8/2 Happenings: HBD Bucky & Tim, Goodbye Harry, Candy Man Traded, Cover Boys

• 1881 - RHP Frederick W. “Bucky” Veil (he went to Bucknell) was born in Tyrone. He only pitched two MLB seasons (1903-04), both for the Bucs, as his career was cut short by malaria bouts. He did have a good arm; Honus Wagner predicted "...A brilliant future for the promising star..." in the Pittsburg Press, although his health held him to just five career victories. He does hold the distinction of being the first relief pitcher in a World Series, when he tossed seven innings against Boston in 1903 after replacing an injured Sam Leever in game two, giving up just one run.

Bucky had it all but his health...

• 1909 - NL President Harry Pulliam was buried in Louisville. For the first time in history, both National and American League games were postponed in his honor. Harry had been the Pirates team president prior to that, and is widely credited with convincing Honus Wagner to leave Louisville and join him in Pittsburgh.
• 1966 - Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield was born in Melbourne, Florida. The RH spent his first two seasons (1992-93) as a Buc and went 14-12 with a 4.17 ERA. After a fairly terrible year in AAA Buffalo in 1994, he was released and then spent the next 17 years in Boston, winning 187 games and making an All-Star appearance before hangin’ ‘em up after the 2011 season at the age of 44.
• 1969 - Matty Alou was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Pirate Treasure.” He was a treasure in his second All-Star season, leading the league in hits (231), appearances (746) and at-bats (698).

• 1971 - Willie Stargell was the cover boy for Sports Illustrated as part of the feature article “Pittsburgh Overpowers the East.” The Bucs did take the division that year, and Captain Willie led the way with 48 HR, 125 RBI, .295 BA and a .628 slugging %.
• 1975 - Dave Parker was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Lethal Punch.” In his third season, the Cobra put up a .308/25/101 slash for the division-winning Pirates.
• 1985 - The last-place Pirates dumped a trio of players, trading pitchers John Candelaria and Al Holland along with OF George Hendrick to the Angels for OF Mike Brown and pitchers Pat Clements & Bob Kipper in a move to add some youth to the roster.

8/2 TRS-PNC Era: Late Comebacks, HR Derbies

• 1970 - Pittsburgh outslugged the Braves 10-7 at Atlanta Stadium behind the hot sticks of Bob Robertson and John Jeter. Robertson went long twice and drove home six runs; the other four runs were plated by Jeter, who also homered. Dock Ellis got the win, although Dave Giusti made it interesting in the ninth, giving up three runs on back-to-back Bravo home runs.

John Jeter 1970 Topps

• 1974 - The Bucs took advantage of a couple of Redbird miscues to take a 3-2, 14 inning match from St Louis at TRS, snapping a six game Cardinal winning streak. The Bucs legit run scored on an Al Oliver solo homer. Pittsburgh scored a second run when the Cards muffed a double play. The winner came home after the Cards had already cut down a run at the plate. Richie Hebner singled with two outs and Ed Kirkpatrick at second; Spanky scored uncontested when C Ted Simmons (a future Pirates GM) drifted up the line to track the throw home when he should have stayed at home. 1B Joe Torre slid over to cut the offline peg and spun to relay the ball only to find Simmons nowhere near the dish, but still 10’ up the baseline. Ramon Hernandez got the win, following Larry Demery and Dave Giusti.
• 1977 - The Pirates scored twice in the ninth inning to tie the score 3-3 against Houston at the Astrodome before Bill Robinson hit a two-out, game-winning three-run homer off Dan Larson in the top of the 10th to win it. Robinson had tied the game with a single with Dave Parker aboard the frame before; the throw to third to try to get The Cobra went through third baseman Enos Cabell and both Parker & Robinson scored on the misplay. Larson threw a complete game in a losing effort, giving up just six hits, with five coming in the final 1-2/3 innings. Grant Jackson pitched the final three innings for the Pirates and allowed just one hit to earn the win.

