Bill Mazeroski, Baseball Hall of Famer and Pittsburgh Icon, Dies at 89
Bill Mazeroski, the legendary second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 89. The Pirates and Major League Baseball announced his passing on Friday, February 20, 2026. No cause of death was immediately released.See More…
Mazeroski was best known for one of the most dramatic moments in baseball history: his walk‑off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees. That historic swing delivered the championship to the Pirates and remains the only Game 7 walk‑off home run ever hit in World Series history, a moment that cemented his legacy in the sport. 
A Pittsburgh native by baseball career, Mazeroski spent his entire 17‑year Major League career with the Pirates, from 1956 to 1972. Though his offensive numbers were modest — he finished with a .260 batting average, 138 home runs and 853 RBIs — he was widely recognized as one of the greatest defensive second basemen in baseball history. He earned eight Gold Glove Awards and was a 10‑time All‑Star. 
In 2001, Mazeroski was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a testament to his consistent excellence and impact on the game. Teammates, fans and baseball officials praised his work ethic, humility and loyalty to the Pirates organization throughout his life. 
Tributes have poured in from across the baseball world, honoring Mazeroski not just for his iconic home run, but also for his character and contributions to the sport. A statue commemorating his World Series heroics stands outside PNC Park in Pittsburgh, reminding fans of his enduring legacy. 
His passing marks the end of an era for Pirates fans and baseball history, but the memory of his unforgettable moment in 1960 will live on for generations.
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