Sailing the Three Rivers to the Title: Pittsburgh's 1971 Voyage of the Pirate Ship - Softcover

Spalding, Gregory S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1570870136 ISBN 13: 9781570870132

Publisher: Professional Pr, 1995

Synopsis

Relive the 1971 voyage of the Pittsburgh Pirate ship with author Greg Spalding in SAILING THE THREE RIVERS TO THE TITLE, the only book ever written about that fine team.

Fans will remember this Bucco team for its comeback after trailing 2-0 in the World series against what many considered a superior Oriole team. Yet it also stood as Roberto Clemente's shining moment, that time when the world's baseball fans discovered "The Great One," as he batted .414 and won the MVP Award. For that reason, as well as his humanitarian efforts, the Pirates dedicated a statue in his honor during the 1994 All-Star Game festivities.

Greg grew up listening to Bob Prince and Nellie King paint great pictures of the '71 Pirates, which included Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Al Oliver, Dock Ellis, Manny Sanguillen, Steve Blass and many other popular players, on the canvas of radio and desired to put together his own compendium about the team he loved.

On top of the season chronology, the author celebrated the world championship squad with a poetic rhyme, a Clemente pictorial, player and coach bios, and individual chapters about Roberto Clemente and Bob Prince.

About this title

About the Author

Greg Spalding is a freelance writer who grew up in Pittsburgh and now resides there. He's been an active basketball player, coach, baseball fan, missionary SABR(Society for American Baseball Research) member and a frequent traveler on the information superhighway. Other books by Greg include SHINE! ALL-STARS, SHINE!, about the '94 MLB All-Star Game and All-Star Pirate history, and RUN THE GREATEST RACE, about running life's race. His City of Champions Publishing Company serves as a desktop publishing entity and publishing concern, which recently published Al Oliver's autobiography entitled BASEBALL'S BEST KEPT SECRET. Additionally, Greg serves as Research Analyst for the nationally syndicated SPORTSWEEK tv show, as he compiles statistics for host Tom McGough and his guests.

From the Back Cover

Greg Spalding imitated Willie Stargell's windmill, Clemente's inside-out swing, Davalillo's leg-kick, Hebner's jersey-tucking, Sanguillen's free swing and smile and Milt May's raised bat style in his frequent boyhood neighborhood games of homerun derby. Naturally, he also followed the team religiously through the eyes of Bob Prince and Nellie King. Greg originally wrote the book during the early '70's and then revised it for the team's 20th reunion. At that reunion, he met his baseball heroes and presented each of them with a copy of the first unpublished edition. His baseball dream came true.

Interestingly enough, Albert Goodwill Spalding, his namesake although only distantly related, started the National League in 1876. Greg now works as a Spanish teacher, a freelance writer, enjoys his membership in the Pittsburgh chapter of SABR(Society for American Baseball Research), coaches and plays basketball at home and in Latin America with the Sports Ambassadors missionary organization and attends 45 Pirate games a year.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

NUMBER ONE IN '71

Reportedly, Batimore manager Earl Weaver exhorted his batters with the following words in the bottom of the ninth of the seventh game of the 1971 World Series,"Come on! we're better than this. We're better than this." he hoped for a rally from Boog Powell, Frank Robinson and Merv Rettenmund.

After Boog Powell bounced out to Dave Cash and Frank Robinson popped out to Jackie Hernandez, Pirate pitcher Steve Blass hurled to Merv Rettenmund. Baltimore's outfielder grounded the ball behind second base. Pirate shortstop Jackie Hernandez hustled to the ball, fielded it cleanly and threw to first. Bob Robertson, the muscular first baseman whom many regarded as Pittsburgh's next Kiner, received the throw, then raised his hands triumphantly. Steve Blass hug-jumped Bob Robertson. Dave Cash, Manny Sanguillen and Willie Stargell bounced their way to first. Jackie Hernandez danced his rendition of the Cuban jig, a celebration of vindication from Earl weaver's words, which proclaimed the Pirates inability to win with him at shortstop. Bill Mazeroski lead the championship charge from the dugout. Richie Hebner clapped his hands vigorously, drinking in the whole experience. Pirate players and coaches mobbed Steve Blass and Bob Robertson at first base. Pittsburgh stood on top of the baseball world.

Those precious moments after the last out remain etched in Pittsburgh's memory. Despite four 20-game winners and the two Robinsons, the Bucs conquered the Orioles, after trailing two games to none. Pittsburgh reigned as champion. Several words somewhat describe the feeling: fortunate, delighted, joyous, merry, prosperous, glad and blissful. No words, however, precisely describe your emotions after winning a world championship, whether you play on the squad, coach the team or cheer the players.

In the locker room, champagne drenched everyone. Dave Giusti praised Clemente's abilities. Manager Danny Murtaugh, known as the Whistling Irishman", fielded reporter's questions while enjoying a champagne shower. During an interview, Roberto Clemente asked for his parent's blessing in Spanish. Each person celebrated his own way.

Amidst applause and cheers, Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn presented the Galbreaths with the World Championship trophy. This tangible object represented Pittsburgh's supremacy. The Pirates answered the Fall Call, beating what most observers considered a superior team. Bowie's presentation officially placed the Buccos on a pedestal above every other team.

All of Pittsburgh glowed with a victorious spirit.

Edition details

• Publisher: Professional Pr
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1570870136
• ISBN 13: 9781570870132
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1