The Most Important Hit in MLB History | Baseball Bits
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
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The 1960 World Series, which was the Yankees vs Pirates, was capped off by a Bill Mazeroski walkoff home run. To this day, it is the only Game 7 walkoff home run in the World Series. However, WPA, short for win probability added, has brought some new attention to the Hal Smith World Series home run, which was hit in the 8th inning. Hal Smith certainly doesn't have the same name recognition as Mazeroski, but maybe he deserves it. Because according to cWPA, The Hal Smith Pirates home run in the 1960 World Series Game 7 is the most pivotal hit in MLB history. Another way of stating this? How about the most clutch hit in MLB history.
Given that the 1960 World Series was between the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, this video will feature appearances from the likes of Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Roberto Clemente. They each play a pivotal role in this story, in addition to Bill Mazeroski and Hal Smith. I hope you'll enjoy this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production.
Game 7 Full Broadcast: • 1960 World Series | Ga...
Top Plays by cWPA: stathead.com/tiny/NPPAh
Soundtrack by William Kage: www.williamkage.com/ - Sport
Another amazing thing about this game: The only reason any video footage of this game exists is due to Bing Crosby. He was part-owner of the Pirates at the time, but he was so superstitious and nervous of watching the series that he went on vacation in Paris and ordered someone to record the whole NBC broadcast for him on film reels to watch later. Those reels stayed up in the attic of his wine cellar for decades, even past his death. It took Robert Bader, the VP of his estate at the time, finding the reels in 2010 in pristine condition for anyone to realize the once-lost media was still around. So the reason Smith's and Mazeroski's home runs exist in video form is because of Bing Crosby's anxiety.
Thank you, anxiety.
That is actually a very interesting fact
I’m not sure why I know this but I also knew that. No idea at all where I heard it originally read it. I’m sure it will be surprising to many people though. It’s a very cool tidbit!
cellars have attics? lol. Interesting factoid though, thanks for sharing.
@@KomatiPoort it's called the first floor
Hay man, really appreciate the video. I’ll dispute a couple of things though. Hal was not considered the backup to Burgess. They platooned all year almost evenly and Hal’s stats were actually pretty even with Burgess. Also, look at Hal’s stats from his start in MLB through the 1960 season before implying no name. In 1957 he was the only catcher in mlb to hit over 300. In other words he was pretty good his first 6 years then was plagued with injury. (broken hand ) in Houston, although not widely publicized. By the way, he was my dad.
Unbelieavable
😳
very cool
@foolishbaseball
How is this not the top comment lol
Hal Smith in 1960: "Boy, I sure do hope I make it into a Baseball Bits one of these days"
I promise, he never worried about that sort of things, lol.
@@dansmith4708 🧢🧢
@@dansmith4708 he knew it would happen someday
“…but it’ll have to wait for the invention of ‘internet’ and ‘World Wide Web’, whatever they are, and then ‘social media’ and ‘Web 2.0’. And then some kind of homemade television program thingy. But I’m just spitballing here. Even then, Bailey - when he’s born and grown up - would need some fancy stats and a deep research dive.”
it’s crazy that hal smiths son was in the comment section so ppl can now just respond to any hal smith joke with his sons @
11:59 "smith never received anything near that level of recognition"
Idk man, he got a Foolish Baseball video out of it. If that isn't staying power idk what is.
"They scored more than twice as many runs and lost"
*Pythagoras didn't like that*
The law of small numbers. For small data sets, weird crap happens.
My American Government professor made us write an essay comparing this series to the electoral college ... as one of the two baseball nerds in the class I didn't mind it.
The 1960 Pirates: The Originators of Fun Differential
@@jackg3344 they walked so the mariners could run
Pretty insane how three plays in the CWPA Top Ten all came from a single game of the 1960 WS.
It's crazy!
@@FoolishBaseball "Crazy Win Probably Added"
possibly the best baseball game of all time for that reason alone
I'm kind of curious about the one regular season game in there. Why was that one so influential?
