7/7 From 1956: Maz Debut; Roberto Rockets; AVS & Sluggo Have Days; Reuss Returns; FF Marker; ASG's; Gems & Game Tales; HBD Buck

• 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 to Hollywood and replaced by Maz as part of a seven-man roster reshuffling. 
• 1957 - The Pirates swept the Giants at the Polo Grounds by 10-6 and 8-1 scores. Frank Thomas and Dick Groat became the first pair of teammates to hit home runs back-to-back in both games of a doubleheader. In the opener, Thomas had two long flies and four RBI; Dick Rand also went deep as Red Swanson got the win and Nellie King picked up a save. In the nightcap, Groat was the man - he was a double short of the cycle and chased home five runs; Hank Foiles also homered. Bob Friend went the distance, tossing a four-hitter. 
• 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. 

• 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. 
• 1970 - Roberto Clemente's blast to the roof of Connie Mack Stadium's double-decker left field seats was his fifth in five days, breaking a tie and leading the Bucs to a 4-2 win over Philadelphia. Bob Veale got the win with help from Dave Giusti. 
• 1972 - In the Pirates' 10-2 win over the Braves at Atlanta Stadium, C Milt May went 5-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Gene Alley homered and had four RBI while Al Oliver, Gene Clines and Dave Cash added three knocks each to pace a 20-hit attack. May added two more hits in the nitecap of the twin bill, but the Pirates lost 3-2. Luke Walker won the opener while Bruce Kison took the nightcap loss. 
• 1980 - C John Buck was born in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The 10-year vet was part of the Marlon Byrd/Dilson Herrera deal with the Mets in 2013. He was tabbed to provide some depth behind Russ Martin, and did get five starts with a .333 BA in his six-week Bucco stint. He left as a free agent after the season, played for two teams (Seattle & the Angels), and then the 33-year-old retired before the 2015 campaign. 

John Buck - 2013 photo Justin Aller/Getty

• 1988 - John Smiley struck out nine in 6-1/3 innings, then Jeff Robinson and Jim Gott took it the rest of the way as the Bucs defeated San Diego 2-0 at Jack Murphy Stadium. Andy Van Slyke singled home the only run the Bucs would need; the insurance marker came on a bases-loaded walk to Spanky LaValliere. AVS had a big day, as he was named to the All-Star game, joining starter Bobby Bonilla, while hopefuls John Smiley, Bob Walk and Barry Bonds were left in the cold. Walkie did get in later as a replacement player for the injured Giant Robby Thompson. 
• 1990 - LHP Jerry Reuss was signed as a free agent after Houston had cut him loose. The 41-year-old was sent to Buffalo to knock off the rust - he had a two month layoff between the Bucco signing and ‘Stro release - and came back in September for four outings lasting 7-2/3 IP with a 3.52 ERA; the Pirates saw him out with class by allowing him to make the final start of the season (and his own final start in the majors) on October 3rd against the Mets, a 6-3 loss. 
• 1992 - Andy Van Slyke became the first outfielder in nearly 18 years to record an unassisted double play in the Pirates' 5-3 win over the Astros at TRS. Van Slyke charged in from center field to catch a shallow fly ball in right center and kept on trucking, doubling up Ken Caminiti off first. AVS also had two hits, an RBI and a run scored, but the hitting hero was Steve Buechele, who went 3-for-4 with three runs driven home. Bob Walk got the win in relief of Jeff Robinson. 
• 1993 - Starter Tim Wakefield didn’t factor in the decision, but he connected off Houston’s Mark Portugal at The Astrodome for a 420’ home run in the 5-2 Bucco win. The blast was his only career homer during 19 years in the show; of course 17 of those seasons were with Boston, and he got just 40 ABs/50 PAs with them. Paul Wagner was credited with the victory, Jeff King had four hits and Orlando Merced drove in three runs to lead the club. 

Sluggo - 1994 Select

• 1994 - C Don Slaught went 5-for-5 with two runs and a pair of doubles, but the Bucs lost to the Reds at Riverfront Stadium 8-7. Jay Bell added three hits, three RBI and a pair of runs scored. The Bucs scored twice in the top of the 10th, but Blas Minor couldn’t hold the lead, giving up a two-run Hal Morris homer. Then in the 11th, he walked two and gave up a single to absorb the loss. 
• 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 sole Pirates AS and singled in his only at bat. 
• 2006 - A state historic marker was dedicated during All-Star week at the remaining bit of wall from Forbes Field. It was the result of a decades-old mud match that the City, Pitt and the Oakland community had fought since 1972 over that corner of land, with the outcome being that the left center field wall, flagpole and home plate (sited in nearby Posvar Hall) would be saved. Now it’s best known as the annual gathering place for the Bill Mazeroski 1960 home run celebration held every October 13th.