Pirates' 2026 Hall of Fame class covers nearly 100 years of greatness

Their time with the Pirates covered nearly 100 years. But despite playing in vastly different eras, Jack Wilson, John Candelaria and Wilbur Cooper all made important contributions to the organization while also experiencing plenty of success in Major League Baseball.

That’s why they’ll comprise the Pirates’ 2026 Hall of Fame class, which will be formally inducted later this season.

The slick-fielding Wilson played for the Pirates from 2001-09 and ranks second behind Andrew McCutchen in games (583) and hits (612) at PNC Park.

Candelaria (1975-85, 1993) threw the fifth no-hitter in team history on Aug. 9, 1976, won a World Series and ranks fourth in Pirates history in strikeouts with 1,159.

Cooper was with the Pirates from 1912-24 and holds the franchise record for wins (202) and complete games (263). Between 1918-1922, nobody in the National League won more games than Cooper (107).

“The playing careers of the three inductees who make up the 2026 class of the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame span nearly 100 years, reflecting the rich history of our organization and the special place these players hold within it,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “This recognition is about the celebration of the career achievements and a testament to the impact they had on our organization. We established the Pirates Hall of Fame to ensure the stories of players like Wilbur, Jack and John are shared with generations of Pirates fans, and we are proud to welcome them as the class of 2026.”

With the latest Hall of Fame class now public, let’s take a closer look at each of the entrants.

Jack Wilson

Wilson, who’s 48 but still does intense infield work three days a week, admitted he was a little surprised when Nutting called, informing him that he had been selected.

“I was kind of shocked,” Wilson said. “I really didn’t see it coming.”

Wilson’s focus has been family and hopefully becoming head coach at an NCAA Division I school, but he was certainly humbled by the honor.

The California native arrived in Pittsburgh as a 23-year-old and started a family here. Wilson has remained involved with the Pirates through fantasy camp and alumni events. He treasured his time spent at PNC Park, where he ranked first among NL shortstops in double plays (782) and second in assists (3,665).

“My kids [Jacob, Jaidyn and Jersi] still consider Pittsburgh home for their childhood,” Wilson said. “I had so many amazing memories and amazing teammates there.

“I know we didn’t win as many games as people might’ve wanted, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I got to see Jason Bay win the NL Rookie of the Year, Rob Mackowiak hit two home runs the day his son was born and Freddy Sanchez win a batting title.”

Wilson’s best year came in 2004, when he hit .308, led the National League in triples (12), became an All-Star and set the Pirates’ single-season record for double plays turned by a shortstop (129).

Only Honus Wagner, Arky Vaughan and Dick Groat have played more games among Pirates shortstops than Wilson (1,128).

“I played as hard as I could,” Wilson said. “That was the connection I had with the fan base. They’re blue-collar, hardworking people. That’s what I was.

“I went all out. My body didn’t like it at the end, but I had no other way to play. I had this desire to work and try to get better and try to do the best I could every day, good or bad.”

John Candelaria

Candelaria laughs when he hears the baseball phrase “pitch to contact.” It doesn’t make sense to the left-hander who won 20 games and led the NL in ERA (2.34) while becoming an All-Star in 1977.

A New York native, Candelaria pitched to hitters’ weaknesses more than contact. If he knew his opponent wanted a first-pitch fastball, he’d oblige — and ensure it was in a place where they couldn’t make solid contact.

“I was a control pitcher,” Candelaria said. “I was not a strikeout pitcher. As they say today, I would pitch to contact. My thought was pitching to a batter’s weakness. Pitching to contact, I don’t know what that means sometimes. Sometimes they contact the ball over the wall.”

Not terribly often against Candelaria, who ranks ninth in Pirates history in wins (124), sixth in games started (271) and ninth in innings pitched (1,873 2/3).

During that All-Star season in ’77, Candelaria was worth 7.4 wins above replacement, per Baseball Reference, and followed that with a 3.5 bWAR season in ’79, when he had a 3.22 ERA and delivered six shutout innings in Game 6 against the Orioles.

“I’m really proud of everything we did,” Candelaria said. “I think about the great teams we had in the 1970s and the friendships I made with a bunch of the guys, it was an amazing time. And when Mr. Nutting gave me a call and welcomed me to the club, it really meant a lot to me.”

As part of the Hall of Fame induction, speeches must be given. That isn’t Candelaria’s style. For 10 years, Candelaria sat next to Kent Tekulve, who would routinely hold court with reporters.

Candelaria is much more to the point, though he’s not concerned about making a speech for the ceremony.

“It’s not my forte,” Candelaria said. “Hopefully it’s not too long. But I am happy and really proud of the honor.”

Wilbur Cooper

Coop DeRenne made a promise to his parents.

A professor for 38 years at the University of Hawaii, DeRenne dedicated a bunch of his research to his late grandfather, later petitioning the National Baseball Hall of Fame for Cooper’s inclusion.

This honor was validating for the Cooper/DeRenne family and its ongoing quest to let more people know about Wilbur’s legacy.

“It’s been a long time coming, and I’m very happy for my family because I believe he’s worthy,” DeRenne said.

Among the numbers Coop DeRenne could cite:

• Along with ranking first in Pirates history in wins and complete games, he’s second in innings (3,198), third in strikeouts (1,196) and fourth in ERA (2.74).

• Cooper holds the club record for lowest ERA by a left-handed pitcher in a single season (1.87 in 1916).

• From 1918-22, Cooper led the National League in complete games (137), innings pitched (1,508 2/3) and strikeouts (600).

• A four-time 20-game winner, Cooper became the first NL lefty to win 200 games.

The Cooper/DeRenne family also has an incredible baseball story, with four generations all having ties to MLB.

Coop’s father, Alfred, was a center fielder in the Pirates organization but was shot in both legs during World War II, becoming a scout after his return.

Coop signed with the Expos, encountered injuries and eventually had to stop playing. His fallback career was a lifelong coach and educator at UH.

Keoni DeRenne was drafted by the Braves in 2000, spent eight seasons in the Minor Leagues and seven more coaching for the Pirates.

After four seasons on the Royals’ Major League staff, DeRenne currently works as the Durham Bulls' (Rays Triple-A) hitting coach.

"I’m very proud of what my great grandfather has done but also my dad,” Keoni said. “My dad spent some time with him way back when. To see it all come to fruition, it really hits home with our family.”

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.