What a glorious day for baseball! Here are the lineups. For the Phillies:
For the Blue Jays:
Let’s talk about it.
Gamethread 2/21: Phillies at Blue Jays
Grant Nelson double-double not enough as Ben Saraf and Josh Minott were non-factors in loss
It was a mixed day Friday, as it often is, in the development game as the Long Island Nets lost at the buzzer to the Squadron in Birmingham, 104-102. With 0.6 seconds remaining Trey Alexander’s game-winner sent the Nets back to Long Island.
Neither of the two Brooklyn players assigned to the G League affiliate played that much of a role, particularly after they had looked so good Thursday. The three two-ways played solid ball as they often do and Grant Nelson, on a G League contract, registered his first double-double of the season adding to the intrigue around his future.
Beyond his 14 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes, there was another milestone. This was also his 14th straight start, matching the number of games he missed to a knee injury since resolved. The 25 minutes was most he’s played on a minutes restriction since his return. In those 14, he’s played 288 minutes or 20.6 per game. On a per-36 basis, he’s averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 rebounds while shooting better than 60% from the floor.
How long will the restrictions last? Nelson said recently that he doesn’t know, but there has been progress from 16 to 18 minutes early on to 22 to 25 now. Also unresolved is who, if anyone, will fill the 15th and final roster spot in Brooklyn. That will likely have after-effects on Long Island.
His 14 points were tied for second on the team. While he only connected on three of his seven shots from the field, he was perfect from the foul stripe, going five-for-five. He missed on his only try from 3-point land. This is something that he’s been trying to integrate more into his game. He’s shot 2-of-13 from three this season.
Perhaps Nelson’s best trait was his ability to rebound the ball. Nelson hauled in 12, which led the team and was tied for the game-best. It also marked a career-high. Nelson brought in seven boards offensively. On top of his rebounds, Nelson also had three assists and one block. Nelson’s one Achilles heel in this one was his turnovers, in which he had four.
As for the Brooklyn rookie, Ben Saraf, he was one of the stars in Thursday’s Long Island win. His performance looked to be one he could build on and get back on the right path. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Saraf finished the game with just seven points. To make matters worse, he shot an abysmal 25%, connecting on just three of his 12 tries, only making one of his five tries from deep.
As for Josh Minott, he too shone Thursday in Long Island’s win, making a statement debut with Long Island. Sadly, in this one, Minott also proved to be a non-factor. Minott also connected on just three of his 12 shot attempts, including going two-for-seven from deep. He finished this one with nine points.
Minott also had four rebounds and two assists. One aspect of the game where Minott continued to do very well is shot blocking. The 6’8” finished Friday’s game with three blocks. His three blocks not only led the team, but were the most in the game.
EJ Liddell flirted with a double-double, connecting on five of his 12 tries, for 14 points, and brought in eight rebounds. Liddell also had one assist, one steal, and two blocks.
As for Tyson Etienne,he tallied 10 points in this one, connecting on just three of his seven tries. He went two-for-four from deep and also went two-for-three from the foul stripe. From the onset of this game, Etienne’s shots just weren’t looking as sharp as normal, which caused him to take substantially less than normal. Etienne also had four rebounds and three assists.
The Long Island bench looked better than the starters for almost the whole game. The third and final two-way player on hand for Long Island in this one, Chaney Johnson, scored 10 points off the bench. Johnson also hauled in 10 rebounds, giving him him a double-double. Malachi Smith led the team in scoring, tallying 17 points in his 30 minutes, as Hunter Cattoor came alive in the fourth quarter, finishing with 12 points.
Next Up
The Long Island Nets (14-10) return to the court on Monday, February 23rd, for a showdown with their former friend, Kendall Brown, and the Maine Celtics. This marks Long Island’s first of four straight home games as they make their return to the Nassau Coliseum. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and can be watched on the NBA G League website, as well as on the Gotham Sports app.
Kings vs Spurs Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
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Polar opposites take the court Saturday as the 12-win Sacramento Kings travel to Texas to face the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs.
The end of the season can’t come fast enough for the visitors, and my Kings vs. Spurs predictions expect a blowout of epic proportions in favor of San Antonio.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this one-sided matchup on Saturday, February 21.
