The Pirates announced this morning that Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski passed away yesterday at age 89. The team’s statement included a tribute from chairman Bob Nutting, who described Mazeroski as “one of a kind — a true Pirates legend, a National Baseball Hall of Famer and one of the finest defensive second basemen the game has ever seen.”
“His name will always be tied to the biggest home run in baseball history and the 1960 World Series championship, but I will remember him most for the person he was: humble, gracious and proud to be a Pirate.”
A career Pirate who played 17 seasons in the big leagues from 1956-72, Mazeroski is best-known for his legendary walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. The Pirates had won their first National League pennant since 1927 on the strength of eight All-Star players, including Mazeroski. Still, they faced a challenge in overcoming a powerful Yankees roster featuring Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Whitey Ford, and others.
With the Series tied at three games apiece, it was Mazeroski who delivered the winning blow in the bottom of the 9th of a wild Game 7. On a 1-0 count against Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry, Mazeroski drilled a high fastball over the left-center field wall to clinch the Pirates’ 10-9 victory and the championship. It was their first World Series title since 1925 and the first time a World Series ended on a walk-off home run. To this day, Mazeroski’s blast stands as one of the most iconic home runs in the history of the sport.
Mazeroski joined the Pirates organization out of high school in 1954, and made his MLB debut in July 1956 at the age of 19. He played his first full season in 1957 and established himself as a contact-oriented second baseman, batting .283 with 149 hits and 59 runs scored. His 1958 season was arguably his best, as Maz batted .275/.308/.439 in 607 plate appearances with 156 hits and 19 home runs, the latter being a career high. He was an All-Star for the first time and also earned his first Gold Glove while finishing eighth in NL MVP voting.
In addition to being a contact hitter, Mazeroski’s career came to be defined by his defense. He won a total of eight Gold Gloves, including five straight from 1963-67. His defense alone was valued at 24.0 bWAR, which ties him for 23rd all-time. Mazeroski holds the record for most double plays turned (1709) as a second baseman, and his 6685 assists from the keystone ranks fifth all-time. No discussion of the game’s best defensive players is complete without mention of Mazeroski’s accomplishments.
In an 11-year stretch from 1958-68, Mazeroski tallied 1,608 of his 2,016 career hits while batting .263/.300/.374 and accumulating 32.1 bWAR. He was remarkably durable, playing at least 130 games with 527 PA or more every year from 1957-68. He earned a total of seven All-Star nods, the last of those coming in 1967 when he led the NL in games played and tallied a career-high 167 hits. He became more of a part-time player at the end of his career and won a second World Series in 1971 against the Orioles. He retired in 1972 at the age of 35.
Overall, Mazeroski batted .260/.299/.367 with 2,016 hits, 138 home runs, and 853 runs batted in. He became eligible for Hall of Fame admission in 1978 but did not meet the required threshold before falling off the ballot in 1992. Most pointed to his lower-than-usual offensive output as a reason for exclusion, but the Veterans Committee disagreed in 2001, admitting Mazeroski to the Hall in recognition of his defensive excellence.
We at MLBTR extend our condolences to Mazeroski’s family, friends, loved ones, former teammates, and baseball fans around the world.
Me earliest memories are of Forbes Field with my dad, and of Maz and Gene Alley turning slick double plays. Over the years, Maz would turn up and talk and you were struck by what a good man he was. RIP.
And Dick Groat before Alley! One of my all-time favorites. And he so frequently joined the team at Spring training over the years.
And the O’Brien twins, Eddie & Johnny.
Boy it would have been great to have been able to see a game there. It’s a shame all those classic parks were torn down to make way for the concrete doughnuts of the ’70’s. The 1970’s had the best baseball ever played, but in some of the worst stadiums ever built.
Yeah, the cookie cutter, Astro turf fields were all the rage in the 70’s. One looked like the next. Glad baseball kind of went back to its roots with so many nice, new ballparks emulating the olden days
@OldTimemr: Agree, though some of the newer stadiums seem a little too “designed,” too contrived, for my tastes. There is no going back, unfortunately, to the purity of the great classic ballparks, where form followed function in an unselfconscious way. And even Fenway Park and Wrigley Field have been “modernized” in disappointing ways.
my father would take myself and my brother to watch the Pirates at Forbes Field and once we witnessed Willie Stargell hitting a homer over the right field roof
Completely out of the stadium
Yeah. There are bits and pieces I remember, too. In those days, mom packed a bag for us. Hot dogs. Chips. Cola. Cookies. She even did that for our trips to Three Rivers. Try doing that now
I remember they kept the batting cage at Forbes in dead center field. Remember the scoreboard and Longines sign. My dad took my brother and I to the last game there and watching people break apart bleachers or go down on the field are things I’ll never forget.
I was at that game also.
They played the Cubs in a doubleheader and split it.
Bob Prince would say the difference between a ground rule and a book rule and that batting cage would enter the discussion for the ground rule.
Washed, I was working on a remodeling job in the 1990’s in Charleroi, PA and noticed a large pole laying parallel to a fence in this homeowners backyard. I asked the man what it was; he smiled and said it was the flagpole from Forbes Field. Did you see that getting taken down and carted out of the stadium?
Wow! No way.
I was 9 at that time and truthfully, after the final pitch I remember it being a frenzy that kinda scared the hell out of me. But the flag pole? Wow
Definitely a shocking a surprising moment. I was going to try and make deal and purchase it but figured my wife would have divorced me if I came home with it. She divorced me anyhow and the flagpole was just another great missed opportunity in my life.
