“There’s a swing and a high fly ball going deep to left. This may do it! … It is… over the fence! Home run! … Ladies and Gentlemen, Mazeroski has hit a one-nothing pitch … to win the 1960 World Series for the Pittsburgh Pirates!” (The Whistling Irishman)
A few years earlier no one expected the Pirates to make it to the World Series, much less win it. From 1945 to 1958 the team only had one winning season. What caused such a dramatic turn-around? Many players from the 1960 team give much of the credit to their manager, my great grandfather- Danny Murtaugh.
By all accounts, Danny Murtaugh was a remarkable man who was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. Not just because of his skill in baseball, but because of his love for his family, his sacrifice to this country, and his devout faith.
Unless otherwise noted, the material used in this speech is from The Whistling Irishman: Danny Murtaugh…show more content… In 1957, the Pirates had tied for last place; in 1958, his first full year as manager, they were second. And, as I mentioned in my introduction, in 1960- they won the World Series against the mighty New York Yankees. Pitcher Bob Friend later said, “He was the best manager I played for. I think our success was a function of Danny’s managerial style.” (The Whistling Irishman)
Throughout his busy baseball and fatherhood years, Danny remained active in his community. Like his father and grandfather, he volunteered for the fire department, even serving as chief for a time. He made sure not to forget his community, and how much support they’d given him throughout the years. He never accepted payment for local charity events, and he donated fees from out-of-town events to Children’s Hospitals.
My grandmother says she didn’t know about all the good work he did until after he died. He used to say that if you did a good deed and then talked about it, it was no longer a good deed. (Interview with Kathy
