- 1932 - RHP Paul Giel was born in Winona, Minnesota. A bonus baby of the San Francisco Giants, he played part-time for the Pirates from 1959-60 (2-0/7.30). Baseball may have been his second-best sport. He was an All-America football player at Minnesota, the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Notre Dame’s Johnny Lattner, and a College Football Hall of Famer. Giel became the athletic director for the Gophers from 1972 to 1988 after his baseball days were over.
- 1980 - Kent Tekulve was unsigned and didn’t report to camp when it opened on the 27th. Three days later, he agreed to a three-year/$1.5M contract on this date with the Bucs. He made his first (and only) All-Star appearance during the season, but also had issues with nerve damage that limited his workload a bit in 80-81. Even with that drawback, Teke lived up to the deal - during its span, he appeared in 208 games with a slash of 25-25-44/2.95.
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| Teke played some hardball - photo 1980 Focus on Sports/Getty |
- 1988 - The Pirates practiced a little hardball glasnost by hosting the Soviet baseball coaches, who were touring a handful of MLB spring training sites, at Pirate City. The Buc brass, led by Syd Thrift, shared some drills with the Russian coaches, showed them the difference between a two-and-four seamer and even taught them some plyometrics before gifting them with caps and baseballs, which were a valued commodity in the Soviet Union.
- 2000 - Bill Mazeroski was passed over by the Veteran’s Committee for selection into the Hall of Fame by one vote. Maz told the Pittsburgh Press that “I don’t think about it. I haven’t worried about it for 64 years.” Maz didn’t have to keep up his brave front much longer - he was elected into the Hall a year later.
- 2012 - Newly signed AJ Burnett fractured his orbital eye socket after fouling a ball into his face during a spring bunting drill. He required surgery and was out of action until April 21st. He recovered without a hitch, tossing a seven-inning, three-hit shutout against the Cards for a 2-0 win upon his return. Not only did he go on to win 16 games for the Bucs, but the practice paid off - he laid down five successful bunts during the campaign, although the fans covered their eyes in trepidation every time he squared up.
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