Sunday, February 21, 2016

Two for the Yellow and Black

ELITE EIGHT Action: The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates continue their magical run through the tournament by knocking off the 1906 Chicago Cubs (considered one of the very best teams in MLB history).
Down 3-2, during the top of the 9th... Dave Parker leads off with double, Willie Stargell would ground out by advancing Parker to third. Bill Robinson would pop up for the 2nd out. With their backs against the walls (again), Phil Garner ends up drawing a walk against Jack Pfiester [Grade A-X] (his 4th walk allowed). All hopes are placed on Ed Ott, who would tie the game with a RBI single, scoring in Parker.
Top of the 10th, the Pirates now facing Jack Taylor [Grade A-R], Jim Bibby, the Pirates reliever takes game in his own hands with lead-off double; Bill Madlock would eventually drive him in (with one out) after being hitless through previous 4 at-bats. Dave Parker would draw a walk; With two outs, Bill Robinson gives Pirates a stronger cushion with two-RBI triple.
Kent Tekulve comes in for his 3rd Save of the tournament. Jim Bibby gets the win on 2 scoreless innings, plus double & run at the plate.
Pirates are now in the Final Four during their tournament debut!

The 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates are helping the 1979 Pirates by making this tournament shine yellow & black. In yet another upset, the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates hold off the defending tournament champion 1927 New York Yankees.
Down 2-0, in the top of the 3rd, the Pirates tied the game at 2-2 with a RBI double by Roberto Clemente & RBI single by Willie Stargell -- but it all came with a price, the 1971 Stargell who has had two 2-homer games in this tournament, got injured sliding into second, and is OUT for the REMAINDER of the tournament.
Richie Hebner would hit a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 6th, but the Pirates lead didn't last for long as the Yankees answer back in their typical Yankee aura magic with a pinch-hit RBI double by Ben Paschal.
Top of the 10th, with two outs & no one on for the Pirates, and with the 1927 Yankees having home-field, the game was teetering on a Yankee win, when Bob Robertson draws a walk from Urban Shocker. Richie Hebner would single to right, advancing Robertson to third. Al Oliver steps up to the plate 0-for-4, and hits a routine fly to left at Bobby Meusel, but Meusel loses the ball in the overcast sky, as the ball deflects off his glove and drops to the ground -- scoring in Robertson!
Dave Giusti comes in and closes the game down for the save, as the 1927 New York Yankees suffer their first-ever tourney loss.

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