9/14 TRS-PNC Era: Triple Play, Mudcat Arrives, Richie & Mad Dog Slams, HBD El Coffee & More...

• 1970 - The Pirates traded with Oakland for Jim “Mudcat “Grant, sending them a PTBNL (Angel Mangual). Mudcat made 50 appearances for Pittsburgh with a 7-4-7, 3.41 line. He worked as a broadcaster and executive for the Indians and as a broadcaster for the Athletics after he retired. Grant also became a black baseball historian and wrote the 2006 book “The Black Aces.” Angel played six seasons for the A’s as a reserve outfielder.

Mudcat Grant 1971 Topps

• 1974 - Richie Zisk was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Menacing Bat.” It certainly was; Zisk hit .313 with 17 HR and 100 RBI in his first full-time season.
• 1982 - Richie Hebner and Bill Madlock stroked grand slams to lead the Pirates to a 15-5 win over the Cubs at TRS. Mad Dog drove six runs home while Johnny Ray went 3-for-3 and scored three times with a RBI. The last pair of Bucs to hit grand salamis in the same game were Arky Vaughan and Earl Grace for the 1933 Bucs in a 10-0 romp over the Phils.
• 1991 - OF Gregory Polanco was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He made his debut on June 10th, 2014, against the Cubs. In that game, he recorded his first MLB hit against Travis Wood. His first career home run, a two-run shot, against the Miami Marlins in the 13th inning was the game winner in an 8–6 victory. On June 18th, he became the first Pirate with a hit in each of his first eight games and has matured into a cleanup hitter today.

Gregory Polanco 2016 Topps Heritage

• 2007 - The Bucs scored three times in the eighth to defeat the Astros 4-3 at Minute Maid Park as Jose Bautista bombed a two run homer and Ronnie Paulino’s two out single brought in Steve Pearce with the eventual game winner. But the play of the game was made by CF Nyjer Morgan, who took a circle route to run down Ty Wigginton’s two out, bases loaded blast in the third, kissing the wall as he made the grab and prevented Houston from running away and hiding early in the contest.
• 2011 - With a 3-2 loss to St. Louis, the Pirates extended their record streak of consecutive losing seasons to 19 straight years, adding to the longest in American professional sports history. And this was after leading the NL Central on July 20th! The streak would go on one more season until the playoff team of 2013 won 94 games.

Josh's toss started some history (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

• 2014 - The Pirates were sleepwalking against the Cubs, losing 3-0 in the fourth with Chicago runners at first and second with no outs and ready to run away. Matt Szczur hit a hot shot to third; Josh Harrison gloved it, stepped on the bag and fired a bullet to second, where Neil Walker made a strong turn and got the ball to Andrew Lambo at first for a triple play. Two innings later, the Pirates were out of their stupor and ahead 6-3 on the way to a 7-3 victory at PNC Park. Neil Walker hit his 20th homer, breaking the Pirate single season mark for 2B held by Bill Mazeroski (19), set in 1958. Triple play trivia: it was first triple play turned by the Pirates since April 12th, 2009 at Cincy and the first ever turned by anyone at PNC Park. The last one in Pittsburgh was August 10th, 1993, vs. the Cardinals at TRS. There hadn't been a 5-4-3 around-the-horn triple play by the Bucs since July 23rd, 1979 (also at TRS), scored Bill Madlock to Phil Garner to Willie Stargell. It was the first TP that the Cubs hit into since May 14th, 2000, at Montreal. Walker, btw, would be involved in another triple play against St. Louis the following season.

9/14 Expo Park-Forbes Field Era: Paul Waner's 200 Hits, Burleigh's Debut, Double Trouble & More...

• 1916 - Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes made his first MLB start for the Pirates, losing a 3-2 decision to the Brooklyn Superbas at Ebbets Field. He didn’t have a lot of help; LF Bill Hinchman lost a fly in the sixth and Honus Wagner muffed a DP ball in the same frame as Brooklyn scored twice. The Bucs tied it, but lost in the ninth on a two-out double by the opposing pitcher, Larry Cheney. Grimes finished his rookie campaign 2-3 and went on to win 270 games during his 19 year career.
• 1925 - The Pirates snapped a streak of losing 7-of-8 games with a 9-4 win over the Brooklyn Robins at Forbes Field. Glenn Wright and George Grantham both went 3-for-4 and combined for a double, triple, three runs and three RBI to back Vic Aldridge’s win. The victory not only ended a losing string, but launched the eventual World Championship club on a nine game winning streak.