Kings vs Spurs prediction
Kings vs Spurs best bet: Spurs -18.5 (-110)
The 18.5-point spread is one of the highest I’ve seen for any game all season, but the lopsided lean is warranted.
The Sacramento Kings have struggled to play competitively with a healthy roster, but the losses of Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and De’Andre Hunter will make it even tougher for the Kings to compete.
The San Antonio Spurshave won seven straight and covered in six of them, while Sacramento has lost three straight by an average margin of 30.3 points while scoring no more than 94 points. The Spurs are 15-10-1 ATS at home, and the Kings are 9-19 on the road.
Kings vs Spurs same-game parlay
San Antonio’s defense is one of the best in the Association, and Sacramento’s offense is bereft of quality scoring options due to recent trades and season-ending injuries. Sacramento ranks 29th in scoring offense (109.9), while San Antonio ranks fifth in scoring defense (111.8).
Maxime Raynaud can hold his own, but the rookie will have very little support while trying to nab rebounds from Victor Wembanyama. Domantas Sabonis and Dylan Cardwell are out, and Wemby should have his way with the shorthanded Kings’ frontcourt.
Kings vs Spurs SGP
- Spurs -18.5
- Under 228.5
- Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Harper Heats Up
Dylan Harper has scored 12+ in six of his last eight while averaging 14.6 points.
San Antonio should cruise to victory in this one, allowing Harper to see some extra run off the bench and easily clear this scoring line.
Kings vs Spurs SGP
- Spurs -18.5
- Under 228.5
- Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds
- Dylan Harper Over 11.5 points
Kings vs Spurs odds
- Spread: Kings +18.5 (-110) | Spurs -18.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Kings +1000 | Spurs -2000
- Over/Under: Over 228.5 (-115) | Under 228.5 (-105)
Kings vs Spurs betting trend to know
The Sacramento Kings have hit the team total Under in 32 of their last 50 games (+11.50 Units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Spurs.
How to watch Kings vs Spurs
| Location | Moody Center, Austin, TX |
| Date | Saturday, February 21, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCSCA, KENS |
Kings vs Spurs latest injuries
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76ers vs Pelicans Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
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Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers head to The Big Easy tonight to take on the struggling New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center.
My 76ers vs. Pelicans predictions are eyeing Maxey to get hot from deep against a poor NOLA perimeter defense.
Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, February 21.
76ers vs Pelicans prediction
76ers vs Pelicans best bet: Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 threes (+110)
Tyrese Maxey is knocking down 3.4 three-pointers per game on 8.9 attempts, and he returned from the All-Star break by hitting 4 of 11 from beyond the arc. Although that marked his first Over in five games, there are signs he’s poised to heat up again.
The Philadelphia 76ers face the struggling New Orleans Pelicans, a team surrendering 3.55 made threes per game to opposing point guards.
Maxey has also been far more efficient on the road, shooting 40.2 percent from deep while averaging 3.5 makes per contest, making this matchup a favorable spot for another strong perimeter performance.
76ers vs Pelicans same-game parlay
Quentin Grimes is shooting 34.4% from three-point range this season, averaging 1.8 makes on 5.3 attempts per contest.
He’s cashed the Over in three of his last five games, going 2-for-4 on Thursday against Atlanta. Each of those appearances where he hit the Over was on the road.
While the Sixers lost their first game after the ASG break, they did beat the Pelicans by 10 points on January 31. New Orleans is also a horrendous 6-21 at home this season, while Philly has actually played well on the road, compiling a 15-10 record.
76ers vs Pelicans SGP
- Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 threes
- Quentin Grimes Over 1.5 threes
- 76ers moneyline
Our "from downtown" SGP: Drummond in rhythm
Andre Drummond has cashed the Over in points in three of his last four appearances, finishing in double digits in each game.
76ers vs Pelicans SGP
- Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 threes
- Quentin Grimes Over 1.5 threes
- 76ers moneyline
- Andre Drummond Over 8.5 points
76ers vs Pelicans odds
- Spread: Philadelphia -3.5 (-115) | New Orleans +3.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Philadelphia -165 | New Orleans +140
- Over/Under: Over 232 (-110) | Under 232 (-110)
76ers vs Pelicans betting trend to know
The Philadelphia 76ers have covered the Spread in 17 of their last 25 away games (+9.30 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Pelicans.
