In 1954, 17-year-old Bill Mazeroski signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a shortstop and was promptly moved to second base by the Pirates' Branch Rickey. Mazeroski would then became one of the best defensive second baseman in history with a lifetime .983 fielding percentage. The 10-time National League All-Star led the league in assists nine times, fielding percentage three times, and double plays eight times.

A consistent batter, with 2,016 career hits, "Maz" achieved hero status in Pittsburgh's 1960 Fall Classic against the Yankees, when he became the first player ever to end the World Series with a home run, hitting a walk-off home run in Game 7 at Forbes Field.

Mazeroski was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.