7/18: HBD Johnny; Ralph Belts #100; Last Day On Top; The Hat Gets Axed

• 1905 - The Pirates collected eight hits, including a home run by George Gibson against Christy Mathewson, and won 2-1 over NY at the Polo Grounds. The game was briefly stopped by umpire Jim Johnstone after a Giants fan tossed a pop bottle at Pirate RF Otis Clymer while he was chasing down a single. Clymer had already made one great play in the pasture and apparently the home crowd didn’t want another. Charlie Case tossed a five hitter for the win.
• 1916 - OF Johnny Hopp was born in Hastings, Nebraska. He played three years in Pittsburgh (1948-50) with a .291/24/244 line as a Bucco during his 14 year big league career. He played in five different WS with the Cards and Yankees and was an All-Star in 1946.
• 1930 - George Grantham and Adam Comorosky each homered and along with Pie Traynor combined to go 9-for-14 with nine RBI and seven runs scored as the Pirates defeated Boston 12-4 at Braves Field. Glenn Spencer went the distance for the win.

Adam Comorosky 1933 Goudey series

• 1948 - It was a lousy day for the Pirates as they dropped a twinbill to the Boston Braves by 10-2 and 3-1 scores at Forbes Field. But it was a record setting afternoon for Ralph Kiner, who hit a solo shot in the ninth off Vern Bickford in the nitecap for his 100th career homer in 385 games, a pace that wasn’t surpassed until Ryan Howard did it in 325 games in 2007.
• 1951 - Ralph Kiner drove in seven runs and hit three HRs‚ including his 10th grand slam‚ in a 13-12 slugfest win over the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. His final bomb‚ a solo shot off Erv Palica in the eighth‚ broke a 12-12 tie. In Kiner's final at bat in the ninth‚ Carl Furillo hauled in his long drive near the CF gate. Kiner set the franchise record with four games with three homers, later to be tied by Willie Stargell. Joe Garagiola and Gus Bell also went long for the Bucs.
• 1957 - Ernie Banks and future Bucco skipper Chuck Tanner of the Cubs hit inside-the-park homers at Forbes Field. Chicago still lost 6-5 when the Pirates scored four runs off three Chicago pitchers in the ninth. Dick Groat’s two run triple tied the game and he crossed the plate with the game winner following Bill Mazeroski’s single, giving Luis Arroyo the victory.

Luis Arroyo 1957 Topps

• 1964 - The Milwaukee Braves got blown out at County Stadium, losing 8-2 to the Pirates, paced by Bob Bailey and Roberto Clemente’s three hits to back Bob Veale’s seven hitter. The Bucs also helped Brave legend Warren Spahn reach a milestone. Seven of Pittsburgh's 15 hits came against the southpaw, who lasted just 3-2/3 frames, but he managed to complete his 5,000th MLB inning, putting him in an elite group; he still ranks eighth all-time in IP (sixth since post-1900) and joined a club with just a dozen other 5K workhorse members. The Hall-of-Famer usually fared better against the Buccos; he beat them 49 times over his two-decade career.
• 1967 - Harry “The Hat” Walker was fired as manager when the Bucs started out 42-42, despite winning 182 games and finishing third in back-to-back seasons. Old standby Danny Murtaugh returned to the bench in his stead.
• 1971 - The Bucs won their eleventh straight game when they swept a DH from the Dodgers, 3-2 and 7-1 at TRS. The Pirates took the opener when Gene Alley opened the ninth with a triple and plated on Gene Clines tapper. Richie Hebner and Milt May homered in the nitecap. Luke Walker had a no hitter going into the ninth during the second game, losing the no-no on a homer to Joe Ferguson.

Milt May 1984 Fleer series

• 1990: Jeff King hit his first career grand slam and added five RBI to lead the Pirates to an 11-2 win over San Francisco at Three Rivers Stadium. Doug Drabek allowed two runs in eight innings while improving to 11-4 on the season.
• 2000 - The Bucs snapped a six game losing streak with an 8-6 win over LA at Dodger Stadium. The Pirates scored five times in the first two innings, but the Dodgers came back with a six spot in the third. The Buccos prevailed thanks to three RBI days from Jason Kendall and Wil Cordero, both whom also homered. Five Pirate relievers combined to toss seven innings of scoreless three hit ball to cement the win, which went to Jose Manzanillo.
• 2009 - Charlie Morton went seven innings of three hit ball to stop the Giants 2-0 at PNC Park. Matt Capps made it exciting, putting runners on second and third with an out in the ninth, but came back to get a K and grounder to preserve the win. Ryan Doumit scored once and had an RBI to provide some spark to the attack.

Matt Capps 2007 Topps series

• 2011 - The Pirates took a 2-0 decision at PNC Park against Cincinnati as Charlie Morton tossed a three hitter against the Reds. The Bucs played small ball in the fourth for the win. Chase d’Arnaud and Neil Walker led off with singles against Dontrelle Willis, with Walker taking second behind the play when the throw was aimed at d’Arnaud going to third. Andrew McCutchen’s tapper drove in one run and Matt Diaz’s sac fly another, and that was the day’s offensive output.
• 2012 - The Pirates spent their last day tied for the top of the NL Central after taking a 9-6 decision from the Rockies at Coors Field. Garrett Jones, Pedro Alvarez, Casey McGehee and Rod Barajas homered for the Bucs. The Buccos collapsed like a house of cards after that, going 28-43 the rest of the way to finish with 79 wins for their 20th consecutive losing campaign.