How to watch 76ers vs Pelicans
| Location | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |
| Date | Saturday, February 21, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCSP, GCSEN |
76ers vs Pelicans latest injuries
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Ireland stuns England at Twickenham in a 42-21 rout and revives Six Nations hopes
LONDON (AP) — The rumors of Ireland's demise have been exaggerated.
Ireland revived its Six Nations title hopes and killed off England's after a shocking 42-21 blowout win at Twickenham on Saturday.
The script was expected to go the other way. England had not lost at home since autumn 2024, and a fiery retort after losing to Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend was expected to celebrate captain Maro Itoje's 100th England cap.
But England was flat and sloppy while Ireland looked and played like the No. 1-ranked team from 2023; energetic, efficient and fearless. Having slipped to No. 5, the Irish beat a team ranked higher than themselves for the first time since July 2024.
And it was historic: Ireland's highest score and biggest margin against England at Twickenham with a bonus point from scoring five tries to three.
Ireland shot to 22-0, led 22-7 at halftime, scored straight after the break and piled on. Jack Crowley booted seven from 10 for a personal 17 points in his second Six Nations start in two tournaments.
The clash of British and Irish Lions — 13 on Ireland's side and nine on England's — was a reminder of why Ireland dominated the successful squad in Australia last year.
Two consecutive losses have knocked out England from contending for the title. England finishes at Italy and, on the final weekend, defending champion France. Ireland goes home to welcome Wales and Scotland and hoping unbeaten France has an off-day somewhere.
An opening night hammering from France followed by an unconvincing win over Italy plunged Ireland into despair that a generational team was on the wane. But coach Andy Farrell's decision to give starts to Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Beirne, Tadhg Furlong, Josh van der Flier and Crowley came up trumps.
Ireland was relieved early by England errors, highlighted by George Ford twice missing touch-finders into the left corner.
Injured winger James Lowe was replaced by Tommy O'Brien, whose first touch was to support a long break by fellow wing Robert Baloucoune. Gibson-Park quick-tapped, caught England sleeping and dashed over for the opening try that Crowley converted from the touchline.
England was suddenly full of holes. Ireland center Stuart McCloskey slipped off opposite Ollie Lawrence and Baloucoune was scoring. In a double blow for England, fullback Freddie Steward was yellow-carded for illegally trying to slow Gibson-Park.
Referee Andrea Piardi hurt his left leg and had to be replaced by Pierre Brousset, then Baloucoune was scoring off an O’Brien break for 22-0 after 30 minutes.
England coach Steve Borthwick pulled off Luke Cowan-Dickie and Steward for a spark from Jamie George and Marcus Smith and they finally pierced Ireland's magnificent scrambling defense a minute into injury time through Fraser Dingwall.
But the boost was short-lived.
Ireland used a yellow card to Henry Pollock in his first England start to get hooker Dan Sheehan over and Farrell was all smiles.
Pollock returned from the sin-bin to help Lawrence score a try and Ireland fullback Jamie Osborne was yellow-carded.
Itoje usually goes 80 minutes but in his milestone match he was replaced in the 55th.
Crowley added two penalties and a conversion to a try by Osborne straight out of the sin-bin. Ireland's hunger was relentless: McCloskey chased down Marcus Smith from behind to save a try in the 73rd. That earned a fist-pump by Farrell in the coaches' box.
Sam Underhill claimed England's third converted try but moments later Ireland was doing a lap of honor at Twickenham, celebrating a sixth win at England's home in the Six Nations era. No other Six Nations team since 2000 has more than two wins.
___
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
England 21–42 Ireland: Six Nations rugby union – as it happened
Ruthless Ireland scored a record-breaking 42 points at Twickenham to deepen Steve Borthwick’s woes
2 mins. The clearing kick from Ireland is returned by England with some carries up to the Irish 22. Ford floats a cross-kick to the right touchline where Steward claims it, but he’s quickly wrapped up by Lowe and two phases later a knock-on in midfield hands a scrum to the visitors.
First test for what has been a very creaky Irish scrum in the tournament so far.
Continue reading...Juventus follows up Champions League defeat with 2-0 home loss to Como in Serie A
TURIN, Italy (AP) — Juventus’ damaging week continued in Serie A on Saturday with a 2-0 loss at home to Como that dents the Italian power’s hopes of Champions League qualification.
