Bill Mazeroski has sadly passed away at the age of 89. Mazeroski spent 17 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates between 1956 and 1972, winning two World Series with the franchise. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.
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The Pirates released a statement confirming the loss of a franchise legend.
It is with a heavy heart that we relay the news of the passing of legendary Pirates and National Baseball Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski," the statement began. "Maz was a 7-time All-Star who hit the greatest home run in baseball history. He was a beloved member of the Pirates family, and he will be deeply missed."
No cause of death for Mazeroski has been announced. He is survived by his two sons, Darren and David Mazeroski. He also had four grandchildren. Mazeroski's wife, Milene, sadly passed away in 2024; the couple had been married for 64 years.
Bill Mazeroski Had a Stellar Career
During his tenure in the MLB, Mazeroski was named an All-Star on 10 occasions. He won the Gold Glove eight times. His postseason batting record stood at .323 over 12 postseason games.
Despite all of his accomplishments, Mazeroski is mainly remembered for one specific moment of brilliance: his walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. The Pirates and Yankees were tied in the bottom of the ninth. Mazeroski hit a now legendary shot that secured a 10-9 win over New York, etching his name into the history books forever.
Mazeroski was part of the Pirates' inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2022. A true legend in Pittsburgh and the MLB, Mazeroski embodied everything we love about baseball and professional sports.
The Pittsburgh Pirates May Finally Be Past the Rebuild Stage
It's been a tough few years for Pirates' fans. The team has navigated a long-lasting rebuild that saw them end 2025 with a dismal 71-91 record. However, after making multiple moves during the offseason, including the addition of Marcell Ozuna, the team will head into the 2026 season with renewed optimism.
Regardless of how the Pirates play this year, it's likely they will find a way to honor Mazeroski. Hopefully, his legacy can live on through the franchise and spur them on to produce some moments of magic in the coming months.
