5/8: Big Days for Pops, Kiner, Drabek & Van Slyke; Filipinos Opener and More...

• 1912 - The Pittsburgh Filipinos‚ of the newly formed United States League‚ opened their home schedule at Exposition Park with a 3-2 loss to Cincinnati. The team was later a member of the Federal League, an outlaw major league that operated from 1913-15. The team was first called the Pittsburgh Filipinos after their manager, Deacon Phillippe. They later became the Stogies and then the Rebels, named after manager Rebel Oakes.

Deacon Phillippe led the Filipinos (photo NY Public Library)

• 1929 - 26-year old hurler Carl Hubbell, in his second MLB season, became the first LHP in 13 seasons to throw a no-hitter when he beat the Pirates, 11-0, at the Polo Grounds. Sparky Adams drew a walk for the Bucs, and NY committed three errors behind Hubbell to deny him a perfecto.
• 1940 - The Pirates traded OF Johnny Rizzo to the Reds in exchange for OF Vince DiMaggio, Joe & Dom’s bro. Vince held down center for the Bucs for five seasons, and hit .255 with 79 homers and 367 RBI’s in 670 games with All-Star years in 1943-44. Rizzo joined the Navy in 1942 and had one strong season after returning.
• 1950 - Ralph Kiner hit his second grand slam in three games during a 7-5 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers at Forbes Field. It was the future Hall of Famer's eighth career grand salami.
• 1963 - Willie Stargell hit his first MLB homer, a three run shot off Lindy McDaniel at Wrigley Field, during a 9-5 loss to the Cubbies. He had a lot more home runs to come; he ended his career with 475 long flies, some record-setting blasts in stadia around the league, and all as a Pirate.

Willie Stargell 1972 Topps Boyhood series

• 1973 - For the second time in his career‚ Willie Stargell drove a ball out of Dodger Stadium. His blast off Andy Messersmith flew over the 50-foot high right field roof, 470’ away and was one of two four baggers for Pops, who was the only player to ever launch a ball out of that park.
• 1988 - Doug Drabek took a no-hitter into the ninth before allowing a pinch-hit, infield single to Randy Ready and a home run to ex-Pirate Marvell Wynne‚ winning a 6-2 decision over the Padres at TRS. Bobby Bonilla had three hits to lead the Pirate offense. Whether by coincidence or not, SS Al Pendrique, who had allowed Ready’s infield hit, was demoted to AAA Buffalo and replaced by hot shot SS Felix Fermin.
• 1994 - Andy Van Slyke went 8-for-9 in the Pirates' 9-2 and 9-3 doubleheader sweep of the Cubs at TRS with a homer, double, five runs and four RBI. The Bucs took the first game behind Paul Wagner as Lance Parrish added three RBI. The nightcap was won by Zane Smith, with a four RBI outing by Brian Hunter.

Andy Van Slyke 1994 Bowman Refractor

• 1997 - Jason Kendall's bases loaded double was the big blow in a Bucco eight run fourth frame as Pittsburgh outlasted Colorado 10-8. Mark Johnson had three hits and Al Martin and Kevin Elster added homers for the Bucs‚ which scored 24 runs on 31 hits in their two games at Coors Field. Love that mountain air!
• 2012 - In a see-saw game at PNC Park, Washington’s Adam LaRoche erased a 3-2 ninth inning Pirate lead by blasting a two-run homer off of Joel Hanrahan. But the Bucs had an answer. With two down in their half, Rod Barajas took a 2-0 Henry Rodriguez heater deep to left, scoring Alex Presley ahead of him, to pull out a 5-4 walk-off Pittsburgh win over the Nats. Tony Watson faced two batters to get the victory.
• 2013 - After being DFA'ed on April 30th, LHP Jonathan Sanchez, who broke camp with the Pirates as a fifth starter after a rash of injuries felled the other contenders, was released. He went 0-3 with a 11.85 ERA, giving up 25 hits, including seven home runs, in 13-2/3 IP.

5/8; Starg Hits His First, Clears Roof Decade Later, AVS Sizzled, Bye-Bye Jonathan Sanchez & More...

• 1912 - The Pittsburgh Filipinos‚ of the newly formed United States League‚ opened their home schedule at Exposition Park with a 3-2 loss to Cincinnati. The team was later a member of the Federal League, an outlaw major league that operated from 1913-15. The team was first called the Pittsburgh Filipinos after their manager, Deacon Phillippe. They later became the Stogies and then the Rebels, named after manager Rebel Oakes. 
• 1929 - 26-year old hurler Carl Hubbell, in his second MLB season, became the first LHP in 13 seasons to throw a no-hitter when he beat the Pirates, 11-0, at the Polo Grounds. Sparky Adams drew a walk for the Bucs, and NY committed three errors behind Hubbell. 
• 1940 - The Pirates traded OF Johnny Rizzo to the Reds in exchange for OF Vince DiMaggio, Joe & Dom’s bro. Vince held down center for the Bucs for five seasons, and hit .255 with 79 homers and 367 RBI’s in 670 games with All-Star years in 1943-44. Rizzo joined the Navy in 1942 and had one strong season after returning.

