Tuesday, April 7, 2020

4/7/From 1980: PNC Groundbreaking, Stargell Statue, TV Contract; Game Stories - Rhoden, Candy, Karstens Strong

  • 1983 - The Bucs had to put on their rally caps at the Astrodome to overcome a late 2-1 deficit to take home a 3-2 win against Houston. The Buccos leadoff hitter in the final frame, Dale Berra, banged a homer to tie the game. Lee Mazzilli’s two-out knock sent Lee Lacy home with the game-winner after he had reached on a forceout and then stole second. Rod Scurry showed off his nasty curve for the win, striking out four ‘Stros in his 1-1/3 IP while leaving a pair stranded in the bottom of the ninth. Rick Rhoden and Alan Ashby started the contest before the bullpens determined the outcome.
Rod Scurry - 1983 Topps
  • 1983 - Rolls in, rolls in...Major League Baseball, ABC, and NBC agreed to terms of a six-year television package worth $1.2B. The two networks continued to alternate coverage of the playoffs, World Series, and All-Star Game through the 1989 season with each of the 26 clubs receiving $7M per year, up from the last package that netted each club $1.9M per campaign according to BR Bullpen.
  • 1984 - The Dodgers banged out nine hits, but they couldn’t get on the scoreboard, losing 3-0 to the Bucs at Dodger Stadium. Pitchers John Candelaria and Don Robinson had something to do with that, but not as much as Amos Otis, who brought back a potential Steve Yeager homer and threw out two LA runners at second. Tony Pena caught another left coaster stealing; it was no wonder Big Blue was a little gun shy on the basepaths. The Pirates got a run in the fourth when a pickoff try went astray, allowing Marvell Wynne to come all the way around from first. They iced it in the seventh on Dale Berra’s two-run bloop single. It was a sure double off the bat, but Berra hit the brakes at first. “I saw four guys thrown out at second (Johnny Ray had also been caught stealing),” Dale explained, “and I wasn’t going to be number five.”
  • 1999 - Ground was broken for PNC Park after a five-year political battle. The event was marked by a big party with plenty of speechifying, the dedication of the Clemente Bridge (formerly the Sixth Street span) and a 10-minute fireworks fusillade celebrated by thousands of Pittsburgh fans.
  • 2001 - Two days before Willie Stargell died, his statue was unveiled at the Pirates' new stadium, PNC Park, as part of the opening-week ceremonies. Chuck Tanner and former players Bobby Del Greco and Nellie Briles were on hand, as was Vera Clemente, wife of Pirates' legend Roberto Clemente, and their two sons, Luis and Roberto Jr. Pirates GM Cam Bonifay, Pittsburgh City Councilman Sala Udin and the statue's sculptor, Susan Wagner, were also there to unveil the 12-ton statue on Federal Street.
  • 2008 - The Pirates lost the first home opener of the Frank Coonelly/Neal Huntington era in exciting fashion, dropping a 10-8 decision to the Cubs at PNC Park in 12 innings. The Bucs fell behind 7-0, rallied to tie the score, and were set to win it in the ninth when Jose Bautista laid down a squeeze with Brian Bixler at third. Bix inexplicably lost his nerve and retreated back to the bag, costing Pittsburgh its last grab at the day’s brass ring. Rule 5 reliever Evan Meek walked four batters in the 12th frame, giving Chicago two runs w/o a hit, to take the loss.
Jeff Karstens - 2010 Topps Heritage
  • 2012 - Jeff Karstens and four relievers held the Phils scoreless for 9-2/3 innings to take a 2-1, 10-inning decision at PNC Park. After Juan Cruz stranded a pair in the top of the final frame, Rod Barajas led off the tenth with a double. Mike McKenry ran for him, and Alex Presley brought him home by legging out a bleeder to third with two outs for the walk-off win.

No comments: