Bill Mazeroski, Pirates' 1960 Hero, Dies at 89
Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, whose Oct. 13, 1960 walk-off homer ended Game 7, died at 89; he was a defensive standout, lifelong Pirate and Hall inductee.
Overview
Bill Mazeroski died Friday in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, the Pirates said; no cause of death was given.
Mazeroski’s home run in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7 on Oct. 13, 1960, was the first World Series to end on a homer and remains an iconic moment.
Pirates owner Bob Nutting called Maz "one of a kind" and "a true Pirates legend," and the team issued statements mourning his passing.
Across 17 major-league seasons Mazeroski hit .260 with 138 homers and 27 stolen bases, had a .299 on-base percentage, turned a record 1,706 double plays and won eight Gold Gloves; he was elected to the Hall in 2001.
He is survived by sons Darren and David and four grandchildren; the Pirates retired his No. 9 in 1987 and a 14-foot, 2,000-pound statue was unveiled in 2010.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Mazeroski’s legacy around his 1960 walk-off, using celebratory, nostalgic language and top placement (ranking him #1). Editorial choices—superlatives like “greatest,” emphasis on the moment, and selection of congratulatory statements—prioritize triumph and communal memory; the quotes themselves remain source content.
Sources (10)
FAQ
Mazeroski's home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 on October 13, 1960, off Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry, was the first and only walk-off home run to end a World Series in baseball history.[1][2] The blast gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 10-9 victory and their first championship in 35 years, cementing the moment as one of baseball's most dramatic finishes.[1]
Mazeroski's primary legacy was his exceptional defense at second base. He won eight Gold Glove Awards and turned 1,706 double plays, a Major League record for second basemen at his retirement.[1][2] Statistician Bill James cited him as the game's greatest defensive player at his position, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001 largely for his fielding rather than his hitting.
Mazeroski spent his entire 17-season Major League career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, signing with the team in 1954 at age 17 and making his debut in 1956.[1] He never wore another uniform and played 2,163 games, collected 2,016 hits, and helped the Pirates win a second World Series championship in 1971.[1]
The Pirates retired his uniform number 9 in 1987, making him the only living person so honored at that time.[4] Additionally, a 14-foot, 2,000-pound statue of Mazeroski was unveiled in 2010 to commemorate his legacy as a Pirates icon.[3]
Mazeroski is survived by his sons Darren and David and four grandchildren.[3]
History
4 sources