The Pittsburgh Pirates are in mourning following the passing of Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, who died on Friday at the age of 89. The team expressed their deep sorrow through a statement from Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting, who recognized Mazeroski not just for his impressive achievements on the field, but for the legacy he leaves as a beloved figure in the organization.
“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,” Nutting remarked. Mazeroski was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2001, and he became an inaugural member of the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2022.
A seven-time All-Star, Mazeroski is perhaps best remembered for his iconic game-winning home run against the New York Yankees in Game Seven of the 1960 World Series. Nutting emphasized that while Mazeroski’s name will forever be linked to that historic moment, he will also be remembered for his character: “humble, gracious and proud to be a Pirate.”
Throughout his 17-year career with the Pirates, Mazeroski secured eight Gold Glove Awards and earned a reputation as one of the best fielding second basemen in baseball history. He holds several National League records, including the most seasons leading the league in assists (9) and double plays (8), as well as the record for most double plays turned in a single season—161 in 1966.
Mazeroski is survived by his two sons, Darren and David, and four grandchildren, with Darren currently serving in the Pirates Scouting department as an Area Supervisor. His legacy not only lives on through his extraordinary career but also through the family connections he has fostered within the organization.
The loss of Bill Mazeroski is being felt profoundly across the baseball community, highlighting his enduring impact on the game and the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise.