In 1960, the hardscrabble Pittsburgh Pirates won the National League title and made their first World Series appearance in thirty-five years. Their opponent was the mighty New York Yankees and not too many people thought the Pirates could defeat the Yankees. Over the course of the first six games, the Yankees outscored the Pirates 46-16. Led by Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, and Whitey Ford Game 7 would be played at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, winner take all.

Author Jim Reisler has written a marvelous account of one of the greatest sporting events of all time. He draws on local and national media accounts of the game, as well as personal interviews with players and fans. Also, Reisler puts the game into a historical context, when Baseball was truly America's national pastime... From the first pitch, to the dramatic 9th inning finish, the author gives us a pitch by pitch account of this classic event. Perhaps history was on the Pirates side that day. Twice before the Pirates faced a deciding game 7. The first was with the great Honus Wagner against Ty Cobb's Detroit Tigers in 1909 and again in 1925 against Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators. Both times the Pittsburgh Pirates were victorious.

The weather on October 13, 1960 was spectacular. Hazy skies but temperature at game time a balmy 78 as 36,683 crammed into Forbes Field. Starting pitchers were Bob Turley for the Yanks and Vernon Law for the Pirates. And this game was played in the daytime, as Baseball was truly meant to be played. The score was tied 9-9 when Pirate shortstop Bill Mazeroski became the first player to decide a World Series Game 7 with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th inning. Never before had Pittsburgh seen such a celebration. The best game ever was over and the Pittsburgh Pirates were World Champions.

The Best Game Ever- Pirates vs. Yankees October 13, 1960
by Jim Reisler (DaCapo)

Article by Scott Acton:
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