Harman Patil (Editor)

1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
General manager(s)
  
Joe L. Brown

Manager(s)
  
Danny Murtaugh

Owner(s)
  
John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Bing Crosby, Thomas Johnson (minority shareholders)

Local television
  
KDKA-TV 2 Bob Prince, Jim Woods

Local radio
  
KDKA–AM 1020 Bob Prince, Paul Long, Jim Woods

The 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the team's 79th season. The team finished with a record of 95–59–1, seven games in front of the second-place Milwaukee Braves to win their first National League championship in 33 seasons. The team went on to play the heavily favored New York Yankees, whom they defeated 4 games to 3 in one of the most storied World Series ever.

Contents

Offseason

At the 1959 Winter Meetings, Pirates general manager Joe L. Brown had agreed to trade Dick Groat to the Kansas City Athletics in exchange for Roger Maris. Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh had advised Brown that he did not want to lose Groat, and the deal was never finalized.

Notable transactions

  • Prior to 1960 season: José Martínez was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates.
  • Regular season

    On September 6, team captain Dick Groat was drilled on his left wrist by an inside pitch from Braves pitcher Lew Burdette. Groat was lost for the rest of the season. Dick Schofield stepped in for the injured Groat and went three for three in that September 6 game. The Pirates won the game 5–3 and Schofield would go on to hit .414 for the rest of the season.

    On September 25 in Milwaukee, the Pirates clinched their first pennant in 33 years.

    Notable transactions

  • May 28, 1960: Julián Javier and Ed Bauta were traded by the Pirates to the St. Louis Cardinals for Vinegar Bend Mizell and Dick Gray.
  • September 1, 1960: Mickey Vernon was signed as a free agent by the Pirates.
  • September 30, 1960: Mickey Vernon was released by the Pirates.
  • 1960 World Series

    The 1960 Pirates team, which featured eight All-Stars, was widely predicted to lose the World Series to a powerful New York Yankees team. In one of the most memorable World Series in history, the Pirates were defeated by more than ten runs in three games, won three close games, then recovered from a 7–4 deficit late in Game 7 to eventually win on a walk-off home run by Bill Mazeroski, a second baseman better known for defensive wizardry.

    Game 1

    October 5, 1960, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 36,676

    Game 2

    October 6, 1960, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 37,308

    Game 3

    October 8, 1960, at Yankee Stadium in New York City. Attendance: 70,001

    Game 4

    October 9, 1960, at Yankee Stadium in New York City. Attendance: 67,812

    Game 5

    October 10, 1960, at Yankee Stadium in New York City. Attendance: 62,753

    Game 6

    October 12, 1960, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 38,580

    Game 7

    October 13, 1960, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendance: 36,683

    Composite Box

    1960 World Series (4–3): Pittsburgh Pirates (N.L.) over New York Yankees (A.L.)

    Statistics

    Batting
    Pitching

    Awards and honors

  • Dick Groat, Shortstop, National League MVP
  • Bill Mazeroski, Babe Ruth Award
  • Danny Murtaugh, Associated Press NL Manager of the Year
  • All-Stars

    1960 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, 1960 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

  • Smoky Burgess
  • Roberto Clemente
  • Roy Face
  • Bob Friend (Starting P, first game)
  • Dick Groat
  • Vern Law (Starting P, second game)
  • Bill Mazeroski (Starting 2B)
  • Bob Skinner (Starting LF)
  • League leaders

  • Roberto Clemente, Led National League in outfield assists, 19 baserunners thrown out
  • Dick Groat, Led National League in batting average
  • Farm system

    LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Savannah, Hobbs

    References

    1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season Wikipedia