Pittsburgh Pirate legend. You old timers will remember his lead off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Yankees in game 7 of the 1960’s World Series. He was 89 years old.

In 1960, my Father attended two of the away games in New York, ( my aunt was an executive for Bristol-Meyers, got him those tickets and two home game tickets) , including game seven, in Pittsburgh. He also had season tickets for the Steelers from 1971 till his death, and went to three Super Bowls.

I didn’t inherit his love of football, not a fan, but I did enjoy watching and listening to Pirate games.

Maz was a great second baseman, saw him play many times at Forbes Field. RIP.

One of the greatest fielders of all time. His fielding got him into the Hall of Fame since he was only an average hitter.

On Oct. 13, 1960, I was in study hall in the 9th grade. Mr. Claytor was a History/Social Studies teacher and study hall was in his class room. Mr Claytor was a huge NY Yankees fan and he bent the rules a little and we were listening to game 7 of the World Series between the Yankees and the Pirates. Score was tied going in to the bottom of the 9th inning and Mr. Claytor was looking forward to extra innings.

I made a comment that extra innings was not going to happen because Mazeroski was going to hit a home run and end the game and darn if it did not happen. Walk off home run to clinch the series for the Pirates.

A memory I will carry to my grave.

Bill Mazeroski, Hall of Fame 2nd baseman, Rest in Peace!

I was in the same grade but in Algebra class. Since the school was near Pittsburgh, the teacher had the radio on in the classroom for the game. Forbes Field in which the game was played, has long been demolished and University of Pittsburgh buildings now stand there. However, they left standing the brick left field wall in an open yard area where Mazeroski’s home run went over. For years on the anniversary of the game, people would go to the wall and listen to the broadcast of the game. Mazeroski, in the beginning, would attend the gathering. Home plate also still exists under glass in a public hallway in one of buildings.

Maz still holds the record for turning the most double plays in MLB….1706.