What I remember clearly is just the number of people trying to rip apart bleachers with their bare hands and others on the field grasping at blades of grass. Some were trying to hit the big scoreboard for souvenirs. But flag pole removal? That’s next level
I worked in Charleroi for 36 years, with a lot of people that grew up & lived there. We had a ton of old timers, yet I have never heard that story. If true, it is amazing more people don’t know about it. There have always been lots of sports fanatics in Charleroi. Ones that supported youth & high school sports, college & pros. I need to contact some of them to ask if they know about this. It’s fascinating.
It’s amazing, really
I’m trying to grasp the thinking of that move. I mean, you could technically set up old bleachers in your game room. You could take numbers out of the Longines scoreboard in left field and frame them in your den.
But what goes into the thinking that you’re gonna make the effort to remove a flag pole?
Did they bring tools, too?
It is fascinating, @grizzled sports vet. The back story in this alone would be interesting
A legend. One of the best to play this game, has fallen. This is sad, very sad. I hope you find rest, after a fantastic career few can call their’s better.
Don’t forget his baseball book he released every year at the beginning of the season. For kids, it was educational.
I will never forget, Big Bad Booty Daddy.
Greatest ending to a World Series ever!!! RIP Bill!!
Ranks even better than last year and the Twins-Braves in 91. I was 8 when he hit it and got interested enough to work in baseball for 23 years. RIP Mr. Maz
I don’t think people understand what a mismatch that series was or at least, was supposed to be. That’s the point that’s often missed. This was truly David versus Goliath. The Yanks hammered the Bucs in their three wins. No one expected a seven game series and certainly didn’t expect the Pirates to win it That’s why the homer was even more monumental
@WashedUpOldTimer,
You make an excellent point. The Yankees outscored the Pirates by 28 runs over the seven games – Yankees scoring 55 runs and Pirates 27.
Only World Series ever where the MVP played for the losing team.
Bobby Richardson.
The Series was lost by a non player.
Casey Stengel
He started Bob Turley in the first game instead of Whitey Ford.
Ford threw two shutouts in his string to break Babe Ruth’s record of continuous scoreless innings in World Series play.
I’m sorry as I know this isn’t the most appropriate time nor place to say this, and I do also want to say RIP to a legend. However, I just happened to check out his stats and how is he in the hall of fame? I know his defense was his calling card but there are many great defensive stalwarts who were poor offensively that are not in the Hall. His career slash is .260/.299/.367. That’s not good at all. I realize he was part of history but come on. Again, I apologize for saying this here but I never realized how bad he was offensively.
Look at his defensive statistics.
I mentioned that he was great defensively. But is Devon White in the hall of fame? Is Keith Hernandez in the hall? Different positions, yes, but my point is that there have been many great defensive players but to make the Hall that isn’t enough. Or it shouldn’t be enough.
I hate KEITH HERNANDEZ – hate him.
Nice game pretty boy.
Your argument is essentially relying upon defensive statistics alone as justification. I get that. It’s a modern day approach that discounts so much that’s pertinent to his induction. The era in which he played. His contribution to the evolution of the game. His defensive prowess. And yes, the impact of that magical moment. To me at least, his induction was a no-brainer that transcends the symbolism of one at bat.
I’ll leave it there as I don’t wish to dominate this thread. But I simply think you’re mistaken in failing to take a great number of things into account
His double plays set a major league record in 1966 that stands today
In fact he and Gene Alley recorded 215 double plays that same year which is also a major league record
He won 8 Gold Gloves, 5 consecutively
He’s worthy of being a Hall of Famer
Kids of that era wanted to be 2nd basemen because of watching him. I know I did. That was my position. Even had my Rawlings Bill Mazeroski glove
He’s like a second base version of Omar Vizquel, as far as being a great fielder but a not-so-great hitter. Of course the similarities end there. He was a much better human being than Omar.
10x all star, 8 Gold gloves, 1 POY, and 2 rings?
I mean what better time to question his worthiness of the HOF than hours after he dies.
Terrible time to try to make a point or to make yourself sound smart
Harold Baines? not a hofer, Maz, yes.
Actually neither.
Actually both are HOFers. Saw both of their plaques when I was there last fall.
Get off your high horse.
He had no equal as a defensive second baseman. I don’t know if you had a chance to see him play but any ground ball down that way was an automatic out. And watching him turn two was textbook.
You’re right in saying the homer was a moment that catapulted both him and MLB but he was more than just that. I never remember him batting in the top two-thirds of the lineup but the Hall rightly had a place for such a tremendous defensive player and a guy who was a pretty decent hitter, to boot
As a # 8 hitter he drove in 82 runs in 1966 an unheard stat during that era
Roberto’s MVP year.
1966, the team’s batting average was tops in the majors with Clemente’s MVP, Stargell’s 33 homers and Matty Alou’s .342 batting average that was tops in the national league
It was a phenomenal offensive performance by the entire team
That was a great hitting team…not enough pitching to stick with the Dodgers and Giants down the stretch though.
I went to the doubleheader with my father that they lost against the Dodgers in the next to last day and I think that Drysdale won the first game and I know that Koufax pitched the second.The Pirates needed to win both to have a chance to win the pennant.
The Pirates were the only team to have a winning record against Drysdale.
But Koufax killed them every time.
As he did against every other team.
I respected Maz so much that I took the trip to Cooperstown in 2001 when he was inducted.
