This Week in Pittsburgh Pirates History - September 7-13

This week in Pittsburgh Pirates history -

September 7

1962      With four steals in a 10-1 loss to the Pirates, Dodger Maury Wills breaks the modern National League record for stolen bases in a season with his 82nd swipe. Cincinnati's Bob Bescher established the mark in 1911 playing left field with Cincinnati.

2008      The Pirates lose their 82nd game, an 11-6 defeat to the Giants at AT&T Park, ensuring the club will endure their 16th consecutive losing season. The streak equals the mark established by the 1933-1948 Philadelphia Phillies for the longest skid in the history of professional sports.

2009      Thanks to their loss to Chicago, the Pirates become the first franchise in baseball history to post a losing record for 17 consecutive seasons. The dubious streak, which dates back to 1993, surpasses the skid the Phillies endured from 1933 to 1948.

September 8

1905      Pittsburgh Pirates strand a NL record 18 men on base and lose to Reds, 8-3

1940      Johnny Mize hits homers #'s 38, 39 and 40 in the first game of a doubleheader becoming the first player to hit three homers in one game four times in his career. Despite the 'Big Cat's' heroics, the Cardinals drop a pair to the Pirates, 16-14 and 9-4.

1972      Pirates manager Bill Virdon posts his 100th different line-up in the 131st game of the season. The starting nine for the eventual NL Eastern Division winners beats the Expos in the second game of a doubleheader at Jarry Park in 12 inninngs, to complete the sweep of the twin bill, 4-2.

2008      On the first pitch he sees as a major leaguer, Mark Saccomanno hits a home run that contributes to the Astos’ 3-2 victory over the Pirates at Minute Maid Park. The Houston pinch-hitter becomes the fourth player in franchise history to homer in his initial big league at-bat.

September 9

1899     Waite Hoyt, Hall of Fame pitcher for the Pirates from 1933 until 1937, was born. 

September 10

1959 Dick Stuart Rookie Card

1958      Rookie Dick Stuart’s two-run, tenth-inning, walkoff home run gave the Pirates a milestone-laden 6-4 victory over the Giants at Forbes Field. Stuart’s blast allowed the Bucs to reach two noteworthy milestones. In raising their record to 78-64, the Pirates clinched their first winning season since 1948. The win also gave Bob Friend his twentieth victory of the season. Friend’s 20-13 mark made him the first Bucco pitcher to win twenty games in a season since Murry Dickson went 20-16 in 1951.

September 11

1959      The Dodgers end Elroy Face's consecutive win streak at 22 with a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. The reliever, who will end the season with an 18-1 record, is beaten by Chuck Churn, the winner of only three major league career victories.

September 12

1947      Pirates' outfielder Ralph Kiner hits a record eight home runs in four games. Tony Lazzeri

1948 Bowman Ralph Kiner

had hit seven round-trippers in four games in 1936.

1969      The Mets sweep the Pirates in a twin bill when Jerry Koosman and Don Cardwell both go the distance in 1-0 victories. Both starters drive in the only run scored in each game.

1974      Mike Schmidt hits an eighth inning three-run bomb, his 36th home run and final one this season, off Jerry Reuss in Philadelpia's 6-4 comeback victory over the Pirates at Veterans Stadium. The 24-year old third baseman becomes the first Phillies player to lead the league in home runs since Chuck Klein hit 28 round-tripper in 1933.

1984      Striking out Marvell Wynne in the sixth inning, Dwight Gooden breaks the season strikeout record for a rookie. By whiffing 16 Pirates, Doc's total of 251 is six more than Herb Score's 1955 mark.

September 13

1950      Giants' pitcher Sal Maglie's consecutive scoreless inning streak ends at 45 when Pirates' outfielder Gus Bell hits a 257-foot pop fly which just clears the wall at the Polo Grounds.

1968      Denny Neagle, pitcher for the Pirates from 1992-96. was born.

2013      The Pirates hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to erase a 3-0 deficit against Cubs starter Jake Arrieta.  After Andrew McCutchen and Justin Morneau made two quick outs to start off the bottom of the fourth, Pedro Alvarez hit an inside-the-park home run to right-center.  Russell Martin then hit a solo shot out to left, and Garrett Jones followed with a homer to center, tying the game at 3-3.