PITTSBURGH, PA — The former Pittsburgh Pirates player who hit what is widely considered the most famous home run in Major League Baseball history has died.
The Pirates on Saturday announced the death of Bill Mazeroski, who hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in game seven of the 1960 World Series as the Pirates triumphed over the New York Yankees.
Mazeroski was 89.
“It is with a heavy heart that we relay the news of the passing of legendary Pirates and National Baseball Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski,” the Pirates stated in a social media post. “Maz was a 7-time All-Star who hit the greatest home run in baseball history. He was a beloved member of the Pirates family and he will be deeply missed.”
Mazeroski, who also was known for his defensive prowess, was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.
Mazeroski’s famous home run was the first time a World Series had ended on a home run. So memorable was the feat that a portion of Forbes Field in Oakland, which was razed in the early 1970s, remains in Schenley Park remains today. Fans still gather at that portion of the center field wall on the anniversary of the home run on the October 13 anniversary of the occasion.
Funeral arrangements were not immediately available on Saturday.