10/10 Postseason: Maz's Double Dumps Yanks, Drabek Stops Reds, A Thumping & Lots Of Tough Losses...

• 1903 - The fourth and final game at Exposition Park saw Deacon Phillippe start his fourth game of the Series against Cy Young, making his third start. Boston won the matchup easily 7-3, and returned home up 4-3 and needing one more win to claim the first World Series crown. Kitty Bransfield went 3-for-4 for the Pirates while Jimmy Sebring and Phillippe added a pair of knocks for the struggling Pirates.

Kitty Bransfield - 1909 Pittsburg Press caricature

• 1925 - The World Series moved to Griffith Stadium and Washington took a two-to-one lead in games with a 4-3 win, scoring twice in the seventh off Ray Kremer when a walk and infield single eventually came home to score. Alex Ferguson and Firpo Mayberry scattered eight hits; Max Carey had a pair of them. Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Mayberry got Clyde Barnhart on a pop to the catcher and Pie Traynor on a fly to center to close out the win. The game is famed for the Sens’ Sam Rice’s catch. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Earl Smith drove a ball to right-center field. Rice caught the ball at the fence, flipped over its top and landed in the stands, disappearing for 15 seconds or so. When Rice popped back up, the ball was in his glove and the umpire, Cy Rigler, called the batter out. The ump's explanation was that as soon as the catch was made the play was over, so it didn’t matter if Rice dropped it during his tumble or not. Rice was mum about the grab - “The ump called him out” was all he’d say - and seemed to enjoy the life-long conversation piece. After his death in 1974, a letter he penned was opened at Cooperstown, and he had written "At no time did I lose possession of the ball."
• 1960 - Billy Maz’s two-run double was the big blow as Harvey Haddix and Roy Face claimed a 5-2 win and 3-2 World Series lead against the New York at Yankee Stadium. Don Hoak, Roberto Clemente and Joe Christopher each drove home a run. Pittsburgh outhit the Yankees 10-5 to move within a game of the crown.

Maz had a series - Topps 1961 All Star

• 1972 - Cincinnati, facing elimination, took the Pirates behind the woodshed at Riverfront Stadium, winning 7-1 and forcing a winner-take-all showdown for the NLCS crown. Ross Grimsley tossed a two hitter; both hits were by Roberto Clemente, including a solo homer.
• 1979 - The Orioles rocked Bruce Kison for five first inning runs and then hung on to take the first game of the World Series 5-4. Willie Stargell homered with a pair of RBI while Jim Rooker, Enrique Romo, Don Robinson and Grant Jackson pitched three-hit ball over the last 8-⅔ innings. Mike Flanagan gave up 11 hits, but went the distance for Baltimore’s win at Memorial Stadium.
• 1990 - Pittsburgh stayed alive in the NLCS by edging the Reds 3-2 at TRS to cut the Cincinnati margin to 3-2. Doug Drabek worked into the ninth, then Bob Patterson came on to get the last two outs to save the victory. Andy Van Slyke and Barry Bonds each had an RBI and run scored against Tom Browning to lead Pittsburgh.

Andy Van Slyke 1990 Topps

• 1991 - Steve Avery and Alejandro Pena combined to stop the Bucs 1-0 at TRS and even the NLCS at a game apiece. Mark Lemke’s two out double up the third base line scored David Justice and sent Zane Smith to a tough defeat.
• 1992 - John Smoltz won his second NLCS game 6-4 at TRS, putting the Bucs in a 3-1 hole as Doug Drabek took the loss. The Bucs managed just six hits, with Andy Van Slyke banging out a double and triple.

10/10: HBD Cutch, Ad & Homer; Deacon & Danny Cover Boys, '04 Series; Cuban Trip & '61 Expansion Draft

• 1867 - RHP Addison “Ad” Gumbert was born on Frankstown Avenue in Pittsburgh’s East End. He won 123 games in nine major league seasons and was a good enough hitter that he played 38 games in the outfield. Ad was a Buc from 1893-94, going 26-21, 5.73, and even played seven games in the pasture with a .263 BA. After he hung up the spikes, Gumbert became a popular local politico and community leader. He was elected sheriff of Allegheny County and later County Commissioner while also serving as chairman of several charitable and civic organizations.

