Pirates Journal

Earlier in the month, we looked at one of the great Pirates wins.  This time, Baseball’s Greatest Games explores one of the Pirates tougher losses.  Yes, there was a time when the Pirates won three straight division titles and their toughest playoff lost was their last playoff game way back in 1992.  That year, the Braves and Pirates squared off in a best of seven series where the Braves jumped out to a 3-1 lead only to have the Pirates storm back and tie it three games to three.  Then in a pivotal game seven, the drama happened.

The Pirates jumped out to an early one nothing lead while Doug Drabek was throwing a gem.  After eight and a half innings, the Pirates had a 2-0 lead before the Braves rallied to win it in the ninth in dramatic fashion.  Definitely one for the ages and while it was tough Pirates loss, it was definitely one of Baseball Greatest Games.

Another year, another losing season for the Pirates.  That’s why I picked up this brand new DVD from A&E’s Baseball’s Greatest Games.  Things weren’t always that bad and in 1960, the Pirates made an impressive run and went head to head against the Bronx Bombers in the World Series.  Despite being outscored 46-17 in the first six games, the Pirates found themselves in a winner take all game seven in Pittsburgh.

Then the craziness began.  The Pirates went up by four early but the Yankees then scored seven unanswered runs.  In the bottom of the eighth, the Pirates took the lead back with five, then gave up two in the ninth as the Yankees tied the game.  Then what was the first walk off home run to end a World Series (at the time, Joe Carter did it later) by Bill Mazerowski happened.

So if you’re sick of watching Pirates reruns in the first half when they were in first place, you should pick this up and pop in the DVD player.  Plus out of all the games, this is the oldest so it’s cool watching something from over 50 years ago.