{"id":93688,"date":"2025-01-10T20:24:41","date_gmt":"2025-01-11T01:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=93688"},"modified":"2025-01-10T20:24:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-11T01:24:41","slug":"pirates-unsung-heroes-cause-the-unexpected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/01\/10\/pirates-unsung-heroes-cause-the-unexpected\/","title":{"rendered":"Ode to the Unsung Heroes: 4 Pirates Who Stepped Up When Needed"},"content":{"rendered":"

The history of the Pittsburgh Pirates has as many tales of unexpected, unsung heroes as it does of star players. As we marvel over the achievements of the superstars, we also take delight in the surprise heroics of the Everyman. It\u2019s one of many reasons why baseball is so endearing. Here are the stories of four players who rose to the occasion when answering the call during a pennant race.<\/p>\n

Pirates Unsung Heroes Have Delivered the Unexpected<\/h2>\n

The Duck<\/h3>\n

Spring training, 1959: Photographer Jimmy Klingensmith thought he had a cute idea. He had a \u201cNo Vacancy\u201d sign printed. He wanted Dick Schofield<\/a>, a 24-year-old utility infielder, to hold the sign and pose alongside the Pirates\u2019 star double-play combo of Bill Mazeroski<\/a> and Dick Groat<\/a>. Schofield bristled at the suggestion and refused to participate in the gag. He thought he could play with anybody if given the chance.<\/p>\n

September 6, 1960: The Pirates were in first place in the National League, trying to fend off challenges from the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Braves, when shortstop Groat cracked his wrist after being hit by a pitch from the Braves\u2019 Lew Burdette<\/a>. Groat was hitting .325 and would win the National League batting title and Most Valuable Player Award. Schofield, who was hitting .200\/.333\/.200, entered the game in his place. The switch-hitter known as \u201cThe Duck” went 3-for-3, raising his average to .263.<\/p>\n

It was an omen. Starting in Groat\u2019s place for the remainder of the regular season, Schofield hit .375\/.460\/.469 during that time. He finished the season hitting a career-best .333\/.429\/.392. In the field, he handled 109 chances and made six errors. Groat returned to shortstop in time for the World Series<\/a>. The Pirates went on to win the Series against the New York Yankees, thanks to another pair of unexpected heroes<\/a> named Hal Smith<\/a> and \u201cMaz.\u201d \u00a0Schofield was a major leaguer for 19 years, finishing his career with a stat line of .227\/.317\/.297.<\/p>\n

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\u201cOld Days\u201dJim Gillam hangs in against Dick Schofield to complete DP in 1963 Pirates-Dodgers game at Forbes Field.#Dodgers<\/a> #MLB<\/a> #LosAngeles<\/a> #Pirates<\/a> #Pittsburgh<\/a> #1960s<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Q8KRVup5J5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tom\u2019s Old Days (@sigg20) May 11, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n