Pirates Legend Bill Mazeroski, Famous for 1960 World Series Homer, Dies at 89

Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, who hit the legendary walk-off home run to win the 1960 World Series for Pittsburgh, has passed away at age 89. The defensive specialist spent his entire 17-year career with the Pirates and was known as one of the greatest second basemen in baseball history.

Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, the second baseman who delivered one of the most memorable moments in World Series history, has passed away at 89 years old.

The Pittsburgh Pirates confirmed Mazeroski’s death on Saturday, though the team did not disclose the cause. He died on Friday after spending all 17 seasons of his major league career with Pittsburgh.

“It is with a heavy heart that we relay the news of the passing of legendary Pirates and National Baseball Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski,” the organization stated, describing his famous 1960 home run as “the greatest home run in baseball history.”

“He was a beloved member of the Pirates family and he will be deeply missed.”

Old black-and-white footage from October 13, 1960, captures Mazeroski connecting with a Ralph Terry pitch and sending it sailing over the left field wall during the ninth inning at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The dramatic blast secured a 10-9 victory for the Pirates in the decisive seventh game against the New York Yankees, as ecstatic fans swarmed the field while he rounded the bases.

During a 2015 Pirates broadcast, Mazeroski shared his memories of that historic moment: “I don’t know it’s out. I don’t know it’s a home run. But I know I’m going to end up on third if he misplays that ball off the wall. So I’m busting my tail getting around there, and by the time I hit second base, I looked down the line and the fans went crazy. From second base, I didn’t touch the ground all the way in.”

That dramatic home run stands as the only walk-off blast in a seventh game of World Series competition.

Throughout his career, Mazeroski earned recognition as one of baseball’s premier defensive players, capturing eight Gold Glove honors and earning 10 All-Star selections. He celebrated two championship victories with Pittsburgh, including the 1960 triumph and another in 1971 when the Pirates defeated Baltimore in seven games.

The West Virginia-born player compiled a .260 batting average during his career, accumulating 138 home runs, 2,016 hits, and 853 RBIs across 2,163 games.

His defensive prowess was reflected in a career .983 fielding percentage, with his peak performance coming in 1966 when he committed only eight errors in 957 chances over 162 games, achieving a remarkable .992 fielding rate.

In 2001, the Veterans Committee recognized his contributions by inducting him into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

“I think defense belongs in the Hall of Fame,” Mazeroski stated during his induction speech. “Defense deserves as much credit as pitching and hitting, and I’m proud and honored to be going into the Hall of Fame on the defensive side and mostly for my defensive abilities.”