Nill Robinson 1977 Topps

• 1993 - The Cubs beat the Pirates‚ 12-10‚ at Wrigley Field in a game marked by seven HRs‚ six ejections‚ three brushbacks and a brawl. Carlos Garcia had a pair of homers for the Bucs‚ and was beaned in his next at-bat in the sixth by Bob Scanlon, instigating the meet-at-the-mound scrum. Lloyd McClendon and Al Martin also went long for Pittsburgh.
• 2002 - The Bucs walked off with a 6-5 win over the SF Giants at PNC Park. Down a run with two outs in the ninth, Jason Kendall lined a single and Jack Wilson followed with a bloop. Brian Giles drilled Rob Nenn’s 1-2 pitch into left center to plate them both for the win. Adam Hyzdu and Rob Mackowiak homered for the Bucs while Brian Boehringer got the win.
• 2007 - It took 11 innings, but Pittsburgh whipped the SL Cards 6-5 at PNC Park. With two down, Jose Castillo's single scored Ryan Doumit from second. Ronnie Paulino had a homer and double while Salomon Torres picked up the win after two innings of shutout ball.

8/2 Expo Park-Forbes Field Era: Lights Out, 14 Inning Streak, Hot Hans, Laugher, Squeaker...

• 1894 - The Pirates set a club record by scoring in 14 straight innings during a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Browns when they plated a run in the first. They started the streak on July 31st, beating Cincinnati 11-10 while scoring in the last five frames, and then tallied in all eight frames on August 1st against the Reds, winning by a 15-5 count. The games were played at Expo Park. One additional footnote to the game: the infield fly rule was new, and what the Pittsburg Press called “a puzzling play” occurred when pitcher Red Ehret missed an infield pop (not intentionally) that had been called an infield fly by the ump. The runner on first took off (the original rule stated he had to remain on first), the pitcher threw the ball into center field and all sorts of hilarity broke out until the Pirates had, per the Press, “a sudden awakening” and tagged first for the force out.

Red Ehret 1888 Goodwin Old Judge

• 1905 - Temper, temper, Hans: In the course of a 3-1 loss to the New York Giants, Honus Wagner was called out on a bang-bang play at first. Hot at the decision, he fired a baseball past umpire George Bausewine’s noggin during warmups the next inning. The Flying Dutchman was ejected, then later suspended for three games and fined $40.
• 1919 - Wilbur Cooper allowed two runs on five hits in eight innings in a 4-2 win against the Boston Braves at Forbes Field. Dana Fillingem had the Bucs shutout going into the eighth. But a couple of knocks and a couple of walks put Pittsburgh on the board, and Vic Saier’s triple unjammed the sacks to give the Pirates a 4-2 lead.
• 1928 - The Pirates scored 12 runs in the first three innings and ran away with an 18-4 laugher over the Phillies at the Baker Bowl. Glenn Wright (five RBI) and George Grantham (who scored four times) cranked out early three-run homers to pace the attack. Three more runs were driven in by both Pie Traynor and Fred Bickell. Burleigh Grimes coasted to the win.

Glenn Wright (photo via SABR)

• 1930 - Per BR Bullpen: playing under Kansas City's portable light system, the Pittsburgh Grays' 44-year-old hurler, Smokey Joe Williams (27 strikeouts), spun a one-hitter to defeat the Monarchs' Chet Brewer (19 strikeouts, including 10 in a row starting in the 7th) 1-0 in a fiercely contested 12-inning matchup. Oscar Charleston scored the game’s the only run.
• 1960 - The Pirates defeated the Dodgers 3-0 at Forbes Field behind Vern Law’s five-hitter. There was plenty of leather; Roberto Clemente threw behind Norm Larker at first to catch him rounding the base too far after a single, and then Duke Snider robbed Clemente with a one-handed grab in center. A close game was broken up in the seventh when Bill Mazeroski rolled a single up the middle to score Joe Christopher. But the game breaker came when Dodger hurler Stan Williams mishandled a bunt, leading eventually to a two-out, two-run double by Dick Groat.

8/2: HBD Bucky, Tim; 14 In A Row; Matty, Willie, Cobra Cover Boys; Temper Tantrums

• 1881 - RHP Frederick W. “Bucky” Veil (he went to Bucknell) was born in Tyrone. He only pitched two MLB seasons (1903-04), both for the Bucs, as his career was cut short by malaria bouts. He did have a good arm; Honus Wagner predicted "...A brilliant future for the promising star..." in the Pittsburg Press, although his health held him to just five career victories. He does hold the distinction of being the first relief pitcher in a World Series, when he tossed seven innings against Boston in 1903 after replacing an injured Sam Leever in game two, giving up just one run.

