6/18: Ron Necciai, Leppert's 1st AB, One Punch Smith, Responses...

• 1927 - Continuing a feud that dated back to Pirate C Earl Smith's days with the Braves‚ Smith dropped Boston manager Dave Bancroft with a right to the kisser after they jawed in the seventh inning. Bancroft was carried off the field, and Smith drew a $500 fine and 30 day suspension. The Pirates won 7-4 at Forbes Field.
• 1932 - Minor league legend RHP Ron Necciai was born in Gallatin, Fayette County. In 1952, Necciai struck out 27 batters while throwing a 7-0 no-hitter for the Bristol Twins and followed that with a two hit, 24 K performance. The Bucs called him up later from Class A, but the 20 year old Necciai posted just a 1-6 record with 31 strikeouts and a 7.08 ERA in 54-2/3 IP from August 10th to September 28th, 1952, the span of his MLB career. He went into the service in 1953, and chronic ulcers and a torn rotator cuff ended his career before it began.
• 1948 - The Pirates spoiled Robin Roberts debut‚ beating the Phils' rookie 2-0 at Shibe Park behind Elmer Riddle’s five hitter. But Roberts was in the show to stay. He lasted 19 years, won 286 games and entered the Hall of Fame.

Elmer Riddle 1949 via tnfoto's Baseball Photos

• 1960 - The Bucs were down 3-0 in the ninth at LA Memorial Coliseum with two outs and Gino Cimoli up with one swing left, behind in the count 1-2. That started a fast and furious comeback when Cimoli eked out an infield hit to short and Hal Smith homered. Don Hoak singled, Maz walked and Smoky Burgess tied the game with another knock. Smith was the hero again in the 10th, banging a ground ball single to left off Larry Sherry that brought home Roberto Clemente and gave the Bucs an in-and-out of the jaws of death 4-3 win. ElRoy Face picked up the victory.
• 1961 - C Don Leppert made his MLB debut a memorable one with a HR in his first at bat off Curt Simmons in a 5-3 win over Cards at Forbes Field in the opener of a DH. The Bucs dropped the nightcap by a 7-3 count.
• 1977 - Richie Zisk was featured as the cover story of The Sporting News in an article titled “Menacing Bat.”
• 2005 - The Pirates whipped the Red Sox at Fenway Park by a 2-0 count, scoring single runs in the eighth and ninth on Humberto Cota and Ryan Doumit knocks. Three Bucco pitchers - Dave Williams, Rick White and Jose Mesa - combined on a six hitter to stop Boston.

Rick White 1994 Fleer Update series

• 2010 - The sad sack Pirates lost their 12th straight game by a 4-3 count to the almost equally inept Cleveland Indians at PNC Park. All the scoring was in the seventh inning, with the Bucs scoring on a bases loaded double by Ryan Church and the Tribe answering. The Pirates came back to take the next two games from the Indians, followed by a six-game losing streak.
• 2013 - After a defeat at Cincy during which Andrew McCutchen was HBP and Neil Walker was knocked down, Charlie Morton plunked the first Red to step to plate and then led the Bucs to a 4-0 win at GABP. Morton and three relievers combined on a four hitter. The Bucs never looked back, scoring three times in the first, keyed by a two run, bases loaded knock by Pedro Alvarez.