Dave Winfield was on before him and gave a nice speech but Maz was only up there a couple of minutes when he left the podium and said that “ I can’t do this crap any more.”.He was a rather shy individual and hated the limelight and public speaking.
But he could sure turn the double play.
Read The Politics of Glory by Bill James. Maz is a big part of that book. Him and Rizzuto, among others. It’s a great book that complicates much of what we know about HOF entry and statistics.
Maz is borderline, sure, but so are a ton of other people in the Hall of Fame, such as Rizzuto.
Rizzuto lost three years of his prime due to military service. He would have likely finished had a career WAR of around 54 if not for the war. That is entirely different than Mazeroski’s 36.5 career WAR.
Again–read the book. I can’t summarize it in three sentences but James lays out a very good case for why Rizzuto and Maz’s HOF criteria are similar.
likely doesn’t make it true
Joe Brown pushed Maz to the voters.Who is to say that the great fielders should not be inducted also?
Ted Williams was hot against it because Maz was not a great hitter but I think that some of it was jealousy as Williams retired in 1960 just before the World Series.
It is an excellent book for sure. I’ve read it several times.
Bad form Coop.
Even if he isn’t, is that what’s really important right now?
Coop..But you couldn’t help yourself..you must be miserable.. Just a thought if you feel the need to apologize twice while writing a statement then perhaps the lightbulb should go on and you just keep it to yourself.
Well then coopthestoop…you shouldn’t say anything then. You never saw Maz play. You didn’t see what all pittsburgh could see. Maz was the greatest fielding second baseman. No runner could take him out on a double play. He hit the most iconic homerun. He was a steady hitter.
So just pay your respects and quit the negative comments about the hall of fame.
If you was to be ignorant…I can tell you a lot of social media platforms that you can troll.
Another of my childhood heroes is gone. RIP Maz and condolences and prayers 🙏
Hey rememberthestoop…another troll. Who has no empathy and shows he is shameless. Only one other inhuman orange glob would say something outrageous over another humans passing. You’re post shows you’re true colors…orange crap
He’s not a troll. He’s been posting on here longer than you have.
If he’s not a troll. Then he’s a loathsome human being
how would you know how long Baseball has been posting here?
He’s been posting here at least as long as I have, though under different names and I have been here for 6 years
Stop embarrassing the COOP name.
Can’t stand “Stats Geeks”…. there is more too a player than just stats. Stats are part of the equation, but by no means the whole story.
Max is to second basemen what Ozzie Smith is to shortstops.
That’s why.
He’s considered one of the worst players in the Hall of Fame. As are several of the Veterans Committee picks through the years. In fact his admission played a big part in the VC being split up into the various era committees we have now. And they have continued inducting undeserving players like Harold Baines. Of course Mazeroski still had an excellent career, as did Baines.
Why can’t you people just post your condolences and RIP..NO YIU AND THE OTHRR MOTON HAVE To COME HERE AND POST CRAP ON MAZS STATS. THAT HE DOESNT BELONG IN THE HALL. ARE YOU THAT BRAINDEAD? Show respect for the dead
Well my thoughts on the HOF are these. The reason that they gave the vote to the writers in the first place was to keep it from being a player popularity contest. However then it became a WRITERS popularity contest so that really didn’t help much in the scheme of things. Writers voted for guys who gave them inside info and good stories. Now you have fans voting and guys who never leave their moms basements. The criteria used to be simple too. You needed to show you dominated your position for the better part of a decade or more( Which surely qualifies Maz) or had achieved certain goals ie: 300 wins ,500 HR’s. Now with steroids and the pitiful at best Veterans Committee it’s become a total Clown Show. They should have just limited the vote to Managers and Former Managers and you would have a much more objective vote. After all a manager could vote for his own player but it would still only count as 1 vote so it would be much more clinical IMO. They’ve ruined the whole institution and the spirit of it so I really don’t care much anymore.
@uncle: I think the Hall of Fame should be for players who were, well, FAMOUS in their time. That should be the primary criterion. Reggie Jackson and, say, Rafael Palmeiro (leave out the steroids part) had similar numbers, but no one ever really thinks about Palmeiro, he was never a defining presence in his era, so it is right that Reggie should be in the Hall and Palmeiro not.
Or, you and I know that Ernie Banks was, for most of his career, only a good-to-very-good player. (He was a great player for a few years, just before our time.) But there is no disputing that he should be in the Hall, because he was famous.
Remember: Agree with you wholeheartedly. Glad you said it because I wanted to. I can see players who are great offensively and mediocre in the field making the hall, but fielding wizards who can’t hit, no, no, and no .299 obp, come on!
Always a little subjective nature in the voting for sure – and the writers didn’t vote him in in the traditional voting.
You want to start questioning HOFers, let’s start with Harold Baines (DEI), Dick Allen (1848 hits, lousy fielder, clubhouse cancer), Alan Trammell (joke), Hoyt Wilhelm (huh?), Ivan Rodriguez (blatant cheater) and others.
letitbelowenstein: Not so sure Baines was a case of DEI, which I oppose as strongly as anybody. It may have been the likeability bias. I’ll repeat myself: if those guys are in, certainly Mickey Lolich should be.
What was Joe Carter for the Jays
Game 6?
Great home run, but it was game 6. It wasn’t a winner take all scenario
I was a little kid when Maz hit the Grand Slam and was 90% sure it ended the World Series.
