7/24 Through the 1950’s: Twin Bill Walkoffs; Hans Trade Rumors; Chief's Trip Trips; Arriba Man of the Day; HBD Germany & Preston

• 1893 - IF and exec Joe “Germany” Schultz Sr. was born in Pittsburgh. He spent one year (1916) of his 11-year MLB career at home, hitting .260. After retiring and managing in the Cards minor league system, Schultz became the farm system director of the Pirates in 1939. Sadly, in 1941, while on his way to one of the Pittsburgh farm clubs, he suddenly passed away at the young age of 47. His legacy carried on, as his son Joe Jr. was a reserve catcher for Pittsburgh during Germany’s director stint, from 1939-41. 

Jimmy Williams - 1902 Sporting Life image

• 1899 - The Pirates swept a pair from Philadelphia at Exposition Park‚ winning both games on ninth-inning blasts by rookies. After the Phils scored five in the ninth in the opener‚ Jimmy Williams hit a three-run homer in the bottom half to win‚ 9-8. In the nitecap‚ Ginger Beaumont tripled with the bases loaded and two away to cap a 5-4 victory. In both games, the Pirates entered the final frame down by a pair of runs. The crowd of 5,200 was more than appreciative. The Pittsburgh Press noted that the hometown fans had “...showered money upon “Buttons” Williams and...carried Beaumont to the clubhouse.” 
• 1899 - A small blurb in the Pittsburgh Press sports section reported that “St. Louis, as well as Brooklyn, is after Hans Wagner, the third baseman, but the Louisville club officials now declare that he is off the market.” Louisville, at the time, was an NL club, but the notice made little impact on local fans. But it soon would; Barney Dreyfuss had machinations afoot to combine the Colonels roster with the Pirates in the off season, and thanks to the virtual merger added Honus, Fred Clarke, Deacon Phillippe, Tommy Leach, Patsy Flaherty, and Claude Ritchey to Pittsburgh’s roster, creating an early 1900’s powerhouse squad. J
• 1901 - The Pirates scored in every inning while defeating the Reds 11-2 at Exposition Park. Jesse Tannehill tossed a seven hitter for the win. Ginger Beaumont had four hits and Claude Ritchey tripled twice as the Bucs banged out 14 hits, four for triples. The Pittsburgh Press opined that “The Reds as they are now made up should not be able to win from the Pirates in a hundred years.” 
• 1911 - The Pirates pounded the Brooklyn Superbas 8-2 at Forbes Field behind the hot-hitting “Chief” Owen Wilson who went 4-for-4 with three triples. Ralph Davis of the Pittsburgh Press wrote that “...Wilson came through the contest without a blot on his batting escutcheon. The Chief also played a grand fielding game and was in the battle up to his neck in all departments.” Babe Adams went the distance for the win, helping himself with three hits including a triple of his own. 
• 1927 - OF/1B Preston Ward was born in Columbia, Missouri. Ward came to Pittsburgh as part of the Kiner deal, and was a back-up/platoon guy from 1953-56, hitting .240 in 305 games. He spent nine years in MLB, mostly serving as a reserve for five teams.

Larry French - 1933 Conlon/TSN

• 1931 - The Brooklyn Dodgers banged out 21 hits during the game (Babe Herman hit for the cycle) and scored three times in the ninth, but reliever Larry French put down the rally as the Bucs hung on for an 8-7 win at Forbes Field. The Pirates had 13 knocks, seven for extra bases, and jumped out to an early 8-1 lead behind Pie Traynor’s three RBI, Eddie Phillips’ homer and Lloyd “Little Poison” Waner’s three hits/three runs scored. 
• 1956 - Honored at a Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce luncheon before the game, Roberto Clemente proved his plaudits were well deserved by leading the Bucs to a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at Forbes Field. Roberto drove in four RBI on three shots to left center: a sacrifice fly, a triple off the wall, and a homer into Schenley Plaza. Ron Kline got the win with help from Howie Pollet.