Bucky Veil 1903 (image via SABR)

• 1894 - The Pirates set a club record by scoring in 14 straight innings during a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Browns when they plated a run in the first. They started the streak on July 31st, beating Cincinnati 11-10 while scoring in the last five frames, and then tallied in all eight frames on August 1st against the Reds, winning by a 15-5 count. The games were played at Expo Park.
• 1905 - Temper, temper, Hans: In the course of a 3-1 loss to the New York Giants, Honus Wagner was called out on a bang-bang play at first. Hot at the decision, he fired a baseball past umpire George Bausewine’s noggin during warmups the next inning. The Flying Dutchman was ejected, suspended for three games and fined $40.
• 1919 - Wilbur Cooper allowed two runs on five hits in eight innings in a 4-2 win against the Boston Braves at Forbes Field. Dana Fillingem had the Bucs shutout going into the eight. But a couple of knocks and a couple of walks put Pittsburgh on the board, and Vic Saier’s triple unjammed the sacks to give the Pirates a 4-2 lead.
• 1928 - The Pirates scored 12 runs in the first three innings and ran away with an 18-4 laugher over the Phillies at the Baker Bowl. Glenn Wright (five RBI) and George Grantham (who scored four times) cranked out early three-run homers to pace the attack. Three more runs were driven in by both Pie Traynor and Fred Brickell. Burleigh Grimes coasted to the win.

Fred Brickell 1933 Goudey series

• 1960 - The Pirates defeated the Dodgers 3-0 at Forbes Field behind Vern Law’s five hitter. There was plenty of leather; Roberto Clemente threw behind Norm Larker at first to catch him rounding the base too far after a single, and then Duke Snider robbed Clemente with a one-handed grab in center. A close game was broken up in the seventh when Bill Mazeroski rolled a single up the middle to score Joe Christopher. But the backbreaker came when Dodger hurler Stan Williams mishandled a bunt, leading eventually to a two-out, two-run double by Dick Groat.
• 1966 - Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield was born in Melbourne, Florida. The RH spent his first two seasons (1992-93) as a Buc and went 14-12 with a 4.17 ERA. After a fairly terrible year in AAA Buffalo in 1994, he was released and then spent the next 17 years in Boston, winning 187 games and making an All-Star appearance before hangin’ ‘em up after the 2011 season at the age of 44.
• 1969 - Matty Alou was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Pirate Treasure.” He was a treasure in his second All-Star season, leading the league in hits (231), appearances (746) and at-bats (698).
• 1970 - Pittsburgh outslugged the Braves 10-7 at Atlanta Stadium behind the hot sticks of Bob Robertson and Johnny Jeter. Robertson went long twice and drove home six runs; the other four runs were plated by Jeter, who also homered. Dock Ellis got the win, although Dave Giusti made it interesting in the ninth, giving up three runs on back-to-back Bravo home runs.

Johnny Jeter 1970 Topps series

• 1971 - Willie Stargell was the cover boy for Sports Illustrated as part of the feature article “Pittsburgh Overpowers the East.” The Bucs did take the division that year, and Captain Willie led the way with 48 HR, 125 RBI, .295 BA and a .628 slugging %.
• 1975 - Dave Parker was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Lethal Punch.” In his third big league season, the Cobra put up a .308/25/101 slash for the division-winning Pirates.
• 1977 - The Pirates scored twice in the ninth inning to tie the score 3-3 against Houston at the Astrodome before Bill Robinson hit a two-out, game-winning three-run homer off Dan Larson in the top of the 10th to win it. Robinson had tied the game with a single with Dave Parker aboard the frame before; the throw to third to try to get The Cobra went through third baseman Enos Cabell and both Parker & Robinson scored on the misplay. Larson threw a complete game in a losing effort, giving up just six hits, with five coming in the final 1-⅔ innings. Grant Jackson pitched the final three innings for the Pirates and allowed just one hit to earn the win.
• 1985 - The last-place Pirates dumped a trio of players, trading pitchers John Candelaria and Al Holland along with OF George Hendrick to the Angels for OF Mike Brown and pitchers Pat Clements and Bob Kipper to add some youth to the roster.

Mike Brown 1986 Fleer series

• 1993 - The Cubs beat the Pirates‚ 12-10‚ at Wrigley Field in a game marked by seven HRs‚ six ejections‚ three brushbacks and a brawl. Carlos Garcia had a pair of homers and was beaned in his next at-bat in the sixth by Bob Scanlon, instigating the meet-at-the-mound scrum. Lloyd McClendon and Al Martin also went long for Pittsburgh.
• 2002 - The Bucs walked off with a 6-5 win over the SF Giants at PNC Park. Down a run with two outs in the ninth, Jason Kendall lined a single and Jack Wilson followed with a bloop. Brian Giles drilled Rob Nenn’s 1-2 pitch into left center to plate them both for the win. Adam Hyzdu & Rob Mackowiak homered for the Bucs while Brian Boehringer got the win.
• 2007 - It took 11 innings, but Pittsburgh whipped the SL Cards 6-5 at PNC Park. With two down, Jose Castillo's single scored Ryan Doumit from second. Ronnie Paulino had a homer and double while Salomon Torres picked up the win after two innings of shutout ball.