Ad Gumbert - Goodwin

• 1879 - P/UT Homer Hillebrand was born in Freeport, Illinois. Homer was a Princeton grad that was good at multi-tasking. His MLB career was spent with the Pirates from 1905-06 & 1908, and he pitched in 18 games (11 starts) with an 8-4-1, 2.51 line. He also played 26 games in the field at 1B, OF and C (even tho he was a lefty), hitting .237. His 1908 return was short-lived. Homer sat out the ‘07 year to rest a sore arm and it never recovered, causing him to retire after tossing one frame in 1908.
• 1904 - In the final year without a formal October Classic (the 1903 World Series was set up by the two pennant-winning clubs, Pittsburgh and Boston, not by the leagues themselves.) Cleveland and Pittsburgh opened a five-game postseason exhibition series of their own at Cleveland’s League Field. It was a natural as a rivalry due to the proximity of the cities, as a bragging-rights NL-AL clash with both teams finishing fourth in their league and with a bit of star power on display featuring the era’s two best hitters, Hans Wagner and Nap Lajoie (in fact, Cleveland was called the Naps in Lajoie’s honor). Alas, the fans didn’t want to see meaningless baseball and stayed away in droves, with the Naps taking the series two games to one with two draws.
• 1930 - A MLB All-Star team played its first game in Cuba on a ten day barnstorming tour, including Pirates OF Paul Waner, 3B Pie Traynor and P Larry French. The Cubans proved to be worthy opponents then as now, winning four of the seven games played on La Isla.

Larry French (photo Conlon Collection/The Sporting News)

• 1960 - Vernon Law was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated during its 1960 WS coverage. He won a pair of games against the Yankees and the Cy Young as he finished the regular season 20-9 with 3.09 ERA.
• 1961 - The expansion draft claimed six Pirates - the Houston Colt .45s took OF Roman Mejias, P Bobby Schantz, P Jim Umbright and C Hal Smith, while the New York Mets selected OF Joe Christopher and P Al Jackson.
• 1970 - Danny Murtaugh was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Bucs’ Secret Weapon.” His ‘70 team made the transition from Forbes Field to TRS and won the NL East, only to be swept by the Reds in the NLCS.

Andrew McCutchen 2009 Topps Chrome

• 1986 - Andrew McCutchen was born in Fort Meade, Florida. Cutch, a five-time All-Star & MVP first rounder in 2005, has been the face of the team since replacing Nate McLouth during the 2009 season. He’s also won Baseball America’s Rookie of the Year, three Silver Sluggers, a Golden Glove, two Player’s Choice Outstanding Player of the Year and the Roberto Clemente awards.

10/10: Bucs Win '60 WS Game; Lose '03 & '25; HBD Cutch; Bad Playoff Day; Expansion Draft & Exhibitions

• 1903 - The fourth and final game at Exposition Park saw Deacon Phillippe start his fourth game of the Series against Cy Young, making his third start. Boston won the matchup easily 7-3, and returned home up 4-3 and needing one more win to claim the first World Series crown. Kitty Bransfield went 3-for-4 for the Pirates while Jimmy Sebring and Phillippe added a pair of knocks for the struggling Pirates.
• 1904 - In the final year without a formal World Series, Cleveland and Pittsburgh opened a five-game post season exhibition series of their own at Cleveland’s League Field. It was a natural as a rivalry: the proximity of the cities, an NL-AL clash with both teams finishing fourth in their league and a bit of star power would be on display with the era’s two best hitters, Hans Wagner and Nap Lajoie (in fact, Cleveland was called the Naps in Lajoie’s honor). Alas, the fans didn’t want to see meaningless baseball and stayed away in droves, with the Naps taking the series two games to one with two draws.

