Mazeroski, a career Pirate who played seventeen seasons in the major leagues from 1956 to 1972, is best known for his legendary walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. The Pirates had won their first National League pennant since 1927 thanks to eight All-Star players, including Mazeroski. Still, they faced a challenge in overcoming a powerful Yankees roster featuring Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Whitey Ford and others.
With the Series tied at three games apiece, it was Mazeroski who delivered the winning blow in the bottom of the ninth inning of a wild Game 7. On a 1-0 count against Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry, Mazeroski drilled a high fastball over the left-center field wall to win the game 10-9 and clinch the Series for Pittsburgh. It was their first World Series title since 1925 and the first time a World Series ended with a walk-off home run. To this day, Mazeroski’s blast stands as one of the most iconic home runs in the history of the sport.
Mazeroski joined the Pirates organization in 1954 out of high school. After two years in the minors, he made his major league debut in July 1956 at the age of 19. He played his first full season in 1957 and established himself as a contact-oriented second baseman, hitting .283 with 149 hits and 59 runs scored. His 1958 season was perhaps his best. Mazeroski hit .275/.308/.439 in 607 plate appearances with 156 hits and 19 home runs, the latter of which was a career high. A first-time All-Star, he also earned his first Gold Glove while finishing eighth in the NL MVP voting.
In addition to being a contact hitter, Mazeroski’s career was also defined by his defense. He won a total of eight Gold Gloves, including five in a row from 1963-67. His defense alone was rated at 24.0 bWAR, which ranks him 23rd all-time. Mazeroski holds the record for most double plays as a second baseman with 1,709. From 1960 to 1967 he led the league in that category every season. He also ranks fifth all-time with 6,685 assists as a second baseman. Indeed, his achievements make him one of the best defensive second basemen to ever play the game.
In an 11-year span from 1958-68, Mazeroski had 1,608 of his 2,016 career hits while hitting .263/.300/.374 and amassing 32.1 bWAR. He was remarkably durable, playing at least 130 games with 527 PA or more every year from 1957 to 1968. He earned a total of seven All-Star nominations, the last coming in 1967, when he led the NL in games played and had a career-high 167 hits. Late in his career, he became more of a part-time player and won a second World Series against the Orioles in 1971. He retired in 1972 at the age of 35.
Overall, Mazeroski hit .260/.299/.367 with a career 84 OPS+ with 2,016 hits, 138 home runs and 853 runs batted in. He was eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame in 1978, but did not meet the required threshold before falling off the ballot in 1992. Most pointed to his lower-than-usual offensive output as a reason for exclusion. The Veterans Committee disagreed and admitted Mazeroski to the Hall in 2001 in recognition of his defensive excellence.
He was one of the greatest Pirates in history, one of baseball’s best outfielders, and forever an icon for that home run. We at MLBTR extend our condolences to Mazeroski’s family, friends, loved ones, former teammates and baseball fans around the world.
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