The 1960 World Series pitted the NL Champs, the Pittsburgh Pirates against The Yankees of New York, champions of the AL. Pittsburgh was the first modern National League Champion in 1901. However championships in Pittsburgh were few and far between in 1960. Their last pennant was in 1927 when they were defeated in the World Series by these same Yankees. The Yankees had a much different history, they played in 8 of the last World Series. The 1960 World Series was one of the most lopsided fall classics with Yankees overwhelming Pittsburgh in total runs scored as well as base hits. Gm 1 Pgh 6, NY 4. Gm 2 NY 16, Pgh 3. Gm 3 NY 10, Pgh 0. Gm 4 Pgh 3 NY 2. Gm 5 Pgh 5, NY 2. Gm 6 NY 12, Pgh 0. Gm 7 Pgh 10, NY 9. This New York team were truly the Bronx Bombers. The team was comprised of Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Tony Kubek, Bill Skowran, Bobby Richardson, with pitchers Whitey Ford and Ralph Terry and managed by the legendary Casey Stengle. In games 2 & 3 Mickey Mantle ha 2 home runs and 5 RBIs while Bobby Richardson had a grand slam home run and 6 RBIs. In Game 5 Stengle went with Game 1 starter Art Ditmar, who lasted only 1/3 inning in that first game. The Pirates continued their mastery over Ditmar and won game 5 by a score of 5-2. Game 6 belonged to New York. Richardson hit 2 triples, Johnny Blanchard hit 2 doubles and 3 hits, Maris and Berra also each had 3 hits. The Yankees had a total of 17 hits and 12 runs. Game 7 was different than any other game in the series, the lead went back and forth almost all during the game. The Pirates fought to an early 4-0 lead. The Yankees the fought back to take a 5-4 lead. In the top of the 8th The Yanks added to their lead, going ahead 7-5. In the bottom of the 8th Pittsburgh avoided a sure double play, with runners on 1st and 2nd, when a ground ball to shortstop Tony Kubek took a bad bounce and hit him in his Adams apple. This caused Kubek much pain and he needed to leave the game. Dick Groat then singled and Clemente made it 7-6. Hal Smith then homered with 2 men on and Pittsburgh was leading 9-7 going into the top of the 9th. Bobby Richardson and Dale Long (former Pirate) each singled and Mantle drove one run in with the innings 3rd single. Gil McDougal then hit into a fielders choice, scoring the tying run. With the score tied at 9-9 in the bottom of the 9th, Ralph Terry, who got the final out in the 8th, was on the mound. Bill Mazeroski, the Pirate 2nd baseman, came to the batters box to lead off the inning for Pittsburgh. With the count 1 ball and no strikes, the future Hall of Famer smashed a historic home run over the head of Yogi Berra and the ivy-covered brick wall in left field. This was the first ever walk-off homerun that won a World Series. Most baseball experts consider this to be Major League Baseballs most famous home run. The Pirates and their fans erupted in a huge and long-lasting celebration. The Yankees however, stood in shock and disbelief. New York knew that they clearly dominated the series, as a whole but they were unable to finish the task. The World Champion Pirates were outscored 55-27 and outhit 91-60, but when it counted the Pittsburgh Pirates prevailed. Years later, in his autobiography, Mickey Mantle wrote that losing the 1960 World Series was the biggest disappointment of his career. For Bill Mazeroski it was the high point of his career. I dont know what the pitch was to Mazeroski, all I know was that it was the wrong one. - Ralph Terry Major League Baseball (MLB) calls the 7th game of the 1960 World Series the greatest game 7 in World Series history. Bill Mazeroski was awarded the Babe Ruth Award as the Most Valuable Player of the 1960 World Series.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:39:32 +0000
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