Cincinnati Reds

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Lore & Background

The Pirates and Reds first played each other for five seasons in the American Association before the Pirates moved to the National League in 1887. The Reds joined the National League in 1890, renewing the rivalry. Both teams have won 5 World Series Championships—the Pirates in 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, and 1979; the Reds in 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, and 1990—and the Reds have 10 NL Pennants to the Pirates' 9. They have met 6 times in the postseason, including 5 meetings in the NLCS. From 1969 to 1993, the Pirates were in the NL East; the Reds were in the NL West until realignment in 1994 placed both in the newly formed Central Division. As of the end of the 2025 season, the Pirates lead the regular season series 1,254–1,234–18, but the Reds lead in postseason wins 13–8. Their most recent postseason meeting was the 2013 National League Wild Card Game.

In Their Own Story

In June 1970, both teams moved into new ballparks—the Reds to Riverfront Stadium and the Pirates to Three Rivers Stadium. On July 16, 1970, the Pirates opened Three Rivers Stadium against the Reds. Cincinnati's Tony Perez hit the park's first home run, and Willie Stargell homered for the Pirates. The game was decided on a 9th inning RBI single from Lee May, giving the Reds a 3-2 win. The 1972 NLCS saw a dramatic Game 5: after a 90-minute rain delay, the Pirates led 3–2 in the fifth inning, but the Reds scored 2 runs after a wild pitch by Pirates reliever Bob Moose with George Foster on third, and Hal McCrae hit a 2-run homer in the next at-bat to end the series. This was the final game ever played for Pirates Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente, who died in a plane crash in December.

Reader's Guide

To understand the rivalry, start with the early history: both teams struggled in the infancy of the National League. The Pirates saw their roster decimated by defections to the Players' League but managed three straight NL Pennants from 1901 to 1903 and a World Series win in 1909. The Reds failed to reach the postseason until 1919, winning the World Series that year against the heavily-favored Chicago White Sox, though the Black Sox Scandal tainted the legitimacy of their title. The Pirates won again in 1925 and 1960; the Reds won in 1940. Both teams rebuilt through the 1960s. The 1970s featured fierce NLCS matchups: the Reds swept the Pirates in 1970 and 1975, and won a 5-game series in 1972; the Pirates swept the Reds in 1979. In the 1980s, both teams regressed. In 1990, the Reds won the NLCS in 6 games and swept the World Series. After realignment in 1993, both teams declined. The Pirates returned to the postseason in 2013, facing the Reds in the Wild Card Game.

Did You Know?

• The Pirates were founded in 1881 as an independent team and joined the American Association in 1882; the Reds were founded in 1881 in the American Association, beginning play in 1882.
• As of the end of the 2025 season, the Pirates lead the regular season series 1,254–1,234–18, but the Reds lead in postseason wins 13–8.
• The 1972 NLCS Game 5 was the final game ever played for Pirates Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente, who died in a plane crash in December.
• The Reds' 1919 World Series win is tainted by the Black Sox Scandal, though the Reds were not involved in the scandal.
• Both teams moved into new ballparks in June 1970—the Reds to Riverfront Stadium and the Pirates to Three Rivers Stadium.

Historical Origins and Divisional Alignment

The Pirates and Reds were both founded in 1881 in the American Association, beginning play in 1882 and playing each other for five seasons. The Pirates moved into the National League in 1887, ceasing play between the two teams. The Reds moved into the National League in 1890, resuming play against the Pirates which continues to today. From 1969 to 1993, the Pirates were a member of the NL East until the league's realignment in 1993 moved them to the newly formed Central Division. Meanwhile, the Reds were previously members of the NL West until the realignment placed them in the same division as Pittsburgh in 1993.

Championship Parity and Postseason Encounters

The Pirates have won 5 World Series Championships in 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, and 1979, and 9 NL Pennants. The Reds have also won 5 World Series Championships in 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, and 1990, and 9 NL Pennants. Both teams have met 6 times in the postseason, including 5 meetings in the NLCS. As of the end of the 2025 season, the Pirates lead the regular season rivalry 1,254–1,234–18; however, the Reds lead in postseason wins 13–8. Most recently, both teams met in the 2013 National League Wild Card Game.

The Fierce 1970s NLCS Battles

In June 1970, both the Reds and Pirates moved into new ballparks—the Reds left Crosley Field for Riverfront Stadium, while the Pirates left Forbes Field for Three Rivers Stadium. On July 16, 1970, the Pirates opened Three Rivers Stadium against the Reds. Cincinnati's Tony Perez hit the park's first home run, and Willie Stargell homered for the Pirates. The Reds won 3-2 on a 9th inning RBI single from Lee May. The two teams met in the 1970 NLCS, and the Reds won in a sweep. In the 1972 NLCS, the Pirates won Game 1 5-1, but the Reds won Game 2. Game 3 saw a 3-2 Pirates victory. Game 4 was a blowout Reds win. Game 5 began with a 90-minute rain delay; the Pirates led 3-2 after the fifth inning, but the Reds scored 2 runs after a wild pitch by Bob Moose with George Foster on third, and Hal McCrae hit a 2-run homer in the next at-bat to end the series. This was the final game for Pirates Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente. In the 1975 NLCS, the Reds swept the Pirates in 3 games, though the Pirates forced Game 3 into 10 innings. In the 1979 NLCS, the Pirates swept the Reds.

Early Struggles and Scandal-Tainted Glory

During the infancy of the National League, both teams struggled. The Pirates saw most of their roster decimated as most had defected to the Players' League. Pittsburgh managed three straight NL Pennants from 1901 to 1903 and a World Series victory in 1909. Cincinnati fared much worse, failing to qualify for the postseason every season until 1919. The team arguably only won the 1919 World Series against the heavily-favored Chicago White Sox because of the Black Sox Scandal. While the Reds weren't involved in the scandal, it tainted the legitimacy of their first World Series championship. The Pirates won another World Series in 1925. The Reds won the World Series in 1940 while the Pirates were in a playoff drought. The Pirates won the World Series in 1960; the Reds won the pennant the following season but lost the World Series to the Yankees in five games. Both teams spent the 1960s in a rebuild.

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