Battle For Pennsylvania

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This rivalry between the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates (Also known as the Turnpike Series, a reference to the proximity of both teams via the Pennsylvania Turnpike or Governor's Cup, a reference to the popular Penn State vs. the University of Pittsburgh football rivalry) was natural since both teams joined the National League in 1883. But both suffered mediocrity until the 1970's when the Pirates, who won a World Series in 1971, were being challenged by the young Phils. The Phillies featured a well-rounded lineup with Greg Luzinski and Mike Schmidt leading the team in homers, Steve Carlton and Tug McGraw leading the pitching, and Larry Bowa and Garry Maddox being the secretaries of Philadelphia's defense. For their part, the Pirates also had tremendous offense led by Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, and Rennie Stennett, catcher Manny Sanguillen, infielders Bill Madlock and Phil Garner being the defensive specialists, and Dock Ellis, John Candelaria, Steve Blass and Bob Moose leading the pitching.

In 1977, the Pirates would be knocked out by the Phillies on the penultimate day of the season as the Phils would win their 3rd straight NL Eastern Division Championship. The next season, the Phillies acquired infielders Manny Trillo and Pete Rose, but the Pirates were too dominant as Stargell shared MVP honors with Keith Hernandez and won their 2nd World Series of the decade. The next season, the Phillies finally won their one and only title.

After the Phillies won two more National League pennants in 1983 and 1993, the Pirates would move to the NL Central Division, meaning that the Phillies and Pirates would not play against each other as often. Since the Phillies 1993 pennant both teams have suffered through mediocrity. After their loss to the Atlanta Braves in the 1992 NLCS, the Pirates, who had won the NL East in 1990, '91 and '92, lost sluggers Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla, and have never really recovered from their loss. After the 1993 pennant the Phillies stumbled throughout the rest of the 1990's and early 2000's. This cominbed with the fact that the two teams are in different divisions has cooled off the rivalry in the past 10-15 years.