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PNC Park, the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates since their inception in 1887, opens along the shore of the Allegheny River and adjacent to Federal Street.
Coming off the franchise's first 100-loss season in 16 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates showed a marked improvement in 2002. Thanks in large part to the offseason acquisitions of starters Kip Wells and Josh Fogg, relievers Brian Boehringer and Mike Williams, and second baseman Pokey Reese, the Bucs improved by 10½ games over the previous season.
Here's a look back at the major moves and big games that helped to shape the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2002.
While fielding one of the least experienced teams in baseball in 2004, the young Bucs provided hope for a bright future for the franchise. Left fielder Jason Bay, despite missing the first month of the season, became the Bucs' first NL Rookie of the Year Award winner after setting a club rookie record with 26 home runs. Jack Wilson earned his first All-Star berth and nabbed a Silver Slugger Award after becoming the first Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop since Honus Wagner to collect 200 or more hits in a season. The pitching staff was anchored by Oliver Perez, a hard-throwing southpaw who finished in the top-10 in the NL in ERA and strikeouts.
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