by Joe LapointeFiled under: Pirates, Yankees, World Series
PITTSBURGH -- If an American boy loves baseball and he is not yet in his teens, he probably does not think too much about growing up to be president or making the most money or marrying the prettiest girl.
Instead, he might define ultimate fulfillment as hitting a game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series.
In this fantasy, the home fans would cheer him and his teammates would hug him and he would dash around the bases waving his batting helmet as the baseball world tipped back its cap to him, forever.
Bill Mazeroski did just this almost a half-century ago for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the New York Yankees at Forbes Field in the afternoon sun and shadows on Oct. 13, 1960.
Mazeroski's home run may be, so far, the ultimate moment of triumph in the history of Major League Baseball -- and, yes, that includes the Bobby Thomson home run, too.
Mazeroski's deed will be feted again Sunday outside PNC Park, when the Pirates unveil a 14-foot, 2,000-pound bronze statue showing Mazeroski in his joyous home run trot 50 years ago.
"I can't wait to see Bill's face.'' said Susan Wagner, the sculptor. "He's thrilled. He has tears in his eyes all the time.''
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