1-9: Forbes Field a Hit, Burleigh Traded, Jeromy's Big Deal, Dirt Passes Away

• 1910 - Dreyfuss’ Folly, Forbes Field, drew some raves from the local press after a busy debut season. The Pittsburgh Press noted that “...from its opening to the end of football season, Forbes Field drew nearly one million fans...nothing even approaching this record was ever made at any other athletic venue.” Half the crowd was attracted by baseball; the remainder filled the seats for football, track meets, hippodrome events, police drills, and even a Communion service as the Oakland ballyard quickly become Pittsburgh’s big-event host.
• 1918 - The Pirates traded P Burleigh Grimes to the Brooklyn Robins along with P Al Mamaux and SS Chuck Ward for 2B George Cutshaw and OF Casey Stengel, who was making his second stop at Pittsburgh. Hall of Famer Grimes went on to win 158 games in nine seasons with Brooklyn. The Bucs top prize was Cutshaw, who manned second for Pittsburgh for four years, hitting .275 and providing solid up-the-middle defense.

The Ol' Perfesser returns to Pittsburgh 1918 (photo via RMY Auctions)

• 2006 - 37-year-old OF Jeromy Burnitz was officially signed to the Pirates richest free agent contract to date, a $6M deal with a 2007 mutual option worth $6M/$700K buyout. The option didn’t come into play - he hit .230 for Pittsburgh during 2006, his last year in the majors as the Pirates opted not to renew his contract. The following spring, Burnitz announced his retirement after 14 seasons during which he logged 315 HR and 981 RBI while playing for seven teams.
• 2014 - Steve “Dirt” DiNardo, who had been the head groundskeeper at Three Rivers Stadium after starting as a part-timer at Forbes Field in 1961 (he retired in 1994), passed away at the age of 82. Dirt was legendary for his tricks, once alleged to have lowered the bullpen mounds of heated rivals, the Cincinnati Reds, when they were in town along with many feats of homerism on behalf of the Steelers.

1/9: Dreyfuss' Folly; Burleigh Traded; Burnitz Signed; Dirt Passes Away

• 1910 - Dreyfuss’ Folly, Forbes Field, drew some raves from the local press after a busy debut season. The Pittsburg Press noted that “...from its opening to the end of football season, Forbes Field drew nearly one million fans...nothing even approaching this record was ever made at any other athletic venue.” Half the crowd was attracted by baseball; the remainder filled the seats for football, track meets, hippodrome events, police drills, and even a Communion service as the Oakland ballyard quickly become Pittsburgh’s big-event host.

Forbes Field 1909 - photo via RW Johnston

• 1918 - The Pirates traded P Burleigh Grimes to the Brooklyn Robins along with P Al Mamaux and SS Chuck Ward for 2B George Cutshall and OF Casey Stengel, who was making his second stop at Pittsburgh. Hall of Famer Grimes went on to win 158 games in nine seasons with Brooklyn. The Bucs top prize was Cutshaw, who manned second for Pittsburgh for four years, hitting .275 and providing solid up-the-middle defense.
• 2006 - 37 year old OF Jeromy Burnitz was signed to a $6M contract by the Bucs. He hit .230 for Pittsburgh during his last year in the majors; the Pirates opted not to renew his contract and the following spring, Burnitz announced his retirement after 14 seasons during which he logged 315 HR and 981 RBI while playing for seven teams.

Jeromy Burnitz - photo Jay Drowns/Getty Images

• 2014 - Steve “Dirt” DiNardo, who had been the head groundskeeper at Three Rivers Stadium after starting as a part-timer at Forbes Field in 1961 (he retired in 1994), passed away at the age of 82. Dirt was legendary for his tricks, once alleged to have lowered the bullpen mounds of heated rivals the Cincinnati Reds when they were in town along with feats of homerism on behalf of the Steelers.

1/9: Forbes Field Gets Four Stars, Casey Comes to Town (Again), Jeromy Burnitz's Farewell Tour...

Forbes Field Gets Four Stars, Casey Comes to Town Again, Jeromy Burnitz's Farewell Tour...

• 1910 - Dreyfuss’ Folly, Forbes Field, drew some raves from the local press after a busy debut season. The Pittsburg Press noted that “...from its opening to the end of football season, Forbes Field drew nearly one million fans...nothing even approaching this record was ever made at any other athletic venue.” Half the crowd was attracted by baseball; the remainder filled the seats for football, track meets, hippodrome events, police drills, and even a Communion service as the Oakland ballyard quickly become Pittsburgh’s big-event host. 

Forbes Field from the Library of Congress collection

•  1918 - The Pirates traded P Burleigh Grimes to the Brooklyn Robins along with P Al Mamaux and SS Chuck Ward for 2B George Cutshall and OF Casey Stengel, who was making his second stop at Pittsburgh. Hall of Famer Grimes went on to win 158 games in nine seasons with Brooklyn. The Bucs top prize was Cutshaw, who manned second for Pittsburgh for four years, hitting .275 and providing solid up-the-middle defense. 

Casey Stengel - NEA portrait

• 2006: 37 year old OF Jeromy Burnitz was signed to a $6M contract by the Bucs. He hit .230 for Pittsburgh during his last year in the majors; the Pirates opted not to renew his contract and the following spring, Burnitz announced his retirement after 14 seasons during which he logged 315 HR and 981 RBI while playing for seven teams. 

Jeromy Burnitz - photo by Jay Drowns/Getty Images (Sporting News Archives)

1/8-9: Gene Freese, Brian Boehringer, The Goose, Bye Bye Burleigh, Jeromy Burnitz

Gene Freese, Brian Boehringer, The Goose, Bye Bye Burleigh, Jeromy Burnitz...

• January 8, 1934 - IF Gene Freese was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. Augie went to Wheeling Central HS and West Liberty State College, spending two stints (1955-58, 64-65) and six years with the Bucs. Mostly a reserve with Pittsburgh, he hit .247 as a Pirate, though while between Bucco rosters, he started at third for three years at Cincinnati. 
• January 8, 1969 - RHP Brian Boehringer was born in St. Louis, Missouri. The reliever closed out his 10 year MLB career in Pittsburgh between 2002-04, with a Bucco record of 10-9-1, 4.36 ERA. 
•  January 8, 2008 - In his ninth year on the BBWAA's ballot, Rich “Goose” Gossage was the only player elected to the Hall of Fame. During Goose's' 22-year career, he compiled a 124-107 record, saved 310 games, and posted a 3.01 ERA. He spent 1977 as a Pirate, going 11-9-26 with a 1.62 ERA and 151 K in 133 IP. Goose was inducted on July 27th.

Hostess series 1977

• January 9, 1918 - The Pirates traded P Burleigh Grimes to the Brooklyn Robins in a five player exchange that brought Casey Stengel back to Pittsburgh. Hall of Famer Grimes went on to win 158 games in nine seasons with Brooklyn. The Bucs top prize was George Cutshaw. The slick fielder manned second for Pittsburgh for four years, hitting .275. 
• January 9, 2006: 37 year old OF Jeromy Burnitz was signed by the Bucs to a $6M contract. He hit .230 for Pittsburgh during his last year in the majors.