WEBVTT 00:00:01.159 --> 00:00:04.580 This is Retro Sports Radio. Visit RetroSeasons 00:00:04.580 --> 00:00:38.020 .com for more sports history. Hi there everybody, 00:00:38.219 --> 00:00:40.240 I'm Bob Prince, the voice of the Pittsburgh Pirates, 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:42.079 and we're turning back the years so that you 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:44.520 can recapture the most exciting moments in Pittsburgh 00:00:44.520 --> 00:01:07.030 baseball just as they happen. It's the 7th and 00:01:07.030 --> 00:01:10.329 deciding game of the 1925 World Series. Darkness, 00:01:10.530 --> 00:01:12.810 rain, and tension by the turn at Forbes Field. 00:01:12.930 --> 00:01:14.870 Last to the 8th, the bases are loaded with Bucks 00:01:14.870 --> 00:01:17.890 and Kai Kai Kyler is at bat. Two out, Kyler hits 00:01:17.890 --> 00:01:20.430 a drive down the right field line. Two runs score 00:01:20.430 --> 00:01:24.530 and the Pirates win 9 -7. Oh, how sweet it was. 00:01:43.779 --> 00:01:46.840 The 1925 Pirates, only team in baseball ever 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:49.120 to win the series after being down three games 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:52.480 to one. Impossible? Sure, they're the Impossible 00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:55.420 Pirates, and they played it that way for 60 incredible 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:57.420 years. They won four National League pennants 00:01:57.420 --> 00:02:00.719 in nine years, from 1901 to 1909 under Barney 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:03.359 Dreyfus, led by a manager Fred Clark, sparked 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:05.959 by Honus Wagner, everybody's all -time shortstop, 00:02:06.180 --> 00:02:08.560 Babe Adams, and other greats. They played Boston 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:11.930 in the very first World Series in 1903. dropping 00:02:11.930 --> 00:02:15.189 that one five games to three. Then they won the 00:02:15.189 --> 00:02:18.569 series in 1909, beating Detroit four games to 00:02:18.569 --> 00:02:21.530 three. And this is how J. Honus Wagner, in the 00:02:21.530 --> 00:02:24.169 twilight of his career as a pirate coach, compared 00:02:24.169 --> 00:02:27.090 baseball as it was played in those days to the 00:02:27.090 --> 00:02:29.629 game of today. Well, it's quite a difference 00:02:29.629 --> 00:02:33.590 now than it seems to players right now. They've 00:02:33.590 --> 00:02:36.770 got a great system. Everybody knows his unions. 00:02:36.949 --> 00:02:39.349 In other words, team works down, put it back. 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:45.060 The players today, I think, in the minor leagues, 00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:48.080 one thing is you don't get what they used to 00:02:48.080 --> 00:02:50.199 get in the minor leagues. All the minor league 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:53.659 managers now want players to hit home runs, and 00:02:53.659 --> 00:02:57.319 the fans want a home run header. So they decided, 00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:01.139 the managers in the minor leagues decided that 00:03:01.139 --> 00:03:03.180 they'd keep up the young brothers who could hit 00:03:03.180 --> 00:03:06.979 a long ball. In the old days, they had speed, 00:03:07.819 --> 00:03:10.219 and they'd bummed a whole lot, and they sacrificed 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:13.389 a whole lot. And being a dead ball, of course, 00:03:14.330 --> 00:03:16.610 the outfielders didn't place a deep. And they 00:03:16.610 --> 00:03:18.250 could fill you out the place, and they should 00:03:18.250 --> 00:03:21.409 have got a good start. And base running, of course, 00:03:21.490 --> 00:03:24.710 is a lost start. There are a few good base runners 00:03:24.710 --> 00:03:28.330 now. They're on the card of that long hit ball. 00:03:29.009 --> 00:03:31.310 And the manager figures, well, we won't send 00:03:31.310 --> 00:03:33.629 them down here. We've got two long ball hitters. 00:03:33.669 --> 00:03:36.509 It's back of them coming up and so far. It was 00:03:36.509 --> 00:03:38.789 a long time, as baseball has measured, before 00:03:38.789 --> 00:03:40.729 the Pirates were to win another pennant after 00:03:40.729 --> 00:03:43.110 their World Series triumph over Ty Cobb and the 00:03:43.110 --> 00:03:47.689 Tigers in 1909. 16 years, to be exact. Meanwhile, 00:03:47.889 --> 00:03:50.629 the cries were, looky, looky, looky, can't get 00:03:50.629 --> 00:03:53.949 them over. And put in Yellow Horse. Yes, Paul 00:03:53.949 --> 00:03:55.810 Long, old buddy, and we weren't old enough to 00:03:55.810 --> 00:03:58.530 worry about it. But the first long dry spell 00:03:58.530 --> 00:04:08.520 ended in 1925 under manager Bill McKechnie. The 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:11.099 dean of sports editors, Chet Smith, covered that 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:14.919 1925 series, and this is how he saw it. Walter 00:04:14.919 --> 00:04:16.860 Johnson, the big train they called him, threw 00:04:16.860 --> 00:04:18.660 a five -hitter at the Pirates, and Washington 00:04:18.660 --> 00:04:21.759 won the first game 4 -1. Vic Aldridge then evened 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:24.860 it 3 -2. Washington took the third game 4 -3, 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:27.360 and when Johnson came back with a six -hit shutout 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:29.980 to win 4 -0, it looked like the Pirates were 00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:32.339 dead. They were down three games to one, and 00:04:32.339 --> 00:04:34.480 no team had ever gone on to win the series under 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:36.980 those odds. But the Bucks did the impossible. 00:04:37.149 --> 00:04:39.970 Dick Aldridge won the fifth game 6 -4, and Ray 00:04:39.970 --> 00:04:42.350 Kramer chucked a six -hitter in the sixth for 00:04:42.350 --> 00:04:45.209 a tight 3 -2 decision to tie the series at three 00:04:45.209 --> 00:04:50.149 apiece. The seventh game was played in horrible 00:04:50.149 --> 00:04:53.290 weather, rained by the buckets full. Aldridge, 00:04:53.490 --> 00:04:56.089 Johnny Morrison, Kramer, and Ruboldham pitching 00:04:56.089 --> 00:04:59.149 for the Bucks, Johnson for Washington. The Pirates 00:04:59.149 --> 00:05:01.389 tied it up at 5 -5 with two runs in the seventh. 00:05:01.470 --> 00:05:04.629 Roger Peckinpah, most valuable player in the 00:05:04.629 --> 00:05:06.529 American League that year, dropped Eddie Moore's 00:05:06.529 --> 00:05:09.930 pop fly. Moore then scored on Max Carey's third 00:05:09.930 --> 00:05:12.269 double of the game. Carey, the pirate captain, 00:05:12.850 --> 00:05:16.810 batted a thumping 4 or 5 -8 for the series. Pytrainer 00:05:16.810 --> 00:05:19.009 tripled a right to score Carey with the equalizer 00:05:19.009 --> 00:05:22.250 and Pye was thrown out at home. Washington scored 00:05:22.250 --> 00:05:24.250 a run in the top of the eighth. It was Peckinpah's 00:05:24.250 --> 00:05:27.490 home run to go ahead 7 -6. Now it was right up 00:05:27.490 --> 00:05:29.879 to the pirates. In the last of the eighth, Glen 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:32.740 Wright fouled a Joe Judge. With stuffy Guinness 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:35.860 up and the rain still coming down, Johnson asked 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:39.519 for sawdust on the mound. He got it. McGinnis 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:41.959 flied to Sam Rice with two downs, Smith double 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:44.339 to right. Amel Eady ran for him and then Carson 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:46.519 Bigby batting for Kramer double to left, scoring 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:49.490 Eady with the tying run. Moore walked. Kerry 00:05:49.490 --> 00:05:51.389 grounded to Peckinpah, who committed his eighth 00:05:51.389 --> 00:05:54.089 error, a World Series record, which prompted 00:05:54.089 --> 00:05:56.370 the famous baseball writer to select Peckinpah 00:05:56.370 --> 00:05:58.529 as the National League's most valuable player. 00:05:59.350 --> 00:06:01.709 With the bases loaded, Kyler came up. The game 00:06:01.709 --> 00:06:03.430 was delayed until more sawdust could be brought 00:06:03.430 --> 00:06:06.230 out. After falling off three pitches, Kyler, 00:06:06.269 --> 00:06:09.410 with a full count, sliced a drive to right. Three 00:06:09.410 --> 00:06:11.569 runners came across but the ball had lodged in 00:06:11.569 --> 00:06:14.029 a canvas that was used to cover the infield and 00:06:14.029 --> 00:06:16.550 been rolled across the right field line. So it 00:06:16.550 --> 00:06:18.769 was a ground rule two base hit and Kerry had 00:06:18.769 --> 00:06:21.410 to go back to third. Pooch Barnhart flied to 00:06:21.410 --> 00:06:24.170 Harris and the inning was over. Then Oldham came 00:06:24.170 --> 00:06:26.069 in to pitch for the Pirates in the ninth. He 00:06:26.069 --> 00:06:29.310 struck out Rice. Got Bucky Harris, the Washington 00:06:29.310 --> 00:06:31.550 manager to line out to Moore, and Goose Gosling 00:06:31.550 --> 00:06:34.889 was called out on strikes. 5 ,000 fans waited 00:06:34.889 --> 00:06:37.850 outside for Kyler, carted him on their shoulders 00:06:37.850 --> 00:06:40.529 to his home, half a mile from the ballpark. John 00:06:40.529 --> 00:06:42.490 Heidler, the National League president, summed 00:06:42.490 --> 00:06:45.029 it up this way. The Pirates are the greatest 00:06:45.029 --> 00:06:47.649 club I've seen in all of my years of baseball. 