I double checked and it was Game 7. Your memory is faulty and you seem too lazy to check your “facts” but your name does fit your reply
Maz’ 9th inning homer was with no one on base with the score tied at 9
I was responding to Lefty, Darcy.
I have no idea what you’re talking about
Easy, Darcy31.
WashedUpOldTimer was answering Lefty_Orioles_Fan’s question about Joe Carter’s home run.
You seem too lazy to check how replies work in this thread.
he probably doesn’t either Washed
He was replying about Joe Carter’s homerun. Read more carefully there sport. And be nicer.
It was Hal Smith’s three run homer in the eighth to tie it that was the biggest hit of the game.Interestingly he totally swung and missed the pitch before but it wasn’t called.
I heard him get a pinch hit and score a run vs the Giants in the 1971 NLCS early in the game I think as a youngster as they clinched the pennant.
I just pulled out my sweet PSA 8 1972 Topps high number card of him.Boy these guy are dropping like flies.
RIP Bill Mazeroski.
Great story. Reminiscent of another quirk from ‘71, when Bob Robertson missed a bunt sign and homered in the NLCS I believe.
Ouch. One of three homers Robertson hit. Giants win first game out of best of five with Mays, McCovey, Bonds, Marichal, Perry and lose. Broke my heart.
Hal Smith’s homer put the Pirates ahead 9-7.
My next door neighbor/childhood friend was a Giants fan. We had a great time in ‘71 with that series. We were die hard Strat-O-Matic players in those days. Got the entire ‘71 set and played countless games against each other – when we weren’t shagging balls in the street in front of our houses.
Sorry
Game Three World Series. I was there when Robertson hit the homer. With my shoelace caught in an escalator. The crowd went nuts and I had to break my shoelace to get away from the escalator and find out what had happened…
No prob at all
Smith’s three run home run was judged to be the most important hit ever because the Pirates were two runs behind in the late innings.He swung at an earlier pitch so hard and missed that he almost corkscrewed into the ground.
Mazeroski’s was judged to be the third most important hit ever.
The second was a former Pirate second baseman who got an important late hit for the Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series.
MLB TV actually showed that game! Bing Crosby was an owner then and had it recorded because he was out of town or something.
Smith’s check swing was ridiculous as he swung far past the plate and should have struck out!
None of the announcers even mentioned that so I guess that’s how it was back then.
RIP Maz.
Was this the single greatest HR ever?
I think there was a three run homer (Hal Smith?) in that game 7 that put the Pirates back in the game that might carry more weight statistically but walkoffs get the glory.
Hal Smith was Bernie Carbo 15 years earlier.. His HR set the stage and without it, there’d have been no Maz moment.
Was just talking with my dad about Maz last week after Elroy Face passed away. My dad was saying how much fun it was to watch Maz play and how happy he was for him when he finally got elected into the HOF.
Sad day for baseball and fans of the game everywhere. I remember Maz being in that Pirate lineup everyday and if it was hit anywhere near him you were out. This is not the day to question his qualifications for the hall but a day to mourn the passing of a legend who played nineteen years for the same team and will not be forgotten.
A Pittsburgh legend forever.
RIP wow what a career and life.
No one turned a double play as quickly as Maz did. That ’60 World Series may have been the biggest upset ever in a WS…Bucs were outscored 55-27 and still beat the Big Bad Yankees.
RIP Bill…..
Anyone who single-handedly crushes the yankees and their fans is okay in my book!
My second favorite team is the team playing the Yankees that day! I wasn’t born yet, but when I learned about the 1960 WS, Maz became an instant legend in my book!
Absolute legend. RIP.
This one hurts. Rest in Peace.
That ’60 World Series got Casey Stengel fired. Yankees told him he was too old(70 years old). Can’t do that today. Quote from Casey…’I’ll never make the mistake of turning 70 again.’
RIP to an all-time Pirate.
The more challenging half (after Clemente) to the trivia question of who played on both their 1960 and 1971 champions.
I was wondering if he was the last one left from the 1960 championship team, but it looks like Vern Law and Bob Skinner are still with us.
Maz will be remembered for as long as baseball lives.
Exactly right. One cannot tell the story of baseball without this man. Full stop.
My sympathy goes out to vintage Pirates fans for the two deaths in the past week. The 1959 and ’60 Pirates had some terrific battles with my Milwaukee Braves, and the National League in general was fiercely competitive during those years.
An excellent and very humble man. May Maz Rest In Peace
My thoughts and prayers go out to one of the greatest Pirates legends, Bill Mazeroski Family. Pittsburgh will always honor the man and fans will never get that famous home run in 1960. Fly high Bill Maz and rest in peace.
R.I.P
Ress in plush my n. Dat boy was so good I a bet even as of yesterday he could’ve went three for four with a couple RVs and a stolen pace in a major league game.
Rest in Paradise Mr Mazeroski.
Never got the chance to ask my Dad about the walk off homerun in that world series. Although he would’ve been only 12 years old at the time. Not sure if he would’ve remembered a lot of it.
Sad to hear. RIP. Condolences to his family and friends.
Very sad, that home run in the 1960 World Series is one of the best Walk offs ever.
It was THE best coming in the last game of the World Series.
Does anybody else remember when ESPN made a (justifiable) big deal about having found a video recording of the entire game 7? They were able to show the entire game for the first time since it was played and had a few of the players from the game providing commentary. I was born in 1955, so my only knowledge of that game were the write-ups in baseball history books and the 10-second clip of Maz running the bases, leaping like… well, like a guy who had just won the World Series. It was a thrilling presentation, especially for a fan who had never seen it happen before.
