The shift in emphasis toward the “P” represents yet another example of a continuing “development” in identity design for all sorts of consumer brands. The new primary logo is both familiar and proprietary, it has the benefit of having accrued nearly 70 years of brand equity and has deep resonance for Pittsburgh fans. The Pirates have used a total of 18 different logos over their 100-year history.
2015 - Present
The Pirates chose to use a old english letter “P” in yellow, going back to the old style of logo from the early 1900’s. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1997 - 2014
In 1997 with yet another new pirate, described as a “modernized buccaneer.” The new logo featured a front view of a pirates face with red and black poke-a-dot bandana with black patch and a gold erring. Two white and black baseball bats are crossed behind the pirate. A wordmark “PIRATES” above the pirate in gold with orange and black trim.
1987 - 1996
In 1987 the Pirates brand needed to be refresh, the team’s centennial season resulted in a new logo that brought back a pirate logo from 1936, mounted on a yellow baseball diamond. A wordmark “PIRATES” in yellow with a black trim.
1967 - 1986
This buccaneer was illustrated by artist Bob Gessner, who was also responsible for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins’ skating penguin logo. This newer, friendlier pirate has a black hat and black scarf mounted on a square yellow background. A wordmark “PIRATES” in black at the bottom.
Todd Radom Design: Sports Logo Case Study #8
The Pittsburgh Pirates have demoted their pirate logo to b-status. Their familiar "P" headwear mark—a Pittsburgh constant since 1948—has now shifted to the front of the pack as the club's official primary logo. Several distinct variations of a pirate have represented the National League's Steel City franchise over the past 80 years. In the early years of the 20th century, Pittsburgh fielded teams with uniforms that emphasized typography, as witnessed by this 1910 newspaper account describing the club's new look for the coming season. Read More...
1960 - 1966
In 1958, the Pirates formally replaced their logo with a cartoon image of a stubbled buccaneer wearing a black hat with a red scarf with white dots, black patch and two gold erring. Below the pirate is two gold baseball bats crossed with a wordmark “PIRATES” in black. This logo was drawn by longtime Pittsburgh Press artist Jack Berger, Sr.
1948 - 1959
New artist rendition of a pirate, featuring a red hat with two yellow baseball bats crossed. The pirate has a blue shirt with a yellow scarf.
1936 - 1947
The first logo that is not a letter. The first real Pirate logo has a pirate with a black hat with two baseball bats crossed. The pirate has a blue shirt and a red scarf, who has a mustache and a gold erring.
1933 - 1935
A new design for the Pirates letter “P” in red with a blue trim. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1932
Third time using this block style letter “P” in blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1923 - 1931
New style of the letter “P” in blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1922
Changed to an old english style letter “P” in blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1921
Back to blue block letter “P.” The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1920
Back to the letter block style from 1910, however now in red. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1915 - 1919
The Pirates change the font to a font that is similar to Bruce Double Pica letter “P” in red. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1910 - 1914
The Pirates changed back to a single block letter “P” in navy blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1908 - 1909
The Pirates changed to a three letter logo in 1908. They used a block letter “B” in red and “P” on top in blue and “C” on the bottom in blue as well. A “PBC” monogram signifying “Pittsburgh Baseball Club.”
1907
Changed the letter logo to an old english letter “P” in red. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.
1900 - 1906
The first Pirate logo is a block letter “P” in blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.