9/14 Expo Park-Forbes Field Era: Paul Waner's 200 Hits, Burleigh's Debut, Double Trouble & More...

• 1916 - Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes made his first MLB start for the Pirates, losing a 3-2 decision to the Brooklyn Superbas at Ebbets Field. He didn’t have a lot of help; LF Bill Hinchman lost a fly in the sixth and Honus Wagner muffed a DP ball in the same frame as Brooklyn scored twice. The Bucs tied it, but lost in the ninth on a two-out double by the opposing pitcher, Larry Cheney. Grimes finished his rookie campaign 2-3 and went on to win 270 games during his 19 year career.
• 1925 - The Pirates snapped a streak of losing 7-of-8 games with a 9-4 win over the Brooklyn Robins at Forbes Field. Glenn Wright and George Grantham both went 3-for-4 and combined for a double, triple, three runs and three RBI to back Vic Aldridge’s win. The victory not only ended a losing string, but launched the eventual World Championship club on a nine game winning streak.

Vic Aldridge 1925 (photo Bains News Service/Library of Congress)

• 1933 - LHP Fred Green was born in Titusville, New Jersey. He pitched four years for the Bucs (1959-61, 1964) with a line of 9-6-4/3.33. The multi-role reliever was a member of the 1960 championship club after signing in 1952 and coming through the Pirate farm system.
• 1936 - Paul Waner tied Rogers Hornsby's modern NL record by reaching 200 hits for the seventh time as the Bucs swept the Phils 11-4 and 6-5 at the Baker Bowl. Big Poison banged out his 200th knock in the opener and collected five hits during the twinbill. Bill Swift and Red Lucas earned complete game victories for Pittsburgh.
• 1944 - The Pirates purchased catcher Bill Salkeld from San Diego of the Pacific Coast league. He was brought aboard to replace Al Lopez, but couldn’t win the spot even though he hit .293 in his three (1945-47) Bucco campaigns. As a rookie in ‘45, Salkeld batted .311 with 15 home runs in only 317 PA, but was mainly a platoon guy with a .213 lifetime BA against lefties.

Bill Salkeld 1945-47 (via The Sporting News archives)

• 1957 - The Cubs split a doubleheader at Wrigley Field against the bonus baby O'Brien twins. In the opener‚ Eddie twirled a 3-1 complete game win, scattering six hits and fanning eight for his only MLB decision. In the nitecap‚ Johnny pitched one inning in relief and was charged with the loss‚ his last MLB decision (1-3 lifetime). Both played from 1953-58 for the Bucs, but they were infielders first, pitchers as an afterthought.