00:06:47.970 --> 00:06:51.329 The gamest of all clubs. Just too bad old John 00:06:51.329 --> 00:07:09.860 wasn't around to see the 1960 Pirates. Yes, the 00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:13.199 impossible 1925 Pirates, down three games to 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:15.060 one and the first team to come on to win the 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:17.920 series after being that far out of it. Comedian, 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:20.819 sportsman Joe E. Brown later told an inside story 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:23.240 about that sensational but soggy finish in the 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:25.980 rain. He had been criticized by a good friend, 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:28.540 J .G. Taylor Spink, in the sporting news for 00:07:28.540 --> 00:07:31.129 his part in the movie, Elmer the Great. Spink 00:07:31.129 --> 00:07:33.370 claimed it was just too fantastic to imagine 00:07:33.370 --> 00:07:36.069 a baseball game being played in a driving rain. 00:07:36.209 --> 00:07:38.430 This was Joe Brown's explanation and story he 00:07:38.430 --> 00:07:40.629 told baseball commissioner Ford Frick some years 00:07:40.629 --> 00:07:44.269 later. We got the idea for the game and for the 00:07:44.269 --> 00:07:46.889 conditions in that game from a game played in 00:07:46.889 --> 00:07:49.629 the 1925 World Series between Pittsburgh and 00:07:49.629 --> 00:07:52.529 Washington in Pittsburgh. Very interesting part 00:07:52.529 --> 00:07:57.589 about that Ford was that I was talking to... 00:07:58.069 --> 00:08:00.649 The trainer of the Pittsburgh club, the man who 00:08:00.649 --> 00:08:03.129 was the trainer at that time, or rather the groundkeeper 00:08:03.129 --> 00:08:05.670 out here, and Hannes and a few when they were 00:08:05.670 --> 00:08:08.870 up at San Bernardino a few years ago. Yeah. And 00:08:08.870 --> 00:08:11.829 I said, I remember the game so very well. And 00:08:11.829 --> 00:08:13.750 I remember that in the game, there was so much 00:08:13.750 --> 00:08:15.970 water on the infield. As a matter of fact, they 00:08:15.970 --> 00:08:17.810 had to turn the lights on under the stand to 00:08:17.810 --> 00:08:19.550 get the crowd out. You know, it was late. You 00:08:19.550 --> 00:08:21.149 remember. I know you covered it. Sawdust out 00:08:21.149 --> 00:08:22.490 there. That's right. That's what I'm just going 00:08:22.490 --> 00:08:25.120 to speak about. I told him I said I remember 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:27.240 when Walter Johnson was out there that for five 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.899 times during the ball game they came out with 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:31.240 a wheelbarrow full of sawdust and put it on the 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:33.240 mound so he could stand up the water was around 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:36.179 the mound and he said yes and I might call your 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:38.980 attention it's something you don't know that 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:42.169 every time before I took that wheelbarrow full 00:08:42.169 --> 00:08:44.809 of sawdust out to the mound. I run the hose on 00:08:44.809 --> 00:08:49.289 it. Good. I didn't know that. Yeah. Well, you 00:08:49.289 --> 00:08:50.950 should answer Taylor. Oh, that would go too. 00:08:51.029 --> 00:08:52.750 You know, funny part of it is if we hadn't played 00:08:52.750 --> 00:08:55.169 that game in the rain, that final game of the 00:08:55.169 --> 00:08:56.950 World Series in twenty five, had we not played 00:08:56.950 --> 00:08:58.289 in the rain that day, they couldn't have played 00:08:58.289 --> 00:09:00.429 again for 17 days. We wouldn't have played. I 00:09:00.429 --> 00:09:02.919 remember it very well. Yes. On top of the world 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:05.940 in 1925, the Pirates plunged a third the next 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:08.740 year torn by clicks and ascension and manager 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:10.879 Bill McKechnie walked the plank when the team 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:13.500 failed to repeat. Donnie Bush took over as manager 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:15.519 and the Pirates climbed back to the top of the 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:32.460 National League again in 1927. That was the year 00:09:32.460 --> 00:09:34.740 Charles A. Lindbergh made the first non -stop 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:37.080 flight across the ocean, and the United States 00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:40.179 sent the Marines to Nicaragua and China. Pirate 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:42.320 fans wished the New York Yankees had been sent 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:44.539 there too because that's who the Pirates had 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:47.399 to play in the 27th series. Pirate hopes were 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:50.220 high before that series. The Wehner Act, baseball's 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:52.200 greatest brother act, was rolling in high gear. 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:54.620 Paul Wehner, big poison, led the league with 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:58.460 380, and brother Lloyd, little poison, hit 355. 00:09:58.730 --> 00:10:01.210 Pitcher Carl Hubbell, the giant meal ticket, 00:10:01.330 --> 00:10:03.970 later moaned, every time you pitched to the Pirates, 00:10:04.110 --> 00:10:06.909 you got one wainer on base and another at bat. 00:10:07.490 --> 00:10:10.710 Chet Smith, you covered that 1927 series. What 00:10:10.710 --> 00:10:13.190 happened there? Well, the Inks that year had 00:10:13.190 --> 00:10:16.649 a team that was known as Murders Row. Ruth, Gary, 00:10:16.789 --> 00:10:19.789 Musil, and Tony Lozare. They set a league record 00:10:19.789 --> 00:10:23.409 with 110 victories. The Babe hit 3 -5 -6 and 00:10:23.409 --> 00:10:26.940 set the all -time record for home runs, 60. In 00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:28.879 my book, it was the greatest baseball team of 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:31.519 all time. But actually, it was Yankee pitching 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:34.220 that won the series. The Yanks swept the first 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:37.299 three games, and the fourth game has been replayed 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:40.519 over and over. With the score tied 3 -3 in the 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:43.120 last to the ninth, Combs walked. Mark Koenig 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:45.960 butted safely down the third baseline. With Ruth 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:48.899 up, John Milges let loose a wild pitch, advancing 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:51.799 the runners. Then Ruth was passed intentionally, 00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:54.500 filling the bases. Lou Gehrig fanned, and so 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:57.600 did Musel. The crowd cheered Milges. But then 00:10:57.600 --> 00:10:59.940 with Lazari up, another wild pitch by Milges, 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:04.120 and it was all over. But Johnny Gooch, the catcher 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:06.580 that day, always said that it wasn't a wild pitch. 00:11:06.820 --> 00:11:09.519 It was a pass ball that lost the series for the 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:20.080 Pirates. The Pirates were murdered four straight. 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:24.000 And then it was 33 long and sometimes tortuous 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:26.139 years before the Pirates were to get back on 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:28.480 top of the National League again. They managed 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:30.639 to hang in there in the First Division for 12 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:33.200 straight years and were mighty respectable, finishing 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:36.299 in the money 23 of 28 years until the roof caved 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:39.139 in after World War II. But before the Pirates 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:41.879 hit bottom, there was a moment of near gold and 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:45.460 glory in 1938 when Pytrainer pulled a near miracle 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:48.129 as player manager. This is the way Chet Smith 00:11:48.129 --> 00:11:50.409 saw it. We didn't have a good pirate team in 00:11:50.409 --> 00:11:53.610 1938, just a bunch of try guys who fought their 00:11:53.610 --> 00:11:56.409 way into first place on July 12th, held a five 00:11:56.409 --> 00:11:59.230 -game lead as late as September 8th, and almost 00:11:59.230 --> 00:12:01.850 stole the pennant. The wiener act was fading. 00:12:02.230 --> 00:12:05.370 We had no outstanding nine -inning pitcher, only 00:12:05.370 --> 00:12:07.909 fireman Mace Brown, one of the first great relief 00:12:07.909 --> 00:12:11.350 pitchers. President Bill Benswenger felt so confident 00:12:11.350 --> 00:12:13.889 we would win the pennant that he invested almost 00:12:13.889 --> 00:12:17.610 $40 ,000 in a new press box. Then came that fateful 00:12:17.610 --> 00:12:19.830 afternoon of September 29th, and I'll never forget 00:12:19.830 --> 00:12:22.710 it. With first place at stake and the score tied 00:12:22.710 --> 00:12:25.570 5 -5 with the Cubs in Wrigley Field in Chicago, 00:12:26.549 --> 00:12:28.370 Gabby Hartnett came to bat in the last of the 00:12:28.370 --> 00:12:31.529 night. Brown was pitching. There were two out, 00:12:31.669 --> 00:12:34.370 none on. The count was two strikes, no balls. 00:12:34.490 --> 00:12:36.370 Brown delivered the third pitch, a letter high 00:12:36.370 --> 00:12:38.710 ball that didn't break down in the way as Brown 00:12:38.710 --> 00:12:42.029 wanted it to do. Gabby swung. The ball sailed 00:12:42.029 --> 00:12:44.090 out of Wrigley Field like a trophy looking for 00:12:44.090 --> 00:12:47.500 a museum. You just felt it rather than saw it. 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:50.360 The Cubs won the game 6 -5 and then went on to 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:58.259 win the pennant by two games. Suffering catfish, 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:01.519 that was a heartbreaker. And then, some years 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:04.399 later, Joey Brown and baseball commissioner Ford 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:07.759 C. Frick were discussing the 1938 season and 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:10.419 talking about the great batting stars. Those 00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:12.480 two little fellas that were with this ball club... 00:13:12.509 --> 00:13:14.769 the wainers were great ball greater ballplayers 00:13:14.769 --> 00:13:16.850 and a lot of people appreciate they were ballplayers 00:13:16.850 --> 00:13:19.470 ballplayers they could do everything and and 00:13:19.470 --> 00:13:22.070 seem seemingly i i see those two fellas up at 00:13:22.070 --> 00:13:25.289 the plate both of them had habits one would put 00:13:25.289 --> 00:13:28.549 that bat almost down his back now standing up 00:13:28.549 --> 00:13:29.929 there and he looked as though he'd be the but 00:13:29.929 --> 00:13:31.730 he was ready for that ball when it was pitched 00:13:31.730 --> 00:13:34.250 they lost a pretty tough chance to get into a 00:13:34.250 --> 00:13:37.159 world series when that The big guy came up there 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:40.299 and he told me himself he never saw that ball 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:42.940 as it crossed the plate. It started across the 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:45.100 plate, never did get across, but he hit that 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:47.039 ball actually blind. You know the funny part 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:49.860 of it was, Joe, that if Hartnett doesn't hit 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:51.779 that ball, we've got to call that ball game that 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:53.480 day. I was out there and I thought the umpires 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:55.360 carried a little too long anyhow and another 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.450 hitter couldn't possibly have come up. They'd 00:13:57.450 --> 00:13:59.370 had to call that ball game. Ritzburg hates to 00:13:59.370 --> 00:14:00.990 hear you say you thought they carried a little 00:14:00.990 --> 00:14:03.649 too long. We had that Forbes field all set for 00:14:03.649 --> 00:14:05.950 that World Series. Tickets were printed, weren't 00:14:05.950 --> 00:14:08.490 they? You're still looking for a World Series 00:14:08.490 --> 00:14:10.590 button from that, Joe? That's right. That's right. 