The Pittsburgh Pirates is a professional team based in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . The team was founded in 1882 and was known as the Alleghenies and the Innocents. The Pirates got its current name in 1890. From 1901- 1903 Pirates completely dominated the National League but they lost the first World Series that they ever played in 1903 to Boston . The Pirates won their World Series title in 1909, defeating the Detroit Tigers in seven games. Fred Clarke, Rube Waddell, Honus Wagner future member of the Hall of Fame, joined the Pirates in 1900. Manager Barney Dreyfuss became known as the Father of the World Series after challenging the American League梒hampion Boston Pilgrims to a best-of-nine-game series in 1903, which the Pirates lost, five games to three. Babe Adams helped Pittsburgh capture its first World Series championship in 1909. The Pirates won the NL Championship again in 1926 with 95-58 record and faced the Washington Nationals in one of the most exciting World Series ever played. Walter Johnson led the Pirates to a 9-7 victory and their 2nd World Championship. Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys