Gastonia Pirates


The Gastonia Pirates were a minor league baseball team, based in Gastonia, North Carolina, between 1959 and 1972. The club was a Class-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and played primarily in the Western Carolinas League. The club was originally named the Columbus Pirates prior to 1959 and were based in Columbus, Georgia, as a member of the South Atlantic League On July 6, 1959 the Pirates moved to Gastonia and became the Gastonia Pirates. In 1960 the Pirates were not an affiliate of the Gastonia team and the void was filled by the Gastonia Rippers in the Western Carolinas League.
After the Pirates folded after the 1972 season, the Gastonia Rangers, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers became the city's representative in the Western Carolinas League.

Season-by-season

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
1959*70-694thRay HathawayLeague Champs
196036-628thBilly Queen / Jack Falls
----
196373-521stBob Clear
196460-685thBob Clear / Ray Hathaway
196570-543rdClyde Sukeforth / Don Osborn
196667-574thBob ClearNo playoffs
196761-592ndDon LeppertNo playoffs
196868-554thFrank Oceak
196967-582ndFrank Oceak
197055-756thEd HobaughNo playoffs
----
197260-704thTom Saffell