5/10: Brother Acts, Blass Debuts, Bauer B-Day & Nail Biters...

• 1914 - RHP Russ Bauers was born in Townsend, Wisconsin. He pitched for the Bucs from 1936-41, and between 1937-38 went 26-20, appearing in 74 games with 53 starts and working 430-2/3 IP with an ERA of 2.98. In 1939, he pitched well but only made 15 outings for 53-2/3 innings after hurting his arm in a car accident. The Pirates released him in 1941, and he became a minor league mainstay after the war (he was in the service from 1942-45), pitching briefly at the MLB level in 1946 and again in 1950. 
• 1953 - IF Eddie and Johnny O'Brien become the first twins to play for the same team in the same game when Johnny entered the nitecap of a twin bill to play second base and Eddie later pinch ran (and scored). The sibling karma didn’t carry over as the Bucs were swept by the NY Giants 4-0 and 3-2 at the Polo Grounds. The Pirates have had several brother acts: Beside the O’Briens (1953, 55-58), there were Harry & Howie Camnitz (1909), Carson & Lyle Bigbee (1921), Johnny & Phil Morrison (1921), Paul & Lloyd Waner (1927-40), Gene & George Freese (1955) and Andy & Adam LaRoche (2008). The tradition dates back even further - the Pittsburgh Alleghenys featured Henry & John Gilbert in 1890! 

Some big bats wielded by Lloyd (l) & Paul Waner.
(photo - 1935 by Leslie Jones via Boston Public Library)

• 1964 - Steve Blass scattered two hits in five scoreless innings of relief while making his Major League debut in the second game of a doubleheader against Milwaukee at Forbes Field. Tommie Sisk started the game, but failed to retire a batter while giving up five runs in the first inning. The Bucs scored once in the bottom of the first, twice in the eighth and three times in the final frame for a 6-5 win, capped off with a two-out, walkoff single by Willie Stargell. Roberto Clemente had a homer and three RBI while Al McBean claimed the win. The Braves bombed Pittsburgh in the opener, romping to an 11-5 decision. 
• 1966 - The second place Bucs lost 2-1 in 15 innings to the first place Giants at Forbes Field. Tied in the 15th, the G-Men got a Tom Haller single to open the frame off Bob Purkey. A bunt put runners at first and second when the force at second was late, and they were loaded when a swinging bunt rolled into center. A one-out sac fly gave San Fran the lead. The Pirates tried to rally, putting runners on the corners with an out, but Andre Rodgers, pinch hitting for Willie Stargell (lefty Joe Gibbon was on the hill, and Pops’ early splits against same siders was pretty poor) banged into a 6-4-3 DP to end the game. It was so cold out that the Giant bullpen started a fire to keep warm. It also marked one of the earliest modern-era infield shifts in baseball when Harry Walker stationed three of his infielders between second and third against Willie Mays. 
• 1984 - Pittsburgh defeated the Giants 4-2 at TRS behind some clutch bullpen work. Don Robinson inherited a bases loaded, no outs jam in the eighth from Cecilio Guante and got a pop up and DP. In the ninth, Robinson left the sacks juiced with two out for Teke, who retired Joel Youngblood on a fly to ice the win. Dale Berra homered and drove in three runs to spark the offense. 

Don Robinson (photo - George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

• 2000 - Wil Cordero, Kevin Young and Pat Meares teamed up to lead the Bucs to a 13-9 victory over the Mets at TRS. Cordero went 5-for-5 with four RBI and three runs; Young went 4-for-5 with two runs driven in and four runs scored and Meares went 3-for-4 with a pair each of RBI and runs. Cordero had a HR and double, Young a long ball and Meares banged a three-bagger.