Major League Baseball

1960 Victory Gala honors Pirates Charities

Published Oct. 18, 2010 10:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Glory Days were alive and well on Wednesday as a fanatical crowd of more than 400 crowded into the Lexus Club at PNC Park for the 1960 Victory Gala, celebrating the day the Pittsburgh Pirates entered the promise land off the tip of Bill Mazeroski's bat.

"Whoever would have dreamed this would be happening after 50 years?" he humbly confessed through countless photo ops and autographs, offering an optimistic outlook on the current Bucco's chance of tasting something other than defeat. "Well, they're about due!"

This true cast of first-class characters had us waxing poetic for the good ol' days, even those of us who were still twinkles in our parents' eyes on that beautiful October afternoon in Forbes Field. Off the bench, the likes of Joe Gibbon, Vernon Law, Hal Smith, George Witt, ElRoy Face, Kent Tekulve and Bob Oldis mixed with co-chairs Mel Rex and Frank Coonelly, all looking tres chic in their black ties, although at least one among them wasn't going to be able to make any prolonged appearances.

"I have to have this tux back in an hour!" laughed Steve Blass, as the rest of the boys traded barbs and offered nominations for open spots on the Pirates pay roll.

"They're getting some new management..." commented Bill Virdon.

"Is he (Bill) in the running?" laughed Dick Groat.

An absolutely unbelievable evening that benefitted Pirates Charities and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to the tune of $231K, topped off with dinner under the tents on the third base line.

But securing a top spot on our highlight reel was being escorted out onto the field to watch footage (courtesy of the MLB just for the occasion) from the "Best Game Ever," aka, the recently discovered Bing Crosby Wine Cellar footage from Game 7 of the World Series.

The air was ELECTRIC, I tell you; pulsating through our bones as we sat on the edge of our seats as Maz rounded third and headed for glory, all the while in the presence of the fabulous bat boys from the 1960 roster.

"It's great to be remembered!" smiled Bob Friend.

Even greater to know you'll never be forgotten.