1904 Pirates from the Sporting Bulletin

• 1925 - The World Series moved to Griffith Stadium and Washington took a two-to-one lead in games with a 4-3 win, scoring twice in the seventh off Ray Kremer when a walk and infield single eventually came home to score. Alex Ferguson and Firpo Mayberry scattered eight hits; Max Carey had a pair of them. Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Mayberry got Clyde Barnhart on a pop to the catcher and Pie Traynor on a fly to center to close out the win. The game is famed for the Sens’ Sam Rice’s catch. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Earl Smith drove a ball to right-center field. Rice caught the ball at the fence, flipped over its top and landed in the stands, disappearing for 15 seconds or so. When Rice popped back up, the ball was in his glove and the umpire, Cy Rigler, called the batter out. The ump's explanation was that as soon as the catch was made the play was over, so it didn’t matter if Rice dropped it during his tumble or not. Rice was mum about the grab - “The ump called him out” was all he’d say - and seemed to enjoy the life-long conversation piece. After his death in 1974, a letter he penned was opened at Cooperstown, and he had written "At no time did I lose possession of the ball."
• 1930 - A MLB All-Star team played its first game in Cuba on a ten day barnstorming tour, including Pirates OF Paul Waner, 3B Pie Traynor and P Larry French, who won three of the seven games played on La Isla.
• 1960 - Billy Maz’s two-run double was the big blow as Harvey Haddix and Roy Face claimed a 5-2 win and 3-2 World Series lead against the New York at Yankee Stadium. Don Hoak, Roberto Clemente and Joe Christopher each drove home a run. Pittsburgh outhit the Yankees 10-5 to move within a game of the crown.

Bill Mazeroski 1960 Topps series

• 1960 - Vernon Law was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated during its 1960 WS coverage. He won a pair of games against the Yankees and the Cy Young as he finished the regular season 20-9 with 3.09 ERA.
• 1961 - The expansion draft claimed six Pirates - the Houston Colt .45s took OF Roman Mejias, P Bobby Schantz, P Jim Umbright and C Hal Smith, while the New York Mets selected OF Joe Christopher and P Al Jackson.
• 1970 - Danny Murtaugh was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Bucs’ Secret Weapon.” His ‘70 team made the transition from Forbes Field to TRS and won the NL East, only to be swept by the Reds in the NLCS.

• 1972 - Cincinnati, facing elimination, took the Pirates behind the woodshed at Riverfront Stadium, winning 7-1 and forcing a winner-take-all showdown for the NLCS crown. Ross Grimsley tossed a two hitter; both hits were by Roberto Clemente, including a solo homer.
• 1979 - The Orioles rocked Bruce Kison for five first inning runs and then hung on to take the first game of the World Series 5-4. Willie Stargell homered with a pair of RBI while Jim Rooker, Enrique Romo, Don Robinson and Grant Jackson pitched three-hit ball over the last 8-⅔ innings. Mike Flanagan gave up 11 hits, but went the distance for Baltimore’s win at Memorial Stadium.
• 1986 - Andrew McCutchen was born in Fort Meade, Florida. The five-time All-Star & MVP first rounder in 2005 has been the focus and face of the team since replacing Nate McLouth during the 2009 season.
• 1990 - Pittsburgh stayed alive in the NLCS by edging the Reds 3-2 at TRS to cut the Cincinnati margin to 3-2. Doug Drabek worked into the ninth, then Bob Patterson came on to get the last two outs to save the victory. Andy Van Slyke and Barry Bonds each had an RBI and run scored against Tom Browning to lead Pittsburgh.

Doug Drabeck 1990 Score series

• 1991 - Steve Avery and Alejandro Pena combined to stop the Bucs 1-0 at TRS and even the NLCS at a game apiece. Mark Lemke’s two out double up the third base line scored David Justice and sent Zane Smith to a tough defeat.
• 1992 - John Smoltz won his second NLCS game 6-4 at TRS, putting the Bucs in a 3-1 hole as Doug Drabek took the loss. The Bucs managed just six hits, with Andy Van Slyke banging out a double and triple.

