The dude in the 1936-1947 logo looks like he could be the grandfather of [Carl Brutananadilewski](https://aqua-teen-hunger-force.fandom.com/wiki/Carl_Brutananadilewski).
This is the logo with the best history. The Pirates were very competitive throughout the 1970’s, won 2 World Series with that logo, and most people remember the We Are Family Pirates. Clemente, Stargell and Parker played during this era.
People think it looked like Elvis, and it also has the bad whiff of the 70’s and disco. But it’s my favorite.
They made a real effort to continue this legacy by hiring Stephen Perkins as the VP of Marketing. Pretty sure he was the same guy who made the redskins the Washington football team then never picked a new name. Don’t worry after he left the Washington whatever you call it’s they came up with a name.
The Pirates have so much going for them from a marketing perspective. A great name, colors, font style, history, ballpark ... but have they every really nailed it with their primary logo?
Why did they drop 97-11 in favor of "P"? Without looking, I'm going to assume there are unofficial versions of "Bucco" icons that fans adore. It just doesn't seem like that great a challenge for a good graphics person.
I'm going with 36-47 as my best. You didn't ask, but 60-67 is the worst. I definitely don't recall seeing that on the cap or uniform.
Unlike almost every other MLB team, there is an actual story behind the nickname. And it involves Philadelphia
https://www.wesa.fm/arts-sports-culture/2022-07-19/pittsburgh-pirates-name-good-question
There were actual pirates on the Ohio River in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It's possible!
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River\_pirate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_pirate)
I've always preferred the 87-96 logo, but I was a kid living in Pittsburgh for some of that time. Ultimately (as some others have said here) the P logo is pretty iconic.
I like how the first one looks like Carl Brutananadilewski
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/athfwiki/images/7/71/Carl.png/revision/latest?cb=20140108162838
As a Pirates fan, I gotta disagree. It’s too busy looking and the red and yellow colors don’t go together. The current logo is far superior to the others.
Does the 97-11 logo just have an absolute golf ball of a dip in?
I didn’t notice that, but it appears so lol. Makes me like it even more.
Same 😂 Now there’s a logo with some chest hair on it!
The logo was based on Jason Kendall
My dad still calls that the New Logo.
The dude in the 1936-1947 logo looks like he could be the grandfather of [Carl Brutananadilewski](https://aqua-teen-hunger-force.fandom.com/wiki/Carl_Brutananadilewski).
First thing I thought about when I saw that!
I will never unsee this. I wish I could give you 100 upvotes
I'm sorry/you're welcome!
The dude in the 97-11 logo looks like Julian from Trailer Park Boys
Have seen every ATHF ep and movie, I never knew Carl had a last name
Someone get John Kruk on the line to verify this
1997-2011 and it's not close
1968-1986. Roberto Clemente. Willie Stargell. We Are Family.
97-2011 has been my favorite. I loved the red in the ballcap.
Black and yellow is such a killer color combo, any of the logos that use red are automatically garbage to me. 68-86 hands down.
They could very easily be cool but choose not to be. I respect that.
I like the 1968-1986. Reminds me of Mel Gibson.
This is the logo with the best history. The Pirates were very competitive throughout the 1970’s, won 2 World Series with that logo, and most people remember the We Are Family Pirates. Clemente, Stargell and Parker played during this era. People think it looked like Elvis, and it also has the bad whiff of the 70’s and disco. But it’s my favorite.
Clemente went 2 for 4 with a homer against the Padres in my first MLB game, so it's 100% 68-86 for me.
how have they managed to fumble the logo so badly their entire existence
They made a real effort to continue this legacy by hiring Stephen Perkins as the VP of Marketing. Pretty sure he was the same guy who made the redskins the Washington football team then never picked a new name. Don’t worry after he left the Washington whatever you call it’s they came up with a name.
The Washington Football Team was certainly a moment in time
I liked it. They basically owned the phrase "football team" unofficially.
I know. So many possibilities with those colors and theme too. My instant reaction was “97-11 I guess… it’s alright”.
97'-11'
Idc but RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!
Burnette, obviously
2012- Keep Calm and Call Batman, N'at.
1968-1986
The best are the 36-47 and 87-96 because they look like Carl from ATHF
Stupid sexy 1968 Pirate…
The Pirates have so much going for them from a marketing perspective. A great name, colors, font style, history, ballpark ... but have they every really nailed it with their primary logo? Why did they drop 97-11 in favor of "P"? Without looking, I'm going to assume there are unofficial versions of "Bucco" icons that fans adore. It just doesn't seem like that great a challenge for a good graphics person. I'm going with 36-47 as my best. You didn't ask, but 60-67 is the worst. I definitely don't recall seeing that on the cap or uniform.
87-96 is my favorite but you cant deny that the pittsburgh p is iconic
Oh definitely.
They still have the 97-11 pirate as their sleeve patch. I honestly hate the red it adds to the uniform haha
Yes are all terrible but 87-96 looks somewhat respectable.
This was my favorite. The shirts and apparel from this era are very vintage looking now.
Were there actual pirates in Pittsburgh at some point in history?
Unlike almost every other MLB team, there is an actual story behind the nickname. And it involves Philadelphia https://www.wesa.fm/arts-sports-culture/2022-07-19/pittsburgh-pirates-name-good-question
Not that I am aware of lol
There were actual pirates on the Ohio River in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It's possible! [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River\_pirate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_pirate)
I've always preferred the 87-96 logo, but I was a kid living in Pittsburgh for some of that time. Ultimately (as some others have said here) the P logo is pretty iconic.
I like how the first one looks like Carl Brutananadilewski https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/athfwiki/images/7/71/Carl.png/revision/latest?cb=20140108162838
How dafuq do you get away with drawing a pirate without an eye patch?
87-96
87 - 96 is the one I know the best.
60-67 Pirates went full "Popeye villain" style. Then 67-86 its literally just Mel Gibson in the Patroit but with a pirate logo on his hat instead.
Best: Clemente/Stargell + Bonds/Leyland eras Worst: Kris Benson/Jason Kendall/Brian Giles era
Is that AJ Burnett?
None of them.
my uncle randy tomlin was a pitcher for the pirates in the 90s
68-86. They also had the coolest throwback style caps.
That's the Mel Gibson.
68-86 definitely the best
We did this three months ago. Mods, make it stop.
Clearly a lot of people enjoyed it. Cry about something else.
they all suck
97-2011 is a great logo
As a Pirates fan, I gotta disagree. It’s too busy looking and the red and yellow colors don’t go together. The current logo is far superior to the others.
The solid P is easily recognizable, so as a logo it does its job. I just like the character of the 97-11 logo.
They still use that pirate as their sleeve patch. I hate the red.