On June 4, 1953, After batting practice at Forbes Field, the Pirates and Cubs announce a shocking trade. Pittsburgh sends slugger Ralph Kiner‚ along with C Joe Garagiola‚ P Howie Pollet‚ and OF Catfish Metkovich to Chicago for C Toby Atwell‚ P Bob Schultz‚ 1B Preston Ward‚ 3B George Freese‚ OF Bob Addis‚ OF Gene Hermanski‚ and $150‚000. The Pirates defeat the Cubs‚ 6 – 1‚ with Kiner getting a double in four…
On May 10, 1953, Pittsburgh infielders Eddie O’Brien and Johnny O’Brien become the first twins to play for the same team in the same game when Johnny enters the nightcap of a Giants game on defense and Eddie later pinch runs. But the Giants take the twin bill, 4 – 0, behind Sal Maglie’s 3-hitter,…
Pittsburgh’s one-sided pre-season victory over the defending World Champions notwithstanding, today’s main attraction is 21-year-old Mickey Mantle, as the Yankees’ young phenom becomes just the third batter in Forbes Field’s 44-year history—after Babe Ruth in 1935 and Teddy Beard in 1950—to clear the 89-foot-high right field roof.
The Pittsburgh Pirates draft relief pitcher Elroy Face from the Montreal Royals, the top minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers. During a 15-year career with the Pirates, Face will lead the National League in saves three times. In 1959, he will win an incredible 18 of 19 decisions in relief.
On September 27, 1952, Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates becomes the first player to lead the National League in home runs for seven consecutive seasons. Kiner hits his 37th home run of the year, putting him in a season-ending tie with Hank Sauer of the Chicago Cubs…
At Forbes Field, the Pirates become the first team to use protective headgear, a precursor to the batting helmet, that protects the players’ temples. Branch Rickey’s innovation, worn both at the plate and in the field in the Bucs’ twin bill split with Boston, is a plastic hat with a foam layer attached to the hat band.
On August 30, 1952 — Nine-time All-Star infielder Arky Vaughn drowns with a friend when their boat capsized while fishing in a volcanic lake near Eagleville, CA. The former shortstop and third baseman, who compiled a .318 batting average and a .406 on-base percentage playing 14 seasons with the Pirates and Dodgers, was inducted…
On May 13, 1952, In an Appalachian League game, Ron Necciai of the Bristol Twins strikes out 27 batters while pitching a 7 – 0 no-hitter against the Welch Miners. Four of the Welch hitters reach base on a walk, an error, a hit by pitch and a passed ball charged to Twins’ catcher Harry…
Apr 18, 1952 – In their home Opener before 29‚874 at Forbes Field‚ Pittsburgh’s Bob Friend shuts out the Reds‚ 5-0‚ on 5 hits. It is the 2nd win in a row for the Pirates‚ and they won’t have a winning streak longer than two games all season‚ a 20th century ML record low….
The Giants move to an 8 – 1 lead after five inning over the Pirates behind two homers by Willie Mays. But George Spencer wilts in the heat and gives up homers to Frank Thomas – his first in the majors – and pinch hitter Gus Bell. After Pete Castiglione and Bill Rigney match homers, Ralph Kiner powers one in the 9th inning to give Pittsburgh a 10 – 9 victory. For Kiner, it is his 37th.
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