I got to see Maz play on TV enough times to be in awe of his defensive abilities. Maz, The Wizard of Oz and Brooks Robinson would have been one hell of an infield to see play together!!
Brooks at 3B with either Aparicio or Belanger was something to behold. Belanger was incredible.
He had to be since he was a 200 hitter but one of the greatest shortstops ever and not given enough credit for being so.
All thanks to Bing Crosby!! For those that don’t know, Bing Crosby was a part-owner of the Pirates at the time and was too nervous to watch Game 7 live (and was supposedly very superstitious), so he flew away on vacation and had a crew film the broadcast onto 16mm film so he could watch it later. And then it wasn’t found until 2009 in his wine cellar. So the story goes.
Bing went to Paris!
Now that you mention that, I do remember them saying that before showing the game. Do I remember right that a family member found the film tucked away in Bing’s wine cellar after his death?
There was a program headed by Bob Costas in 2010 which was the 50 th anniversary.He was talking with Bobby Richardson,Bill Virdon,and Dick Groat.They and the audience watched the game and commented on it between innings.
The copy was made for Bing Crosby who was a minority owner at the time.He was in France during the Series but wanted to see the entire game.
I remember the warm reaction of the crowd to Hal Smith when he stood up after he hit the home run to give the Pirates a 9-7 lead.Joe Christopher ran for Smoky Burgess a couple of innings before or Smith would not have batted when he did.
The great Franco Harris was in the audience with his omnipresent smile.
Maz did not attend for some reason but he really did not like the limelight.
RIP
My dad was at that 7th game in 1960. Had the program and filled out scorecard to prove it. Unfortunately lost it during one of my moves – wonder what it would be worth today.
Maz was a personal favorite of mine – his 2nd base play was magical. Used an old time glove without the huge web used today which made his double play turn so fast that it looked like the ball just bounced off him to the first baseman. My dad called him “Ole no-touch”. RIP sir.
Every time I hear his name I think of the line in the song “my Mazeroski does 185, I lost my license now I can’t drive”
Joe Walsh would be proud. I think
It’s Maserati (THE CAR) if you didnt know
I think he knows. I do song parodies too.
New Orleans
Google Weird Al Yankovic
Oh, you mean the non artist Weird AL. You listening to him says it all
First off, I just want to say I saw Schough play a few games for Louisville and had hoped the Steelers would draft him. Obvious that he could be a franchise QB. But they opted for an old war horse instead. That kid is gonna be a good QB for you
Regarding this set of comments, I’m no Weird Al fan but I think the point was just about almost unintelligible lyrics getting their own meaning renditions ala parodies. You ought to hear my version of The Doobie Brothers’ China Grove. 53 years and I still don’t understand a number of lines
Yeah, but gotta start building around Shough.O-Line at best was poor. Hoping they get their hands on Love at RB.
Never was a Weird AL fan, but he made it. Well any parody song. Some people like country, some like rock, some like radio friendly stuff like Taylor Swift. Im a Hard core Classic Rock fan……starting in late 60’s
We share the same musical tastes.
That’s the kind of home run you dream about hitting as a kid in your backyard. I’m sure the Pirates will do something to honor him, making it back to the playoffs would be a nice touch. RIP Maz.
He was inducted into the Pirates HOF and had his number retired
There’s a plaque commemorating Maz’ accomplishments and achievements to the Bucs and what he means to the city of Pittsburgh at PNC Park
The outfield wall that he hit over during the 9th inning of game 7 in the 1960 WS still remains in Oakland where Forbes Field once stood
He’s got a statue near the river too, I was talking about a patch on this years uniforms or something like that.
The remaining part of the wall is the centerfield section. Maz hit it over the leftfield wall, just right of the scoreboard. If you walk away from the remaining wall toward the Pitt campus, you will notice a line of bricks in the concrete sidewalk. Along that brick line is a plaque commerating where the ball was hit.
No one has ever turned a double play like Maz. I could change my name to Emhayzee just to honor him. A great second baseman.
Maz holds the major league record for double plays during a season and the most by a second baseman for a lifetime with 1709
In 1966, he led the majors in double plays (161), putouts and assists.
His defense is what he excelled at and what put him in the HOF
Grew up reading his annual baseball preview magazines. Was the gold standard in the day.
RIP and condolences to his family.
Roy Face a few weeks ago, and now Mazeroski; only Vern Law is left from the 1960 champs. That was the first World Series I followed, and as such it has a special meaning for me, especially because of course we all were for the Pirates against the hated Yankees–but it really was a remarkable Series. The Yankees won Games 2, 4, and 6 in extreme blow-outs; the Pirates won Games 1, 3, 5, and 7 narrowly. And Game 7 was probably the best, most riveting deciding game of any series, with its tensions and comebacks and sudden ending: Yes, with apologies to my fellow Cubs fans, it was better than 2016, simply as a ballgame. And I heard Maz’s shot on a transistor radio walking home from school.
Maybe the most unlikely HR ever. Greatest? IDK. I suppose a lot of people will say Bobby Thompson. You could make an argument either way I suppose. Anyway a great pro, Class act and another who will be missed. Great players from my youth, The list keeps getting shorter and shorter. RIP Maz.
The fact that later came out that Thomson knew what was coming because the Giants had a cheating system makes that HR less great in my book.
Bob Skinner is still with us from that team.
