Playing at the old Duquesne Gardens, the Pittsburgh Ironmen was one of 11 charter franchises for the Basketball Association of America. The Ironmen were coached Paul "Polly" Birch, a native of Western Pennsylvania.

After suffering a 56-51 loss to the St. Louis Bombers in their first game on November 2nd, the Ironmen made their home debut against the Washington Capitols, suffering a 71-56 loss two nights later.

Wins were quite scarce for the Ironmen, who were the new league's weakest team posting a record of 15-45 and finishing dead last. The only players to average more than ten points per game were Coulby Gunther, who led the team with 14.

4 and John Abramovic, who had 11. 2 ppg.

The Ironmen would not make it to a second season, folding after the 1947 season. Pittsburgh would venture into professional basketball again two decades later with a team in the ABA.

However, the steel city would never get another chance at a team in BAA, which would become the National Basketball Association.