00:14:10.750 --> 00:14:13.990 But they had them. Well, I was going to send 00:14:13.990 --> 00:14:16.509 one, but I can't get it away from Rosewell. Oh, 00:14:16.769 --> 00:14:19.970 my aching back was a familiar sound. And things 00:14:19.970 --> 00:14:22.350 got so tough for the Bucks of Rosie Rosewell, 00:14:22.490 --> 00:14:24.289 then the voice of the Pirates, that he even talked 00:14:24.289 --> 00:14:27.049 about some other ball clubs. This was one of 00:14:27.049 --> 00:14:30.370 Rosie's favorite stories, told as only he, Rosie, 00:14:30.509 --> 00:14:32.289 could tell it. Thanks a lot, Nachery. Hello to 00:14:32.289 --> 00:14:34.470 you good friends of the air. One of the wise 00:14:34.470 --> 00:14:36.750 sages of another day one time said, there's a 00:14:36.750 --> 00:14:38.730 reason for everything, but everything is not 00:14:38.730 --> 00:14:42.350 reason. How right, how right. But that brings 00:14:42.350 --> 00:14:45.429 me to an odd baseball story. You baseball fans 00:14:45.429 --> 00:14:47.509 who have patiently listened to my rantings for 00:14:47.509 --> 00:14:50.070 so many years may have wondered why I keep constantly 00:14:50.070 --> 00:14:53.110 playing the hunches as the pigeons come and hover 00:14:53.110 --> 00:14:55.470 around my broadcasting booth out of Forbes Field. 00:14:56.070 --> 00:14:58.830 Well, there's a story behind it, and I have to 00:14:58.830 --> 00:15:00.909 roll the curtain back about 14 years to pick 00:15:00.909 --> 00:15:02.629 up the connecting link between the Pigeon and 00:15:02.629 --> 00:15:06.009 my good luck Roman. The World Series in 1933 00:15:06.009 --> 00:15:08.049 was played between the Washington Senators and 00:15:08.049 --> 00:15:10.750 the New York Giants. The Giants caught the first 00:15:10.750 --> 00:15:12.669 two games at the Polo grounds and then moved 00:15:12.669 --> 00:15:15.009 over to Washington. The Senators took the first 00:15:15.009 --> 00:15:16.929 game in the national capital, but the Giants 00:15:16.929 --> 00:15:19.389 took the next two and became world champions. 00:15:20.269 --> 00:15:23.149 Now let me get back to the Pigeon. It was a chilly 00:15:23.149 --> 00:15:25.169 October day when they played that first game 00:15:25.169 --> 00:15:27.649 in Washington, but picking away at the saw directly 00:15:27.649 --> 00:15:30.250 back of shortstop was a slate -colored pigeon 00:15:30.250 --> 00:15:33.070 that refused to move, despite the appeals of 00:15:33.070 --> 00:15:35.309 Joe Cronin, the senator shortstop, and Blondie 00:15:35.309 --> 00:15:38.149 Ryan, the giant shortstop. At the beginning of 00:15:38.149 --> 00:15:40.649 each inning, one or the other of those two defensive 00:15:40.649 --> 00:15:43.309 players would give the bird the bum's rush. But 00:15:43.309 --> 00:15:45.570 just as soon as the pitcher would tow the rubber 00:15:45.570 --> 00:15:48.809 again, back would come Mr. Pigeon and start grubbing 00:15:48.809 --> 00:15:52.090 for worms. The first day, the second day, the 00:15:52.090 --> 00:15:55.190 third day, that pigeon was there. Finally, the 00:15:55.190 --> 00:15:58.009 umpire and the ball players all gave up and refused 00:15:58.009 --> 00:16:00.389 to even try to chase our young -feathered friends. 00:16:00.830 --> 00:16:03.750 But I'll say this, outside of watching the ball, 00:16:04.230 --> 00:16:07.269 strikes, hits, and errors, there never was as 00:16:07.269 --> 00:16:09.490 much competition in a World Series game as that 00:16:09.490 --> 00:16:11.750 pigeon furnished for three days in Washington. 00:16:12.809 --> 00:16:15.269 At changing time in every inning, the fans would 00:16:15.269 --> 00:16:17.269 fasten their attention upon the pigeon playing 00:16:17.269 --> 00:16:19.909 in the back -or -up position at shortstop. And 00:16:19.909 --> 00:16:22.470 the only time that bird would move a wing would 00:16:22.470 --> 00:16:25.269 be when a ground ball was hit past it or when 00:16:25.269 --> 00:16:27.230 the shortstop would back up to take a little 00:16:27.230 --> 00:16:30.889 blooper. Then and then only would it lift itself 00:16:30.889 --> 00:16:34.610 along, only to return again as soon as play had 00:16:34.610 --> 00:16:38.350 resumed. The sequel? Yes, of course, there's 00:16:38.350 --> 00:16:41.149 a sequel. Let me run over hurriedly the details 00:16:41.149 --> 00:16:44.330 of the scoring in the final game. Al Schumacher 00:16:44.330 --> 00:16:46.529 had started for the Giants and Crowder was throwing 00:16:46.529 --> 00:16:49.440 in for the Senators. In the second inning, the 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:51.440 Giants picked up two tallies when Schumacher 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:53.659 drove out a single to send Travis Jackson and 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:56.639 Gus Mancuso over the happy gum. They picked up 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:58.279 another one in the sixth on a pair of doubles, 00:16:58.320 --> 00:17:00.259 but the Senators went to work in the last half 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:03.019 of the sixth and tied it up. The game moved into 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:05.079 the 10th inning. When, with two men away, Lil' 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:07.819 Malot came up, got ahold of a fast pitch, and 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:09.680 drove it out of the lot to win the ball game 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:13.240 in the World Championship for the Giants. Oh, 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:16.599 yes. What about the pigeon? Well... When the 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:18.940 last put out was made, Blondie Ryan, the giant 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:21.319 shortstop, reached in his hip pocket, pulled 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:23.779 out a handful of corn and dropped it on the ground. 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:26.519 The pigeon came in a little closer to the infield. 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:29.339 Blondie stooped over, picked it up, and carried 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:32.180 it into the giant clubhouse as the good luck 00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:37.720 charmer of the 1933 World Series. Yes, these 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:41.380 ball players are a superstitious lot. And so 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:46.319 are some baseball broadcasters. This is Rosie 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:51.099 Roswell saying goodbye and wishing you well all 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:54.859 along the way. In 1948, the Pirates made a spasmodic 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:57.259 lurch into the First Division finishing fourth 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:59.859 eight and one half lengths back. Billy Meyer 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:02.140 was named manager of the year and richly deserved 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:04.880 it. And that was the year the most famous play 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:06.680 -by -play announcer in the history of baseball 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:10.079 made his debut. Bing Crosby, Pirate stockholder. 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:12.980 did it this way under the tutelage of Rosie Roswell 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:16.200 in April of 1948. Now, Ralph Keiner standing 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:18.799 by down there waiting for Doy Laid, who's just 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:21.660 taking over the pitching chores for the Chicago 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:24.599 club. He's a right -hander, and Ralph Keiner 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:27.119 will be the first man to face him. Laid last 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:29.339 year was in there with an 11 and 10 record, 11 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:31.940 wins and 10 losses. Being even doing a grand 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:34.359 job, I don't dare trust myself for this. Don't 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:36.440 you think they're tired of my monotonous delivery 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:38.680 here? No, they never get tired of that. They're 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:41.450 right in there, big. Well, I'd like to see Ralph 00:18:41.450 --> 00:18:43.490 improve a little off his showing so far this 00:18:43.490 --> 00:18:46.190 afternoon against Rush. He couldn't do much, 00:18:46.250 --> 00:18:48.890 although he hit a hard smash to left tail, which 00:18:48.890 --> 00:18:52.069 is taken by Averson. He's facing Doyle Layden. 