RICHMOND, Va. -- A couple years back, at the urging of our fearless leader, I tracked down a copy of 'The Pittsburgh Pirates' by Frederick J. Lieb. Published in 1948, it covers the history of the team through its first half-century, and tracks the Pirates’ lineage all the way back to the late 1860s.
It’s a fascinating read, loaded with stories about franchise foundations like Honus Wagner, Arky Vaughn, Paul and Lloyd Waner, Barney Dreyfuss and yes, Pie Traynor, but owing to when it was written, these legends are described in much more contemporary terms, giving me a new perspective on them. It’s also remarkable to read a book about the Pirates that doesn’t mention the names Bill Mazeroski, Willie Stargell or Roberto Clemente! That fact really drives home the point about just how long and for how many generations the PBC has been a cherished civic institution.
ROB ULLMAN / DKPS
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