8/2: Bucky, Addin' On and On and On, Hans, The Deacon, Tim Wakefield, Big O, Walk-Offs...

Bucky, Addin' On and On and On, Hans, The Deacon, Tim Wakefield, Big O, Walk-Offs...

• 1881 - RHP Frederick W. “Bucky” Veil (he went to Bucknell) was born in Tyrone. He only pitched two MLB seasons (1903-04), both for the Bucs, as his career was cut short by malaria bouts. But he does hold the distinction of being the first relief pitcher in a World Series, when he tossed seven innings against Boston in 1903 after replacing an injured Sam Leever in game two, giving up one run. 
• 1894 - The Pirates set a club record by scoring in 14 straight innings during a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Browns when they plated a run in the first. They started the streak on July 31st, beating Cincinnati 11-10 while scoring in the last five frames, and then tallied in all eight frames on August 1st against the Reds, winning by a 15-5 count. The games were played at Exposition Park. 
• 1905 - Temper, temper, Hans: In the course of a 3-1 loss to the New York Giants, Honus Wagner was called out on a bang-bang play at first. Hot at the decision, he fired a baseball past umpire George Bausewine’s noggin during warmups the next inning. The Flying Dutchman was ejected, then later suspended for three games and fined $40. 

Honus "Who, Me?" Wagner - image from Baseball Hall of Fame

• 1919 - Wilbur Cooper allowed two runs on five hits in eight innings in a 4-2 win against the Boston Braves at Forbes Field. Dana Fillingem had the Bucs shutout going into the eight. But a couple of knocks and a couple of walks put Pittsburgh on the board, and Vic Saier’s triple unjammed the sacks to give the Pirates a 4-2 lead.
• 1928 - The Pirates scored 12 runs in the first three innings and ran away with an 18-4 laugher over the Phillies at the Baker Bowl. Glenn Wright (five RBI) and George Grantham (who scored four times) cranked out early three-run homers to pace the attack. Three more runs were driven in by both Pie Traynor and Fred Bickell. Burleigh Grimes coasted to the win.
• 1960 - The Pirates defeated the Dodgers 3-0 at Forbes Field behind Vern Law’s five hitter. There was plenty of leather; Roberto Clemente threw behind Norm Larker at first to catch him rounding the base too far after a single, and then Duke Snider robbed Clemente with a one-handed grab in center. A close game was broken up in the seventh when Bill Mazeroski rolled a single up the middle to score Joe Christopher. But the gamebreaker came when Dodger hurler Stan Williams mishandled a bunt, leading eventually to a two-out, two-run double by Dick Groat.
• 1966 - Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield was born in Melbourne, Florida. The RH spent his first two seasons (1992-93) as a Buc and went 14-12 with a 4.17 ERA. After a fairly terrible year in AAA Buffalo in 1994, he was released and then spent the next 17 years in Boston, winning 187 games and making an All-Star appearance before hangin’ ‘em up after the 2011 season at the age of 44.

Tim Wakefield 1993 Leaf series

• 1970 - Pittsburgh outslugged the Braves 10-7 at Atlanta Stadium behind the hot sticks of Bob Robertson and John Jeter. Robertson went long twice and drove home six runs; the other four runs were plated by Jeter, who also homered. Dock Ellis got the win, although Dave Giusti made it interesting in the ninth, giving up three runs on back-to-back Bravo home runs.
• 1985 - The last-place Pirates dumped a trio of players, trading pitchers John Candelaria and Al Holland along with OF George Hendrick to the Angels for OF Mike Brown and pitchers Pat Clements and Bob Kipper in a move to add some youth to the roster.
• 1993 - The Cubs beat the Pirates‚ 12-10‚ at Wrigley Field in a game marked by seven HRs‚ six ejections‚ three brushbacks and a brawl. Carlos Garcia had a pair of homers for the Bucs‚ and was beaned in his next at-bat in the sixth by Bob Scanlon, instigating the meet-at-the-mound scrum. Lloyd McClendon and Al Martin also went long for Pittsburgh.

