April 10th In Bucco History

Birthdays, big games and Lanny makes his debut...

• 1906 - Howdy Groskloss, a bench IF for the Bucs from 1930-32, was born. He became the oldest living major league baseball player in 2005 at the age of 99, and lived to pass the century mark. The son of a family friend of team owner Barney Dreyfuss, Groskloss was a native Pittsburgher who went on to become a doctor, medical teacher and wartime flight surgeon in the Pacific theater.
• 1935 - Joe Gibbon, who began as a starter and finished as a reliever during his 13 year MLB career, was born on this date. The lefty spent eight seasons as a Pirate, going 44-46 with a 3.61 ERA. As a rookie, he pitched for the 1960 World Series club and returned to toss in the 1970 NLCS after spending four seasons with the Giants.
• 1948 - Lee Lacy, who spent six years in Pittsburgh as a mainly part-time outfielder, was born in Texas. Lacy hit .304 during his Bucco era and was a member of the 1979 championship team. In his 16 year career, he was part of three LA Dodger World Series teams, all of which lost. In fact, his ‘79 Series appearance was the third straight year he got to play in the Fall Classic. It was his last, and the only one he won.
• 1962 - Roberto Clemente spanked a grand slam and Bob Friend twirled a complete game, five hit shutout as the Bucs blanked the Phils in their home opener at Forbes Field 6-0. It was the only Pirates Opening Day grand slam until Neil Walker banged one in 2011.
• 1968 - Roberto Clemente hit a homer and made an unbelievable grab of Hal King’s drive down the right field line, but it went for naught. The Bucs scored a pair in the top of the ninth at the Astrodome to take a 4-2 lead, but Jim Bunning, Juan Pizarro and Ronnie Kline couldn’t hold the fort, losing 5-4.
• 1971 - Willie Stargell hit three bombs in a 5-4 loss at Atlanta.
• 1976 - Lanny Frattare made his broadcast debut as the Pirates defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-4, at Veterans Stadium. Dave Parker scored the winning run in a collision at home that cost C Johnny Oates two months of the season with a broken collarbone. Frattare went on to become the Pirates longest tenured announcer, announcing victories with his tag line "...and there was noooo doubt about it" for 33 seasons before his retirement to academia..
• 2006 - The Bucs were dissed by actor Michael Keaton, who threw the first pitch at the PNC Park home opener and then said afterwards of ownership "I fear they will take advantage of the good will of the people who continue to show up. For my money, that's disrespectful. At some point, you have to write the check.” The Pirates seemed to validate his claim as the Dodgers bombed Zach Duke in an 8-3 laugher.