The franchise lost three former players this year and its only February
Guisti, Face and Maz
Incredible 1000% ballplayer. Got to see him play at Wrigley a couple times in the 60’s. Clutch as could be. Not so sure they make many like him anymore. Nico Hoerner comes to mind,
Hoerner couldn’t hold Maz’s jock strap
Lighten up Francis. Maz is in the HOF. I don’t see that happening for Hoerner. But they remind me a bit of each other.
Hoerner has essentially 4 full seasons in MLB. His BA is .282 with an ops+ of 103 with 36 HRs in those 4 seasons and 2 gold gloves.
Maz has a BA of .260 and an ops+ of 84. In 17 seasons he had 138 HRs and 8 gold gloves. 4 times as many seasons for Maz.
As far as speed goes, Maz is no comparison to Nico.
Nico may or may not be able to wear Maz’s jock, but he can carry it.
archive.org/details/classicmlbbaseballradio/1960+1…
1960 Game 7 full radio commentary for anyone who’s interested.
Thanks Maz for one of my greatest baseball memories.
RIP – owner of the greatest individual moment in baseball history in my view !!!
RIP – glad they eventually found that footage as it was way before my time. I was 7 when Joe Carter hit that homerun and still have that etched in my mind.
An absolute hero to Pirates fans. This is a very, very sad day.
RIP Billy Maz and thank you for not just what did but who you were.
With Maz meaning what he meant for Pirates he deserves HOF induction. The best player is not often who hits the most HR’s, RBI, etc.
Maz has the 24th most defensive WAR (most among 2Bs), the 24th most total zone runs (most among 2Bs), and 31st most fielding runs (3rd most by a 2B). He also had over 2000 hits and one of the most iconic home runs of alltime.
Not to be a dick
But i just checked his stats, how is he in the hall?
299 obp average power and 2000. Hits
What am I missing?
what are you missing?
Check out his defensive stats
Grr: My guess is that what you’re missing is that the sportswriters liked him as a person and they were biased as a result. For example, look at how long it took Jeff Kent to get in, for the sole reason that he wasn’t an amiable guy.
Did you see Maz play, Joel, or is trolling your bag? Were you around in the era he played to form an appreciation, or do you just want to spit analytics gobblety-gook at us
Point is, as stated to cooper, you fail miserably at taking into account a great deal where this guy was concerned.
Your postings here are similar to lighting dog-do on fire on a porch, ringing the doorbell and running away.
Classy.
I’ve read enough of your nonsense
I watched him play many times. He’s not a HOFer. He got in for one swing of the bat.
he got in for his defense
what part of that don’t you understand?
Obviously proboho doesn’t understand much.
By those standards then, no pitcher should be in the Hall. There’s more to baseball than home runs for most of us. What’s it like in that narrow-minded world of yours?
He was a mega beast with the glove. He played during a time when most MI played like that. And few people had a glove like his. That’s why he’s a standout.
Grr..hmm what are you missing? A brain. Well you are lucky in that department. Because in the event of a zombie apocalypse, you would be safe. Zombies eat brains.
Forbes Field had one of the worst infields in baseball, as youngster I was fortunate enough that my father worked there, and my cousin was the visiting team bat boy, unlike today’s rules,they were extremely relaxed, so I had access to the field, bullpen, and locker room. I used to play catch with Maz’s son Darren in the Pirate bullpen during batting practice, and Forbes was not especially well maintained facility, which made his GG’s even more impressive.
Yes booster…remember the 60 world series. Tony Kubek fielded a routine ground ball at short. Ball hit a rock. Hit him in the adams apple. He was never the same. Retired a few years later.
That infield was l I ke playing in a rock pile
I’m too young to remember Bill playing as I started following in 1973. I do remember the spring annuals with his name on top and him being #1 lifetime in fielding linear weights in the The Hidden Game of Baseball book. RIP.
From a lifelong devoted Chicago Cubs fan to Pirates nation:
You have my sincere condolences. RIP legend.
To those questioning this HOF players stats, Bill is proof of this.
Its not just how much you hit, hit for power, walk or field. Its WHEN you do it. This man alone proved that in game 7. As cliche as it sounds, you only get a handful of moments in life to seize and etch your name into history. And he certainly did.
RIP again Bill. You were before my time, but still just as respected and legendary as ever.
Exclillon: Nope HOF is for a career, not a moment or a series or a season. A career. If Mazeroski belongs in the HOF, then Mickey Lolich should have a wing of the building named after him.
Wrong. The HOF isnt just stats, its legacy. Im an absolute sabermetrics fan, but I acknowledge the intangibles that come with it. I guess its a good thing youre not a voter. I think hes peers are a better judge than any of us. The guy died, and for you to sit here and dump on his career and legacy is in really, really poor taste. Seriously, you should be ashamed of yourself.
lol was his life a baseball?
His stats are his stats
They have nothing to do with him being a human being and a complete stranger at that.
I’m not dumping on him. I’m saying that he shouldn’t be in the hall of fame. I was a Pirates fan for years because I hated the Yankees and was thrilled when I was a kid and he hit that homer. Let me ask you this: if a athlete passes away does that mean we’re only allowed to say glowing things about him? I said he wasn’t a good hitter and shouldn’t have been named to the HOF. That’s it.
So I guess Ozzie Smith and Luis Aparicio dont belong either. They both had a lower OPS than Bill. Theres more to the game than hitting, and Bill’s defense was top notch.
