Roberto Clemente hits Pittsburgh’s inaugural dinger of spring training in an in-house affair

Roberto Clemente hits Pittsburgh’s inaugural dinger of spring training in an in-house affair

1956 – Pirates second-year man Roberto Clemente hits Pittsburgh’s inaugural dinger of spring training in an in-house affair, coached by two key figures in Clemente’s career: “Roberto Clemente slammed three hits today,” reports the Associated Press, “including the first homer by a Pittsburgh Pirate, as the ‘Sukeforths’ defeated the ‘Murtaughs’ 9 – 3 in an intra-squad game.”

“Clemente Wows Bucs; Outfielder Amazes New Boss, Crowd With Fly-Chasing.” 

“Clemente Wows Bucs; Outfielder Amazes New Boss, Crowd With Fly-Chasing.” 

1956 – “Clemente Wows Bucs; Outfielder Amazes New Boss, Crowd With Fly-Chasing.” Pittsburgh’s sophomore star-in-waiting blows away both his rookie manager and the Fort Myers, FL faithful in this spring’s first intra-squad game. “Bobby Bragan didn’t hesitate when he picked out Roberto Clemente’s spectacular fielding as the most impressive thing he saw in yesterday’s game,” reports Pittsburgh Press writer Les Biederman. “Until yesterday, Bragan never had seen Clemente play and was amazed at the way he runs down fly balls and turns them into tumbling catches. ‘I know he doesn’t do that all the time because even Willie Mays doesn’t, but I thought for sure he’d drop a couple of those he lunged for,’ Bragan added. ‘He seems to have sure hands.’ Clemente also contributed a single that scored a run, but his best work was saved for the field. He was all over the premises in right field, came in, went back, and to either side to spear fly balls that might have been base hits. He threw out one runner at third and almost nipped another. The fans in the stands ate it up too and when Clemente came to bat for the last time, they applauded him. He was the only Pirate who drew applause from the free-loaders.”

Joe L. Brown replaces Branch Rickey, who stepped down as the Pirates’ general manager

Joe L. Brown replaces Branch Rickey, who stepped down as the Pirates’ general manager

Joe L. Brown replaces Branch Rickey, who stepped down as the Pirates’ general manager. During the five-year tenure of ‘Mahatma’, Pittsburgh endured three 100-loss seasons, but his contributions will help lead the team to a World Championship in 1960.

Ernie Banks hits three home runs in a game for the first of four times in his career when the Cubs outslug the Pirates, 11-10 at Wrigley Field.

Ernie Banks hits three home runs in a game for the first of four times in his career when the Cubs outslug the Pirates, 11-10 at Wrigley Field.

Ernie Banks hits three home runs in a game for the first of four times in his career when the Cubs outslug the Pirates, 11-10 at Wrigley Field. The Chicago first baseman accomplishes the feat off three different Buc hurlers, going deep off Lino Donoso in the first, connecting in the fourth off Max Surkont, and adding a two-run blast in the eighth off Dick Littlefield to give the team the lead for good.

Smoky Burgess hits three home runs and drives in nine runs as the Redlegs rout the Pirates, 16 – 5
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Smoky Burgess hits three home runs and drives in nine runs as the Redlegs rout the Pirates, 16 – 5

At Crosley Field, Smoky Burgess hits three home runs and drives in nine runs as the Redlegs rout the Pirates, 16 – 5. In the 4th inning, Roberto Clemente does his bit to curtail Burgess, leaping into the right center field screen to snare a line drive that has extra bases written all over it.

Dale Long goes 4 for 4 with 2 homers and 3 RBI as Pittsburgh defeats Cincinnati, 5 – 2

Dale Long goes 4 for 4 with 2 homers and 3 RBI as Pittsburgh defeats Cincinnati, 5 – 2

On June 19, 1955 Dale Long goes 4 for 4 with 2 homers and 3 RBI as Pittsburgh defeats Cincinnati, 5 – 2. Long’s teammate, rookie Roberto Clemente, starts off the 1st and 3rd innings with singles and hits a two-run, 9th-inning home run off former Montreal teammate Joe Black. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

After losing 11 straight games‚ the Pirates rout the Dodgers, 15 – 1‚ their highest score in 172 games. Tomorrow, they will sink to the cellar. Bob Friend‚ who pitches the last 4 1/3 innings in relief of starter Vern Law‚ is the winner. Preston Ward has a single‚ triple and home run to pace the Corsairs.

After losing 11 straight games‚ the Pirates rout the Dodgers, 15 – 1‚ their highest score in 172 games. Tomorrow, they will sink to the cellar. Bob Friend‚ who pitches the last 4 1/3 innings in relief of starter Vern Law‚ is the winner. Preston Ward has a single‚ triple and home run to pace the Corsairs.