00:18:52.130 --> 00:18:53.710 Maybe he'll do a little better. And he does. 00:18:53.970 --> 00:18:55.549 There goes one. You don't need to raise. Oh, 00:18:55.549 --> 00:18:59.210 and that mini. Darren goes clear out over the 00:18:59.210 --> 00:19:02.589 scoreboard. Over into Shendley Park, a round 00:19:02.589 --> 00:19:05.309 tripper for Ralph Keiner, his first of the 1948 00:19:05.309 --> 00:19:07.589 season. Oh, did he? Let's hope that it's the 00:19:07.589 --> 00:19:10.480 first of 61. home and that'll bring a gallon 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:15.500 of seal test ice cream on the month to some shut 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:18.220 in here in Pittsburgh. Ralph is beaming. They'll 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:21.759 be sending your card along for that. His first 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:24.700 home run of the 1948 season put the Buccos in 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:27.099 there created nothing. I just had to take that 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:29.339 and bing because we got a glad you did a little 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:32.559 corner on it. He's home run around is really 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.380 beaming the first pitch that Doyle led through 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:38.220 to him. He hit it right over the fence the scoreboard. 00:19:40.190 --> 00:19:42.450 About 20 foot to the right of the clock and about 00:19:42.450 --> 00:19:44.789 the same height as the top of the clock. I said 00:19:44.789 --> 00:19:47.089 that Pasco hit a hard smash here yesterday for 00:19:47.089 --> 00:19:49.089 the home run. May I tell you something? It was 00:19:49.089 --> 00:19:52.410 a swinging bunt compared to this that Ralph just 00:19:52.410 --> 00:19:55.930 hit. The wind is blowing against us this afternoon 00:19:55.930 --> 00:19:57.990 when you hit the left field. The hardest smash 00:19:57.990 --> 00:20:00.430 I've seen in this park. I guess he hit a few 00:20:00.430 --> 00:20:03.730 last year just as hard. When he hit that, I know 00:20:03.730 --> 00:20:05.960 it was a home run. No question. That was hit 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:08.240 with what they call authority. A real hard hit 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:10.160 ball. First pitch to Doyle -Lort laid through 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:12.019 to him. He combed right over the left field, 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:14.880 over the clock, over everything. And that was 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:17.160 the only time anyone ever took a mic away from 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:20.000 Bing Crosby. By the way, there was a second baseman 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:22.180 in that game, and this is what Bing had to say 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:24.420 about him. It's a ground ball to Danny Muratoy. 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:26.059 Takes it on the big hop, tosses it to third. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:29.059 That's all. And thank you, ladies and gentlemen, 00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:31.240 for putting up with my announcing. I know it's 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:34.049 not much good. Clutz has run out to... Grab Riddell 00:20:34.049 --> 00:20:36.849 and gives him a big hug and a kiss. With a beautifully 00:20:36.849 --> 00:20:39.950 pitched two hit game. Rip Sewell gets up out 00:20:39.950 --> 00:20:43.309 of the dugout and goes over to Elmer Riddell 00:20:43.309 --> 00:20:44.670 and puts his arms around him and gives him a 00:20:44.670 --> 00:20:47.650 big hug. Wonderful pitch game. Lots of control. 00:20:47.789 --> 00:20:49.910 Lots of stuff on the ball. Confident all the 00:20:49.910 --> 00:20:52.150 time. Handled beautifully by Klutz and some wonderful 00:20:52.150 --> 00:20:54.549 plays in back of him. Particularly by Rojek and 00:20:54.549 --> 00:20:57.470 Gustin. And Danny Murtaugh who drove in the first 00:20:57.470 --> 00:21:00.190 run. Friends it's been a real pleasure to appear 00:21:00.190 --> 00:21:02.390 here on this broadcast with Rosie and Bob Prince. 00:21:02.670 --> 00:21:05.289 I'm going east. I hope to get back for some of 00:21:05.289 --> 00:21:08.049 the home games which start the 1st of May. I 00:21:08.049 --> 00:21:09.589 hope to be able to see you then and to talk to 00:21:09.589 --> 00:21:11.730 you over this microphone. I know you'll excuse 00:21:11.730 --> 00:21:14.250 my deficiencies as a radio broadcaster for baseball, 00:21:14.630 --> 00:21:16.349 but Rosie seems to think I bring them luck up 00:21:16.349 --> 00:21:18.549 here, and if I do, I'm only too willing to appear 00:21:18.549 --> 00:21:21.509 and contribute whatever I can to the color out 00:21:21.509 --> 00:21:24.549 here at Forbes Field. In 1949, the Pirates fell 00:21:24.549 --> 00:21:26.690 back into the Second Division and finished sixth. 00:21:27.170 --> 00:21:28.990 There were some changes made in the five -year 00:21:28.990 --> 00:21:31.390 program. The rookie tryout camp was launched 00:21:31.390 --> 00:21:34.359 in 1950. Here's how Frank McKinney explained 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:37.059 the changes. Well, as we indicated when we first 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:39.339 took over the Pittsburgh ball club three years 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:44.599 ago, we launched into what we thought would be 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:47.720 a five -year program. At that time, as you recall, 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:50.960 Pittsburgh had little or no farm system. This 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:53.039 is a game whereby you've got to develop your 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:56.000 own talent. Certainly, you can't buy star ball 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:59.559 players. Nobody will sell you their stars. All 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:03.920 you can hope to get is... shall I say, cast -offs. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:07.759 We immediately launched into the development 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:10.960 of a farm system which under normal circumstance 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:14.519 would take four or five years. This year we took 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:16.839 the cream of our crop, so to speak, from our 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:20.819 13 farm clubs and had them out here in the hopes 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:23.940 that by schooling them they could advance for 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:26.559 perhaps one classification in their development 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:30.920 program. There were about 70 ballplayers in camp, 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:34.299 and I was agreeably surprised to learn to see 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:37.700 that most of them had grown at least two or three 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:41.079 inches in height since a year ago. And in my 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:43.940 opinion, there are about at least six or seven 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:46.380 that will be ready for Pittsburgh within the 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:48.900 next year to 18 months. Well, now, Frank, of 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:51.160 course, everybody in Pittsburgh has been tremendously 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:54.519 interested in this bonus pitcher, young Lefty 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:57.859 Pettit. When you met him, I presume you... shook 00:22:57.859 --> 00:23:00.059 hands with him gingerly for fear he would damage 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:03.099 him in some way, and I heard a remark that you 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:04.660 said that if he didn't look good to you when 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:06.480 you got there, you probably would shoot a couple 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:08.119 of scouts. At least I thought you might have 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:09.759 been quoted that way, whether that was correct 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.380 or not, I don't know. How did Pettit impress 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:14.359 you, Frank? Pettit has the all -year marks of 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:16.740 being a major league pitcher. He has the poise, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:19.359 he has the physical ability, he has the stamina. 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:22.880 In my opinion, the only thing he lacks is experience. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:26.710 I saw him pitch three innings Sunday. And with 00:23:26.710 --> 00:23:29.309 the possible exception of being a little stage 00:23:29.309 --> 00:23:33.869 fright, he had all the earmarks of being a left 00:23:33.869 --> 00:23:36.650 -handed feller in my opinion. I think we're in 00:23:36.650 --> 00:23:39.269 for one of the most interesting years that we've 00:23:39.269 --> 00:23:42.509 had thus far. By that I don't mean, and I'm not 00:23:42.509 --> 00:23:45.289 claiming to win any pennants, but I think definitely 00:23:45.289 --> 00:23:47.910 we're a first division ball club. I still will 00:23:47.910 --> 00:23:51.150 stand by my statement of asking the fans of Pittsburgh 00:23:51.150 --> 00:23:54.769 to bear with us for five years. at the end of 00:23:54.769 --> 00:23:58.430 five years or within the next two years. I'm 00:23:58.430 --> 00:24:00.569 definitely sure that we will have a one, two, 00:24:00.589 --> 00:24:02.910 three ball club. By that, I don't mean this coming 00:24:02.910 --> 00:24:06.529 year. But again, at the end of our five -year 00:24:06.529 --> 00:24:09.569 probationary period, so to speak, I think we 00:24:09.569 --> 00:24:11.589 will be able to give a good accounting of ourselves. 00:24:20.210 --> 00:24:22.309 But the luck of the pirates was running all bad 00:24:22.309 --> 00:24:24.799 at that point. Paul Pettit came up with a sore 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:27.839 arm and $100 ,000 went down the drain. The pirates 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:30.220 finished last that year for the first time since 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:34.200 the First World War. Late in 1950, John Galbraith 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:36.619 took over and brought in Branch Ricky Sr., the 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:39.119 creator of the farm system, as general manager. 