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Almost every kid who has ever played baseball fantasizes coming up in the bottom of the ninth inning during the seventh game of the World Series and hitting a home run to win it.

As of the 2010 World Series, only one person has ever accomplished this. It occurred on October 13, 1960, at 3:36 p.m. That was when the Pittsburgh Pirates’ second baseman, Bill Mazeroski, deposited New York Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry’s slider over the brick wall at Forbes Field to bring a World Series championship to Pittsburgh for the first time in 35 years. It was perhaps the most notable moment of a career that led to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

When Bill Mazeroski was elected to the Hall of Fame nearly 20 years after he retired, he was choked with emotion. He used the few words he said to make a case for "defense in the Hall of Fame." He was one of the more controversial players to earn entry to Cooperstown, despite his amazing fielding numbers. He gained notoriety for his cat-like reflexes around the bag. He earned eight Gold Gloves and set numerous records for his fielding at second.

Bill Mazeroski: The Gold Standard of Second Base

William Stanley Mazeroski was born on September 5, 1936, in Wheeling, West Virginia, 60 miles from Pittsburgh. At just 19 years old, Bill Mazeroski debuted for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1956, collecting his first hit off John Antonelli and turning the first of a remarkable 1,706 double plays. While his early batting struggled, his glove quickly set him apart. By 1957 he had secured the starting second base job, and under the guidance of Hall of Famer George Sisler, improved at the plate with a .283 average, eight home runs, and 54 RBIs.

Mazeroski’s true breakout came in 1958, when he earned his first All-Star selection and the first of eight Gold Gloves. His reputation as the game’s finest defensive second baseman grew as he routinely led the league in assists and double plays. Partnering with shortstops like Dick Groat and later Gene Alley, Mazeroski helped anchor the Pirates’ infield for more than a decade.

Of course, his most famous moment came in 1960. In Game Seven of the World Series, Mazeroski stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth against the mighty Yankees. His swing sent a high fly ball over the left-field wall, sealing a 10–9 victory and the Pirates’ first championship in 35 years. It remains the only walk-off home run to win a World Series Game Seven.

Though best remembered for that blast, Mazeroski himself took greater pride in his defense. Teammates and opponents alike marveled at his quick feet, sure hands, and fearless style around the bag. By the time he retired in 1972, he had collected over 2,000 hits, eight Gold Gloves, and a reputation as the finest double-play man of his era.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001, Mazeroski summed up his career simply: “I think defense belongs in the Hall of Fame. Defense deserves as much credit as pitching.” Few players ever embodied that belief more.

Notable Achievements

• 7-time NL All-Star (1958-1960, 1962-1964 & 1967)

• 8-time NL Gold Glove Winner (1958, 1960, 1961 & 1963-1967)

• Won two World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1960 & 1971)

• Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 2001

Records Held

• Double plays, second baseman, career, 1706

• Double plays, second baseman, season, 161, 1966

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TRIVIA

Which pitcher holds the major league* record for highest winning percentage in a season? (Min13 decisions)

Hint: #1 Trevor Hoffman broke his record for most career relief appearances for one club.

Hint: #2 Following his baseball career, he served as the carpentry foreman at a psychiatric hospital.

*American League/National League

September 5, 1914, While tossing a one hit 9-0 shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs, 19 year-old Babe Ruth of the AAA Providence Grays (International league) hits the first home run in his professional career, a 3-run blast off Ellis Johnson. It will be his only homerun in minor league play.  The site of the 'Sultan of Swat's' only minor-league homer, Hanlan's Point Stadium, which was located on Lake Ontario's Toronto Islands near the city's mainland, is being promoted as a historical landmark by Jerry Amernic, author of Gift of the Bambino.

Ruth will only play in the Minors for one season going 22-9 on the mound and in 131 at bats he hit 10 triples to go along with his 1 home run.

September 5, 1950 -- Philadelphia Phillies lefty Curt Simmons is the first player inducted into the Army as a result of the Korean conflict. He will get one more start before reporting and will miss the World Series. The 21 year old Simmons was 17-8 at the time with a 3.40 ERA. He will return in 1952 and go to the All Star Game in 52 & 53. He will only top the 17 wins once in his career winning 18 for the World Champion Cardinals.  

