RIP Maz

[Sixtolezcano]

Here’s to the best fielding second baseman in baseball history. An HOFer, with 8 gold gloves and a 10 time all-star Bill Mazeroski passed yesterday at age 89. He belted one of the most consequential hits in World Series history when he hit the only game 7, WS winning walk-off HR in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the 1960 championship for the Pirates. Watching this game on our first TV left an everlasting memory and love of baseball on me. Many a time playing sandlot baseball I would picture myself at bat in the bottom of the ninth and hitting a HR just like Mazeroski. “Maz” (and The Glove) as he was known, was a defensive maestro at 2nd base with a major league record by turning 1709 double plays. He still holds over a half dozen fielding records for a second baseman. Many players commented that he was a wizard at making a pivot when turning a DP. If you have some extra time please read his biography on the SABR website, an excellent read.