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:42.640 But for eight agonizing years, the Bucks finished 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:45.700 last or next to last. They tried everything from 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:48.740 the youth movement to midget short stops and 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:51.500 even left -handed catchers. Ralph Keiner's home 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:53.220 runs weren't enough to stem the tide of losses, 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:55.160 even though he led the National League seven 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:59.960 times, hit a pirate high of 54 in 1949, and racked 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:04.019 up an all -time pirate career total of 301. Joey 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:06.460 Brown provided some comic relief during the dark 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:08.819 days with this advice to the home run champion. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:11.599 I've got to help that boy. That boy needs help. 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:14.079 Come here, Mr. Keiner, if you don't mind, old 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:15.819 boy, come here. I've got to... I want to help 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:17.880 you. I want to help you with your hitting. You've 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:19.880 got to pay more attention to Brown from now on. 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:22.819 You've got to watch that first ball. Don't stare 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:24.599 at the pitcher a little bit more. You're not 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:26.460 staring him enough. Now, do you see what the 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:28.140 St. Louis Browns are doing? You've got to do 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:30.279 that too. I could do that with you. Do you mind 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:32.720 if I mesmerize you slightly? Are you going to 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.619 go in today? I will if you can give me the... 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:36.220 Are you going... No, well, I could give you... 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.759 I can't play today. Well, never mind the swollen 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:39.839 wrist. Let's get a swollen batting average. I 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.420 mean, something... Forget about this kind of 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:43.099 thing. I can do it to you, see, if you'll just 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:45.559 pay attention. Look me right in the eye. Yes, 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:47.700 you see, now we've got it. No, no, no, no, don't 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:49.519 laugh. No, no, no, let's go back again. This 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:51.059 time, don't laugh. Look me right in the eye. 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:55.660 Good, I've got you. I've got you. It's 61 this 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:57.680 year. Really, it is. No, no, if you just pay 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:59.799 attention, keep your mind on it. We'll do it. 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:02.740 Don't just relax all the time, completely. I'm 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:04.160 letting you ladies and gentlemen listening to 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:06.660 this. You're very lucky. They're fortunate people, 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:09.220 you know. Yes, they are. I'm taking this boy 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:11.509 now, and you pay attention to me, Ralphie. Oh, 00:26:11.650 --> 00:26:14.349 let's not fiddle around. Look me smack dab and 00:26:14.349 --> 00:26:57.829 you've got it. And along about the same time, 00:26:58.069 --> 00:27:00.269 during this period of fitful transition, there 00:27:00.269 --> 00:27:02.329 was a fellow whose career was to take a different 00:27:02.329 --> 00:27:05.609 turn. Danny Murtaugh, second baseman, double 00:27:05.609 --> 00:27:07.829 play and double talk artist, and manager -to 00:27:07.829 --> 00:27:10.549 -be. Here's Murtaugh doing a play -by -play of 00:27:10.549 --> 00:27:12.609 a pirate game in the twilight of his playing 00:27:12.609 --> 00:27:15.289 career. Here comes Ralph Keiner up to the plate. 00:27:16.029 --> 00:27:18.529 Needless to tell you folks that he's our home 00:27:18.529 --> 00:27:20.900 run hitter. Here comes the first pitch and as 00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:23.279 usual was high and wide where Ralph can't get 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:26.859 to it. You booted it again, Dan. Barty's just 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:28.440 sticking his nose in again. Go ahead, Dan. By 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:30.319 golly, Ralph was telling me yesterday he felt 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:32.019 a little nervous walking up to that plate and 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.839 I asked him how do you think that pitcher felt. 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:38.200 There's another pitch coming down there and Ralph 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:41.380 found it behind the plate. I might say that Ralph's 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:43.019 been hitting that ball real good this spring. 00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:45.660 He's hit about two dozen over that left field 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:48.670 wall and it's 350. I just soon did not hit too 00:27:48.670 --> 00:27:50.150 many in spring training. Remember every time 00:27:50.150 --> 00:27:52.369 he does and he has a good season with home runs? 00:27:52.910 --> 00:27:55.009 Here comes the next pitch up, Bob, and it's a 00:27:55.009 --> 00:27:57.210 curve ball on the outside corner of the plate. 00:27:57.930 --> 00:27:59.609 But it was too low, I believe, and he called 00:27:59.609 --> 00:28:01.930 it a ball. Lon's a pretty good umpire. You know 00:28:01.930 --> 00:28:04.410 that? Warnock came behind that plate. Gee, if 00:28:04.410 --> 00:28:06.329 he doesn't know balls and strikes after all those 00:28:06.329 --> 00:28:08.349 years of pitching, nobody will, huh? By God, 00:28:08.390 --> 00:28:10.970 he should know. There's another pitch high and 00:28:10.970 --> 00:28:12.809 inside. It's three and one. I don't think the 00:28:12.809 --> 00:28:15.039 fans like it. No, it doesn't sound like they 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:16.500 like it in that background, does it? Hear him 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:19.559 yellin'? By golly. I'll tell you one thing, here's 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:21.599 the only man in baseball hittin' and got seven 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:24.359 outfielders. Look at that, look at that infield, 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:28.240 how they play him. All back in the grass. Uh 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:31.339 -oh. He fouled that one off for strike two, his 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:34.640 count is now three balls and two strikes. Pitcher's 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:36.680 still sweatin' pretty good out there. Well, he 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:38.319 won't give him anything good to hitch, you can 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:41.730 bet that. Here comes the pitch right now with 00:28:41.730 --> 00:28:44.490 let's see what he's gonna do at all now face 00:28:44.490 --> 00:28:48.269 it line drive pass shortstop Left fielder center 00:28:48.269 --> 00:28:49.809 fielder come up to the ball and they held him 00:28:49.809 --> 00:28:53.509 to single Well now that's a masterful bit of 00:28:53.509 --> 00:28:56.190 description Daniel. I thought so Danny Murtaugh 00:28:56.190 --> 00:28:59.869 was a mighty versatile man as time was to prove 00:28:59.869 --> 00:29:02.630 One day in the dark days. We asked mr. Branch 00:29:02.630 --> 00:29:05.690 Ricky senior what he looked for in a young ballplayer, 00:29:05.690 --> 00:29:11.779 and this was his reply question. I might tell 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:14.259 you that I have a very competent scout, a boy 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:17.240 I've known for many years. He is not versed at 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:19.819 all in the technique of positions or instruction 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:23.180 to players on the skillful little pleasing plays, 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:26.160 not at all. But he is a productive scout and 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:31.279 he asks himself three questions. Can they prospect 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:35.000 the chap here in front of him? Can he throw hard, 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:38.890 he calls it, and can he run fast? And third, 00:29:39.009 --> 00:29:40.910 can he hit the ball off for a piece, he calls 00:29:40.910 --> 00:29:44.630 it. Now, if the boy can do those things, if he 00:29:44.630 --> 00:29:49.410 can run fast and throw hard and has great power 00:29:49.410 --> 00:29:51.269 at the plate, whether he strikes out or not, 00:29:51.910 --> 00:29:54.269 those three things, it seems to him to qualify 00:29:54.269 --> 00:29:56.009 him, and he's produced some very great players 00:29:56.009 --> 00:29:59.250 over a period of many years. Sometimes he adds 00:29:59.250 --> 00:30:02.349 another one in conversation, and that is he asks 00:30:02.349 --> 00:30:06.230 himself, does he like to play? And that is a 00:30:06.230 --> 00:30:09.170 significant addition. It is the incomparable 00:30:09.170 --> 00:30:12.890 thing of wanting to win. It makes men devote 00:30:12.890 --> 00:30:16.289 themselves to their weaknesses. And it makes 00:30:16.289 --> 00:30:23.009 men do more than they can consciously. They're 00:30:23.009 --> 00:30:26.710 completely obsessed by a desire to excel. And 00:30:26.710 --> 00:30:29.069 when you get 25 men like that, where nothing 00:30:29.069 --> 00:30:32.710 matters except victory. They sacrifice whatever 00:30:32.710 --> 00:30:37.289 it takes in the way of diversions and indulgences 00:30:37.289 --> 00:30:40.529 of themselves. Everything is subordinated and 00:30:40.529 --> 00:30:42.890 made secondary to the whole objective course, 00:30:42.990 --> 00:30:45.769 namely to win, to have a great winning team. 00:30:45.869 --> 00:30:48.569 Those men are not satisfied with mediocrity. 