A Touch of Garlic

Riots broke out in Pittsburgh yesterday. One might wonder at the cause of such excess and overt jubilation, but it's been a long time since Pittsburgh had a winner. After 20 years of failure, Steeler fans have had to rejoice over mediocrity instead of success. In basketball and hockey, the Penguins and Condors offer only slightly more than semi-pro success. For the past decade, Pittsburgh has been savoring the victories of Arnold Palmer and the 1960 Pirates. After 11 years of memories, victory was a little too sweet.

Yet, making idols out of Pirates teams is nothing new to Pittsburgh. Consider the 1960 Pirates. How many super-stars were on that team? How many great names will hit the plaques at Cooperstown? Maybe one. In case you've forgotten, here is the list of memorables: catchers. Smokey Burgess and Hal Smith; first base, Dick Stuart: second base, Bill Mazeroski, shortstop, Dick Groat; third base, Don Hoak; and the fabulous, famous outfield--Bill Virdon, Bob "Hound dog" Skinner and Roberto Clemente. And on the in-famous mound staff, such immortal 20-game winners as Vernon "Deacon" Law, Bob Friend. Elroy Face and Harvey Haddix.

None of them, except Clemente, would probably rate in a Boston all-star memory list. But in Pittsburgh, these names have become enthroned. Relief pitcher Face and reserve catcher smith, probably more distinguished as rotten singers than great players, made a record entitled "Two Bucs at the Holiday House," and seventh-grade girls throughout Western Pennsylvania begged their fathers for a chance to listen to those two crackling voices.

If the '60 Bucs became unchallengeable heroes, the odds are good for the '71 Pirates. Just as I fought with my friends to get Topps cards of Mazeroski, Groat and Hoak, so too bubble gum may benefit in Dravosburg or Vandergriff from Cash, Hernandez, and Pagan.