ContactQuestions? Comments? Tips? Email: WHYGAVS [at] gmail [dot] com WHYGAVS? PollSearchBest of WHYGAVSThe Garrett Mackowiak ExperienceWhy I can't stay away from the ballpark Super Bowl XL The Pirates/Office Space Comparison Pirates and Royals: LIVEBLOG One Craig Wilson Logo History Masumi Kuwata Elimination Challenge Letter to the Nuttings Moving Day WHYGAVS Goes to Camden Yards WHYGAVS Night Photo Essay Why's he calling me meat? I'm the one driving a Porsche In the Canyon 16 years  |
w.k. kortas
said:
|
|
... I saw Clemente play in person twice in my lifetime--the first time at Forbes Field. When you see your idol in person, it can be a bit of a let down...but Clemente had such grace, such bearing, such clear and unmistakeable dignity--he was beyond impressive. In my household, there was neverany doubt who The Great One was. |
|
Bill Steele
said:
|
... Thanks for bringing up a very fond memory. I was the kid on the edge of his seat for that one, having just turned 12 before that series. Though born and raised in the north suburbs of Chicago, I've been a Pittsburgh fan all my life, my dad having grown up in Weirton, WV. That was the era of daytime Series games, I can remember running home from school to catch the tail end of some of them. What a showcase for Clemente, who was on a mission to show the world what Pittsburgh knew - he willed that victory as far as I'm concerned. My dad was working during the 7th game, but I can remember jumping into his arms when he got home (not quite like Blass' leap, but close). The '79 series was great too but being older it lacked that same youthful innocence. I was grateful for that win though, as my dad died about 6 weeks after it ended - it was great that he got to see the Steelers and Pirates win that year. People forget how great the Pirates of the 70's were. I believe they had the best record in the NL for that decade. They also pummeled the Cubs every year, which was a lot of fun for me. Keep the faith people, years like that (if not decades) will return... |
|
appealtosmail
said:
|
... Oh man, that makes it feel like yesterday. Everybody hung out on their porches listening to Bob Prince and I can still feel that euphoric feeling that was in the air all summer. The 72 team was even better, perhaps the best Pirate team ever. Felt like the whole world was looking up at us. Happy days indeed. |
|
basmati
said:
|
... For the literary minded, I recommended reading Roger Angell's elegantly written, but long, article on the 1971 Series, found in his book "The Summer Game." It focuses primarily on what a showcase it was for Clemente, who many baseball fans around the country had rarely seen play, and how Clemente was playing at a different level from anyone else. I was in college, and I still remember watching on TV the play where Clemente fielded a double at the base of the wall, whirled and threw a strike to home. The guy sitting next to me, a Cubs fan, nearly fell of his chair, and I had to explain to him that Clemente made throws like that all the time. |
|
Matt Gajtka
said:
|
... Weirton, WV! Sorry, I get excited when someone mentions my hometown. Very insightful article from the 71 Stargell cover. It was quite effective in giving a candid glimpse inside the clubhouse. Amazing that Pops was having significant trouble with his knees in the prime of his career. Imagine how bad they must've been by 79! |
|
Adam
said:
|
... It's bad that I was just looking at projections on the Replacement Level Yankees blog and got excited when the Hardball Times projections run through Diamond Mind's simulator had the Pirates winning their division 11 times out of 1000. Oh to win again. |
|
kstevens
said:
|
... Hey I just saw Detroit released Sheffield, I know Pitt is a hole were baseball souls go to die, but does anyone think Shef' would let his soul die in left here? |
|
Tim
said:
|
... Bill: I grew up in Weirton also. If your father is still living he would hate to see the place now. A true rust belt town. The 79 series is what is entrenched in my brain. I was only 6 during the 71 series. Don't ask me about the next year when B. Moose threw the wild pitch! I remember it all too clear despite being a little guy. |
|
jperb
said:
|
... Great post Pat! I was 6 when the Pirates won the world series in '79, so I too always picture Stargell from that season too...of course that was the first Series I really remember, and so of course, I expected the Pirates to win the Series every year...didn't quite work out that way. I'm 35 now. How sad, lol. |
|
Bill Steele
said:
|
... Hi Tim, Yes, I suspect you're right. He and his two brothers both worked in the mill, one uncle retired from there - better times back then though. My aunt moved to Steubenville a few years ago. I went to Steelers camp last summer and drove through Weirton to visit my aunt, I saw what you mean. I could have gone another 30 years without thinking about the Moose pitch, or the Bench homer that tied it. Total heartbreak.... |
|
bucdaddy
said:
|
... I was 14 in 1971 and went to my first and only World Series game, Game 4, the first night game and the game Kison shut down the O's after ... was in Luke Walker? blew up in the first couple innings. Clemente probably got robbed of a homer in that game, he hit a screamer down the right field line that either hit left or right or on the yellow line painted on the wall, but was ruled foul. That sparked a 10-minute argument, which the Pirates lost, after which Clemente F-you'd everybody by lining a single. I'd love to own a half hour CD of nothing but Clemente catches/throws and Maz turning two. Don't think people today who never saw them could believe it. |
|
azibuck
said:
|
... I was 7 in '71, and the playoffs and WS is what made me a Pirates fan, and Stargell my favorite player. I was also one of those kids who watched the day games after getting home from school. Seeing that big windmilling windup, and the primitive graphic of 48 HR... just, wow. There was nobody else like him. But I was also only 7 and don't have much of a memory of the series beyond being at my (TV-less) grandmother's house near Pittston, PA, and finding out they won while driving home listening to the radio. Then being 15 in 1979, the WS win didn't have the value to me it should have. To me, my youth was a bunch of character-building playoff/NL-East near misses, bookended by somewhat unfulfilling championships. But thanks for the memories. |
|
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please 
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. Here are some of our high-priority areas that we're specifically looking to grow. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our 
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? 