Vic Aldridge 1925 (photo Bains News Service/Library of Congress)

• 1933 - LHP Fred Green was born in Titusville, New Jersey. He pitched four years for the Bucs (1959-61, 1964) with a line of 9-6-4/3.33. The multi-role reliever was a member of the 1960 championship club after signing in 1952 and coming through the Pirate farm system.
• 1936 - Paul Waner tied Rogers Hornsby's modern NL record by reaching 200 hits for the seventh time as the Bucs swept the Phils 11-4 and 6-5 at the Baker Bowl. Big Poison banged out his 200th knock in the opener and collected five hits during the twinbill. Bill Swift and Red Lucas earned complete game victories for Pittsburgh.
• 1944 - The Pirates purchased catcher Bill Salkeld from San Diego of the Pacific Coast league. He was brought aboard to replace Al Lopez, but couldn’t win the spot even though he hit .293 in his three (1945-47) Bucco campaigns. As a rookie in ‘45, Salkeld batted .311 with 15 home runs in only 317 PA, but was mainly a platoon guy with a .213 lifetime BA against lefties.

Bill Salkeld 1945-47 (via The Sporting News archives)

• 1957 - The Cubs split a doubleheader at Wrigley Field against the bonus baby O'Brien twins. In the opener‚ Eddie twirled a 3-1 complete game win, scattering six hits and fanning eight for his only MLB decision. In the nitecap‚ Johnny pitched one inning in relief and was charged with the loss‚ his last MLB decision (1-3 lifetime). Both played from 1953-58 for the Bucs, but they were infielders first, pitchers as an afterthought.

9/14:HBD El Coffee, Fred; Burleigh's Bow; Grand Slam Double;Trip-Trip-Triple Play

• 1916 - Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes made his first MLB start for the Pirates, losing a 3-2 decision to the Brooklyn Superbas at Ebbets Field. He didn’t have a lot of help; LF Bill Hinchman lost a fly in the sixth and Honus Wagner muffed a DP ball in the same frame as Brooklyn scored twice. The Bucs tied it, but lost in the ninth on a two-out double by the opposing pitcher, Larry Cheney. Grimes finished his rookie campaign 2-3 and won 270 games during his 19 year career. 
• 1925 - The Pirates snapped a streak of losing 7-of-8 games with a 9-4 win over the Brooklyn Robins at Forbes Field. Glenn Wright and George Grantham both went 3-for-4 and combined for a double, triple, three runs and three RBI to back Vic Aldridge’s win. The victory not only ended a losing string, but launched the eventual World Championship club on a nine game winning streak. 
• 1933 - LHP Fred Green was born in Titusville, New Jersey. He pitched four years for the Bucs (1959-61, 1964) with a line of 9-6-4/3.33. The multi-role reliever was a member of the 1960 championship club after signing in 1952 and coming through the Pirate farm system. 

Fred Green 1960 Topps series

• 1936 - Paul Waner tied Rogers Hornsby's modern NL record by reaching 200 hits for the seventh time as the Bucs swept the Phils 11-4 and 6-5 at the Baker Bowl. Big Poison banged out his 200th knock in the opener and collected five hits during the twinbill. Bill Swift and Red Lucas earned complete game victories for Pittsburgh. 
• 1957 - The Cubs split a doubleheader at Wrigley Field against the bonus baby O'Brien twins. In the opener‚ Eddie twirled a 3-1 complete game win, scattering six hits and fanning eight for his only MLB decision. In the nitecap‚ Johnny pitched one inning in relief and was charged with the loss‚ his last MLB decision (1-3 lifetime). Both played from 1953-58 for the Bucs, but they were infielders first, pitchers as an afterthought. 
• 1974 - Richie Zisk was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Menacing Bat.” It certainly was; Zisk hit .313 with 17 HR and 100 RBI in his first full-time season. 