Vince DiMaggio (photo: The Sporting News)

• 1950 - Ralph Kiner hit his second grand slam in three games during a 7-5 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers at Forbes Field. It was the future Hall of Famer's eighth grand slam. 
• 1963 - Willie Stargell hit his first MLB homer, a three run shot off Lindy McDaniel at Wrigley Field, during a 9-5 loss to the Cubbies. 
• 1973 - For the second time in his career‚ Willie Stargell drove a ball out of Dodger Stadium. His blast off Andy Messersmith flew over the 50-foot high right field roof, 470’ away and was one of two four baggers for Pops, who was the only player to launch a ball out of that park. 
• 1988 - Doug Drabek took a no-hitter into the ninth before allowing a pinch-hit, infield single to Randy Ready and a home run to ex-Pirate Marvell Wynne‚ winning a 6-2 decision over the Padres at TRS. Bobby Bonilla had three hits to lead the Pirate offense. Whether by coincidence or not, SS Al Pendrique, who had allowed Ready’s infield hit, was then demoted to AAA Buffalo and replaced by hot shot SS Felix Fermin.

Doug Drabek (photo via Best Sports Photos)

• 1994 - Andy Van Slyke went 8-for-9 in the Pirates' 9-2 and 9-3 doubleheader sweep of the Cubs at TRS with a homer, double, five runs and four RBI. The Bucs took the first game behind Paul Wagner as Lance Parrish added three RBI. The nightcap was won by Zane Smith, with a four RBI outing by Brian Hunter. 
• 1997 - Jason Kendall's bases loaded double was the big blow in a Bucco eight run fourth frame as Pittsburgh outlasted Colorado 10-8. Mark Johnson had three hits and Al Martin and Kevin Elster added homers for the Bucs‚ which scored 24 runs on 31 hits in their two games at Coors Field. Love that mountain air! 
• 2012 - In a see-saw game at PNC Park, Washington’s Adam LaRoche erased a 3-2 ninth inning Pirate lead by blasting a homer off of Joel Hanrahan. But the Bucs had an answer. With two down in their half, Rod Barajas took a 2-0 Henry Rodriguez heater deep to left, scoring Alex Presley ahead of him, to pull out a 5-4 walk-off Pittsburgh win over the Nats. Tony Watson faced two batters to get the victory. 

Rod Barajas celebrates the walk-off (photo: Gene Puskar/Associated Press)

• 2013 - After being DFA'ed on April 30th. LHP Jonathan Sanchez, who broke camp with the Pirates as a fifth starter after a rash of injuries felled the other contenders, was released. He went 0-3 with a 11.85 ERA, giving up 25 hits, including seven home runs, in 13-2/3 IP.

5/8: Outlaws, Vin DiMag, Kiner, Captain Willie, Doug Drabek, AVS, Kendall, Wild Walk-Off, More...

Outlaws, Vin DiMag, Kiner, Captain Willie, Doug Drabek, AVS, Kendall, Wild Walk-Off, More...

• 1912 - The Pittsburgh Filipinos‚ of the newly formed United States League‚ opened their home schedule at Exposition Park with a 3-2 loss to Cincinnati. The team was later a member of the Federal League, an outlaw major league that operated from 1913-15. The team was first called the Pittsburgh Filipinos after their manager, Deacon Phillippe. They later became the Stogies and then the Rebels, named after manager Rebel Oakes.

  Rebel Oakes, 1915 Cracker Jacks

• 1929 - 26-year old hurler Carl Hubbell, in his second MLB season, became the first LHP in 13 seasons to throw a no-hitter when he beat the Pirates, 11-0, at the Polo Grounds. Sparky Adams drew a walk for the Bucs, and NY committed three errors behind Hubbell. 
• 1940 - The Pirates traded OF Johnny Rizzo to the Reds in exchange for OF Vince DiMaggio, Joe & Dom’s bro. Vince held down center for the Bucs for five seasons, and hit .255 with 79 homers and 367 RBI’s in 670 games with All-Star years in 1943-44. Rizzo joined the Navy in 1942 and had one strong season after returning. 
• 1950 - Ralph Kiner hit his second grand slam in three games during a 7-5 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers at Forbes Field. It was the future Hall of Famer's eighth career grand salami. 
• 1963 - Willie Stargell hit his first MLB homer, a three run shot off Lindy McDaniel at Wrigley Field, during a 9-5 loss to the Cubbies. 
• 1973 - For the second time in his career‚ Willie Stargell drove a ball out of Dodger Stadium. His blast off Andy Messersmith flew over the 50-foot high right field roof, 470’ away and was one of two four baggers for Pops, who was the only player to launch a ball out of that park. 
• 1988 - Doug Drabek took a no-hitter into the ninth before allowing a pinch-hit, infield single to Randy Ready and a home run to ex-Pirate Marvell Wynne‚ winning a 6-2 decision over the Padres at TRS. Bobby Bonilla had three hits to lead the Pirate offense. Whether by coincidence or not, SS Al Pendrique, who had allowed Ready’s infield hit, was demoted to AAA Buffalo and replaced by hot shot SS Felix Fermin. 
• 1994 - Andy Van Slyke went 8-for-9 in the Pirates' 9-2 and 9-3 doubleheader sweep of the Cubs at TRS with a homer, double, five runs and four RBI. 
• 1997 - Jason Kendall's bases loaded double was the big blow in a Bucco eight run fourth frame as Pittsburgh outlasted Colorado 10-8. Mark Johnson had three hits and Al Martin and Kevin Elster added homers for the Bucs‚ which scored 24 runs on 31 hits in their two games at Coors Field. Love that mountain air! 

