Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, known for walk-off home run, dies at 89

Mazeroski was a 10-time All-Star and defensive wizard who hit the historic home run in the 1960 World Series

Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:28pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Bill Mazeroski, the Hall of Fame second baseman who won eight Gold Glove awards and hit the walk-off home run that won the 1960 World Series for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has died at the age of 89. Mazeroski was known for his steady defensive play and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001 despite having relatively modest offensive numbers. His historic home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees is considered one of the greatest moments in baseball history.

Why it matters

Mazeroski's legacy as a defensive standout and his iconic walk-off home run in the 1960 World Series have cemented his place as a Pittsburgh Pirates legend and one of the most beloved figures in the history of the sport. His passing marks the end of an era for the Pirates and baseball fans who remember that dramatic World Series victory.

The details

Mazeroski, a native of West Virginia, played his entire 17-year MLB career with the Pirates. He was a 10-time All-Star and won eight Gold Glove awards for his defensive prowess at second base, turning a major league record 1,706 double plays. While his offensive numbers were modest, he is best remembered for his walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees, which gave the Pirates a dramatic 10-9 victory and their first championship since 1927.

  • Mazeroski hit the historic walk-off home run on October 13, 1960 at 3:36 pm local time in Pittsburgh.
  • Mazeroski was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001 by the Veterans Committee.

The players

Bill Mazeroski

A Hall of Fame second baseman who played his entire 17-year MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning 8 Gold Glove awards and hitting the iconic walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.

Roberto Clemente

A star outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates who played alongside Mazeroski on the 1971 World Series championship team.

Willie Stargell

A star player for the Pittsburgh Pirates who played alongside Mazeroski on the 1971 World Series championship team.

Mickey Mantle

A star outfielder for the New York Yankees who played against Mazeroski in the 1960 World Series.

Roger Maris

A star outfielder for the New York Yankees who played against Mazeroski in the 1960 World Series.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Maz was one of a kind, a true Pirates legend. ... His name will always be tied to the biggest home run in baseball history and the 1960 World Series championship, but I will remember him most for the person he was: humble, gracious and proud to be a Pirate.”

— Bob Nutting, Pirates owner (nbcsports.com)

“I think defense belongs in the Hall of Fame. Defense deserves as much credit as pitching and I'm proud to be going in as a defensive player.”

— Bill Mazeroski (nbcsports.com)

“I was just looking to get on base. Nothing fancy, just looking for a fastball until he got a strike on me. I thought it would be off the wall, and I wanted to make third if the ball ricocheted away from Berra. But when I got around first and was digging for second, I saw the umpire waving circles above his head and I knew it was over.”

— Bill Mazeroski (The New York Times)

What’s next

The 50th anniversary of Mazeroski's historic home run in the 1960 World Series was marked in 2010 with the unveiling of a statue of him rounding the bases on Bill Mazeroski Way in Pittsburgh.

The takeaway

Mazeroski's legacy as one of the greatest defensive players in baseball history and his iconic walk-off home run in the 1960 World Series have cemented his place as a Pittsburgh Pirates legend and one of the most beloved figures in the sport. His passing marks the end of an era for the Pirates and baseball fans who remember that dramatic championship victory.