Bill Mazeroski and the swing that became Pittsburgh’s defining sports moment

With one swing of his bat in October 1960, bill mazeroski became a legend — a moment that remains one of the most iconic in Pittsburgh sports history and still draws fans back to the city more than six decades later.

Bill Mazeroski and the swing in October 1960

The October 1960 hit that made Mazeroski a household name is commemorated each year by fans who replay the moment; Mazeroski himself downplayed its long reach, saying in 2000, “I just thought it was another home run to win a ballgame and would never last 40 years. ”

A 17-season Pirates career with more than 2, 000 hits

Across 17 big-league seasons, all with the Pirates from 1956-72, Mazeroski compiled more than 2, 000 hits, was a seven-time All-Star and a Baseball Hall of Famer, and won eight Gold Gloves, a résumé that anchors his place in franchise history.

Fans gather every Oct. 13 at Forbes Field’s remains

More than 65 years after his iconic shot, Pirates fans still gather annually — every Oct. 13 — at what remains of Forbes Field in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood to listen to a rebroadcast of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, replaying the play-by-play to celebrate bill mazeroski’s home run.

A bronze statue outside PNC Park and an enshrined radio call

Chuck Thompson’s NBC Radio call of the game is permanently enshrined in the Library of Congress as part of the National Recording Registry, and in 2010 the Pirates erected a 14-foot bronze statue outside PNC Park. The sculpture deliberately shows Mazeroski not turning a double play or making another fielding gem but rounding second base and waving his helmet after that famous home run.

Here’s a look at Bill Mazeroski through the years.

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Fans will continue to mark the moment each year on Oct. 13 at the remains of Forbes Field, where the rebroadcast of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series is played for those who come to celebrate the swing and the season it capped.