Excillon: you don’t have an argument when it comes to Ozzie Smith. OPS? One is .666, the other is .667 so yer lookin’ silly. In most statistical categories Smith blows Mazeroski away. Do you give any creedence to WAR? How about Smith’s doubling that of Mazeroski? Yes, more than double. And for the emotional out there, Maz was a great player, just not hall-worthy.
except that he wasn’t inducted into the Hall because of his offense, it was because of his defense
Jeez!
Then why isn’t Joe Carter in
did Carter set the major league record for most double plays in a season?
did Carter win 8 Gold Glove Awards?
When he does, we can talk about him being in the HOF
Or Bucky Dent
He should be. So should Mark Grace. Will Clark. Lance Berkman.There are several deserving players who aren’t in. But that doesnt mean Bill doesnt deserve to be in, just bc theyre not.
I just had a nice flashback to baseball cards in the boyhood days. My time was 1969-73. The Pirates cards were always among the coolest-Clemente, Matty, Manny, Alley, Veale, Hebner, etc., and of course Maz.
Great man too. RIP…
You can go on YouTube and search for game 7. There you can watch the whole came in its entirety.
Noooooooo
Damn this year has been awful. RIP to all the Pirates fan from a different era. We will never see another G7 World Series ending HR for the rest of eternity. Perfect man against the perfect team. RIP Maz. Condolences to allPirates fans.
When a ballplayer or celebrity passes. Why do people have to crawl out from under the rock and bash their careers. This is what society and b America in general has come down too.
Then after they gleefully post their crap. They slither back down that dark hole that they live in.
Not knocking him at all, he was very good.
Vlad Jr came within a few millimeters on the bat from hitting the 2nd walk-off home run in Game 7 of a World Series.
He provided one of the most thrilling memories I’ve experienced watching baseball for most of my life. Beating the Yankees like that was the best. RIP Bill.
RIP Maz, from a Yankee fan born in 1963.
Yes, Yes it is.
My introduction to Bill Mazeroski was about 40 years ago through his Baseball Magazine. We used to devour it from cover to cover as it was filled with gems like “Kal Daniels has such a sweet swing he could roll out of bed at 3:00 in the morning and dump singles into left field.”
The home run unfortunately skewed people’s memory and appreciation of Maz to overlook his astounding abilities as a second baseman. The speed at which he could catch the throw and get rid of it to first was dazzling. It lead some to refer to him as “no touch” as the transfer was so fast.
Maz was also a rock of a second baseball with absolute tree trunks for legs. I vaguely remember a story of Vada Pinson (I think it was Vada) being goaded by his teammates into sliding hard into Maz. He did and then he limped off the field having failed to move Maz. Vada’s teammates were rolling with laughter.
Incredible defensive player, underappreciated by many who only see home runs.
I grew up on the teams of the 60s. Maz, thanks for the memories.
I knew this day was coming, but it still really hurts. Maz will forever be a baseball legend. R.I.P.
A link in his name to his stats would have been appreciated. Is that too much to ask?
google Bill Mazeroski
That’s how I found his stats
@theman3 You can click on the players name in the article. If It’s high lighted in red. It will take you to Baseball Reference tons if info on everything MLB. I like to look at Angel games I went to years ago. And check out the Box Score.
They fixed it. The name was not a link when this was originally posted.
I know, I was just making a point that if Redstitch wasn’t aware of this, he could google Maz’ name
R.I.P. Mr Legend
Even after leaving baseball and still cranking drives before sipping cocktails at Champion Lakes GC
Finally back with Millie
And as a side note to all the baseball experts, nobody cares about whom you feel deserves to be in the Hall of Fame – looking at computer read outs and watching on television doesn’t make you an expert as much as you consider yourself such.
Standing ovation, swissvale
@Swiss Exactly. A lot people on here think their opinion is the gospel .
I wish they would make us put our favorite team logo next to our handle. Alot postings would make more sense. And stop alot of insults mean ness on here.
BTW The first WS I can remember watching on TV was the Orioles vs Pirates WS. I remember Bruce Kison pitching. And later became an Angel. Had some good years with the Halos in the early 80’s
The 1966 pirates had the hall of famers. The GREAT ONE STARGELL AND MAZ.
Maz probably had his greatest year. 16 homers,82 RBIs and hit .262. All in the 8 spot.
Clendenon at 1b
Maz 2b
Alley ss
Bailey/pagan 3rd base
Pags and gonder cather
Roberto
Aloud
Stargell all in the outfield
Blass, law, veale,framing sisk starters
Face, Mickelson and mcbean in the pen
Yea they fell short in the last weekend.
Harry walker asked clemente to sacrifice Batting average for more home runs. And he responded as only the great one would.. 317 ba, 29 homeruns and 119 RBIs. Winning the MVP.
Donny “clink” Clemdenon hit 28 homeruns and 98 RBIs. STARGELL had 33 homeruns and 102 RBIs.
Maz and alley set the double play re c ord at 215.
With made the all star team
Aloud won the batting title coming in a trade with San Francisco. Walker showed him the art of the drug bunt. Being left handed,Aloud beat them out.
I remember Bob prince saying that Maz had tree trunks for legs. And once he got set, no one could slide and take him out.
1966 truly a magical summer for me at 10 years old.
So people like man3,washed and mendoza and myself could appreciate Bill mazeroski and his greatness.
RIP billy. And keep up those double plays with alley in heaven.
Gene Alley is still alive.He is 85.
Many do not recall that he was one of the best players in baseball in 1966 and 1967 before his injury really sent his playing skills downhill.
