8/15 From 1940 Through the 1960’s: Kiner Foursome; Six Packs; Game Stories; Bunning Dealt; HBD Duffy

• 1945 - C Duffy Dyer was born in Dayton, Ohio. Dyer backed up Manny Sanguillen from 1975-78, hitting .227 as a Bucco. He caught John Candelaria's no-hitter on August 9th, 1976 and led NL catchers in fielding % in 1977. The light-hitting (.221 lifetime BA) catcher had a long career behind the dish, lasting 14 MLB campaigns. He managed in the minors after his playing days, scouted and was a MLB coach for the Brewers and Oakland A’s. In 2013, Duffy powered down to skipper the Kenosha Kingfish, a summer collegiate league club; he had managed Kenosha in the early eighties when the town was home to a Twins farm club. 

Ralph Kiner - 2002 SP Legendary Cuts

• 1947 - Ralph Kiner hit consecutive home runs off Red Munger in his last two at bats during a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Forbes Field. Kiner then homered in his first two at bats in his next game against the Cards Ken Burkhart, tying the record for consecutive home runs. 
• 1950 - The Pirates surrendered six runs in the ninth, then scored a half dozen of their own to beat the Reds 10-9 at Forbes Field. The Bucs put up the six spot with six singles, a walk and a big boot - a bobbled potential DP ball - with Clyde McCullough getting the walk off knock, scoring Wally Westlake from second when his liner was deflected into no man’s land by Reds pitcher Johnny Hetki. The highlight was a fifth inning homer by Ralph Kiner, his 33rd, to left center off Ewell Blackwell that was estimated to travel 480’. The Bucs third twirler, Bill MacDonald, earned the win. 
• 1951 - Ralph Kiner banged a homer and triple, scored twice and drove in four runs as the Bucs beat the Chicago Cubs 7-0 at Forbes Field behind Bob Friend’s two-hitter (to go with eight walks) and first career shutout. George Metkovich added three hits. 
• 1964 - Pirate pitchers Tommy Sisk, Frank Bork and Alvin McBean spoiled “Ernie Banks Day” at Wrigley Field, holding Bingo hitless in a 5-4 Bucco win. Donn Clendenon had a pair of RBI (his two-out single in the ninth was the eventual game winner) while Bob Bailey and Roberto Clemente homered. McBean got the win over Lindy McDaniel. 
• 1968 - Steve Blass tossed a four-hit shutout in Pittsburgh’s 2-0 win over the Giants at Forbes Field. It was Blass’ seventh complete game and third shutout of the season. The Pirates scratched out their scores, with a first inning single by Donn Clendenon and an error that brought home Willie Stargell. 

Steve Blass - 1968 MLB Showdown

• 1969 - The Pirates traded RHP pitcher Jim Bunning to the Dodgers for two minor league players and cash. Bunning was nagged by injuries and was a disappointing 14-23/3.84 in two seasons with Pittsburgh. He left Pittsburgh and won just 18 more games before retiring after 1971, though he would earn a spot in Cooperstown for his work with the Tigers and Phils. IF Chuck Goggin and 1B/OF Ron Mitchell were the return. Goggin earned eight at-bats in Pittsburgh while Mitchell never made it to the show, spending 11 years in the minors. 
• 1969 - Big Bob Veale went the distance for the third straight time, scattering six hits against the Reds at Crosley Field to lead the Bucs to a 5-1 victory. The Pirates flexed their muscles in the victory, homering four times - Gene Alley went yard twice while Richie Hebner and Al Oliver also swatted long balls.