'It gives me a thrill': 1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski returns for Pirates-Yankees opener

Thirty minutes before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Pittsburgh Pirates played the New York Yankees at PNC Park, Bill Mazeroski started windmilling his arm, reminding that he’s now 86.

The Hall of Fame second baseman reminisced about the greatest play in Pirates history, his historic Game 7 walk-off home run at Forbes Field to beat the Yankees and win the 1960 World Series.

Almost 62 years later, it still stirs emotions in Maz.

“Not seeing the same people makes it a little different, but it’s the Yankees,” Mazeroski said. “I’m thrilled to death to do what I did. That’s one thing you never forget. It’s just a wonderful thing that happened, and it happened to me. I just don’t know too much to say about it. It overwhelms me sometimes.

“I just kind of forgot about it, you know? But everywhere I go, somebody brings it up all the time. They seem to remember it. It’s something to remember for me, too, anyhow.”

Hall of Fame 2B Bill Mazeroski reminisces about his Game 7 walk-off home run to win the 1960 World Series before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Pirates-Yankees game at PNC Park. pic.twitter.com/bXfJWko7io

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) July 5, 2022

After moving to Philadelphia to be closer to his grandchildren, Mazeroski returned to Pittsburgh for the interleague series. It’s the first meeting between the teams since Aug. 21-23, 2017, and the Pirates celebrated Mazeroski with a bobblehead promotion that features his eight Gold Gloves and the years he won them (1958, ’60-67).

“I don’t know how much it looks like me. It’s supposed to be, I guess,” Mazeroski quipped. “The color of it is good.”

Hall of Famer and 1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Pirates-Yankees game at PNC Park. pic.twitter.com/vIFa7ORPCr

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) July 5, 2022

Where the first 20,000 fans to enter the gates received the souvenir, Mazeroski was more thrilled to return to his adopted hometown, and the thought of a warm reception from Pirates fans brought a smile.

“It always does. It does for me, too, just to get back here and see all of these people,” Mazeroski said. “They’ve been great to me through my whole career. Ever since I started here, the people have been fantastic. It’s a great city to play in. …

“It gives me a thrill. It does. I don’t know what to say. It’s been a great career here in Pittsburgh. Everything was great. The people were wonderful. I was treated good by the club. Everything was fantastic.”