Bucco History 5/18

Babe Adams, the hidden ball trick, the trade that wasn't, Maz and Verlander foiled by Josh...

• 1882 - Charles Benjamin “Babe” Adams was born in Tipton, Indiana. The righty worked 18 seasons for Pittsburgh (1907-26) with a 194-140/2.74 line. He almost single handedly won the Pirates first World Series title, going 3-0 in 1909 against the Tigers and Ty Cobb, tossing three complete game six-hitters while allowing just four runs in 27 IP. 
• 1906 - Christy Mathewson lost to the Pirates and Lefty Leifield 7-6 at Exposition Park. Honus Wagner had three hits and the defensive play of the game. He erased Bill Dahlen from second base in the ninth inning with the ol’ hidden ball trick, sneaking in from behind with the tag as Dahlen focused on the action in front of him. NY Giant’s manager John McGraw was so furious with his veteran SS for napping on the bases that he slapped him with a $100 fine‚ which was later rescinded. 
• 1949 - The Pirates dealt 1B Johnny Hopp to the Dodgers for OF Marv Rackley. Hopp went 0-for-14 and Rackley 11-for-35 before the trade was canceled on June 7th; it ended up Rackley had a bum arm before he was traded. Rackley was done in 1950, while Hopp gave the Bucs a couple of .300+ years before he was sold to the Yankees in September of the following season. 
• 1968 - Bill Mazeroski played his 392nd straight game‚ a record for NL 2B‚ in an 8-3 loss to the Reds. He played 163 games that season as the Pirates had a tie game that counted, then was later replayed. 
• 2012 - Josh Harrison broke up Justin Verlander’s no-hit bid with one out in the ninth when he softly lined a curve ball away to center. Verlander K’ed 12 Buccos and walked a pair at Comerica Park in leading Detroit to a 6-0 victory.