 Jason Kendall 1996 Pinnacle Rookie series

• 2012 - In a see-saw game at PNC Park, Washington’s Adam LaRoche erased a 3-2 ninth inning Pirate lead by blasting a homer off of Joel Hanrahan. But the Bucs had an answer. With two down in their half, Rod Barajas took a 2-0 Henry Rodriguez heater deep to left, scoring Alex Presley ahead of him, to pull out a 5-4 walk-off Pittsburgh win over the Nats. Tony Watson faced two batters to get the victory. 
•  2013 - After being DFA'ed on April 30th. LHP Jonathan Sanchez, who broke camp with the Pirates as a fifth starter after a rash of injuries felled the other contenders, was released. He went 0-3 with a 11.85 ERA, giving up 25 hits, including seven home runs, in 13-2/3 IP.

Pittsburgh Baseball on May 8th

The Filipinos, no and low hit games, memorable long balls, DiMaggio becomes a Buc and some red hot sticks...

• 1912 - The Pittsburgh Filipinos of the newly formed United States League opened their home schedule at Exposition Park with a 3-2 loss to Cincinnati. The team was later a member of the Federal League, an outlaw group that operated from 1913-15. The team was first called the Pittsburgh Filipinos after their manager, Deacon Phillippe. They later became the Stogies and then the Rebels, named after skipper Rebel Oakes.
• 1929 - Carl Hubbell, in his second MLB season, became the first LHP in 13 years to throw a no-hitter when he beat the Pirates 11-0 at the Polo Grounds. Sparky Adams drew a walk for the Bucs, and NY committed three errors behind Hubbell.
• 1940 - The Pirates traded OF Johnny Rizzo to the Reds in exchange for OF Vince DiMaggio, Joe & Dom’s bro. Vince held down center for the Bucs for five seasons, and hit .255 with 79 homers and 367 RBI’s in 670 games with All-Star years in 1943-44. Rizzo joined the Navy in 1942 and had one strong season after returning.
• 1950 - Ralph Kiner hit his second grand slam in three games during a 7-5 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers at Forbes Field. It was the future Hall of Famer's eighth career grand salami.
• 1963 - Willie Stargell hit his first MLB homer, a three run shot off Lindy McDaniel at Wrigley Field, during a 9-5 loss to the Cubbies.
• 1973 - For the second time in his career‚ Willie Stargell drove a ball out of Dodger Stadium. His blast off Andy Messersmith flew over the 50-foot high right field roof, 470’ away and was one of two four baggers for Pops, who was the only player to launch a ball out of that yard.
• 1988 - Doug Drabek took a no-hitter into the 9th before allowing a pinch single to Randy Ready and a home run to ex-Pirate Marvell Wynne‚ winning a 6-2 decision over the Padres at TRS. Bobby Bo had three hits to lead the Pirate offense.
• 1994 - Andy Van Slyke went 8-for-9 in the Pirates' 9-2 and 9-3 doubleheader sweep of the Cubs at TRS with a homer, double, five runs and four RBI.
• 1997 - Jason Kendall's bases loaded double was the big blow in a Bucco eight run fourth frame as Pittsburgh outlasted Colorado 10-8. Mark Johnson had three hits and Al Martin and Kevin Elster added homers for the Bucs‚ who scored 24 runs on 31 hits in their two games at Coors Field. Love that mountain air!
• 2012 - In a see-saw game at PNC Park, Adam LaRoche erased a 3-2 ninth inning Pirate lead by blasting a homer off of Joel Hanrahan. But the Bucs had an answer. With two down in their half, Rod Barajas took a 2-0 Henry Rodriguez heater deep to left, scoring Alex Presley ahead of him to pull out a 5-4 Pittsburgh win over the Nats. Tony Watson faced two batters to get the victory.