Remembered for his legendary walk-off homer and Gold Glove defense, the baseball world mourns the loss of Bill Mazeroski, a true Pittsburgh Pirates icon.
The baseball world was saddened on Saturday when the Pittsburgh Pirates announced that Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski died on Friday at 89.
Mazeroski died in Lansdale, Pa., after experiencing various health complications in recent years.
Mazeroski is most noted for hitting a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series to give the Pirates a 10-9 victory over the heavily favored New York Yankees. It remains one of the greatest moments in baseball history.
The home run was only part of the reason why Mazeroski was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. He was selected to 10 All-Star Games and won eight Gold Gloves.
There were plenty of tributes to Mazeroski on Saturday
Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting: “Everyone across the Pirates organization is deeply saddened by the loss of Bill Mazeroski. Maz was 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.
“I feel fortunate to have spent time with Maz over the years. Welcoming him and his family back to Pittsburgh as part of the inaugural Pirates Hall of Fame class in 2022 was a special moment for all of us.
“Our hearts are with his sons, Darren and David and the entire Mazeroski family. Maz was a great man who will be deeply missed.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred: “Bill Mazeroski was synonymous with one of the greatest home runs in baseball history for more than 65 years. While his bat delivered the first walk-off, series-ending home run in the history of our Fall Classic in 1960, it was Bill's glove that earned him recognition from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. The career Pirate was an eight-time Gold Glove second baseman, a position he played upon the guidance of Hall of Fame executive Branch Rickey. Bill understood that a run saved in the field was as important as a run driven in.
“Bill's lifetime of hard work and humility was a perfect illustration of the city he represented on the diamond. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Bill's family, his friends across our game, and all the loyal fans of Pittsburgh.”
Baseball Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark: “The author of one of the game’s most indelible moments, Bill Mazeroski will be remembered as one of baseball's most respected figures – both for his character and for his brilliance on the field as one of the game’s best second basemen. Maz remained humble about his career, even as he was celebrated in Cooperstown. On behalf of his Hall of Fame family, we send our deepest sympathies to his loved ones and to Pirates fans everywhere.”