Carlos Garcia 1991 Fleer series

• 2002 - The Bucs walked away with a 6-5 win over the SF Giants at PNC Park. Down a run with two outs in the ninth, Jason Kendall lined a single and Jack Wilson kept the team alive with a bloop. Brian Giles drilled Rob Nenn’s 1-2 pitch into left center to plate them both for the win. Adam Hyzdu and Rob Mackowiak homered for the Bucs while Brian Boehringer got the win.
• 2007 - It took 11 innings, but Pittsburgh whipped the SL Cards 6-5 at PNC Park. With two down, Jose Castillo's single scored Ryan Doumit from second with the winner. Ronnie Paulino had a homer and double while Salomon Torres picked up the win after two innings of shutout ball.

August 2 - Hans, Bucky, Candy and More...

Bucky, Scoring Streak, Hans, Slugfest, '60 Bucs, Bye-Bye Bravos, Candy Trade, Free-For-All, Walk-Offs...

• 1881 - RHP Frederick W. “Bucky” Veil was born in Tyrone. He only pitched two MLB seasons (1903-04), both for the Bucs, as his career was cut short by malaria bouts. But he does hold the distinction of being the first relief pitcher in a World Series, when he tossed seven innings against Boston in 1903 after replacing an injured Sam Leever in game two, giving up just one run.
• 1894 - The Pirates set a club record by scoring in 14 straight innings during a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Browns when they plated a run in the first. They started the streak on July 31st, beating Cincinnati 11-10 while scoring in the last five frames, and then tallied in all eight frames on August 1st against the Reds, winning by a 15-5 count. The games were played at Exposition Park.
• 1905 - Temper, temper, Hans: In the course of a 3-1 loss to the New York Giants, Honus Wagner was called out on a bang-bang play at first. Hot at the decision, he fired a baseball past umpire George Bausewine's noggin during warmups the next inning. The Flying Dutchman was ejected, then later suspended for three games and fined $40.
• 1928 - The Pirates scored 12 runs in the first three innings and ran away with an 18-4 laugher over the Phillies at the Baker Bowl. Glenn Wright (five RBI) and George Grantham (who scored four times) cranked out early three-run homers to pace the attack. Three more runs were driven in by both Pie Traynor and Fred Bickell. Burleigh Grimes coasted to the win.
• 1960 - The Pirates defeated the Dodgers 3-0 at Forbes Field behind Vern Law’s five hitter. There was plenty of leather; Roberto Clemente threw behind Norm Larker at first to catch him rounding the base too far after a single, and then Duke Snider robbed Clemente with a one-handed grab in center. A close game was broken up in the seventh when Bill Mazeroski rolled a single up the middle to score Joe Christopher. But the gamebreaker came when Dodger hurler Stan Williams mishandled a bunt, leading eventually to a two-out, two-run double by Dick Groat.
• 1970 - Pittsburgh outslugged the Braves 10-7 at Atlanta Stadium behind the hot sticks of Bob Robertson and John Jeter. Robertson went long twice and drove home six runs; the other four runs were plated by Jeter, who also homered. Dock Ellis got the win, although Dave Guisti made it interesting in the ninth, giving up three runs on back-to-back Bravo home runs.
• 1985 - The last-place Pirates dumped a trio of veteran players, trading pitchers John Candelaria and Al Holland and OF George Hendrick to the Angels for OF Mike Brown and pitchers Pat Clements and Bob Kipper.
• 1993 - The Cubs beat the Pirates‚ 12-10‚ at Wrigley Field in a game marked by seven HRs‚ six ejections‚ three brushbacks and a brawl. Carlos Garcia had a pair of homers for the Bucs‚ and was beaned in his next at-bat in the sixth by Bob Scanlon, instigating the meet-at-the-mound scrum. Lloyd McClendon and Al Martin also went long for Pittsburgh.
• 2002 - The Bucs walked away with a 6-5 win over the Giants at PNC Park. Down a run with two outs in the ninth, Jason Kendall lined a single and Jack Wilson kept the team alive with a bloop. Brian Giles drilled Rob Nenn’s 1-2 pitch into left center to plate them both for the win. Adam Hyzdu and Rob Mackowiak homered for the Bucs while Brian Boehringer got the win. 
• 2007 - It took 11 innings, but Pittsburgh whipped the Cards 6-5 at PNC Park. With two down, Jose Castillo's single scored Ryan Doumit from second with the game winner. Ronnie Paulino had a homer and double while Salomon Torres picked up the win after two innings of shutout ball.