The 1952 Pirates — losers of 112 games and finishing 54 games out of first place in the National League — are often listed as one of the worst teams in Major League history. Main worked in a team-leading 48 games for the 1952 Bucs, eleven as a starting pitcher. Although he won only two of 14 decisions, he threw two complete games and recorded two saves, and his 4.46 earned run average was almost two-tenths of a point lower than the staff ERA of 4.65. One of his victories (and complete games) was a 6–2 triumph over the defending NL champion New York Giants on June 17 at the Polo Grounds.