10/10: Maz Double Wins Game #5 in 1960, '03, '25, '79 WS, '72, '90, '91, '92 NLCS, Cutch's B-Day & More...

Maz Double Wins Game #5 in 1960, '03, '25, '79 WS, '72, '90, '91, '92 NLCS, Cutch's B-Day & More...

• 1903 - The fourth and final game at Exposition Park saw Deacon Phillippe start his fourth game of the Series against Cy Young, making his third start. Boston won the matchup easily 7-3, and returned home up 4-3 and needing one more win to claim the first World Series crown. Kitty Bransfield went 3-for-4 for the Pirates while Jimmy Sebring and Phillippe added a pair of knocks. 
• 1925 - The World Series moved to Griffith Stadium and Washington took a two-to-one lead in games with a 4-3 win, scoring twice in the seventh off Ray Kremer when a walk and infield single eventually came home to score. Alex Ferguson and Firpo Mayberry scattered eight hits; Max Carey had a pair of them. Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Mayberry got Clyde Barnhart on a pop to the catcher and Pie Traynor on a fly to center to close out the win. The game is famed for the Senators Sam Rice’s catch. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Earl Smith drove a ball to right-center field. Rice caught the ball at the fence, flipped over its top and landed in the stands, disappearing for 15 seconds or so. When Rice popped back up, the ball was in his glove and the umpire, Cy Rigler, called the batter out. The ump's explanation was that as soon as the catch was made the play was over, so it didn’t matter if Rice dropped it during his tumble or not. Rice was mum about the grab - “The ump called him out” was all he’d say - and seemed to enjoy the life-long conversation piece. After his death in 1974, a letter he penned was opened at Cooperstown, and he had written "At no time did I lose possession of the ball." 

Earl Smith (1927) - The Sporting News Conlan Collection 1991 series

• 1930 - An All-Star team played its first game in Cuba on a ten day barnstorming tour, including Pirates OF Paul Waner, 3B Pie Traynor and P Larry French, and won three of the seven games played on La Isla. 
• 1960 - Billy Maz’s two-run double was the big blow as Harvey Haddix and Roy Face claimed a 5-2 win and 3-2 World Series lead against the New York at Yankee Stadium. 
• 1961 - The expansion draft claimed six Pirates - the Houston Colt .45s took OF Roman Mejias, P Bobby Schantz, P Jim Umbright and C Hal Smith, while the New York Mets selected OF Joe Christopher and P Al Jackson. 

Roman Mejias - 1958 Topps series

• 1972 - Cincinnati, facing elimination, took the Pirates behind the woodshed at Riverfront Stadium, winning 7-1 and forcing a winner-take-all showdown for the NLCS crown. Ross Grimsley tossed a two hitter; both hits were by Roberto Clemente, including a solo homer. 
• 1979 - The Orioles rocked Bruce Kison for five first inning runs and then hung on to take the first game of the World Series 5-4. Willie Stargell homered with a pair of RBI while Jim Rooker, Enrique Romo, Don Robinson and Grant Jackson pitched three-hit ball over the last 8-⅔ innings. Mike Flanagan gave up 11 hits, but went the distance for Baltimore’s win at Memorial Stadium. 
• 1986 - Andrew McCutchen was born in Fort Meade, Florida. The 2005 All-Star first rounder has been the face of the team and its energizer bunny since replacing Nate McLouth during the 2009 season and won the NL-MVP in 2013. 
• 1990 - Pittsburgh stayed alive in the NLCS by edging the Reds 3-2 at TRS to cut the Cincinnati margin to 3-2. Doug Drabek worked into the ninth, then Bob Patterson came on to get the last two outs to save the victory. Andy Van Slyke and Barry Bonds each had an RBI and run scored against Tom Browning to lead Pittsburgh. 

