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To kids today, Honus Wagner is best known as the baseball player on the world’s most valuable trading card, but to early fans of the sport “The Flying Dutchman” was known as a hitting and base-stealing machine.

Wagner, who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1900 through 1917, won eight batting titles, led the league in stolen bases five times, and in 1936 became one of a handful of players named to the Hall of Fame’s inaugural class.

PIRATES ALL-TIME ROSTER

Wagner amassed 120.3 WAR (wins above replacement) during his storied career with the Pirates. The franchise’s next biggest WAR contributions on the all-time roster come from outfielders Roberto Clemente (94.5) and Paul Waner (68.2).

Honus Wagner headlines Pittsburgh Pirates all-time roster by Wins Above Replacement (WAR)

Here we present the entire Pirates lineup constructed entirely by choosing the player with the team’s highest WAR at each position, including a rotation of three starting pitchers and one reliever.

UPDATED February 18, 2024

CATCHER: JASON KENDALL

0
Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 30.6

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FIRST BASE: WILLIE STARGELL

0
Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 57.5

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

SECOND BASE: BILL MAZEROSKI

0
Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 36.2

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

THIRD BASE: ARKY VAUGHAN

Arky Vaughan 1961 Fleer baseball card

0
Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 64.0

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

SHORTSTOP: HONUS WAGNER

0
Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 120.3

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

OUTFIELD: ROBERTO CLEMENTE

0
Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 94.5

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

OUTFIELD: PAUL WANER

0
Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 68.2

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

OUTFIELD: MAX CAREY

0
Seasons
0
Hits
0
RBIs

Wins Above Replacement: 52.5

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

PITCHER: BABE ADAMS

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Babe Adams

0
Seasons
0
Wins
0
Losses

Wins Above Replacement: 49.9

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

PITCHER: WILBUR COOPER

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Wilbur Cooper

0
Seasons
0
Wins
0
Losses

Wins Above Replacement: 48.0

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

PITCHER: BOB FRIEND

Bob Friend 1956 Topps baseball card

0
Seasons
0
Wins
0
Losses

Wins Above Replacement: 47.9

⚾ ⚾ ⚾

RELIEF PITCHER: KENT TEKULVE

0
Seasons
0
Games
0
Saves

Wins Above Replacement: 19.8

⚾ ⚾ ⚾