• 1982 - Richie Hebner and Bill Madlock stroked grand slams to lead the Pirates to a 15-5 win over the Cubs at TRS. Mad Dog drove six runs home while Johnny Ray went 3-for-3 and scored three times with a RBI. The last pair of Bucs to hit grand salamis in the same game were Arky Vaughan and Earl Grace for the 1933 Bucs in a 10-0 romp over the Phils. 
• 1991 - OF Gregory Polanco was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He made his debut on June 10th, 2014, against the Cubs. In that game, he recorded his first MLB hit against Travis Wood. His first career home run, a two-run shot, against the Miami Marlins in the 13th inning was the game winner in an 8–6 victory. On June 18th, he became the first Pirate with a hit in each of his first eight games. 
• 2007 - The Bucs scored three times in the eighth to defeat the Astros 4-3 at Minute Maid Park as Jose Bautista bombed a two run homer and Ronnie Paulino’s two out single brought in Steve Pearce with the eventual game winner. But the play of the game was made by CF Nyjer Morgan, who took a circle route to run down Ty Wigginton’s two out, bases loaded blast in the third, kissing the wall as he made the grab and prevented Houston from running away and hiding early in the contest.

Nyjer Morgan 2009 Topps series

• 2011 - With a 3-2 loss to St. Louis, the Pirates extended their record streak of consecutive losing seasons to 19 straight years, adding to the longest in American professional sports history. And this was after leading the NL Central on July 20th! The streak would go on one more season until the playoff team of 2013 won 94 games. 
• 2014 - The Pirates were sleepwalking against the Cubs, losing 3-0 in the fourth with Chicago runners at first and second with no outs and ready to take command. Matt Szczur hit a hot shot to third; Josh Harrison gloved it, stepped on the bag and fired a bullet to second, where Neil Walker made a strong turn and got the ball to Andrew Lambo at first for a triple play. Two innings later, the Pirates shook out of their stupor and went up 6-3 on the way to a 7-3 victory at PNC Park. Neil Walker hit his 20th homer, breaking the Pirate single season mark for 2B of 19 held by Bill Mazeroski, set in 1958. Triple play trivia: it was first triple play for turned by the Pirates since April 12th, 2009 at Cincy and the first ever turned by anyone at PNC Park. The last one in Pittsburgh was August 10th, 1993, vs. the Cardinals at TRS. There hadn't been a 5-4-3 around-the-horn triple play by the Bucs since July 23rd, 1979 (also at TRS), scored Bill Madlock to Phil Garner to Willie Stargell. It was the first TP that the Cubs hit into since May 14th, 2000, at Montreal.

9/14: Ol' Stubblebeard Debuts, 200 For Waner, Twin Trouble, Grand Salami Time, 19 Years & Whatta Ya Get?...

Ol' Stubblebeard Debuts, 200 For Waner, Twin Trouble, Grand Salami Time, 19 Years & Whatta Ya Get?...

• 1916 - Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes made his first MLB start for the Pirates, losing a 3-2 decision to the Brooklyn Superbas at Ebbet’s Field. He didn’t have a lot of help; LF Bill Hinchman lost a fly in the sixth and Honus Wagner muffed a DP ball in the same frame as Brooklyn scored twice. The Bucs tied it, but lost in the ninth on a two-out double by the opposing pitcher, Larry Cheney. Grimes finished his rookie campaign 2-3 and won 270 games during his 19 year career. 
• 1925 - The Pirates snapped a streak of losing 7-of-8 games with a 9-4 win over the Brooklyn Robins at Forbes Field. Glenn Wright and George Grantham both went 3-for-4 and combined for a double, triple, three runs and three RBI to back Vic Aldridge’s win. The victory not only ended a losing string, but launched the eventual World Championship club on a nine game winning streak. 
• 1933 - LHP Fred Green was born in Titusville, New Jersey. He pitched four years for the Bucs (1959-61, 1964) with a line of 9-6-4/3.33. The multi-role reliever was a member of the 1960 championship club after signing in 1952 and coming through the Pirate farm system. 

