1929: Pirates crush Leafs, 10-5

Johnny McKinnon

The stock market had just crashed, but the Pittsburgh Pirates were flying high on November 19, 1929 against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. Led by defenceman Johnny McKinnon's four goals, the Pirates earned their first win of the season, decimating the Leafs 10-5 and evening their record at 1-1.

The impressive display prompted writer Bert P. Taggert to proclaim in his game report in the next day's Post-Gazette that "the form displayed by (coach) Freddie Frederickson and his cohorts presages a successful campaign."

Unfortunately, Bert could not have been further from the truth. The Pirates would win only four more times that year and be moved to Philadelphia to become the Quakers once the disastrous campaign finally came to a merciful end.