8/2 Happenings: HBD Bucky & Tim, Goodbye Harry, Candy Man Traded, Cover Boys

• 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.

Bucky had it all but his health...

• 1909 - NL President Harry Pulliam was buried in Louisville. For the first time in history, both National and American League games were postponed in his honor. Harry had been the Pirates team president prior to that, and is widely credited with convincing Honus Wagner to leave Louisville and join him in Pittsburgh.
• 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).

• 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 season, the Cobra put up a .308/25/101 slash for the division-winning Pirates.
• 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 & Bob Kipper in a move to add some youth to the roster.