The defeat comes days after the Bianconeri’s 5-2 loss at Galatasaray in the first leg of the playoffs in this season’s Champions League. Juventus welcomes the Turkish team for the second leg on Wednesday.
Mërgim Vojvoda scored early for Como with a shot that Michele Di Gregorio should have saved after getting his arm to ball. The chance came about after Juventus’ Weston McKennie lost the ball in midfield.
There were whistles from frustrated Juve fans at the break, and it didn’t get any better for their team after the restart.
Lucas da Cunha broke through to set up Maxence Caqueret for Como’s second in the 61st.
It's Juventus' third straight defeat across all competitions and its fifth game in a row without a win.
Luciano Spalletti's team remained fifth, a point behind Roma before the capital club hosts Cremonese on Sunday. Como stayed sixth, a point behind Juve. Only the top four qualify for Europe’s premier competition.
League leader Inter Milan could open a 10-point gap with a win at Lecce later, before Lazio was to visit Cagliari for the late game.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Spring Game #1 GameThread: Phillies @ Jays
These 1:00 Eastern starts really mess with my day. Being in Alberta, it is an 11:00 start. I like to get a workout in, but I’m not an early riser, so getting a GameThread together and working out before 11:00 is not going to happen. On the other hand, watching an 11:00 start-time game, doing a quick recap, and then getting the workout in is getting too late in the day. I know….I have such a rough life.
Of course, the 1:00 start isn’t going to mess with my day as much as tomorrow’s 8:00 am eastern start for the Gold Medal game. That is really going to mess with my day.
There is an additional wrinkle in the works at the moment. My son had a minor fender bender, but his car is on the IL. So he’s borrowing my car, which means my wife and I are sharing a car. But we both have our own things, so there is a fair bit of logistics to work out. She is out for the day, but she’s going to drop me where I workout. They have a pub, so I can watch the game and then go for my workout and hopefully she will be done around the time I’m finished my workout. First world problems.
Anyway, today’s lineup. A lot of the regulars are playing.
John Schneider said, “Spring training, please put no stock in the batting order. We’re just trying to get certain guys the number of at-bats and kind of get out of the game early.” And of course, every spring we get complaints about the batting orders, and every spring I say, ‘Save it for the season’. We’ll have enough to complain about when real baseball starts. Right now, just enjoy.
As always, I’m really looking forward to the first game, but then by the second week, I’ll be bored with fake baseball, and bored trying to pretend that the 2 at bats I see of some prospect, or near prospects, means something.
Here is a little semi-interesting bit:
In OOTP Baseball, last year’s version, I had Anthony Santander play first base all spring training, so he could play first when Vlad DHed. It was perfect. Of course, OOTP didn’t know that Anthony would be hurt most of the season.
Bill Mazeroski passed away yesterday. He was 89. He was best known for his Game Seven home run in the 1960 World Series, but for me, I knew him because of a preseason annual season preview magazine that came out before the start of each season, back before the internet. I don’t know if it is still published.
Mazeroski had a very nice 17-year career. In 2163 games, he hit .260/.299/.367 with 138 home runs, a 36.5 bWAR. He won 8 Gold Gloves, made 7 All-Star games and had MVP votes twice.
I’m going to post this early and then get to somewhere I can watch the game.
Go Jays Go.
Best NBA Player Props Today for February 21: Durant Shines Bright at MSG
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We have just six games on the schedule across the Association this evening, but I’ve found some value in my NBA player props.
Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham, and Kevin Durant will be included.
Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, February 21.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Tyrese Maxey | Over 3.5 threes | +102 |
 Cade Cunningham | Over 25.5 points | -105 |
 Kevin Durant | Over 24.5 points | -105 |
Prop #1: Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 threes
+102 at bet365
Tyrese Maxey has been the main man for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, putting up career numbers. The guard is averaging a career-high 28.9 points, and he’s also shooting an impressive 37.9% from downtown.
The Kentucky product is averaging 3.4 makes on 8.9 attempts per night, and Maxey just went 4-for-11 from deep in his first game back from the All-Star break. While that’s the first time he’s cashed the Over in triples in five appearances, there’s reason to believe Maxey will get hot from deep.
