Pittsburgh Pirates Legend Has Died This Weekend At 89

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Feb 21, 2026 8:50 AM ET

With Opening Day roughly a month away, the Pittsburgh Pirates had heartbreaking news to share with their fan base.

Former Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski has sadly passed away at the age of 89. He only played in Pittsburgh during his MLB career, earning All-Star honors 10 times and inning two World Series titles. Not only was he a steady hitter with a career .260 average, he was an eight-time Gold Glove winner.

"Everyone across the Pirates organization is deeply saddened by the loss of Bill Mazeroski," said Pirates chairman Bob Nutting. "Maz was one of a kind — a true Pirates legend, a National Baseball Hall of Famer and one of the finest defensive second basemen the game has ever seen. His name will always be tied to the biggest home run in baseball history and the 1960 World Series championship, but I will remember him most for the person he was: humble, gracious and proud to be a Pirate."

Mazeroski was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. Additionally, his No. 9 has been retired by the Pirates.

Jul 5, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates former second baseman and Baseball Hall of Fame member Bill Mazeroski throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the Pirates host the New York Yankees at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

Tributes pouring in for Mazeroski.

"We are saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski, who hit one of the greatest home runs in baseball history," the MLB said. "On Oct. 13, 1960, Game 7 of the World Series, bottom of the 9th inning, Mazeroski smashed a walk-off home run to lead the Pirates to a 10-9 win over the Yankees for the championship. Mazeroski’s most famous moment was just a snapshot of his brilliant career. A 10-time All-Star and 8-time Gold Glove winner in 17 seasons with Pittsburgh, Mazeroski was considered one of the finest defensive second basemen of all time. He hit .323 in 12 Postseason games and won 2 World Series rings with the Pirates. A statue depicting Mazeroski’s famous trip around the bases in 1960 stands outside PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

"A sad day. Maz was as humble a man as there was," longtime baseball writer John Perrotto said. "He never considered himself a celebrity and treated everyone with kindness. RIP, Bill."

"One of the best human beings you would ever want to meet. Classy, unassuming, and loyal," Bob Pompeani of KDKA TV wrote. "The author of the only walkoff game 7 HR in MLB history."

"Maz was as kind as any athlete I have encountered in four decades in the business," Michael DeCourcy of Sporting News commented. "A genuine legend."

Mazeroski is survived by his two sons, Darren and David, as well as his four grandchildren.

May he rest in peace.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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