PITTSBURGH - With 12 consecutive losing seasons, the Pittsburgh Pirates are still waiting to turn the corner.

Their shortstop already has.

Jack Wilson, 26, is putting the finishing touches on a season that has lifted his name up with some of the best players ever to don a Pirate uniform:

Wilson entered the final six games needing just four hits to become the first Pirate since Dave Parker in 1977 to get 200 hits in a season.

He needs six hits to break Honus Wagner's record of 201 hits by a Pirate shortstop.

He needs four more starts to eclipse Jay Bell's 153 starts at shortstop in 1993.

His 40th double of the year Sunday was the most by a Pirate shortstop since Arky Vaughan hit 40 in 1940.

He is the first Pirate since Andy Van Slyke in 1992 to hit at least 10 doubles, 10 triples and 10 homers in the same season. Wilson leads the National League with 12 triples.

He leads all NL shortstops with 126 double plays, two short of the team record set by Gene Alley in 1966 and 11 shy of the NL mark set by Montreal's Bobby Wine in 1970.

"That history means a lot to me," Wilson said. "Some of those names are among the best to ever play this game."

Not many people figured Wilson would accomplish what he has in 2004. He is hitting .310 and had never hit higher than .256 or collected more than 143 hits (both last year) in a season before now.

"Who's not surprised I've had this type of year?" Wilson repeated the question. "Myself, my father, Lloyd McClendon - that's about it.

"I always knew I could do something like this. I always hit well in the minor leagues. I just had to put it together at this level. I switched to a smaller, lighter bat. That's the only difference," he added.

McClendon appreciates what his shortstop has done.

"Jack's had a remarkable year," the Pirates manager said. "Offensively, he's been consistent all year. Defensively, he's 100 percent better.

"His maturity level has increased and he's stronger character-wise. He's made himself into an excellent major league player," the manager added.

Wilson has 63 extra-base hits this season, including a career-high 11 home runs. He never hit more than nine in a minor league campaign.

Wilson might be in line for his first Gold Glove award this season as well.

"As far as I'm concerned, he could have won one each year he's been with us," McClendon said. "It may be more likely now because he's gained the respect around the league.

"Jack's defensive play reminds me of when we had Andy Van Slyke in center field. Watching him play every day, his plays become routine, we almost take them for granted. But those are very difficult plays he makes look routine every day."

Wilson started such a double play in the eighth inning Sunday against Cincinnati, diving and short-hopping a line drive off Jacob Cruz's bat and flipping it out of his glove directly to second baseman Jose Castillo.

Pirates pitcher Salomon Torres was so grateful for the play that he embraced Wilson in front of the dugout after the inning as the crowd delivered a standing ovation.

"Those kinds of double plays are easy," Wilson said. "It's bang-bang, all reaction. You flip the ball out of your glove and let the second baseman do all the work."

Of all his numbers this year, the double play total is what Wilson's most proud of.

"I'm still primarily a defensive player," he said. "That's why I'm out there. Hits are gonna come in all shapes and sizes, scattered here and there throughout the season.

"Defense is the constant. You're out there every inning and you can help your club at any time," he added.

Wilson has helped the Pirates often in 2004.

"It's hard to say whether he's the best all-around shortstop in the league," McClendon said. "If I say he is, well, I'm biased. But I know he's in the top three."