Team Reunions-Pirates 1960

[Bill Stone]

This might be slightly OT but I wanted to share my experience this weekend at the 50th Anniversary Reunion of the 1960 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. This was held in connection with the J. Paul Sports card show in Pittsburgh. The 50th Anniversary Dinner was held Saturday night and was limited to 100 people which was just perfect. With an open bar there was plenty of time to meet the players and their wives. You could tell they were having a good time and they were all so nice. Having been a Pirates fan since 1950 it was so great to finally meet players like Dick Groat ( who still looks like he could go play nine innings!!) , Vernon Law looked fabulous. Bob Friend and Bill Virdon were all smiles . I got to the lobby early and just sat in a big easy chair watching as all the players came in and greeted each other and the fans. It was obvious they were happy to be there and enjoying each others company. At the dinner each table had one player sitting with the fans --our player was Bob Oldis ---what a delight --one great story after another and he was so friendly -a true baseball guy --I think sometimes the players who were on the bench or in the bullpen had the best stories because there was time to reflect as an observer of the game. This is the first reunion type event I have ever been to and it was fantastic. Two other highlights was sitting with Danny Murtaugh's granddaughter who had just written a book about him and a nice visit with Mrs. Harvey Haddix who also attended the event.