The1901 Pittsburgh[a] Pirates finished in first place in theNational League, 7½ games ahead of the second-placePhiladelphia Phillies.[1] It was the first year that theAmerican League operated as a major league, but there would be noWorld Series between the leagues until 1903.
The team was managed byFred Clarke, who was also their startingleft fielder. Clarke, in his fifth year as a manager at age 28, won his first pennant. The Pirates won the National League championship in the next two years as well.
The Pirates were led offensively byHonus Wagner, who led the league inRBI andstolen bases. Although the "Flying Dutchman" had never played shortstop in the majors until 1901, he appeared 61 times at shortstop that year in addition to spending time at third base and the outfield.
In a league that batted .267 as a whole, the Pirates outfield was notable for its hitting.Ginger Beaumonthit .332, player-manager Fred Clarke hit .324, andLefty Davis hit .313.
The pitching staff of the Pirates allowed the fewest runs in the league and was among the greatest ever. The four topstarting pitchers –Deacon Phillippe,Jack Chesbro,Jesse Tannehill, andSam Leever – were the four top pitchers in the National League in terms of winning percentage. All of them were in the top ten in the league inERA. Future Hall of FamerRube Waddell had pitched well in 1900 for the Pirates, but was sold in May 1901 to theChicago Orphans. With a record of 90-49, the Pirates had the best record in the league.