Bob Patterson - 1987 Donruss series

• 1991 - Steve Avery and Alejandro Pena combined to stop the Bucs 1-0 at TRS and even the NLCS at a game apiece. Mark Lemke’s two out double up the third base line scored David Justice and sent Zane Smith to a tough defeat. 
• 1992 - John Smoltz won his second NLCS game 6-4 at TRS, putting the Bucs in a 3-1 hole as Doug Drabek took another loss. The Bucs managed just six hits, with Andy Van Slyke banging out a double and triple.

10/10: Cutch B-Day, World Series, NL Playoffs, Expansion Draft

Cutch B-Day, World Series, NL Playoffs, Expansion Draft...

• 1903 - The fourth and final game at Exposition Park saw Deacon Phillippe start his fourth game of the Series against Cy Young, making his third start. Boston won the matchup easily 7-3, and returned home up 4-3 and needing one more win to claim the first World Series crown. Kitty Bransfield went 3-for-4 for the Pirates while Jimmy Sebring and Phillippe added a pair of knocks. 
• 1925 - The World Series moved to Griffith Stadium and Washington took a two-to-one lead in games with a 4-3 win, scoring twice in the seventh off Ray Kremer when a walk and infield single eventually came home to score. Alex Ferguson and Firpo Mayberry scattered eight hits; Max Carey had a pair of them. Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Mayberry got Clyde Barnhart on a pop to the catcher and Pie Traynor on a fly to center to close out the win. The game is famed for the Sens’ Sam Rice’s catch. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Earl Smith drove a ball to right-center field. Rice caught the ball at the fence, flipped over its top and landed in the stands, disappearing for 15 seconds or so. When Rice popped back up, the ball was in his glove and the umpire, Cy Rigler, called the batter out. The ump's explanation was that as soon as the catch was made the play was over, so it didn’t matter if Rice dropped it during his tumble or not. Rice was mum about the grab - “The ump called him out” was all he’d say - and seemed to enjoy the life-long conversation piece. After his death in 1974, a letter he penned was opened at Cooperstown, and he had written "At no time did I lose possession of the ball." 
• 1960 - Billy Maz’s two-run double was the big blow as Harvey Haddix and Roy Face claimed a 5-2 win and 3-2 World Series lead against the New York at Yankee Stadium. 
• 1961 - The expansion draft claimed six Pirates - the Houston Colt .45s took OF Roman Mejias, P Bobby Schantz, P Jim Umbright and C Hal Smith, while the New York Mets selected OF Joe Christopher and P Al Jackson. 
• 1972 - Cincinnati, facing elimination, took the Pirates behind the woodshed at Riverfront Stadium, winning 7-1 and forcing a winner-take-all showdown for the NLCS crown. Ross Grimsley tossed a two hitter; both hits were by Roberto Clemente, including a solo homer. 
• 1979 - The Orioles rocked Bruce Kison for five first inning runs and then hung on to take the first game of the World Series 5-4. Willie Stargell homered with a pair of RBI while Jim Rooker, Enrique Romo, Don Robinson and Grant Jackson pitched three-hit ball over the last 8-⅔ innings. Mike Flanagan gave up 11 hits, but went the distance for Baltimore’s win at Memorial Stadium. 
• 1986 - Andrew McCutchen was born in Fort Meade, Florida. The 2005 All-Star first rounder has been the face of the team and its energizer bunny since replacing Nate McLouth during the 2009 season. 
• 1990 - Pittsburgh stayed alive in the NLCS by edging the Reds 3-2 at TRS to cut the Cincinnati margin to 3-2. Doug Drabek worked into the ninth, then Bob Patterson came on to get the last two outs to save the victory. Andy Van Slyke and Barry Bonds each had an RBI and run scored against Tom Browning to lead Pittsburgh. 
• 1991 - Steve Avery and Alejandro Pena combined to stop the Bucs 1-0 at TRS and even the NLCS at a game apiece. Mark Lemke’s two out double up the third base line scored David Justice and sent Zane Smith to a tough defeat. 
• 1992 - John Smoltz won his second NLCS game 6-4 at TRS, putting the Bucs in a 3-1 hole as Doug Drabek took another loss. The Bucs managed just six hits, with Andy Van Slyke banging out a double and triple.