Bill Mazeroski
When Bill Mazeroski was elected to the Hall of Fame nearly 20 years after he retired, he was choked with emotion. He used the few words he said to make a case for "defense in the Hall of Fame." He was one of the more controversial players to earn entry to Cooperstown, despite his amazing fielding numbers. Pittsburgh fans remember him best for his World Series-winning home run in Game Seven of the 1960 World Series against the Yankees, but he gained notoriety for his cat-like reflexes around the bag. He earned eight Gold Gloves and set numerous records for his fielding at second.
Played For
Pittsburgh Pirates (1956-1972)
All-Time Rankings
Bill Mazeroski ranks #18 among the Top 50 all-time at 2B. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1966
Maz played every game and committed just eight errors. His fielding average of .992 was one of the best in history, and he led the league in chances, assists, and putouts by a second baseman as well. Offensively he hit essentially his career average (.262), with a low OBP (.296 - basically his career average), but he hit 16 homers and had 45 extra-base hits, one of his best totals ever.
Born
William Stanley Mazeroski was born on September 5, 1936, in Wheeling, WV.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 2B
Primary Team: PIT
Major League Debut
July 7, 1956
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1956
Frank Robinson
Luis Aparicio
Bill Mazeroski
Curt Flood
Don Drysdale
Moe Drabowsky
Tito Francona
Charlie Lau
Whitey Herzog
Nicknames
Maz, No Hands
Similar Players
Granny Hamner, Frank White
Related Players
Dick Groat, Ozzie Smith
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1978 |
BBWAA |
23 |
6.1% |
1979 |
BBWAA |
36 |
8.3% |
1980 |
BBWAA |
33 |
8.6% |
1981 |
BBWAA |
38 |
9.5% |
1982 |
BBWAA |
28 |
6.7% |
1983 |
BBWAA |
48 |
12.8% |
1984 |
BBWAA |
74 |
18.4% |
1985 |
BBWAA |
87 |
22.0% |
1986 |
BBWAA |
100 |
23.5% |
1987 |
BBWAA |
125 |
30.3% |
1988 |
BBWAA |
143 |
33.5% |
1989 |
BBWAA |
134 |
30.0% |
1990 |
BBWAA |
131 |
29.5% |
1991 |
BBWAA |
142 |
32.1% |
1992 |
BBWAA |
182 |
42.3% |
2001 |
Veterans |
|
% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1960 World Series
1970 National League Championship Series
1971 National League Championship Series
1971 World Series
1972 National League Championship Series
Awards and Honors
1958 NL Gold Glove
1960 NL Gold Glove
1961 NL Gold Glove
1963 NL Gold Glove
1964 NL Gold Glove
1965 NL Gold Glove
1966 NL Gold Glove
1967 NL Gold Glove
Hitting Streaks
16 games (1961)
All-Star Selections
1958 NL
1959 NL
1960 NL
1962 NL
1963 NL
1964 NL
1967 NL
Best Strength as a Player
His reflexes and ability to release the ball quickly on the pivot.
Largest Weakness as a Player
He was not a very good offensive player in most of his seasons.
Learn More about Bill Mazeroski
Search Amazon.com for Books about Bill Mazeroski ⇒
Search for Bill Mazeroski at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
