History
Bill Mazeroski and the Only Game 7 Walk-Off Homer to Win the World Series
As the October 13 anniversary approaches, the 1960 finish remains unique: a home run that ended both Game 7 and the World Series.
Bill Mazeroski’s most famous swing required no later out, inning or game to settle the championship. When his home run cleared the left-field wall at Forbes Field on October 13, 1960, the Pittsburgh Pirates had won the World Series.
The score was tied 9–9 in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7. Mazeroski hit Ralph Terry’s pitch for a solo home run, giving Pittsburgh a 10–9 victory over the New York Yankees.1
As the October 13 anniversary approaches, the finish retains its particular distinction. It remains the only walk-off home run to win Game 7 of a World Series. Joe Carter also ended a World Series with a home run for Toronto in 1993, but that was Game 6.
A game that refused to stay settled
The final swing followed another change in a game full of them. Pittsburgh had taken a 9–7 lead with five runs in the eighth inning. The Yankees then scored twice in the ninth to bring the series back to a tie with three outs left for the Pirates.2
Mickey Mantle’s single supplied one of New York’s runs, and Yogi Berra’s groundout brought in the other. Mazeroski’s turn at the plate came immediately after that escape.
The Yankees’ large victories earlier in the series had not settled the outcome. Pittsburgh had been shut out in Games 3 and 6 and heavily beaten in Game 2. The Pirates nevertheless reached the deciding game, then won it.
Why this home run is different
A walk-off in an earlier World Series game guarantees another day of competition. A walk-off in Game 7 ends the season and awards the title at the instant the ball leaves the park. Mazeroski’s hit combined that finality with a tied ninth inning.
The championship was Pittsburgh’s first since 1925. Fans spilled onto the field as Mazeroski completed his trip around the bases, turning an individual swing into one of the city’s lasting sporting images.
His career contained far more than the home run. But the 1960 finish remains an unusually complete baseball moment: one batter, one pitch, one run and a championship with nothing left to play.
