Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski Dead at 89

Bill Mazeroski — Pittsburgh Pirates legend and Baseball Hall of Famer — has passed away at the age of 89.

The Pittsburgh Pirates released a statement confirming his death on Saturday morning, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that we relay the news of the passing of legendary Pirates and National Baseball Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski.”

The team expressed their condolences, stating, “Maz was a 7-time All-Star who hit the greatest home run in baseball history. He was a beloved member of the Pirates family and he will be deeply missed.”

Bill Mazeroski dedicated his entire 17-year MLB career to the Pittsburgh Pirates, joining the team at the young age of 17 in 1954. After two years in the minors, he made his debut in the major leagues during the 1956 season.

Bill Mazeroski is immortalized for his historic walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. With the teams tied in the bottom of the 9th inning, Mazeroski’s home run secured a 10-9 victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Yankees, clinching the championship and securing his place in baseball history.

Throughout his illustrious career, Mazeroski was a 10-time All-Star and an 8-time Gold Glove winner during his 17 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He boasted a .323 batting average in 12 postseason games and earned two World Series rings with the Pirates.

Bill Mazeroski’s legacy was solidified when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the veterans committee in 2001. The Pittsburgh Pirates retired his iconic No. 9 jersey in 1987, and he was honored as part of the team’s inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2022.

Bill Mazeroski is survived by his sons, Darren and David Mazeroski, as well as four grandchildren. His wife Milene passed away in May 2024 after 64 years of marriage. The cause of Bill’s death has not been disclosed at this time.

He was 89.