@@samwalko Did some digging myself, because that one interested me too. Bobby Thomson played for the New York Giants in 1951, and hit a 3 run walk-off homer on that specific play. Back then, there was no real "postseason" and the teams with the best regular season record in their leagues met in the World Series. Up until that win, the Giants were tied in wins with the Dodgers for the season, so that HR was what ended up sending them to the WS.
So I guess it makes sense why that one was seen as so influential. The dinger itself was even coined as the "Shot Heard 'Round the World."
Imagine if that Mantle dodging that tag at first happened today. That was for the LAST FREAKIN OUT OF THE WORLD SERIES. If he gets tagged, series over. That would've been an insane moment.
It wouldn't have been as bad as Babe Ruth getting caught stealing to lose a World Series
Yes this stood out to me to. That’s an amazing play at any time, that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. The timing of it was crazy.
Bill Mazeroski will never have to pay for a drink in Pittsburgh again.
I would certainly hope not!
Or Wheeling, WV, his hometown.
RIP o7
@Brent Robinson he was born there but he went to school just across the river in Ohio.
@@AJKPenguin Actually he was from Rush Run, OH. Right up the river from Martins Ferry.
"Hal Smith wasn't even the most famous catcher named Hal Smith at the time"
I need it on a poster
That team should be in the dictionary definition of Underdog, and that player, Hal Smith, in the definition of Unsung Hero, wow
Not really apropos, but I'm reminded of a 1962 edition of "To Tell The Truth". For those too young to know, the show would begin with three persons claiming to be someone whom the host would describe and the panel would ask questions to determine which of of three was the real deal. Anyway on this occasion three gents claimed to be Bob Miller a pitcher for the newly created Mets. At the end, the panelists record their guesses and the host says, " Will the REAL Bob Miller please stand up?" Two guys stand up! Yes, the Mets had two Bob Millers, a lefty and a righty. So they ask the third guy, what is your name and what do you do? He answered " MY name is Bob Miller and I pitch for the Phillies .."
They showed the game on MLB network to a live audience in 2010 that included survivors from both teams. Smith got a very nice ovation after his home run.
“55-27 run differential”
*Bill James and Pythagoras punches air*
You know it’s a good day when Bailey uploads.
Thank you, Calvin Coolidge.
yep
Yup
Calvin has been revived from the dead to spit facts.
What’s up Silent Cal
Thank you Bing Crosby for needing a filming of this game otherwise no one after 1960 would've ever seen it.
It blows my mind that nobody else in 1960 had the foresight to record the World Series for posterity.
Did not know that
The NBC broadcast (filmed from CF as most games are shown on TV now) was the one Crosby recorded and kept while NBC disposed of it (because who would want to maybe rewatch a World Series?). The clips in this video (filmed from behind home plate) were filmed by a local Pittsburgh news crew. They were never lost and were widely seen long before Crosby's recording was found in 2010.
I keep seeing this but its not like any other footage of this ever existed. I must be missing something because I remember seeing highlights of this game way before 2010.
Edit: Ahhh ok so its just the game from a different angle that had came out in 2010 then?? I was thinking I must be reta rded or something because I was like how in the hell was I watching highlights of this game way before 2010?? Well for the record, I am cognitively disabled.
@@bradsully6620 Yeah, I’ve definitely been seeing the Mazeroski home run my whole life, but I don’t remember any the other highlights specifically.
The fact that one game produced 3 of the largest and most significant hits in baseball history is just incredible
Believe it or not, I actually did know about this home run before this video. My family is from Pittsburgh, and my uncle (who was old enough at the time to remember this game) always had this giant framed photo of the Mazeroski home run on the wall. He was very passionate about the Pirates, and whenever we would ask about it, he would tell us all about it and the entire game 7, including Smith's home run. He always said it would've been known as one of the greatest world series moments ever had the Yankees not come back and tied it the next inning leading to Mazeroski's.
