for his time serving (had 331 HR & 1,276 RBI).
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The Beloved
Willie Stargell (1962-1982)
Willie Stargell inspired fear across baseball with his bat and affection in Pittsburgh with his warmth, where Pops became part of the family.
Stargell played 21 seasons for the Pirates, a Pittsburgh record that stood until Sidney Crosby played his 22nd in 2026.
1971 Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Imagn Images
The Pariahs
Barry Bonds (1986-1992)
Barry Bonds watched lesser players celebrated for their home run exploits and decided being history’s best all-around player just wasn’t enough.
Bonds posted a 256 OPS+ in 2001-04 across the ages of 36-39; Babe Ruth's career-high in a season was 255 (1920).
1992 USA TODAY Sports Imagn Images
A lasting Pittsburgh legacy
The Pirates' representation in the Sporting News project reflects the franchise's place across multiple eras of baseball history. From Clemente and Wagner to Stargell and Kiner, these players helped shape Pittsburgh's baseball identity while leaving their mark on the sport.
Their accomplishments span hitting, power, defense, and pitching, illustrating the franchise's connection to some of baseball's most memorable eras.
The full Sporting News collection, The 140 Greatest Baseball Players, is available here.