Bill Mazeroski Tribute

If you grew up as a Pirates fan of the 1960s and 1970s, there are many names that
come to mind—Clemente, Stargell, Blass, to name a few. But none of them
capture the simplicity and hard working nature of the Steel City better than Bill
Mazeroski, or Maz.

Mazeroski was the greatest fielding 2 nd baseman of his era. Over 50 years since
his last game, he still holds major league records for double plays in a single
season and in a career. He won 8 Gold Gloves and participated in 10 All Star
games. He is a member of the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and his
number 9 has been retired. There is a statue of Maz outside the RF gate at PNC
Park. And he hit the biggest home run in baseball history, winning game 7 in the
1960 World Series against the mighty Yankees.

How did Maz celebrate this amazing feat? By going to Schenley Park with his
young wife Milene and watching the squirrels romp amongst the trees and fallen
acorns.

For me, I was 3 years old when Maz delivered the biggest moment in Pittsburgh
sports history. I am content with my mom’s lifelong story that when Maz hit that
home run she picked me up out of the playpen and tossed me in the air to
celebrate.
Once I was old enough to listen to Bob Prince on the radio, I was fed a steady diet
of Alley to Maz to Clendenon to complete another double play on the alabaster
plaster of Forbes Field. Yes, that’s the same hard infield that wiped out Tony
Kubek on a surefire double play ball in the 8 th inning of Game 7.

Bill Mazeroski died Friday at the age of 89. His contributions to the Pittsburgh
Pirates, like his modesty, will live forever.