Pittsburgh Sports Legends - John Candelaria

Bessmoney

Active member
Aug 31, 2005
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He was a great athlete. Coming out of high school he was 2nd in the state of NY for career rebounds. 2nd only to Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar).
 

Mufasa94

Well-known member
Jan 9, 2009
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Was my favorite Pirate as a little kid, then heard/read things when I wasn’t as naive and thoughts weren’t as positive.

Excellent first few seasons, then injuries (and likely partying) brought him down from that lofty level. In his last year with them, Pirates did boneheaded move and made him a reliever before trading him away and doing questionable things with the main guy (Mike Brown) they got for him.

Still have a little soft spot for him and I’d argue best Pirates starter since way back in time.
 

LionJim

Well-known member
Oct 12, 2021
12,239
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Was my favorite Pirate as a little kid, then heard/read things when I wasn’t as naive and thoughts weren’t as positive.

Excellent first few seasons, then injuries (and likely partying) brought him down from that lofty level. In his last year with them, Pirates did boneheaded move and made him a reliever before trading him away and doing questionable things with the main guy (Mike Brown) they got for him.

Still have a little soft spot for him and I’d argue best Pirates starter since way back in time.
For what it’s worth, the only thing I can recall about Candelaria is that he had a no-hitter.