Coming from a Yankee fan, this game isn’t only the best game in MLB history but maybe even the best game in the history of sports. It had EVERYTHING. I don’t care that my team lost, I would do anything to watch this game in person. (The fact that any home runs were ever hit in Forbes Field, let alone 5 combined, is surreal enough)
When Foolish posts, everybody’s day gets better
I'm honored to hear that.
@@FoolishBaseball Can we make request? If so I have one.
@@ryanthompsonthompson820 damn bro, you a schizo? You said can WE make a request, posted the same comment twice... you got multiple people speaking to at the same time in your head?
@@tombstonejones9581 It was a error. I just posted it once. Idiot.
@@tombstonejones9581 You must live in the south
3:38 As a Nationals fan I am very surprised Howie Kendrick's homer in game 7 isn't on here.
Same! I looked it up - just missed the list with a 33% percent cWPA. Regardless, one of the most important hits in baseball history.
the cwpa for that was around +33% according to baseball-reference
13th all time. Very close to being on the list.
@@barry7136 Where does the Freese 2011 WS triple rank?
@@jhow0089 just under 31% - according to Bill James, it's the largest single positive play in Cardinals history in terms of cWPA.
Hal and Maz truly seized the moment they were given. By what I have read about that team and these men, they would both agree that it was a total team victory. The perseverance of the Pirates during the regular season over flowed into the world series. The Yankees didn't cave or choke they just got rolled by a team that would not be denied. Side note: the entire series the Pirates only hit 4 home runs total. Three of them in game 7 the other one was in game one when Maz hit a go ahead HR that enabled the Pirates to win that game. Appreciated the break down and how this was presented! Keep up the good work.
That Mickey Mantle tag dodge at first base was beautiful.
It is now Yordan Alvarez who has the biggest Win probability swing in MLB postseason history
By WPA, you're right, his 91.3% beats out Kirk Gibson's 87.0% in the 1988 World Series. But by cWPA, Smith's still on top
oof imagine losing a perfect game in the 13th inning. at some point you’d just be begging your team to get you a damn run
He lost too! Allowed a run in the 13th.
@@FoolishBaseball :(
@@shardulrao8059 Lew Burdette won the game by pitching thirteen shutout innings of his own (and allowing 12 hits), and afterwards cracked to Haddix, "I scattered all my hits, and you bunched your one."
what's even crazier was that the brewers were stealing signs against him in an astro-like fashion
@@damagedone115 Not quite the same as what the Astros did -- Haddix's catcher just wasn't careful enough and so the signs were visible from the Braves' (not Brewers') bullpen, who then signaled the batter. I think that's legitimate sign-stealing.
My appreciation of Clemente and Mantle grew seeing their running skills on display this game. Video also underscored Yogi's power with what looked like a second-decker late in his career. Cool aspects of the upload.
Can't believe you didn't talk about the Mantle juke move more, that was an insane heads up play that would make Will Craig's mind spin for ages
Actually it was a TERRIBLE baserunning blunder on Mantle's part that almost cost them the World Series on the spot. Remember, the tying run was at 3rd. By running back to first, Mantle should have been tagged for the third out and ended the game before the tying run could cross the plate. Bad defense and the juke saved him. If Mantle had simply run to second, there was no way they would have tagged him out before the tying run scored. So the only way the game doesn't get extended is if the Pirates had pulled off a tough tag at the plate.
Maybe Mantle thought the ball was caught on the fly? But if that were the case, he already would have been doubled up because the 1st baseman had his foot on the bag.
Don't worry, it took me a minute to realize it too. I was all set to praise Mantle, and then I thought about it for a second and realized he messed up big time.
@@JonSmith-hk1bq Sometimes a recovery can be more impressive than the proper play.
Seeing two catchers named Hal Smith reminds me of the two will Smith's in the nlcs
As a Braves fan, I try not to be reminded of that.
