When analyzing trades made by the Pittsburgh Pirates, one conclusion that can be made is that plenty are forgotten throughout time. The Pirates are known for their share of awful deals, especially in recent years, but there are some that have helped reshape the franchise.
In this case, one trade shaped an entire legacy.
As baseball started to gain popularity prior to the start of the 20th century, the Pittsburg(h) Pirates were part of a handful of teams in a struggling National League. One team that struggled heavily was the Louisville Colonels owned by Barney Dreyfuss.