The Sixers take on the lowly New Orleans Pelicans tonight, who are allowing point guards to average 3.55 threes per game. Maxey is also shooting 40.2% from downtown on the road, averaging 3.5 makes.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBCSP, GCSEN
Prop #2: Cade Cunningham Over 25.5 points
-105 at bet365
Cade Cunningham is the main driving force behind the Detroit Pistons’ miraculous season, and he didn’t miss a beat in his return from the All-Star festivities. Cade proceeded to drop 42 against the New York Knicks on Thursday in a huge win at Madison Square Garden.
The guard is averaging 25.7 PPG in 2025-26, and he’s cashed the Over in five of his last six outings. During that span, Cunningham has scored 30+ points three times. The 24-year-old is averaging 27.6 points on the road, and Detroit is in Chicago this evening.
He’ll cook in The Windy City.
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network-Detroit, CHSN
Prop #3: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points
-105 at bet365
Kevin Durant is a walking bucket, and he’s lived up to expectations in his first season with the Houston Rockets. KD is averaging 26 PPG, which ranks 11th in the league. He erupted for 35 points on Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets.
The veteran has hit the Over in points in just three of his last six, but Durant is averaging 27.3 points per game on the road this season, and the Rockets head to MSG tonight to face the New York Knicks.
There’s always an added pressure playing at The Garden, and I have no doubts Durant will rise to the occasion and make this one competitive.
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ABC
These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.
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The “Last Man In” free agent tournament: Quarterfinals part two
In the first quarterfinal matchup of the “Last Man In” free agent tournament, Jeff Hoffman squeaked by Jose Contreras by just two votes. In the second matchup, Brad Miller was victorious over Jake Arrieta.
Here are the next two quarterfinal matchups:
1.Cliff Lee, 2011
In 2011, Cliff Lee gave up three total earned runs across ten starts in the months of June and August. It must have been really depressing for opposing teams to have to get put through the ringer by Roy Halladay one night and then have to face Lee the next.
9. Nick Castellanos, 2022
As it turns out, there can be drawbacks to relying too much on free agency to build a team. If you need to pay a guy a lot of money to come play for you, there’s the chance that he might act like a mercenary.
Who should advance? Vote now!
2. Bryce Harper, 2019
For all the talk about whether or not Bryce Harper is still elite, his offensive performance in 2019 wasn’t all that much different than in 2025. He got off to a relatively slow start in his first season with the team, before turning it on down the stretch for a superb August and September.
7. Luis Garcia, 2013
Not every major leaguer’s path is the same. Luis Garcia had washed out as a prospect and was working as a barber (but apparently not a good one), when he was able to garner attention from scouts and finally reach the big leagues.
Who should advance? Vote now!
Former Oilers Goalie Signs With New Team
Former Edmonton Oilers goalie prospect Olivier Rodrigue has found a new home.
The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed Rodrigue for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
Rodrigue's time with the Oilers came to an end this past off-season after the Pacific Division club elected not to send him a qualifying offer. From there, he became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and ended up signing with Barys Astana of the KHL.
Yet, Rodrigue never made an appearance for Barys Astana, as he got injured and had his contract terminated. Now, after signing this deal with the Blackhawks, he should get into some game action with their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.
The Oilers selected Rodrigue with the 62nd overall pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 25-year-old goaltender then went on to play 131 games over five seasons with the Oilers' AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, where he had a 61-52-15 record, a 2.92 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and two shutouts.
While Rodrigue spent plenty of time in the Oilers' system, he only played in his first two NHL regular-season games for Edmonton this past season. During them, the former Oilers prospect had a 0-1-0 record, a .862 save percentage, and a 3.10 goals-against average.
How will you watch Dodgers spring training games?
Today is the start of Cactus League play for the Dodgers, who hit the road to battle the Angels in Tempe for their first game.
For 27 of the next 29 days the Dodgers will play a televised game in Arizona. The first two games are this weekend in the afternoon, and 13 of the 18 weekday games over the next four weeks will also be played during the day.
That can create some conflicts with most people’s work schedules. If you can’t watch on SportsNet LA (or through MLBtv, from afar), six of the Arizona weekday telecasts will be simulcast on AM 570 radio, part of the 14 total radio broadcasts when the Dodgers are in Arizona.
Today’s question is how will you watch the Dodgers this spring? Do you have a second screen going while working, or are you listening to radio while multi-tasking? Or will you be able to watch the games live on your TV? Or might you go back in later to watch the game or browse the highlights?
