This Week in Pittsburgh Pirates History - December 28-January 3

This week in Pittsburgh Pirates history -

December 28

1958 Topps

1957      In a trade of first basemen, the Reds swap Ted Kluszewski to the Pirates for Dee Fondy.

December 30

1943      In a trade of the Babes in Pennsylvania, the Phillies send first baseman Babe Dahlgren to the Pirates for catcher Babe Phelps and cash. Dahlgren will be best remembered for being the player who replaced Lou Gehrig after the 'Iron Horse' had played in major-league record 2,130 consecutive games.

1973 Topps Robert Clemente - last card

December 31

1972      Pirate outfielder Roberto Clemente is tragically killed when a cargo plane crashes during a relief effort to bring much needed supplies to the victims of the Nicaraguan earthquake.  He was 38 years old.

January 1

1911      Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg, who played for the Pirates in 1947, was born. 

January 2

1918      In a deal which includes two future Hall of Famers, the Dodgers trade outfielder Casey Stengel and infielder George Cutshaw to the Pirates for pitchers Burleigh Grimes, Al Mamaux and infielder Chuck Ward. Grimes, known as Ol' Stubblebeard, and Stengel, dubbed The Old Perfessor, will both be enshrined in Cooperstown.          

1951      All-star third baseman Bill Madlock was born. 

1933 Goudey Gus Suhr

January 3

1974      The Yankees sign Bill Virdon as the team's manager. Although the former Pirate skipper will manage for two years in New York, he will never win a game at Yankee Stadium because the Bronx Bombers will play their home games at Shea due to renovations at the stadium.

1906      Gus Suhr, considered by some as the best first baseman in team history, was born.

1909 E92 Dockman and Sons Gum

1909 E92 Dockman and Sons Gum Pittsburgh Pirates

Once cataloged as a part of the E92 compendium, the John Dockman and Sons Gum card issue differs from the Croft's Candy/Cocoa sets in that it has 10 fewer cards. Otherwise the format (1-1/2" x 2-3/4") and color litho player pictures are identical. Beneath the player picture on the front is his last name, position and team. Backs, which describe the set is having 50 cards, are an ad for the gum company.

See the 1909 E92 Dockman and Sons Gum Pittsburgh Pirates

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1909 Dockman & Sons E92 - Pirates 

Dots Miller Batting 

George Gibson 

Honus Wagner Batting

Honus Wagner Throwing 

Steelers Earn Playoff Berth

By Matt Hall, Student Reporter

Here is the breakdown of the Steelers game on Sunday vs. the Chiefs.

In the first quarter with13:24 left Ben Roethlisberger threw a 40 yard pass to Martavis Bryant.  It was an awesome play!  A little later Shaun Suisham kicked a field goal for Pittsburgh.  With 2:06 left Cairo Santos kicked a field goal for KC.  That drive was 7:09 for KC.  At the end of the first the score was tied 3-3.

In the 2nd quarter with 14:54 left there was offsetting penalties.  KC was called for roughing on the play and Pittsburgh was called for a late hit.  Later KC faked a field goal and instead got a 1st down.  Santos then kicked another field goal.  Ben passed to Le'Veon Bell and the Steelers scored a touchdown with 4:18 left in the 2nd quarter.  At the half the score was 10 (Pittsburgh) to 6 (KC). 

In the 3rd quarter with 6:26 left KC fumbled the ball and the Steelers scored a touchdown.  Ben threw the ball to Antonio Brown.  Ben’s knee got clipped, but he was OK.  At the end of the 3rd it was 17-6 Pittsburgh. 

In the 4th quarter with 10:19 left Santos got another field goal and again with 1:37 left.  The Steelers won 20-12 though.

The Steelers have guaranteed their spot in the post season.  The last time they made the playoffs was in 2011.  The Steelers will play the final game of the season Sunday against the Bengals.  See you there!

This Week in Pittsburgh Pirates History - December 21-27

This week in Pittsburgh Pirates history -

December 21

1959 Topps Dick Groat

1959      After Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh rejects the A's offer to deal Roger Maris for shortstop Dick Groat, Pittsburgh obtains Gino Cimoli along with Tom Cheney from the Cardinals for right-hander Ron Kline. Maris, who is dealt to the Yankees, will enjoy the first of his two consecutive MVP years in New York, but Groat will play a key role for the World Champion Bucs next season, and he also will be named the most valuable player of his league.

December 22

1982      Lee Mazzilli is traded for the third time this season. The Yankees, who obtained the Brooklyn native from the Rangers in August for Bucky Dent, deal the first baseman/outfielder to the Pirates for Tim Burke and three minor leaguers.

December 26

1964      Jeff King, an infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates was born.

This Week in Pittsburgh Pirates History - December 14-20

This week in Pittsburgh Pirates history -

December 16

1938      The Braves trade catcher Ray Mueller to the Pirates for Al Todd, who will be dealt to Brooklyn in March, and Johnny Dickshot, who will be shipped to the Giants in April. Mueller will play in only 90 games over two seasons for Pittsburgh.

1978 Topps Chuck Tanner

December 18

1975      Chuck Tanner signs a three-year deal to manage the A's. After compiling an 87-74 (.540) record to finish in second place, Oakland will release the New Castle, PA native from his contract allowing him to manage the Pirates in exchange for catcher Manny Sanguillen and $100,000 from Pittsburgh.