Fred Green 1961 Topps series

• 1936 - Paul Waner tied Rogers Hornsby's modern NL record by reaching 200 hits for the seventh time as the Bucs swept the Phils 11-4 and 6-5 at the Baker Bowl. Big Poison banged out his 200th knock in the opener and collected five hits during the twinbill. Bill Swift and Red Lucas earned complete game victories for Pittsburgh. 
• 1957 - The Cubs split a doubleheader at Wrigley Field against the bonus baby O'Brien twins. In the opener‚ Eddie twirled a 3-1 complete game win, scattering six hits and fanning eight for his only MLB decision. In the nitecap‚ Johnny pitched one inning in relief and was charged with the loss‚ his last MLB decision (1-3 lifetime). Both played from 1953-58 for the Bucs, but they were infielders first, pitchers as an afterthought. 
• 1982 - Richie Hebner and Bill Madlock stroked grand slams to lead the Pirates to a 15-5 win over the Cubs at TRS. Mad Dog finished the day driving six runs home while Johnny Ray went 3-for-3 and scored three times with a RBI. The last pair of Bucs to hit grand salamis in the same game were Arky Vaughan and Earl Grace for the 1933 Bucs in a 10-0 romp over the Phils. 
• 2007 - The Bucs scored three times in the eighth to defeat the Astros 4-3 at Minute Maid Park as Jose Bautista bombed a two run homer and Ronnie Paulino’s two out single brought in Steve Pearce with the eventual game winner. But the play of the game was made by CF Nyjer Morgan, who took a circle route to run down Ty Wiggington’s two out, bases loaded blast in the third, kissing the wall as he made the grab and prevented Houston from running away and hiding early in the contest. 

Joey Bats 2013 Bowman Rookie Reprint series

• 2011 - With a 3-2 loss to St. Louis, the Pirates extended their record streak of consecutive losing seasons to 19 straight years, adding to the longest in American professional sports history. And this was after leading the NL Central on July 20th! The streak would go on one more season until the playoff team of 2013 won 94 games.

9/14: Burleigh Grimes, Pennant Launch, Big Poison, O'Brien Twins, Slammin', Rally, The Streak Goes On...

Burleigh Grimes, Pennant Launch, Big Poison, O'Brien Twins, Slammin', Rally, The Streak Goes On...

• 1916 - Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes made his first MLB start for the Pirates, losing a 3-2 decision to the Brooklyn Superbas at Ebbet’s Field. He didn’t have a lot of help; LF Bill Hinchman lost a fly in the sixth and Honus Wagner muffed a DP ball in the same frame as Brooklyn scored twice. The Bucs tied it, but lost in the ninth on a two-out double by the opposing pitcher, Larry Cheney. Grimes finished his rookie campaign 2-3 and won 270 games during his 19 year career. 
• 1925 - The Pirates snapped a streak of losing 7-of-8 games with a 9-4 win over the Brooklyn Robins at Forbes Field. Glenn Wright and George Grantham both went 3-for-4 and combined for a double, triple, three runs and three RBI to back Vic Aldridge’s win. The victory not only ended a losing string, but launched the eventual World Championship club on a nine game winning streak. 
• 1936 - Paul Waner tied Rogers Hornsby's modern NL record by reaching 200 hits for the seventh time as the Bucs swept the Phils 11-4 and 6-5 at the Baker Bowl. Big Poison banged out his 200th knock in the opener and collected five hits during the twinbill. Bill Swift and Red Lucas earned complete game victories for Pittsburgh. 
• 1957 - The Cubs split a doubleheader at Wrigley Field against the bonus baby O'Brien twins. In the opener‚ Eddie twirled a 3-1 complete game win, scattering six hits and fanning eight for his only MLB decision. In the nitecap‚ Johnny pitched one inning in relief and was charged with the loss‚ his last MLB decision (1-3 lifetime). Both played from 1953-58 for the Bucs, but they were infielders first, pitchers as an afterthought.
• 1982 - Richie Hebner and Bill Madlock stroked grand slams to lead the Pirates to a 15-5 win over the Cubs at TRS. Mad Dog finished the day with six runs driven home, while Johnny Ray went 3-for-3 and scored three times with a RBI. The last pair of Bucs to hit grand salamis in the same game were Arky Vaughan and Earl Grace for the 1933 Bucs. 
•  2007 - The Bucs scored three times in the eighth to defeat the Astros 4-3 at Minute Maid Park as Jose Bautista bombed a two run homer and Ronnie Paulino’s two out single brought in Steve Pearce with the eventual game winner. But the play of the game was made by CF Nyjer Morgan, who took a circle route to run down Ty Wiggington’s two out, bases loaded blast in the third, kissing the wall as he made the grab and prevented Houston from running away and hiding. 
• 2011 - With a 3-2 loss to St. Louis, the Pirates extended their record streak of consecutive losing seasons to 19 straight years, the longest in American professional sports history. And this was after leading the NL Central on July 20th!