STATUE IN Pittsburgh represents Bill Mazeroski rounding second on his historic walk-off home run in the seventh game in the seventh game of the 1960 World Series (Wikipedia).

Sorry I missed it, Bill.

I should have taken note of Bill Mazeroski’s passing in February, but I guess the long-time Pittsburgh Pirate infielder was used to being overlooked.

Of course, except for that moment on Oct. 13, 1960 when he hit a bottom-of-the-ninth home run to deep left-center field to give the Pirates a seventh-game World Series over the New York Yankees.

The photo of Maz rounding the bases as fans rushed onto the field (chased by security guards and police) is one of the most iconic images in baseball history.

Back then, the World Series was bigger than the NBA, NHL and Olympic finals. Now, for most fans, it’s “Bill Who?”

In addition to that one moment of supreme fame, Maz was sort of famous for being un-famous. A defensive standout, his modest lifetime batting average of .260 made him – as he remains– one of the most underrated players in baseball history.

It’s a shame because that overlooks his defensive contributions. He was a Golden Globe winner for eight years. He led the major leagues in putouts five times and assists nine times. For eight years in a row he led the league in double plays.

He was no slouch at the plate, either. He hit 138 home runs in his career and knocked in 853 runs.
But it’s tough to standout on a team with All-Time All-Stars like Roberto Clemente.

There are lots of athletes not in the spotlight who are crucial to a team’s success. The basketball point guard who excels at hitting the open man; the football center who completes every pass.

May they someday have their Oct. 13 as well.