1960: Mazeroski's Dream becomes Our Worst Nightmare

If you are reading this column, then guaranteed, one time or another you have experienced what we will call "The Dream."

It's the bottom of the ninth, seventh game of the World Series. You round third at a wild gallop, and you are mobbed at the plate by teammates.

On a day that this reporter will never forget, October 13, 1960, about 4:15 p.m., we were staring at a large piece of furniture which enclosed a Zenith 22-inch round black and white television.

Pittsburgh Pirate second baseman Bill Mazeroski was about to live such a dream as he stepped up to the plate at Forbes Field with the game tied at 9-9.

It is now June 2011. If you are a Baby Boomer Yankees fan, this series has to rank as both the best as well as the worst World Series of your life..

In the seven game series the Bombers established single series records for runs scored (55) hits (91) extra base hits (27) and team batting average (.338). During that series Elly Howard hit .462, Mickey hit .400 and drove in 11 while Richardson, the series MVP finished at .367 with a record 12 RBI.

Whitey Ford dominated the Bucks for 18 scorless innings in games 3 and 6. Despite Mantle's urging, Casey's decision to not start Ford in game one would absolutely cost the Yankees this series and ultimately Casey Stengel his job.

The Bucks only batted .256 and had an ERA of 7.11. To this day we wonder how this series ever went seven games?

Our nightmare frustration begins.

It is game seven. We lead 7-4 in the bottom of the eighth, runner on first, Bill Virdon hits a room service double play grounder to short, the ball takes a wicked hop and hits Kubek in the throat. Both runners were safe while Tony was helped off the field. Our prayers now begin. To no avail – the flood gates open and the Pirates now lead 9-7

This game was far from over. Our prayers now answered (funny how religion always comes front and center during a crisis) as the Yanks score twice in the ninth, the score is now dead-locked at 9-9.

After that the end came quickly.

Maz leads off inning number nine and on the second pitch from Ralph Terry he slams the ball deep over Yogi's head and forever deep into the recesses of our minds. Who among us has not replayed that vision over and over. The Pirates now had their first World series in 35 years.

Overcome with frustration, this was the only time in his career that Mantle openly wept after a ballgame.

If you bleed royal blue, than on October 13, 1960 at 4:15 in the afternoon you experienced the same emotion as the Mick.

It has been over 50 years since Bill Maz's dream series became our first and worst walkoff nightmare.