00:30:49.150 --> 00:30:53.390 They are not having their eyes glued upon fourth 00:30:53.390 --> 00:30:56.319 place or third or second. It's a whole lot better 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:58.480 to have a youngster who's coming along with a 00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:01.000 direction in his play that leads to a pennant 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:03.619 although this year he may be only able to put 00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:06.920 us in a fourth place or fifth or what have you 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:09.799 then it is to have players of greater ability 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:12.980 just now who will not crystallize into a final 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.900 club that can win a pennant they will always 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:18.589 keep you in a in a lower position Our object 00:31:18.589 --> 00:31:21.750 in Pittsburgh is to get boys who are going to 00:31:21.750 --> 00:31:24.630 come at one time in repentant -winning aggregation. 00:31:24.849 --> 00:31:27.109 During those painful rebuilding years, there 00:31:27.109 --> 00:31:29.230 was one event that propelled Pittsburgh into 00:31:29.230 --> 00:31:47.890 the national spotlight. First baseman Dale Long 00:31:47.890 --> 00:31:50.329 hit home runs in eight consecutive games for 00:31:50.329 --> 00:31:53.049 an all -time record, a feat that Ruth, Gary, 00:31:53.230 --> 00:31:55.289 Greenberg, and the other greats never accomplished. 00:31:55.690 --> 00:31:59.890 The year was 1956, and the dates May 19th through 00:31:59.890 --> 00:32:02.990 May 28th. That will be remembered for a long 00:32:02.990 --> 00:32:05.910 time. Almost forgotten is Ralph Keiner's feat 00:32:05.910 --> 00:32:08.289 of hitting eight home runs in four consecutive 00:32:08.289 --> 00:32:11.390 games from September 10th through September 12th, 00:32:11.390 --> 00:32:15.329 1947. In 1958, the Pirates jumped from eighth 00:32:15.329 --> 00:32:18.180 to second. made a good run at the Milwaukee Pennant 00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:20.900 Express in September. Some experts picked the 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:23.640 parts to win the pennant in 1959, but that was 00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:25.880 the year of disappointment, injuries, slumps, 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:28.279 and temporary decline and fall to fourth place. 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:31.119 Little Roy Face gave the fans their biggest moments, 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:34.200 hanging up all -time pitching records of 17 consecutive 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:36.660 games won and the highest winning percentage 00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:40.279 of 9 -4 -7, with 18 wins and one loss, all in 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:42.779 relief, to stamp him as the greatest all -time 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:45.480 reliever. And here is the matter -of -fact way 00:32:46.009 --> 00:32:48.589 Elroy Face explained his phenomenal success. 00:32:48.869 --> 00:32:51.549 Well, Bob, I don't think that every pitcher can 00:32:51.549 --> 00:32:54.190 pitch the guy the same. I mean, each guy has 00:32:54.190 --> 00:32:55.710 to learn to pitch his own way to each hitter 00:32:55.710 --> 00:32:59.170 because Vern Law might throw a fastball or Bob 00:32:59.170 --> 00:33:00.869 Friend might get a guy out on a fastball and 00:33:00.869 --> 00:33:03.349 if I throw the fastball, he might hit it out 00:33:03.349 --> 00:33:05.650 of the ballpark because my delivery is different 00:33:05.650 --> 00:33:08.269 than theirs. Fastball might not be the same as 00:33:08.269 --> 00:33:10.490 theirs and you can't go by that. You have to 00:33:10.490 --> 00:33:12.880 go learn your own way. Another pirate who gave 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:15.339 the fans a tremendous moment in that otherwise 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:19.359 unhappy 1959 campaign was small -statured Harvey 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:22.339 Haddix. All he did was pitch 12 perfect innings 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:24.779 of baseball, something no other pitcher ever 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:26.920 accomplished. He did it against the champion 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:30.339 Milwaukee Braves, and once again with the impossible 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:34.140 pirate ending. Anything that Jim and I have witnessed 00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:38.960 in this season absolutely at this moment fails 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:42.400 into insignificance. And we've had some thumpers. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:45.779 Here's the wind -up and the 1 -2 pitch to Burdette. 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:48.420 Foul off to the right out of play. And Burdette 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:50.420 has shortened up the grip on that bat and is 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:54.140 trying to really hang in there. And don't forget 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:58.200 he also is quite a threat at the long ball. Two 00:33:58.200 --> 00:34:03.119 men down. Last half of the ninth inning. No score. 00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:09.460 I can't repeat it enough. The 1 -2 pitch. Stuck 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:12.219 him out swinging. Haddix pitches a perfect nine 00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:22.519 inning, no hit, no run game. A standing ovation. 00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:32.960 Ladies and gentlemen, Harvey Haddix has just 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:35.119 become the seventh pitcher in the history of 00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:39.409 all baseball to pitch a perfect no hit. No run, 00:34:39.489 --> 00:34:41.670 nine inning ball game. Going into the last of 00:34:41.670 --> 00:34:43.989 the 13th, Bob Prince summed up what happened 00:34:43.989 --> 00:34:47.130 to that point. For the final out of the ninth 00:34:47.130 --> 00:34:50.690 inning was a strikeout on Luberdet. It was the 00:34:50.690 --> 00:34:52.869 eighth turned in by Haddix and at that moment 00:34:52.869 --> 00:34:55.409 he became the eighth pitcher in all the history 00:34:55.409 --> 00:34:57.769 of baseball to pitch a perfect no hit, no run 00:34:57.769 --> 00:35:02.190 game. He then went on to get him in the tenth. 00:35:02.329 --> 00:35:05.510 and the 11th and the 12th, retiring 36 in a row 00:35:05.510 --> 00:35:07.570 and counting the final two outs he had against 00:35:07.570 --> 00:35:09.869 the Cardinals in his last victory at Forbes Field. 00:35:10.710 --> 00:35:13.610 He retired 38 men in order before a man got aboard 00:35:13.610 --> 00:35:17.769 and then only on an arrow. One out, batter Adcock 00:35:17.769 --> 00:35:33.469 takes high ball on. Anybody right now sucker 00:35:33.469 --> 00:35:35.510 at this moment than Don Hoke. I guarantee you 00:35:35.510 --> 00:35:37.289 that. He's crushed over this. Here's the pitch. 00:35:37.469 --> 00:35:39.789 There's a fly ball deep right center. That ball 00:35:39.789 --> 00:35:43.050 may be on through and over everything. It is 00:35:43.050 --> 00:35:50.690 gone. All right. Absolutely fantastic. Pandemonium 00:35:50.690 --> 00:35:53.730 rained. Here's what the umpires eventually decided. 00:35:54.250 --> 00:35:56.210 Adcock hit the ball over the fence and right 00:35:56.210 --> 00:35:59.250 center. Mantia scored. After passing second, 00:35:59.510 --> 00:36:01.449 Aaron took the shortcut across the pitcher's 00:36:01.449 --> 00:36:03.469 mound and Adcock passed him on the base pass. 00:36:03.989 --> 00:36:06.489 Umpire Dascoli ruled that Adcock was out for 00:36:06.489 --> 00:36:09.170 passing Aaron between second and third. Adcock 00:36:09.170 --> 00:36:11.769 was given a double. Aaron was returned to second. 00:36:12.070 --> 00:36:14.250 And Mantilla's run was the only one needed to 00:36:14.250 --> 00:36:16.750 make the score one to nothing and end the game. 00:36:16.969 --> 00:36:19.650 If you tried to write the pirate story of 1960 00:36:19.650 --> 00:36:21.510 before it happened, nobody would have believed 00:36:21.510 --> 00:36:23.929 it. And it would have been rejected by any Hollywood 00:36:23.929 --> 00:36:27.329 producer as too fantastic. Utterly impossible. 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:30.880 All the hopes and dreams of 35 years and considerably 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:34.199 more came true to a degree that defied description 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:36.980 and analysis. The only way I know how to say 00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:40.960 it is how sweet it is, and we had them all away. 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:43.619 You could single out the trades by General Manager 00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:45.880 Joel Brown or the perfect handling of players 00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:48.539 in judgment of Manager Danny Murtaugh or the 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:50.880 dedicated performance of many players to surpass 00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:53.880 anything they had ever done before. Dick Groat, 00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:56.320 the captain, beating far more formidable hitters 00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:58.539 for the National League batting title. Vernon 00:36:58.539 --> 00:37:00.920 Law, winning 20 games for the first time in his 00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:03.960 career. Don Holt, the tiger, and his driving 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:06.500 will to win. Bob Clemente's fielding and running. 00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:09.659 Bob Skinner's bombing. Bill Mazurowski's wizardry 00:37:09.659 --> 00:37:12.820 at second base. Bob Friend's comeback. Elroy 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:15.940 Faces' coldly calculated relief pitching. The 00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:18.539 ability of almost anyone to climb off the bench 00:37:18.539 --> 00:37:21.820 and win a game. Every game produced a different 00:37:21.820 --> 00:37:26.429 hero. And how about the fans? Well, they plastered 00:37:26.429 --> 00:37:28.869 beat -em -buck stickers on their cars' doors 00:37:28.869 --> 00:37:32.940 everywhere. And then there was a sun. Yes, sir, 00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:35.179 Mr. Prince, there was a song, and I know you're 00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:37.440 not Bob Hope, and I'm certainly not Bing Crosby, 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:39.239 but I think we may be able to give the folks 00:37:39.239 --> 00:37:42.679 a brief idea. It went like this. Oh, the Bucks 00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:47.199 are going all the way, all the way, all the way. 00:37:47.380 --> 00:37:51.019 The Bucks are going all the way, all the way 00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:54.199 this year. Beat them, Bucks! Beat them, Bucks! 