Pirates Unveil Plans for Mazeroski Statue

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the plans, and unveiled the likeness, for the Bill Mazeroski statue, which is scheduled to be erected at PNC Park later this summer – the 50th anniversary of the Pirates 1960 World Championship season.

The announcement was made by Pirates Chairman of the Board, Bob Nutting. The statue will feature the likeness of Mazeroski rounding the bases after his famous home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the heavily favored Yankees in the 1960 World Series. The “Tribute to Maz” is scheduled to be unveiled on Sunday, September 5, prior to the Pirates taking on the Washington Nationals.

“Bill’s story is an inspirational one, not only because of his Hall of Fame career on the field, but for the way he continues to represent himself and the Pirates off of it. He has set a high bar for humility and grace that we should all strive to reach,” said Nutting. “His famous home run did much more than win the World Series, it was a moment that has inspired our city and our region for 50 years. It is a moment that continues to be passed on from generation to generation. I am thrilled that soon our fans will have a special place outside of PNC Park to remember and share this inspirational story.”

The proposed location for the statue will be at the end of the cul-de-sac along Mazeroski Way, near the right-field entrance to PNC Park. The statue will be the center of a monument that will consist of special effects on the concrete surrounding the statue which will detail the infield dirt to recreate that special moment shortly after Mazeroski rounded second base following his dramatic home run. The second base bag will be raised just behind the statue, while the
backdrop surrounding the area will incorporate some of the actual bricks from the Forbes Field wall.

Susan Wagner, the same artist who created the Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell statues, is the commissioned sculptress for the Mazeroski statue. A Pittsburgh resident, Wagner has owned and operated her own business for the past 30 years. Her other works include a statue of Jackie Robinson in New Jersey, a portion of the Gulf War Memorial in Greensburg and a Pittsburgh Policeman’s Memorial.

Just as the Pirates did with the statues erected in honor of Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell, fans will have the opportunity to participate in this permanent tribute to another Bucco Hall of Famer. Fans will be able to donate to the Mazeroski statue fund by purchasing cast aluminum ivy leaves that can be engraved and will be permanently installed along the Forbes Field wall brick backdrop.

Two leaf options are available. The smaller leaf (4 ¼” X 3 7/8”) is available for a $150 donation. The larger leaf (5 ¼” X 4 ½”) is available for a $500 donation. Also incorporated into the design of the backdrop will be eight Gold Gloves that donors can engrave with their special message in honor of Mazeroski. Commemorative certificates are also available for a $25 contribution.
Fans can place their orders this weekend at PirateFest or call 1-877-MAZ-1960, or order online at www.pirates.com/mazstatue. Pirates Charities will be the recipient of contributions of any size by fans who want to help build this lasting tribute to Bill.

Mazeroski remains the only player in Major League Baseball history to hit a game-winning home run in Game 7 of a World Series. His blast off New York’s Ralph Terry on October 13, 1960, gave the Bucs a 10-9 victory in the deciding game played at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.

Elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, the Pirates retired Mazeroski’s uniform #9 in 1987. He was an eight-time Gold Glove Award recipient, seven-time All-Star and holds numerous Major League record for second basemen, including most seasons leading the league in assists (nine), most double plays in a single season (161 in 1966) and most career double plays (1,706).

(Artwork courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates)