PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, who authored so many great moments at Three Rivers Stadium, threw the emotional final pitch today as the Pittsburgh Pirates bid farewell to the cookie-cutter relic of the 1970s.

An ailing Stargell was escorted to the mound after the Pirates lost their season finale to the Chicago Cubs, 10-9. Surrounded by other former Pirates' greats, the man nicknamed "Pops" and the heart and soul of Pittsburgh's last championship team, ended a 30-year Steel City era.

"We sure would have liked to win the game," said Pirates manager Gene Lamont, who is expected to be fired on Monday. "I hope that when PNC Park opens next year, we'll see the fans more than we did here. We had some great times here. We had some great teams here in the '80s and fond memories of those years."

When Three Rivers Stadium opened in July 1970, it was hip and trendy. Now it's considered an eyesore and is being replaced by PNC Park, a stadium along the banks of the Allegheny River that will have all the feel of Forbes Field, Three Rivers' predecessor. The Pirates closed Three Rivers Stadium the same way they opened it 30 years ago -- with a loss. The Cubs scored three runs in the eighth inning to grab a 10-8 lead, and Pittsburgh left the tying run at third base in the ninth.

John Wehner, a Pittsburgh native who has had several stints with the Pirates, hit the last home run at Three Rivers Stadium. But he also made the final out on a grounder to third base.

"I just was hoping it would stand up (for the win)," Wehner said of his two-run shot in the fifth inning. "In the ninth, that was what you were dreaming off. I just wished I could could have come through with a hit. It was especially huge because my mom and my family were here today. I'll always remember that I had the last home run. I guess I'll also remember that I made the last out."

While considered drab and artificial today, stadiums like Three Rivers were just what owners in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Cincinnati wanted in 1970. The ballpark is loaded with special moments, both on the diamond and on the gridiron.

When Three Rivers -- named for the Monongahela, Ohio and Allegheny rivers that converge near the ballpark -- opened on July 16, 1970, it signified a rebirth in the "Steel City." It has hosted two World Series, two All-Star Games and served as the immensely persuasive home field for the four-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

The stadium was the focal point when Pittsburgh was named the "City of Champions" in 1979. While the Pirates will move on, the Steelers will remain.

As rich as the stadium is in football lore, the ballpark has seen many great baseball moments, including a trio of no-hitters, Mike Schmidt's 500th home run and the legendary Roberto Clemente's 3,000th hit.

Dock Ellis, who pitched the first game at the stadium, threw out the ceremonial first pitch today to former Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen. The national anthem was sung by Sister Sledge, whose 1979 hit, "We are Family," became the theme song for the Pirates championship team that season.