Bill Mazeroski, 1960 World Series Hero, Dies at 89

Bill Mazeroski, the Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman whose ninth-inning home run clinched the 1960 World Series, died on February 20, 2026, at the age of 89.

The Pirates announced Mazeroski's passing, noting his lifelong connection to the franchise and the city. Mazeroski spent his entire 17-year major league career with Pittsburgh, from his debut in 1956 until his retirement in 1972. He became synonymous with defensive excellence at second base, earning eight Gold Glove awards and selection to 10 All-Star teams. His career statistics included a .260 batting average, 2,016 hits, 138 home runs and 853 runs batted in over 1,757 games.

Mazeroski's most enduring legacy stemmed from Game 7 of the 1960 World Series at Forbes Field. With the score tied 9-9 in the bottom of the ninth, he hit a 1-0 fastball from New York Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry over the left-center field wall for a walk-off victory. The Pirates, underdogs against a Yankees team featuring Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford, won the series 4-3 despite being outscored 55-27 overall. It marked Pittsburgh's first World Series title since 1925 and the first time a Fall Classic ended on a walk-off home run, a feat that has not...