Chicago White Sox 2026 Spring Training schedule and results
We’re back recapping every single White Sox game, and that starts with Spring Training!
The White Sox season begins on Friday, February 20 at the Cubs and packs 33 games into 32 days. After that barrage, it’s off to the 162-game marathon, beginning up in Milwaukee, taking on the Brewers on March 26.
Check back here for regular (if not daily or multi-daily) updates to the results and broadcast schedule!
Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, known for walk-off home run in 1960 World Series, dies at 89
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 05: Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski waves to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch before the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees at PNC Park on July 5, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Bill Mazeroski, the Hall of Fame second baseman who won eight Gold Glove awards for his steady work in the field and the hearts of countless Pittsburgh Pirates fans for his historic walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, has died at the age of 89.
Pirates owner Bob Nutting said “Maz was one of a kind, a true Pirates legend. ... His name will always be tied to the biggest home run in baseball history and the 1960 World Series championship, but I will remember him most for the person he was: humble, gracious and proud to be a Pirate.”
Mazeroski died Friday, the Pirates said. No cause of death was given.
‘Defensive wizard’
Elected to the Hall by the Veterans Committee in 2001, he was, by some measures, no superstar. Mazeroski had the lowest batting average, on-base percentage and stolen base total of any second baseman in Cooperstown. He hit just .260 lifetime, with 138 homers and 27 stolen bases in 17 years, and had an on-base percentage of .299. He never batted .300, never approached 100 runs batted or 100 runs scored and only once finished in the top 10 for Most Valuable Player.
His best qualities were both tangible and beyond the box score. His Hall of Fame plaque praises him as a “defensive wizard” with “hard-nosed hustle” and a “quiet work ethic.” A 10-time All-Star, he turned a major league record 1,706 double plays, earning the nickname “No Hands” for how quickly he fielded grounders and relayed them. He led the National League nine times in assists for second basemen and has been cited by statistician Bill James as the game’s greatest defensive player at his position — by far.
“I think defense belongs in the Hall of Fame,” Mazeroski said, defensively, during his Hall of Fame induction speech. “Defense deserves as much credit as pitching and I’m proud to be going in as a defensive player.”
A home run for the ages
Mazeroski’s signature moment took place in the batter’s box, as the square-jawed, tobacco-chewing Mazeroski, a coal miner’s son from West Virginia, lived out the dream of so many kids who thought of playing professional ball.
The Pirates had not reached the World Series since 1927, when they were swept by the New York Yankees, and again faced the Yankees in 1960. While New York was led by Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, Pittsburgh had few prominent names beyond a young Roberto Clemente. They relied on hitters ranging from shortstop Dick Groat to outfielder Bob Skinner, and the starting pitchers Vernon Law and Bob Friend. Mazeroski, who turned 24 that September, finished the season with a .273 average and usually batted eighth.
The series told one story in the runs column and another in wins and losses. The Yankees outscored the Pirates 55-27, and 38-3 in the three games they won. Mazeroski’s counterpart on New York, Bobby Richardson, drove in a record 12 runs and was named the series’ MVP — even though he was on the losing team. Whitey Ford shut out the Pirates twice, on his way to a then-record 33 2/3 straight scoreless World Series innings for the Yankees ace.
The Pirates’ first three wins weren’t nearly so spectacular, but they were wins — and Mazeroski helped. He hit a 2-run homer in the fourth inning off the Yankees’ Jim Coates in Game 1, a 6-4 Pirate victory, and a 2-run double in the second inning off Art Ditmar in Game 5, a 5-2 Pittsburgh win. In Game 7, he saved his big hit for the end.
Some 36,000 fans at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field, and many more tuning in on radio and television, agonized through one of the Fall Classic’s wildest and most emotional conclusions. The lead changed back and forth as Pittsburgh scored the game’s first four runs, only to fall behind as the Yankees rallied in the middle innings and went ahead 7-4 in the top of the eighth. Pittsburgh retook the lead with five runs in the bottom of the eighth, helped in part by a seeming double-play grounder that took a bad hop and struck Yankees shortstop Tony Kubek in the throat. But the Yankees came right back and tied the score at 9 in the top of the ninth.