September 5, 1954, future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron experiences both sides of baseball fortune. Aaron goes 4-for-4 in the first game of a doubleheader, helping the Milwaukee Braves to a 9-7 triumph over the Chicago Cubs. In the second game, Aaron breaks his ankle, sliding into third base in the 8th inning ending his season.

Aaron, was batting .280 with 13 home runs and 69 RBIs.

Ironically, the 20 year-old rookie became a starting outfielder for the team when Bobby Thomson’s sustained a broken ankle in a spring training game in March.

September 5, 1955 -- In an 11-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Don Newcombe hits his seventh homer of the season, was a three run shot in the 4th inning off Murry Dickson breaking a 1-1 tie, establishing a National League record for home runs by a pitcher in a season. The Dodgers break open  victory is Newk's 20th of the season, improving his record to 20-4. Dropping the Dodgers magic number to 2. 

September 5, 1964 -- Blue Moon Odom makes his major league debut, and Mickey Mantle greets him with a 3-run opposite-field homer in the 1st inning. New York hangs on to win, again by a 9 - 7 score.

September 5, 1969 -- Tom Seaver becomes the first pitcher in franchise history to win 20 games in one season when the Mets beat the Phillies at Shea Stadium, 5-1. 'Tom Terrific', who will finish the season with a 25-7 record for the world champs, tosses a five-hit, complete game to reach the milestone. - - Members can listen to the Sept 5th 1969 game

September 5, 1971 -- In his major league debut, J.R. Richard throws a complete game in the Astros' 5-3 victory over San Francisco at Candlestick Park. The 21 year-old right-handed fireballer strikes out a major-league rookie record 15 batters in his first major league appearance.

The performance ties Richard with Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Karl Spooner, for the most strikeouts in a MLB debut. Spooner also faced the Giants in his debut in 1954. . Jack Billingham whiffs 11 Giants in the opener, a 1-0 shutout. The combined 26 strikeouts sets a major league mark by one team in a twinbill.

Interestingly enough, Willie Mays plays in both games. He doesn't strike out against Spooner, but Richard gets him three times.

September 5, 1977 -- The Indians' first “I Hate the Yankees Hankee” promotion proves to be quite successful when the team sweeps a twin bill from Bronx Bombers, 4-3 and 5-4, in front of 28,184 enthusiastic patrons at Cleveland Stadium.

Game one was tied in the 7th, and Andre Thornton triples in Daune Kuiper off Catfish Hunter and future manager Bruce Bochte drove in his 3rd run of the game to give the tribe a 4-2 lead. Reggie Jackson will hit a solo shot in 8th but in won’t be enough.

In game game two after the Yankees roar back to score 4 in the 8th to take a 4-3 lead, John Lowenstein homers off Mike Torrez to tie and game and Andre Thornton gave them a 5-4 lead with a two out double and they will hold on to win 5-4. When Jim Bibby shuts the door.

The Tribe had previously lost their previous six games with New York this season and eighteen overall.

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September 5, 1989 -- Deion Sanders, the fifth player selected overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, hits a home run as the Bronx Bombers rout the Mariners at the Kingdome, 12-2. Five days later in his NFL debut with the Atlanta Falcons, the Yankee rookie returns a punt 68 yards for a touchdown.

September 5, 1995, When the game becomes official in the bottom of the fifth inning, Cal Ripken receives a standing ovation for over five minutes from the sellout crowd at Oriole Park at Camden Yards as he ties Yankee legend Lou Gehrig’s record of 2,130 consecutive games. Oriole fans shower Ripken with a five-minute standing ovation… The Orioles shut out the Angels behind Scott Erickson by a score of 8 – 0.

September 5, 1998 -- Mark McGwire becomes the third and quickest player in major league history to hit 60 home runs in a season. 'Big Mac' accomplishes the feat in 141 games, as compared to Babe Ruth (154) and Roger Maris (159).

The 1st-inning blast off lefty Dennys Reyes helps the Cards on their way to a 7 - 0 blanking of the Reds.

September 5, 2001 -- Curt Shilling tosses eight innings of five-hit ball at Pac Bell Park to beat San Francisco, 7-2. The 34 year-old right-hander, who attended high school in Arizona, becomes the first 20-game winner in the three year history of the franchise.

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