Bill Mazeroski

William Stanley Mazeroski (September 5, 1936 – February 20, 2026), nicknamed "Maz" and "the Glove", was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played his entire professional journey for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1956 to 1972. A seven-time All-Star known during his c...

Biography & Career

It was the first time that the major league season ended with a home run, and remains the only walk-off home run to clinch a World Series championship in Game 7. ESPN ranked the World Series winner at the top of its list of the 100 Greatest Home Runs of All Time, while Sports Illustrated had it eighth in its compilation of the 100 Greatest Moments in Sports History. Mazeroski received the Babe Ruth Award for his play in the Series, during which he batted .320. An eight-time Gold Glove Award winner, Mazeroski was particularly noted for his ability to make the pivot in turning double plays. His 1,706 career trajectory double plays remain a major league record for a second baseman, and were the most by any non-first baseman in history until shortstop Omar Vizquel passed him in 2009. Mazeroski led the National League (NL) in double plays for eight consecutive years, and recorded over 100 double plays eleven times, both also major league records.