The Pirates will announce tonight that the team is retiring Paul Waner's No. 11 later this seaon.

Waner, a member of the Hall of Fame who played in Pittsburgh from 1926 to 1940, will become the ninth player in the franchise's 121- year history to be honored that way. A left-handed hitting outfielder known as "Big Poison" -- younger brother Lloyd was "Little Poison" -- he had 3,152 hits, was National League MVP in 1927, was a three-time batting champion and a four-time All-Star.

The announcement, on the 81st anniversary of Waner's debut, will come in a pregame ceremony tonight at PNC Park that will include four other Pirates batting champions: Dick Groat, Dave Parker, Bill Madlock and Freddy Sanchez. The ceremony will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Backup catcher Humberto Cota currently wears No. 11 and will have to change once the retirement is official.

The eight previously retired numbers: Billy Meyer (1), Ralph Kiner (4), Willie Stargell (8), Bill Mazeroski (9), Pie Traynor (20), Roberto Clemente (21), Honus Wagner (33) and Danny Murtaugh (40). Jackie Robinson's No. 42 was retired by all Major League Baseball teams.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.