The bottom of the ninth has been relived, not always by choice, by the two teams and by generations of fans. The New York pitcher was Ralph Terry, a right hander whom manager Casey Stengel had brought in during the previous inning and would later acknowledge that he had a tired arm. The right-handed hitting Mazeroski, who had grounded into a double play in his previous appearance, was up first.
Terry started with a fastball, called high for a ball. After conferring briefly with catcher Johnny Blanchard, who reminded him to keep his pitches down, he threw what Mazeroski would call a slider that didn’t slide. Mazeroski got under it and belted it to left, the ball rising and rising as it cleared the high, ivy-covered brick wall, with Yankees left fielder Yogi Berra circling under it, then turning away in defeat. The whole city seemed to erupt, as if all had swung the bat with him, as if he were every underdog who longed to beat the hated Yankees. Mazeroski dashed around the bases, grinning and waving his cap, joined by celebrants from the stands who had rushed onto the field and followed him to home plate, where his teammates embraced him.
“I was just looking to get on base,″ he told The New York Times in 1985. ″Nothing fancy, just looking for a fastball until he got a strike on me. I thought it would be off the wall, and I wanted to make third if the ball ricocheted away from Berra. But when I got around first and was digging for second, I saw the umpire waving circles above his head and I knew it was over.”
It was the first time a World Series had ended on a homer, leading to enduring waves of celebration and despair. Pirates followers memorized the date, Saturday, Oct. 13, 1960, and the local time of Mazeroski’s hit, 3:36 p.m. Forbes Field was torn down in the 1970s, but a decade later fans began gathering every Oct. 13 at the park’s lone remnant, the center field wall, and listened to the original broadcast.
Meanwhile, Mantle would sob on the plane ride home in 1960, insisting the better team had lost. Ford would for years remain angry at Stengel — fired five days after the Series — for using him in Games 3 and 6 and making him unavailable to start a third time. The late singer Bing Crosby, a former co-owner of the Pirates, was so afraid he’d jinx his team that he listened to the game with friends across the Atlantic Ocean, in Paris.
“We were in this beautiful apartment, listening on shortwave, and when it got close Bing opened a bottle of Scotch and was tapping it against the mantel,” his widow, Kathryn Crosby, told the Times in 2010. “When Mazeroski hit the home run, he tapped it hard; the Scotch flew into the fireplace and started a conflagration.”
A team player
Mazeroski was a Pirate for his entire time in the majors and was a team man off the field. His wife, Milene Nicholson, was a front office employee whom he met through Pittsburgh manager Danny Murtaugh. They were married in 1958, had two sons and remained together until her death in 2024.
William Stanley Mazeroski was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, during the Great Depression, grew up in eastern Ohio, and lived for a time in a one-room house without electricity or indoor plumbing. His father, Louis Mazeroski, had hoped himself to be a ballplayer and encouraged his son’s love for sports, even practicing with him by having his son field tennis balls thrown against a brick wall.
Although a star in basketball and football, he favored baseball and was good enough to be drafted by the Pirates at age 17 in 1954. Mazeroski was a shortstop for a team with numerous prospects at that position, and had switched to second by his rookie year, 1956. Even as a part-time player at the end of his career, he was a leader and steady presence on the 1971 team that featured Clemente and Willie Stargell and defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.
After his final season, 1972, Mazeroski coached briefly for the Pirates and the Seattle Mariners and was an infield instructor for Pittsburgh during spring training. In 1987, the Pirates retired his uniform, No. 9. The 50th anniversary of his Game 7 heroics was marked in 2010 by the unveiling — on Bill Mazeroski Way — of a 14-foot, 2,000-pound statue of one of Pittsburgh’s greats, rounding the bases, on top of the world.
Blackhawks Sign Former Oilers Goalie
The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed goaltender Olivier Rodrigue to a one-year, two-way contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
The Blackhawks signing Rodrigue comes after Rockford IceHogs goalie Stanislav Berezhnoy was suspended for 20 games. Now, Rodrigue will provide the IceHogs with more goalie depth during this final stretch of the year.
Rodrigue started this season with Barys Astana but never appeared in a game for the KHL club due to injury before being released. Now, after landing this deal with the Blackhawks, the 25-year-old will be getting his campaign started. by the
Rodrigue was selected by the Edmonton Oilers with the 62nd overall pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. In two games with the Oilers during this past season, he had a 0-1-0 record and a .862 save percentage.