This week in Pittsburgh Pirates history -
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| Danny Kravitz |
1956 In the bottom
of the ninth inning at Forbes Field, Danny Kravitz's walk-off grand slam off
Jack Meyer erases a three-run deficit giving the Pirates a dramatic 6-5 victory
over the Phillies. It is the first career round-tripper hit by the 25-year old
rookie back-up backstop.
1993 In the top of
the seventh of a tied game at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, Jay Bell leads
off the inning by grounding out to Phillies' shortstop Juan Bell. The Pirate
infielder is rung up by, none other than, first base umpire Wally Bell.
May 12
1955 After walking
the bases full in the bottom of the ninth, Cubs right-hander Sam 'Toothpick'
Jones whiffs Dick Groat, Roberto Clemente and Frank Thomas to preserve his 4-0
no-hitter against the Pirates. Unfortunately only 2,918 fans are on hand at
Wrigley Field to witness the first no-hitter ever thrown by a black player and
the ninth rookie to throw a hitless game.
May 14
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| Johnny Hopp |
2010 Andrew
McCutchen and Garrett Jones both collect five hits, including a home run for each,
in the Pirates’ 10-6 victory over Chicago. The last time two Bucs enjoyed a
five-hit game on the same day happened when Willie Stargell and Bob Robertson
accomplished the feat against Atlanta in 1970.
May 16
1983 In an 11-4
rout of the Pirates, rookie right fielder Darryl Strawberry hit his first major
league home run, a two-run round-tripper off Pittsburgh's Lee Tunnell at Three
Rivers Stadium.
May 17
1947 At Forbes
Field, Hank Greenberg asks Jackie Robinson if the Dodger infielder was hurt in
a collision with him at first base earlier in the game and then tells the
embattled Brooklyn rookie, "Stick in there. You’re doing fine. Keep your
chin up." Jackie will remark to the writers a few days later that his
"diamond hero" is Hank Greenberg knowing that the Pirates' first
baseman, who due to the bigotry endured as a Jew, can appreciate his difficulty
of facing racial injustice everyday as the first black player in the major
leagues this century.
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| Bill Virdon |
1956 Due to his
slow start in his sophomore season, the Cardinals trade Bill Virdon, last
year's Rookie of the Year, to the Pirates in exchange for Bobby Del Greco and
Dick Littlefield. The 25-year old outfielder will finish the season hitting
.334 in 133 games for the Bucs and will play a key role in the team's World
Championship in 1960.
1978 Pinch hitting
for Davey Lopes in the Los Angeles 10-1 rout of the Pirates, Lee Lacy goes deep
in the bottom of the eighth inning off Will McEnaney at Dodger Stadium. The
utility player becomes the first player in major league history to homer in
three consecutive at bats as a pinch hitter. Lacy became a Pirate the next year and played six seasons for the Pittsburgh club.
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