The formerly first-place Pirates make a rash decision to replace their skipper Bill Virdon, after the team drops three of four to St. Louis to fall three games back in the standings. The bespectacled manager, who led the club to a division title last year, will be replaced with Danny Murtaugh, the man whom he had replaced prior to the 1972 season.
Mets outfielder Cleon Jones becomes the first player in franchise history to collect a 1,000 hits when he doubles off Jim Rooker in the team’s 5-1 victory over the Pirates at Shea Stadium. The Mobile, Alabama native will add another 196 hits before being traded in 1975 to the White Sox.
On June 27, 1973 At Three Rivers Stadium, Joe Torre, hits for the cycle, the St Louis Cardinals tally 22 hits to roll over the Pittsburgh Pirates, 15 – 4. Torre hits a double in the 1st, homers in the 3rd, and triples in the 4th. After hitting into a double play, and then walking…
On June 13 1973, At Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, in the 4th inning, Dock Ellis walks a batter without ever throwing a pitch to him. After going 2-0 on the Atlanta left fielder Sonny Jackson, the Pirates right-hander is replaced by Ramon Hernandez, who throws two more balls to Dick Dietz, a pinch-hitter for Jackson,…
For the second time in his career, Pirate Willie Stargell poles one out of Dodger Stadium. His blast off Andy Messersmith hits the right field pavilion roof 470 feet away. His first home run, a 506-foot shot, came off Alan Foster on August 5, 1969. No other player has hit a fair ball out of the stadium. Los Angeles wins, 7 – 4.
The Giants, one out from defeat, score seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to stun the Pirates at Candlestick Park, 8-7. Three batters after Chris Arnold pinch-hits a two-out grand slam, Bobby Bonds delivers a walk-off three-run double to left field to complete San Francisco’s amazing come-from-behind victory.
1973 – Four months after his death, Pittsburgh Pirates great Roberto Clemente is inducted into the Hall of Fame in a special election. The Pirates outfielder was tragically killed when a cargo plane crashes during a relief effort to bring supplies to victims of the Nicaraguan earthquake on New Years Eve.
The Pittsburgh Pirates retire Roberto Clemente’s uniform number 21 in a moving pre-game ceremony before 51,695 fans at Three Rivers Stadium. The 38-year-old Clemente died in a plane crash the previous New Year’s Eve. The Pirates then beat St. Louis‚ 7 – 5‚ with a 9th-inning rally.
On April 6, 1973, the Pittsburgh Pirates retire Roberto Clemente’s uniform No. 21 in a moving pre-game ceremony before 51,695 fans at Three Rivers Stadium. The 38-year-old Clemente died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve, 1972.
Roberto Clemente becomes the first Hispanic American to gain election to the Hall of Fame. The Baseball Writers Association of America announces the results of a special ballot, with Clemente receiving 393 of 424 votes. Clemente died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve. In light of his tragic death, the Hall’s Board of Directors waived the five-year waiting period that is normally required before a player is eligible for election. A twelve-time All-Star, Clemente batted .317 and won a dozen Gold Gloves over an 18-year career, and batted .362 in World Series play. Named National League MVP in 1966, he was voted the outstanding player in the 1971 World Series, when the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles in seven games.
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