Bill Mazeroski | |||
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Mazeroski at the site of Forbes Field on the 50th anniversary of his series-winning home run, 2010
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Second baseman | |||
Born: Wheeling, West Virginia |
September 5, 1936 |||
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MLB debut | |||
July 7, 1956, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |||
Last MLB appearance | |||
October 4, 1972, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Batting average | .260 | ||
Hits | 2,016 | ||
Home runs | 138 | ||
Runs batted in | 853 | ||
Teams | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
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Member of the National | |||
Baseball Hall of Fame | |||
Inducted | 2001 | ||
Election Method | Veterans Committee |
William Stanley Mazeroski (born September 5, 1936), is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman. Nicknamed "Maz", he spent his entire 17-year career playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, from 1956–72. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.
Mazeroski is regarded as one of the greatest defensive second basemen of all time. He was an All-Star for seven seasonsand a Gold Glove Award winner for eight seasons. He was a key member of the Pirates' World Series-winning teams in 1960 and 1971, and is best known for his walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in game 7 of the 1960 World Series—the only game 7 walk-off homer in World Series history.
Mazeroski was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, of Polish descent. He attended Warren Consolidated High School in Tiltonsville, Ohio, excelling in both baseball and basketball. He started on the varsity baseball team as a freshman.
As a 17-year-old in 1954, Mazeroski signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Originally a shortstop, he was moved to second base and made his major league debut on July 7, 1956; he played for the Pirates his entire career.
Mazeroski was noted for his defensive prowess and earned his first of eight Gold Glove Awards in 1958. He had a career .983 fielding percentage, led the National League in assists nine times, and holds the MLB record for double plays by a second baseman. Baseball analyst Bill James has written that "Bill Mazeroski's defensive statistics are probably the most impressive of any player at any position".