The 1987 Pittsburgh Pirates season marked a significant upward turn for the franchise under manager Jim Leyland, finishing with an 80-82 record that represented a major improvement and their best performance since 1983. The year was defined by a successful youth movement, highlighted by the emergence of future stars like Barry Bonds, who hit 25 home runs, and Bobby Bonilla, alongside standout performances from Andy Van Slyke and Gold Glove catcher Mike LaValliere. A strong finish, winning 27 of their final 38 games, provided fans with great optimism and established the foundation for the team's championship contention in the years to follow.