7/7 Happenings: Maz Debut; Babe's Visit; Forbes Field Host All-Stars; ASGs

• 1921 - The Bronx Bombers visited Forbes Field for an exhibition tilt. The Pittsburgh Press wrote “Thousands of fans who attended the exhibition match between the New York Yankees and the Pirates were disappointed when Babe Ruth failed to deliver a circuit clout.” The Bambino, who had 31 homers on his way to swatting 59 on the year, flew out twice and fanned two times in the Bucs 5-2 win as Pirates RF Dave Robertson was the only player to go long. 
• 1936 - The Pirates sent 1B Gus Suhr and SS Arky Vaughan to the All-Star Game at Boston Braves Stadium. Neither got in as the NL squeaked out a 4-3 win. 

Arky Vaughan 1936 Goudey Wide Pen

• 1937 - P Cy Blanton, SS Arky Vaughan and RF Paul Waner were selected as Pittsburgh All-Stars for the game at Griffith Stadium. Vaughan went 2-for-5, Waner 0-for-5 with an RBI, and Blanton faced one batter, Joe DiMaggio, whom he whiffed during the AL’s 8-3 romp. 
• 1956 - Bill Mazeroski made his Pirate debut. He went 1-for-3 and turned a DP (Dick Groat - Maz - Bob Skinner) against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds in a 3-2 Pirate loss. He got his ticket to Pittsburgh to replace Spook Jacobs, who was sent down. 
• 1959 - The All-Star Game became a double feature when a new, two-game format was adopted. The first game was played at Forbes Field. The NL won 5-4 after the first pitch was tossed by VP Richard Nixon. C Smoky Burgess, P Elroy Face, SS Dick Groat and 2B Billy Mazeroski repped the Buccos. Maz went 1-for-1 with a single, Groat batted once and sacrificed, and Smoky didn’t make an appearance. The Baron of the Bullpen did, and probably wishes he hadn’t. He gave up three runs in 1-⅔ IP with three hits, two walks, and two K. 

Maz 1959 Topps/TSN All-Star

• 1964 - The NL defeated the AL at Shea Stadium in the All Star game by a 7-4 score, best remembered because of Johnny Callison’s three-run ninth inning homer. Roberto Clemente went 1-for-3 with a run, Willie Stargell 0-for-1, and Bill Mazeroski and Smoky Burgess were bench players. 
• 1998 - Coors Field lived up to its hitter-friendly rep as the AL outslugged the NL 13-8 in the All Star game. C Jason Kendall was the Pirate AS and singled in his only at bat.