00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:57.179 Beat them, Bucks is right. Well, the fans never 00:37:57.179 --> 00:38:00.239 gave up, and neither did those pirates. The later 00:38:00.239 --> 00:38:02.519 the inning, the more likely they were to bomb 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:05.039 you. They seesawed in and out of first place 00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:07.860 until July 25th. Then Bob Friend pitched them 00:38:07.860 --> 00:38:10.460 into the lead to stay, a 4 -2 victory over the 00:38:10.460 --> 00:38:13.139 Cardinals in St. Louis. Finally, on September 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:15.940 the 25th, ironically in a losing game in Milwaukee, 00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:19.159 their first pennant in 33 years as the Cubs knocked 00:38:19.159 --> 00:38:22.239 off the runner -up cards 5 -0. This was the way 00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:26.780 Paul Long described the clincher. 1 -0, the Pirates 00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:29.750 lead on the... strength of a home run by Bill 00:38:29.750 --> 00:38:33.869 Masurowski back in the fifth inning. Otherwise 00:38:33.869 --> 00:38:37.050 it's been a real pitching duel between the great 00:38:37.050 --> 00:38:41.170 left -hander Warren Spahn and the great left 00:38:41.170 --> 00:38:46.369 -hander also Harvey Haddix. Right now it's one 00:38:46.369 --> 00:39:00.599 to nothing. The Pirates lead. The Cardinals losing 00:39:00.599 --> 00:39:03.139 to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. It's all 00:39:03.139 --> 00:39:06.599 over. And this crowd here noticed a lot of transistor 00:39:06.599 --> 00:39:09.980 radios here and the applause has gone up. Clemente 00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:13.280 has just singled into center field. He's on first. 00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:16.760 But somehow this thirty five thousand crowd. 00:39:17.019 --> 00:39:19.820 Now they're making the announcement on the loudspeaker. 00:39:20.199 --> 00:39:23.019 The Cubs have beaten the Cardinals. And the Pirates 00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:26.159 have won the national league medal. A deeply 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:28.519 relieved fellow was President John Galbraith. 00:39:28.519 --> 00:39:30.980 Well, it has been a long time and it's been a 00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:35.840 rough road, but I feel a little bit that we've 00:39:35.840 --> 00:39:38.760 paid back a little of the debt for the tremendous, 00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:41.380 tremendous support we've had for 14 years. And 00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:44.019 that's not now, that's back when we had a very 00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:47.420 ordinary ball team. They've been great and I 00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:49.059 hope they're as happy about tonight as we are. 00:39:49.159 --> 00:39:51.320 It was a day Vice President Tom Johnson will 00:39:51.320 --> 00:39:53.900 always remember. It's been great. It's the greatest 00:39:53.900 --> 00:39:56.000 year I've ever had in baseball, as you can well 00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:58.440 imagine, and it's just a real thrill, and I know 00:39:58.440 --> 00:40:01.059 the whole city's thrilled. And Captain Dick Grote, 00:40:01.239 --> 00:40:03.880 sidelined with a broken wrist, was worried that 00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:06.440 he might miss the series. Something I've always 00:40:06.440 --> 00:40:08.119 wanted to do is play on a pennant winner, and 00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:10.179 I... I've said all winter, and I've said over 00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:11.619 and over again, I want to play in a pennant winner 00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:13.420 in Pittsburgh. I only hope I can play in the 00:40:13.420 --> 00:40:15.460 World Series. The city of Pittsburgh celebrated 00:40:15.460 --> 00:40:17.440 the Pirates' pennant victory with a gigantic 00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:19.440 torchlight parade through the Golden Triangle 00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:22.719 at midnight, sponsored by KDKA -TV and radio 00:40:22.719 --> 00:40:25.460 and the Chamber of Commerce. The World Series 00:40:25.460 --> 00:40:27.480 should have been anticlimactic, but it wasn't. 00:40:27.619 --> 00:40:29.800 Meanwhile, at a Gus Van Club luncheon in the 00:40:29.800 --> 00:40:32.000 Pittsburgh Press Club, manager Danny Murtaugh 00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:34.780 received the first of many awards. He was inducted 00:40:34.780 --> 00:40:37.719 into their Hall of Fame. Murtaugh, in accepting 00:40:37.719 --> 00:40:40.400 the award, told this story. It got to be one 00:40:40.400 --> 00:40:44.920 of these knockdown battles. So, finally, I'm 00:40:44.920 --> 00:40:46.900 talking to one of my pitchers who had been pitching 00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:49.320 at the ball game that day. I said, look, son, 00:40:50.579 --> 00:40:54.260 when this other pitcher comes up here, I want 00:40:54.260 --> 00:41:05.050 you to knock him down. And this picture of mine 00:41:05.050 --> 00:41:07.130 happened to be one of these fellows that is quite 00:41:07.130 --> 00:41:09.610 well versed in the Bible. And he turned around 00:41:09.610 --> 00:41:13.349 and he said, remember, Skip, turn the other cheek. 00:41:14.090 --> 00:41:16.050 So I looked at him. I said, all right, me? I 00:41:16.050 --> 00:41:17.849 said, I'll turn the other cheek. I said, but 00:41:17.849 --> 00:41:19.590 if this guy don't get down, is it going to cost 00:41:19.590 --> 00:41:24.190 you $100? So he looked at me and he says, they 00:41:24.190 --> 00:41:26.730 that live by the sword shall perish by the sword. 00:41:33.769 --> 00:41:36.570 Gentlemen, you know I don't fabricate, and that's 00:41:36.570 --> 00:41:39.090 a true story. And General Manager Joel Brown 00:41:39.090 --> 00:41:41.610 paid this tribute to the Pirates and Murtaugh. 00:41:41.949 --> 00:41:44.909 The 1960 Pirates have not been successful because 00:41:44.909 --> 00:41:46.750 we have the greatest collection of all -stars 00:41:46.750 --> 00:41:51.389 ever assembled. I think that there are a number 00:41:51.389 --> 00:41:55.630 of reasons that have been made public on certainly 00:41:55.630 --> 00:41:59.949 more than one occasion by many people that have 00:41:59.949 --> 00:42:03.179 made this club a successful team to this date, 00:42:03.199 --> 00:42:05.500 and I know they will continue to be successful. 00:42:06.780 --> 00:42:08.480 Chet mentioned that I've been on tender hooks, 00:42:09.099 --> 00:42:11.699 that I'm an ulcer case. Well, I don't have ulcers, 00:42:11.739 --> 00:42:13.800 but I have a few hooks sticking in me around. 00:42:15.300 --> 00:42:18.820 But, of course, I think that that's easily understandable. 00:42:20.880 --> 00:42:23.139 The winning of a pennant has been my lifetime 00:42:23.139 --> 00:42:26.619 dream, if you don't mind a personal touch here. 00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:29.639 And, of course, to see a dream come almost to 00:42:29.639 --> 00:42:32.869 its fruition... is something that would make 00:42:32.869 --> 00:42:35.170 almost anyone believe that it just can't happen. 00:42:36.949 --> 00:42:39.050 But these various qualities that have been attributed 00:42:39.050 --> 00:42:42.429 to our ball club have been team spirit, desire, 00:42:42.690 --> 00:42:48.409 ambition, aggressiveness, intelligence. Those 00:42:48.409 --> 00:42:52.510 of you who saw Danny as a player and who have 00:42:52.510 --> 00:42:56.510 seen him as a manager I think will recognize 00:42:56.510 --> 00:42:58.690 that those very same qualities are inherent in 00:42:58.690 --> 00:43:03.320 him. And I think those things in a ball club, 00:43:04.539 --> 00:43:08.280 while perhaps they are somewhat innate in the 00:43:08.280 --> 00:43:12.480 individual player, are instilled more than anything 00:43:12.480 --> 00:43:18.780 else by the manager. I think Danny Murtaugh is 00:43:18.780 --> 00:43:21.800 not only one of the game's outstanding managers, 00:43:21.800 --> 00:43:25.679 if not the best. but the most underrated. One 00:43:25.679 --> 00:43:28.260 loyal fan, the most loyal of them all, who deserved 00:43:28.260 --> 00:43:30.300 to see the great day when the pennant arrived 00:43:30.300 --> 00:43:33.920 was the late Rosie Roswell. He, in a sense, represented 00:43:33.920 --> 00:43:35.719 the spirit that carried the pirates through. 00:43:36.119 --> 00:43:38.400 And this is how he expressed it one day back 00:43:38.400 --> 00:43:41.800 in 1950 when he was honored at Forbes Field. 00:43:42.079 --> 00:43:45.380 And the only thing I can say is that my love 00:43:45.380 --> 00:43:50.860 for Fitzberg will always be an abiding thing 00:43:50.860 --> 00:44:07.929 in my heart. They'll be talking about the World 00:44:07.929 --> 00:44:11.389 Series of 1960 until Doomsday. The most impossible 00:44:11.389 --> 00:44:14.510 pirate team of all. Three times the pirates won 00:44:14.510 --> 00:44:19.050 the World Series in 1909, 1925 and 1960. Each 00:44:19.050 --> 00:44:22.019 time in seven games. but never in such fashion 00:44:22.019 --> 00:44:25.519 as the 1960 crew. Newsweek magazine ran pictures 00:44:25.519 --> 00:44:28.599 of Danny Murtaugh with the heading, wanted for 00:44:28.599 --> 00:44:31.659 piracy. The New York Times' Arthur Daly termed 00:44:31.659 --> 00:44:34.380 the pirates, Dest and his darlings. The New York 00:44:34.380 --> 00:44:37.360 World Telegram and Sun said, if ever a World 00:44:37.360 --> 00:44:41.239 Series was stolen, this was the one. The 1960 00:44:41.239 --> 00:44:43.480 Yankees hit more home runs than any previous 00:44:43.480 --> 00:44:45.639 American League team. More than the Yankees' 00:44:45.880 --> 00:44:47.719 famed murderers Roe who clobbered the pirates 00:44:47.719 --> 00:44:51.000 four straight in the 27 series. They humiliated 00:44:51.000 --> 00:44:54.920 the Pirates 16 -3, 10 -0 and 12 -0. Worse in 00:44:54.920 --> 00:44:57.059 dignities than any team ever suffered in the 00:44:57.059 --> 00:44:59.739 series. The Yankees set new series records with 00:44:59.739 --> 00:45:03.880 55 runs scored to the Pirates 27. 