- 1881 - RHP Frederick W. “Bucky” Veil (he went to Bucknell) was born in Tyrone. He only pitched two MLB seasons (1903-04), both for the Bucs, as his career was cut short by malaria bouts. He did have a good arm; Honus Wagner predicted "...A brilliant future for the promising star..." in the Pittsburg Press, although his health held him to just five career victories. He does hold the distinction of being the first relief pitcher in a World Series, when he tossed seven innings against Boston in 1903 after replacing an injured Sam Leever in game two, giving up just one run.
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| Bucky Veil 1903 (image via SABR) |
- 1894 - The Pirates set a club record by scoring in 14 straight innings during a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Browns when they plated a run in the first. They started the streak on July 31st, beating Cincinnati 11-10 while scoring in the last five frames, and then tallied in all eight frames on August 1st against the Reds, winning by a 15-5 count. The games were played at Expo Park.
- 1905 - Temper, temper, Hans: In the course of a 3-1 loss to the New York Giants, Honus Wagner was called out on a bang-bang play at first. Hot at the decision, he fired a baseball past umpire George Bausewine’s noggin during warmups the next inning. The Flying Dutchman was ejected, suspended for three games and fined $40.
- 1919 - Wilbur Cooper allowed two runs on five hits in eight innings in a 4-2 win against the Boston Braves at Forbes Field. Dana Fillingem had the Bucs shutout going into the eight. But a couple of knocks and a couple of walks put Pittsburgh on the board, and Vic Saier’s triple unjammed the sacks to give the Pirates a 4-2 lead.
- 1928 - The Pirates scored 12 runs in the first three innings and ran away with an 18-4 laugher over the Phillies at the Baker Bowl. Glenn Wright (five RBI) and George Grantham (who scored four times) cranked out early three-run homers to pace the attack. Three more runs were driven in by both Pie Traynor and Fred Brickell. Burleigh Grimes coasted to the win.
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| Fred Brickell 1933 Goudey series |
- 1960 - The Pirates defeated the Dodgers 3-0 at Forbes Field behind Vern Law’s five hitter. There was plenty of leather; Roberto Clemente threw behind Norm Larker at first to catch him rounding the base too far after a single, and then Duke Snider robbed Clemente with a one-handed grab in center. A close game was broken up in the seventh when Bill Mazeroski rolled a single up the middle to score Joe Christopher. But the backbreaker came when Dodger hurler Stan Williams mishandled a bunt, leading eventually to a two-out, two-run double by Dick Groat.
- 1966 - Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield was born in Melbourne, Florida. The RH spent his first two seasons (1992-93) as a Buc and went 14-12 with a 4.17 ERA. After a fairly terrible year in AAA Buffalo in 1994, he was released and then spent the next 17 years in Boston, winning 187 games and making an All-Star appearance before hangin’ ‘em up after the 2011 season at the age of 44.
- 1969 - Matty Alou was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Pirate Treasure.” He was a treasure in his second All-Star season, leading the league in hits (231), appearances (746) and at-bats (698).
- 1970 - Pittsburgh outslugged the Braves 10-7 at Atlanta Stadium behind the hot sticks of Bob Robertson and Johnny Jeter. Robertson went long twice and drove home six runs; the other four runs were plated by Jeter, who also homered. Dock Ellis got the win, although Dave Giusti made it interesting in the ninth, giving up three runs on back-to-back Bravo home runs.
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| Johnny Jeter 1970 Topps series |
- 1971 - Willie Stargell was the cover boy for Sports Illustrated as part of the feature article “Pittsburgh Overpowers the East.” The Bucs did take the division that year, and Captain Willie led the way with 48 HR, 125 RBI, .295 BA and a .628 slugging %.
- 1975 - Dave Parker was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Lethal Punch.” In his third big league season, the Cobra put up a .308/25/101 slash for the division-winning Pirates.
- 1977 - The Pirates scored twice in the ninth inning to tie the score 3-3 against Houston at the Astrodome before Bill Robinson hit a two-out, game-winning three-run homer off Dan Larson in the top of the 10th to win it. Robinson had tied the game with a single with Dave Parker aboard the frame before; the throw to third to try to get The Cobra went through third baseman Enos Cabell and both Parker & Robinson scored on the misplay. Larson threw a complete game in a losing effort, giving up just six hits, with five coming in the final 1-⅔ innings. Grant Jackson pitched the final three innings for the Pirates and allowed just one hit to earn the win.
- 1985 - The last-place Pirates dumped a trio of players, trading pitchers John Candelaria and Al Holland along with OF George Hendrick to the Angels for OF Mike Brown and pitchers Pat Clements and Bob Kipper to add some youth to the roster.
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| Mike Brown 1986 Fleer series |
- 1993 - The Cubs beat the Pirates‚ 12-10‚ at Wrigley Field in a game marked by seven HRs‚ six ejections‚ three brushbacks and a brawl. Carlos Garcia had a pair of homers and was beaned in his next at-bat in the sixth by Bob Scanlon, instigating the meet-at-the-mound scrum. Lloyd McClendon and Al Martin also went long for Pittsburgh.
- 2002 - The Bucs walked off with a 6-5 win over the SF Giants at PNC Park. Down a run with two outs in the ninth, Jason Kendall lined a single and Jack Wilson followed with a bloop. Brian Giles drilled Rob Nenn’s 1-2 pitch into left center to plate them both for the win. Adam Hyzdu & Rob Mackowiak homered for the Bucs while Brian Boehringer got the win.
- 2007 - It took 11 innings, but Pittsburgh whipped the SL Cards 6-5 at PNC Park. With two down, Jose Castillo's single scored Ryan Doumit from second. Ronnie Paulino had a homer and double while Salomon Torres picked up the win after two innings of shutout ball.
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