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'We are family': Pirates unveil 1979 yellow throwback uniforms

By Stephen J. Nesbitt / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 8 years ago


CF Andrew McCutchen (Courtesy of Pirates)

One of the worst-kept secrets of spring training was revealed Thursday when the Pirates released a video introducing​​ ​new ​yellow throwback uniforms​ ​fashioned after the version worn by the 1979 World Series champion Pirates​. The uniforms will be worn on Sunday home games throughout the 2016 season.

Like the 1979 uniforms, the new duds modeled by Andrew McCutchen, Gerrit Cole, Jung Ho Kang and Tony Watson in the video have the classic black pillbox cap with three yellow stripes, a yellow top with black and white bands on the sleeves and neckline, and black pants with a two thin yellow stripes down the side.

“The 1979 uniforms have always been widely popular with our fans and we believe this is the right complement to our existing uniform collection,” said team president Frank Coonelly. “Every season we strive for ways to pay tribute to the great teams of our past. This is a unique opportunity for the organization to recognize the 1979 World Series champions.”

The uniforms were first seen last month when equipment manager Scott Bonnett tweeted a photo of the uniform lineup, including the yellow jerseys, then quickly realized his mistake and deleted the post. Pirates fans ​quickly ​took notice.

The new retro uniform replaces the team’s early 1970’s Sunday alternate, a gold cap and pullover jersey introduced in 2013. The rest of the uniform lineup will remain the same this season.

Stephen J. Nesbitt: snesbitt@post-gazette.com and on Twitter @stephenjnesbitt.