91 hits to 00:45:03.880 --> 00:45:06.639 the Buccos 60. But the Pirates had them even 00:45:06.639 --> 00:45:09.460 at the end of 6. And finally with the Yankees 00:45:09.460 --> 00:45:17.360 with their favorite weapon, the home run. And 00:45:17.360 --> 00:45:19.519 here's what happened in the 7th and payoff game. 00:45:19.599 --> 00:45:21.780 The Pirates got off to a quick two -run lead 00:45:21.780 --> 00:45:23.860 on Rocky Nelson's Homer in the first inning. 00:45:24.199 --> 00:45:25.880 They grabbed two more in the second inning. The 00:45:25.880 --> 00:45:28.099 Yanks came to life in the fifth with Moose Scowron's 00:45:28.099 --> 00:45:30.460 home run. Then they piled up four runs in the 00:45:30.460 --> 00:45:33.260 sixth to lead five to four. Yogi Berra's home 00:45:33.260 --> 00:45:35.539 run off the Baron of the bullpen Roy Face was 00:45:35.539 --> 00:45:38.219 the big blast scoring three runs. The Yankees 00:45:38.219 --> 00:45:40.199 teed off on Face for two more in the eighth and 00:45:40.199 --> 00:45:42.579 it seemed to be all over. But in the last of 00:45:42.579 --> 00:45:45.159 the eighth, pinch hitter Gino Somoli singled. 00:45:45.320 --> 00:45:47.929 Verdon got an infield hit. The ball took a bad 00:45:47.929 --> 00:45:50.769 hop and struck shortstop Tony Kubek on the Adam's 00:45:50.769 --> 00:45:52.829 apple. He clutched his throat and collapsed. 00:45:53.429 --> 00:45:55.469 Then Grote singled a left, scoring some only 00:45:55.469 --> 00:45:57.710 and making the score seven to five. Skinner was 00:45:57.710 --> 00:46:00.369 thrown out on an attempted sacrifice bunt. Now 00:46:00.369 --> 00:46:02.989 listen to Chuck Thompson, NBC's radio voice during 00:46:02.989 --> 00:46:06.510 the series, who described it this way. In typical 00:46:06.510 --> 00:46:08.409 World Series fashion, this one appears to be 00:46:08.409 --> 00:46:13.079 going right down to the wire. Now Blanchard pumping 00:46:13.079 --> 00:46:15.400 out the sign to Coates, who wigwags with that 00:46:15.400 --> 00:46:16.840 glove just a little bit. He wants to see that 00:46:16.840 --> 00:46:20.079 sign again. Now that Coates is into the move, 00:46:20.179 --> 00:46:22.139 the 1 -2 to Clemente, he swings the ground ball, 00:46:22.219 --> 00:46:23.420 slowly hit off the first base high, charging 00:46:23.420 --> 00:46:25.000 a scour, he makes a pick up, there'll be no play 00:46:25.000 --> 00:46:36.369 on the right scorer. Clemente hit a slow roller 00:46:36.369 --> 00:46:38.909 down first base way, wide of the bag at first, 00:46:39.190 --> 00:46:41.230 about 10 or 12 feet to the right or to the second 00:46:41.230 --> 00:46:44.489 base side. Skylon came charging in, made the 00:46:44.489 --> 00:46:46.389 pick up on the ball, had no chance of a play 00:46:46.389 --> 00:46:48.349 at the plate because Verdon broke with the crack 00:46:48.349 --> 00:46:51.969 of the bat. And then realized that he couldn't 00:46:51.969 --> 00:46:53.789 get over there in time to get Clemente at first 00:46:53.789 --> 00:46:57.750 base so the infield hit by Clemente has driven 00:46:57.750 --> 00:47:00.309 in the sixth pirate run down to third base goes 00:47:00.309 --> 00:47:03.409 Grove, two out, it's the Yankees seven, the Pirates 00:47:03.409 --> 00:47:07.369 six. And the batter will be catcher Hal Smith. 00:47:08.969 --> 00:47:10.949 Smith steps in with two down and pirate runners 00:47:10.949 --> 00:47:13.170 at first and third and this ballpark is going 00:47:13.170 --> 00:47:15.789 crazy. Coates into the set. He throws. Smith 00:47:15.789 --> 00:47:18.550 takes a strike right down the pipe. And Smitty 00:47:18.550 --> 00:47:22.309 was given it a good look. One strike to right 00:47:22.309 --> 00:47:25.349 hand batting Hal Smith. Panetti hit a little 00:47:25.349 --> 00:47:27.170 dribbler off the first base side, winded the 00:47:27.170 --> 00:47:29.150 bag at first and legged it out into a base hit. 00:47:29.809 --> 00:47:31.809 And of course, Vernon was able to score the sixth 00:47:31.809 --> 00:47:36.510 round. Now the one strike that's coming to Smith. 00:47:37.030 --> 00:47:47.610 It's high and a ball one ball one strike. Well 00:47:47.610 --> 00:47:50.090 the pirate opportunity in this ball game in this 00:47:50.090 --> 00:47:53.090 inning was came up about on a bad hop that hit 00:47:53.090 --> 00:47:54.690 Kubek in the throat and knocked him out of the 00:47:54.690 --> 00:47:57.150 ballgame. Now the 1 1 pitch coming down to Hal 00:47:57.150 --> 00:48:00.730 Smith. Here it is. Swing and a miss. Strike two 00:48:00.730 --> 00:48:03.769 and he really pulled the trigger. One ball, two 00:48:03.769 --> 00:48:05.630 strikes to Hal Smith, who gave it the big ripple, 00:48:05.769 --> 00:48:12.170 the Sunday punch, and couldn't find it. The tying 00:48:12.170 --> 00:48:14.570 run is at third base in the person of Dick Grove. 00:48:14.789 --> 00:48:16.630 The go -ahead run is out there at first in the 00:48:16.630 --> 00:48:18.869 person of Roberto Clemente. And now the set, 00:48:18.969 --> 00:48:20.829 the one -two pitch coming to Hal Smith. Coach 00:48:20.829 --> 00:48:23.289 throws. He started a swing and held back and 00:48:23.289 --> 00:48:25.329 has taken high for a ball. A check swing and 00:48:25.329 --> 00:48:29.329 a ball two. Two and two now. And for just a split 00:48:29.329 --> 00:48:31.409 second, every move of the pirate dugout came 00:48:31.409 --> 00:48:34.190 to a stop. on that call up there at the plate. 00:48:35.590 --> 00:48:38.909 But it was a high pitch and Smith held back on 00:48:38.909 --> 00:48:42.710 the swing. So the count is two and two. And Coates 00:48:42.710 --> 00:48:45.789 into the stretch. He sets. And the 2 -2 to Smith. 00:48:46.170 --> 00:48:48.030 He swings a long fly ball deep to left field. 00:48:48.070 --> 00:49:03.409 I don't know if... is at this moment an outdoor 00:49:03.409 --> 00:49:07.349 insane asylum. We have seen and shared in one 00:49:07.349 --> 00:49:09.989 of baseball's great moments. In the top of the 00:49:09.989 --> 00:49:12.269 ninth, the Yanks tied it up at 9 -9. They had 00:49:12.269 --> 00:49:14.710 scored two runs KOing Bob Friend, the hard luck 00:49:14.710 --> 00:49:17.389 pitcher of the series, in a hurry. And Harvey 00:49:17.389 --> 00:49:19.789 Haddix had trouble putting out the fire. And 00:49:19.789 --> 00:49:22.570 then, the last of the ninth, and again Chuck 00:49:22.570 --> 00:49:27.730 Thompson. The last half of the ninth inning. 00:49:29.880 --> 00:49:32.340 Change is made by the Yankees. McDougal goes 00:49:32.340 --> 00:49:35.440 to third base. Cletus Boyer moves over to play 00:49:35.440 --> 00:49:44.500 shortstop. And Ralph Terry, of course, on the 00:49:44.500 --> 00:49:47.219 mound, will be facing Mazurowski. And to go over 00:49:47.219 --> 00:49:50.519 that, uh, Barrett play once again. It was a hard 00:49:50.519 --> 00:49:52.679 hit drive down the first base side. The Nelson 00:49:52.679 --> 00:49:54.659 fielded on the first hop and tagged the bag at 00:49:54.659 --> 00:49:56.440 first. That eliminated Barrett. He was out. And 00:49:56.440 --> 00:49:58.590 then, uh, Mantle. Could have been in a rundown, 00:49:58.650 --> 00:50:00.369 but it was not the case. He dove back safely 00:50:00.369 --> 00:50:02.989 to first base. Here's a ball one, too high down 00:50:02.989 --> 00:50:07.090 to Mazurowski. And the Yankees have tied the 00:50:07.090 --> 00:50:15.130 game. In the top of the ninth inning. Well, a 00:50:15.130 --> 00:50:16.969 little while ago, when we mentioned that this 00:50:16.969 --> 00:50:19.230 one in typical fashion was going right to the 00:50:19.230 --> 00:50:26.369 wire, little did we know. Art Ditmar throws. 00:50:26.429 --> 00:50:28.230 Here's a swing and a high -five ball going deep 00:50:28.230 --> 00:50:30.989 to left. This may do it. Back to the wall goes 00:50:30.989 --> 00:51:12.309 Berra. It is. Yankee has hit a 1 -0 pitch over 00:51:12.309 --> 00:51:14.389 the left field fence at Forbes Field to win the 00:51:14.389 --> 00:51:17.650 1960 World Series for the Pittsburgh Pirates 00:51:17.650 --> 00:51:21.489 by a score of 10 -0. Once again, that final score, 00:51:22.969 --> 00:51:25.710 the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 1960 World Champions, 00:51:25.809 --> 00:51:28.250 defeat the New York Yankees, the Pirates 10, 00:51:28.389 --> 00:51:31.710 and the Yankees 9. In the Pirate Clubhouse, Bob 00:51:31.710 --> 00:51:33.590 Prince conducted the locker room interviews. 00:51:34.069 --> 00:51:35.949 Beat the Bucs! Can't beat the Bucs, can they? 00:51:36.090 --> 00:51:38.170 No sir, can't beat the bad Bucs. I'll tell you 00:51:38.170 --> 00:51:41.570 that. That's for sure. Yes sir, yes sir. We got 00:51:41.570 --> 00:51:42.949 them, we got them. They broke all the records 00:51:42.949 --> 00:51:45.809 and we won the game. How about that? There's 00:51:45.809 --> 00:51:47.469 a good one. Broke all the records and we won 00:51:47.469 --> 00:51:48.909 the game. We won the game, right here. That's 00:51:48.909 --> 00:51:50.650 it. Here's the president of the ball club, Mr. 00:51:50.909 --> 00:51:54.230 John Galbraith. And Mr. Galbraith, I just want 00:51:54.230 --> 00:51:55.849 to ask you one question instead of you asking 00:51:55.849 --> 00:51:59.369 me. Have we... paid our debt to the city, the 00:51:59.369 --> 00:52:01.530 people of Pittsburgh. I think you have it. You've 00:52:01.530 --> 00:52:02.969 given your voice to it, too, haven't you? You've 00:52:02.969 --> 00:52:04.650 given everything I've got. You wouldn't trade 00:52:04.650 --> 00:52:07.349 a Kentucky Derby victory for this, John. You're 00:52:07.349 --> 00:52:09.630 trying to get me when I'm vulnerable. And the 00:52:09.630 --> 00:52:11.210 commissioner of baseball, ladies and gentlemen, 00:52:11.409 --> 00:52:13.449 Mr. Ford Frick. Commissioner, without question, 00:52:13.550 --> 00:52:15.429 one of the most exciting World Series in all 00:52:15.429 --> 00:52:18.170 time. This is my 39th, and I never saw a finish 00:52:18.170 --> 00:52:21.030 like that one, Paul. Never. Here's Danny Mertai. 00:52:21.190 --> 00:52:24.289 You Irishman, you did it! by golly bob what a 00:52:24.289 --> 00:52:26.369 finish but uh we've been doing that all the year 00:52:26.369 --> 00:52:29.269 and i think the fans are looking forward to it 00:52:29.269 --> 00:52:33.110 well thank you very much dan john galbraith and 00:52:33.110 --> 00:52:35.849 i'll just say thank you to everybody i hope you 00:52:35.849 --> 00:52:37.829 fans have enjoyed hearing from these very happy 00:52:37.829 --> 00:52:40.449 world champion pittsburgh parrots the headline 00:52:40.449 --> 00:52:43.170 in the pittsburgh post -gazette read we had them 00:52:43.170 --> 00:52:45.809 all the way and the pittsburgh press told it 00:52:45.809 --> 00:52:49.900 this way city of champs flips lid There was never 00:52:49.900 --> 00:52:52.099 anything like the all -night celebration staged 00:52:52.099 --> 00:52:55.139 in the streets of Pittsburgh. It was VE and VJ 00:52:55.139 --> 00:52:57.460 Day, the Mardi Gras, and New Year's Eve all rolled 00:52:57.460 --> 00:53:00.360 into one. The celebrations extended to Addis 00:53:00.360 --> 00:53:04.360 Ababa and Timbuktu. Those crazy 1960 pirates 00:53:04.360 --> 00:53:07.739 were indeed the most impossible pirates of them 00:53:07.739 --> 00:53:08.019 all.