Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off homer to win the 1960 World Series remains one of the top moments in Pittsburgh sports history. Some might lean toward Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” in the 1972 NFL playoffs, but Mazeroski’s feat at Forbes Field was equally jaw-dropping.
Mazeroski’s solo shot off Ralph Terry to lead off the ninth inning of Game 7 ended a wild Fall Classic. The Pirates were outscored 55-27 — the Yankees held a 38-3 run differential in the three games they won in the best-of-seven series — but Pittsburgh stunned New York with the only walk-off homer in Game 7 history.
Mazeroski, 83, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001, collected plenty of hardware and memorabilia during his 17-year major league career. On Jan. 1, he will be auctioning off some of those treasures.
Mark L. Ferry Auctioneers Inc. will be selling Mazeroski memorabilia, in what amounts to a live estate sale, beginning at 10 a.m. at Hamilton Auto Sales in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Mazeroski and his wife, Milene, will be moving out of their home in Hempfield to live closer to family in the Philadelphia area, according to TribLive of Pittsburgh. The Mazeroski family contacted officials at Mark Ferry Auctioneers three months ago to set up a sale.
The necessity of downsizing means the former second baseman will be selling hundreds of signed photographs, signed baseballs, a baseball signed by former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente and trading cards.
A few game-used items will go on the block along with books, posters, bats, gloves and trophies. His wife’s scrapbook, which documents Mazeroski’s career, also will be available for bidders.
One interesting item for bid is a rare film of the 1960 World Series produced by Borden Productions. Officials with Ferry believe the film is from Game 7. The film is in its original canister, with original postage affixed to it.
In December 2009, a similar copy was found in the wine cellar of singer-actor Bing Crosby’s estate near San Francisco. Crosby was a part-owner of the Pirates from 1946 until his death in 1977.
The five black and white reels were transferred to DVD and was shown on MLB Network in 2010, the newspaper reported in 2014.
Some other items include Mazeroski bobbleheads, a key to the city presented to the Pirates infielder after the World Series by Mayor Charles S. Witkowski of Jersey City, New Jersey, and a photo of Mazeroski and Arnold Palmer autographed by the golfing legend.
Mazeroski was known for his slick fielding during his career, winning eight Gold Gloves between 1956 and 1972. But it was his bat that saved the day for the Pirates in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. Mazeroski, who had 48 career home runs heading into the 1960 postseason, hit two homers in the World Series, including the memorable Game 7 shot.
It’s not the first time Mazeroski has sold memorabilia. In 2013, he collaborated with Hunts Auctions for the 10th annual Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Live Auction. The Mazeroski collection that year pulled in $1,712,422. The key items from that sale were his jersey and bat from that Oct. 13, 1960, game that put a dagger into the hearts of the Yankees. The jersey sold for $632,500, while the bat sold for $322,00; both were bought by Michael Heffner of Lelands Auctions.
In addition to the baseball memorabilia set to be sold on Jan. 1, non-baseball items also will available to purchase. Items include furniture, flat-screen televisions, glassware, costume jewelry, bedding, linens, floor lamps, table lamps and tools.
The Mazeroskis’ 19-acre property in Hempfield will be sold at auction at a future date, once the belongings are removed, Ferry officials said.
Terms for the sale are cash, credit cards, or personal and company checks. Buyers purchasing with credit cards will incur a 3% fee.
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