Donn Clendenon was underrated for his fielding inasmuch as he had the best stretch that I ever saw except for Willie McCovey.That saved a split second in 1966 when the Pirates set the National League record for double plays.
I think that some of the negative posters on here should not bring it up here but they also do not appreciate the truly great fielders of all time.
Damn I thought I read that gene alley passed away. Yes you are right mendoza he at one time was one of the better all around players in the game.
Those Pirate teams in ’66 and ’67 were the best hitting teams in baseball but the pitching staffs were not. This allowed for a lot more opportunities for double plays with more base runners. Yes, the Alley/Maz combo was adept at turning them but there were other factors in play. I was a huge Pirate fan through the 60’s and 70’s..grew up listening to Bob Prince on KDKA radio…never dreamed of Maz getting to the HOF..great defender..maybe the best 2B of the 60’s but not a good hitter(84 OPS+?).. don’t remember him ever hitting higher than 7th in the order. Not sure being an elite defender at 2B compares to being an elite defender at SS either..SS is much more demanding position. Enjoyed watching him play for sure but was shocked when he was inducted.
Maz was the best ever at turning the double play.
Shortstop is a more demanding position.
But being the best ever at a very important defensive play should be rewarded also.
Did anyone else grow up with those oversized, annual Bill Mazeroski baseball magazines during the 1980’s? I still have a stack of them in storage.
RIP Bill Mazeroski.Your home run started me on my journey of loving the sport of baseball.Interacting on this site with other old time Pirate fans helps to keep me young,and brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.It is tough to lose these guys like Maz and Roy Face and it continues to tell us that we are not so young anymore either.But the memories that they created will live on with us and for that I am very grateful.
“He made Mickey Mantle cry! The paper said the Mick was cryin’!”
RIP. Maz had the best glove at that position I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.
Am I glad he’s in the HoF? Yes. Should he be there? Probably not. I’m not a mind reader, but he checks off several boxes voters like: elite skill in one area, incredibly memorable moment, long career with one team, and a good reputation. I’m not saying those are justifiable reasons; however, if he played the same career with four mediocre/bad teams, he’s not in.
I think his HoF “speech” is the best one ever given, FWIW.
The best thing was when the Phanatic stole his glove and never gave it back. RIP.
RIP… but how in the world is this guy in the HOF?
he was inducted by the Veterans Committee for his defense
There’s more to being a good player than hitting homers
What a sweet guy, he waz. Signed my glove at Dodger Stadium in `70 when the Lumber Company was just dawning. Tootk the time to talk to a kid about playing the infield. Sweet dreams, Maz.
How Is Bill Mazeroski in the Hall of Fame and Willie Randolph is not?
Randolf’s numbers are significantly better than Mazeroski’s numbers. Not saying take Bill out of HOF, but Randolf was the better overall player.
Compare Randolf’s defense to Maz’, then compare the number of Gold Gloves they won, then compare the number of double plays they participated in
Maz has 8 Gold Gloves, has the record of double plays in a season and has the all time record in double plays by a second baseman with 1709
Randolf doesn’t even come close to being as good defensively as Maz
That’s why Maz is in the HOF and Willie isn’t
Actually, Bill James once wrote that Randolph was a better defensive second baseman than Mazeroski. I’ll take James’ word for it.
I don’t know who Bill James was/is, and again, I liked Willie much more than I ever liked Rennie Sennett here, but having seen both, well, you’ll have to pardon me. I think Joe Morgan is the best 2nd baseman all around that I’ve ever seen. But defensively, again, Maz had no equal
how many major league records does Willie hold for his defense?
Zero
Maz is to defense that Ruth was to homers
I liked Randolph and rued the day the Pirates got rid of him. But a lot of it has to do with eras they played in, too. Watching the replay of 1960’s WS game 7 on the Pirates channel this afternoon reinforced that. How many of the stars of that era would have been stars 15 or 20 years later? I’m gonna go out on a limb and say not many
Given the era Maz played in, he is a HoF’er, to me at least.
I read all of the comments here and I get it. But I think it’s fruitless to compare guys from one era to guys in another, especially when the game was evolving quickly.
The elephant in the room is how does defensive greatness compare to offensive greatness.
A run saved truly is as good as a run produced.
The simplicity of rating home run hitters is that they produce at least one run batted in each time they hit one.
Another way to compare is seeing how much defensive specialists get paid versus fine hitters.
Depending on how accurate and fair the WAR calculation is is another way
Defense has historically taken a backseat to offense unless the player is outstanding at it and is a decent hitter also.
I think that Maz fits that definition and as such his contributions should not be minimized as he is one of the top five fielding second basemen of all time.
Let’s take it a step further. The idea that defensive wizardry to save games does not denote being HoF worthy is a fallacy. How then does one justify relievers being inducted? They throw an inning or less in most situations and are hailed as Hall of Famers?
It’s the same logic that some apply to one set of players and laugh off regarding another
Remember Rich Gossage the one time Pirate reliever?
He’s in the HOF and as a reliever proving Mendoza’s point about relievers pitching one inning per game and still being inducted into the shrine of baseball
Was glad to see that this was still one of the top stories on MLBTR over the past few days. Then I realized it’s because classless people have been debating that Maz doesn’t deserve to be in the HOF.
You are free to think that, but what a terrible time to voice that opinion. It’s like going to a man’s funeral and choosing that time to tell his widow that she could have done a lot better than him cause he’s really not all that attractive.