Results tagged ‘ 1960 ’
A story from game seven you haven’t heard
During Wednesday’s tribute to Maz and the 1960 Bucs I had the honor and privilege to hear some amazing stories from fans who were at game seven of the world series. 50 years later they are still celebrating the great feat and sharing where they were when Mazeroski hit that historic home run.
But one story in particular was very special. George Boyle was not only at game seven, he also caught the home run at 3:36 on film.
Boyle was shooting news film for KDKA-TV and a lot of his assignments included Pirates game coverage.
When tickets for the series went on sale, they were on a lottery basis. The general public had to send in a check or money order to the Pirates’ and then they would have a drawing to select who would receive the tickets. Boyle sent in his check and a few days later received two tickets in the mail. The tickets were for game seven.
His friends laughed at the thought the Pirates would ever make it that far against the mighty Yankees. Everyone told him that his tickets were useless. But it sure didn’t dampen his enthusiasm. Boyle told his news directors that, “If the series went to the full seven games, I wasn’t going to work. Instead, I intended to take my wife to the ball game and be a regular spectator.” His news director laughed and said, “Oh sure, you do that,” and dismissed the subject.
Game seven, as you know, did happen, and Boyle reminded his news director on the night before that he intended to take his wife to the ball game. He insisted on giving him a handful of special passes (Locker room, field, press box, etc.). His news director also insisted he take his camera along, “in case the Pirates pulled off a miracle win” in which he was to film it.
It was there, from Section one row A –the from row in right field– that Boyle caught the magic moment all on film.
Without a tripod, he was able to hold the camera steady enough to film. After Yankees shortstop Tony Kubec was hit in the throat after the ball took a unfortunate bounce, Boyle started filming the footage of the emergency activity taking place on the field. He continued filming every pitch.
Everyone knows the outcome of the game. Mazeroski is at the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, Pirates and Yankees are tied at nine. The 1-0 pitch sailed over the left-center field scoreboard at 3:36 PM winning the World Series in dramatic fashion.
Once the ball cleared the scoreboard, Boyle’s wife lost all control. During her excitement she began beating him on his back with both fists screaming “We did it, we did it!” With his emotions running wild and the beating on his back, Boyle was trying to follow Maz running around the bases on film.
Boyle said he had “extreme-close ups” from the moment the Yankees’ pitcher began his windup to Mazeroski’s historic run around the bases.
When people first viewed his film, they accused him of being drunk since the film was shaky.
Immediately following the game, Boyle hurried out of the stadium to find a taxi. He gave the driver a $20 tip to give the film to the station so that it could be processed in time for the evening news.
Other footage eventually replaced his film but Boyle’s was the first to hit the air. An incredible story that he says he “still laughs each time I remember that day.”
Here is a photo of Boyle holding the camera he used to film game seven of the 1960 World Series. It used 16 mm movie film, which he said, “It was standard in the industry at the time.”
*A special thanks to George Boyle for the interview and wonderful story I will never forget.
Frank Coonelly makes bold predictions
On Wednesday afternoon, while unveiling a plaque dedicated to Bill Mazeroski, President Frank Coonelly made some interesting comments according to Jenifer Langosch.
“The 1960 team left an indelible mark on the city and left an indelible legacy for this city. It was a great Championship. The Pirates were an underdog team that beat the mighty Yankees.
“One reason that these men are so special to you is because in 1960, there hadn’t been a Championship in Pittsburgh in 35 years. The Pirates hadn’t won the World Series since 1925. When 1960 came around, this city was hungry for a Championship organization and a Championship team again. These gentlemen brought it to you and they really started the great legacy of the Pittsburgh Pirates that continued on to the 1970s.
“I mention that 35 years for a reason. Last year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Championship, our last Championship. Now we’re 31 and we’re counting. I don’t intend for this young team that we’re building in Pittsburgh today to hit 35. I intend to beat that record of 35, and we’re going to get there before we hit the 35th anniversary.
“In that regard, quite a few members of the media are here and this will be a popular comment that I just made on the fly. I’ve been through that a few times already.”
Bold predictions by Coonelly, perhaps but like I have been saying, I expect (as long as the players continue to progress through the minors and the Pirates’ organization continue to build through the draft) that 2013 and 2014 could be great years for the Bucs.
Pittsburgh honors Maz and 1960 Bucs
For most, October 13th at 3:36 p.m. may not sound special, but believe me it is. Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of the 1960 World Series in which the Bucs defeated the Yankees in game seven with a walk-off home run by Bill Mazeroski –which arguably is one of the greatest World Series moments in major league history.
And yet, 50 years later, the city of Pittsburgh continues to honor this very special day. For the past 15 years, Maz and the members of the 1960 World Series team are honored on the anniversary of this remarkable feat at Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
Several thousand fans gathered at the spot where Forbes Field used to be (The outfield wall, home plate and mark where Maz’s ball left the park are all still there) to celebrate game seven.
Vern Law, Bob Friend, Bill Virdon, Dick Groat, Hal Smith, Joe Gibbon, George Witt, Bob Oldis, and Joe Christopher were all in attendance. President Frank Coonelly and Steve Blass were there as well as Vera, wife of the late Roberto Clemente, and son Luis.
“This is just unbelievable, unbelievable,” Hal Smith told the AP on Wednesday. “We never dreamed of anything like this back then.”
After the 1960 team lineups were announced, fans listened as game seven was played at the exact time the game started and finished. Fans cheered, cried and booed while relieving the wonderful moments that happened 50 years ago. They even sang “take me out to the ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch. When it was time for Maz to step up to the plate it was dead silent. The 1-0 pitch…Here’s the swing and it’s a high fly ball going deep to left..did they do it? Back to the wall goes Berra and it is over the fence. The Pirates win!” Once you heard the crack of the bat the thousands of fans were jumping and screaming and celebrating Maz’s game winning home run. Confetti was thrown and signs were held, an incredible moment that I felt I was a part of.
“It was a monumental home run,” reliever Roy Face said.
“I just thought it was a hit to win a ballgame and would be forgotten about next year when we started it all over again,” Mazeroski said. “Here we are 50 years later still talking about it.”
I was honored to meet so many fans who told me great stories of what it was like to be at game seven. For those who say baseball is dead in the steel city, it was very much alive on Wednesday afternoon.
Maz as well as players from the 1960 Bucs.
A fan holding up the 50-year old paper from the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette ”Bucs are the Champs”
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I love this. Framed are the rosters of both the Pirates and Yankees from 1960 along with all the signatures of the players and the ticket stubs from the World Series.
The model of Forbes field.
Touching home plate.
The words speak for them self. The plaque marks the spot where Maz’s ball went over the left-center field fence.
One fan had a seat from Forbes field with him. He was a fourth generation Pirates’ family, and the chair made its way to him. It was believed to be from the right field seats in the 28th row. It was re-painted –the original seats were green– and was still in one piece. That’s pretty unbelievable.
MLB Network was at the event and will be airing the full broadcast of game seven on December 15th. The Network will be in Pittsburgh this November for the filming and showing at a local theater. Bob Costas as well as many players will be in attendance for this event. Tickets will be available for fans and as soon as more info is announced I will be sure to let you know.
Until then…Beat em’ Bucs!
Kristy Robinson
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