@@FoolishBaseball same, I'm heartbroken
@@FoolishBaseball Y’all just the Indians of the NL
@@SirJayBallinIII Spiders*
@@FoolishBaseball as a giants fan I try not to remember that too
You actually did it!!!!! You actually made a video that made a pirates fan happy.
I'm going to cry. Thank you
imagine being at that game tho ... would’ve been the best game to ever be at 100000%
Mickey mantle getting back to first on a force out to the 1b man when yogi hit the ground ball is insane. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that type of play.
I was waiting for this type of video! I can’t wait to watch it!
Real Hal Smith hours
just click that triangle button in the bottom left to begin viewing
@@timnelson8656 I tried it out - it really worked! Thanks for the tip
362,000 people now know about that home run and I’m sure many more do too rest in peace Hal Smith
Thanks for that Lucas. He had a fantastic life.
Thumbnail: "It's not what you think"
Me: "It's Hal Smith, isn't it"
Cool Hal Smith fact that my dad just told me on the phone when I told him the new Foolish dropped - he was the catcher for the first ever game in Houston's professional baseball history - (this is just my baseball reference research now) where he went 2-4 with a home run and a double in an 11-2 drubbing of the Chicago Cubs to start the 1962 season. The rest of his playing time would not be particularly notable, as he would start for the Colt .45s for the full first season, ending up only OPSing .666 in the first season and getting replaced early in the 1963 season and being dealt to the Reds and retiring after one season with them. Thanks to my dad and Foolish Baseball, I am now in the top 1% of Hal Smith fact knowers in the world. That's pretty cool, right?
In 1957 he was the only catcher in mlb to hit over 300 for the year. He held out for a raise ( pre free agency) and got a 2,500 dollar a year raise. Told if he didn’t take it he was out of baseball ! Times have changed ! LOL
I almost feel bad for Rajai Davis - making a play with the highest cWPA increase, where his team still lost.
But then, as a Cubs fan, I remember how much that home run hurt, and then lol nah.
I’m impressed Yogi played so well while reading the comics all the while.
There's video of the 1960 Pirates reuniting to watch the game one last time with Bob Costas(?) and a bunch of Yankees etc. When they showed Hal Smiths home run, he got a good, long, loud standing ovation for everyone in the theater. It is awesome to see
Even though I just watched the video of how FBB makes videos, claiming them to be nothing more than a fancy PowerPoint, it still amazes me how much emphasis and passion can be brought the most seemingly forgotten moments in baseball history. Thank you FoolishBB, this was a nice history lesson :)
Someone should show this video to Hal Smith's family. Im sure they would appreciate it.
We saw it. Thanks !
@@dansmith4708 it's not every day that the son of a legend responds to my reply buy today is especially awesome.
I’m convinced that part of the reason Hal Smith didn’t get as much recognition is just because people like saying the name “Mazeroski” more.
Let's be honest, Hal Smith is a boring name.
@@FoolishBaseball Sad but true
I saw this home run on TV at age 10, when I was in grade school, during school hours! Our principal was a huge sports fan, so we (and he) got to watch the game on a TV in the gym, while we sort of did our homework, and he sort of supervised. The deal was that as long as you knew what the score was when he called on you, you could stay.
It's amazing how one game in the world series generated three of the top 10 plays of all time in championship probability added.
We could statistically say it was the greatest game played of all time in baseball.
As a pirates fan, this video is what I needed this year
This is one of the best episodes I’ve ever seen. Props to you Bailey, you’re killing it
Awesome vid. Pretty nuts that 3 of the top 10 clutch hits in history all occurred in that game. I met Bill when I was a kid on the day he was inducted. I was wearing a Yankees cap and a Steelers jersey (I’m a Yankees/Giants fan but figured that I’d wear a Pittsburgh jersey to honor Bill). He laughed when he saw me and jested that I was a confused young man. I explained that I was a Yankees fan but that I wore the jersey because of him and he thanked me. He was very gracious.
Fun fact: As of now, the 1960 World Series is the last time a team from Pittsburgh won a championship at home. The Steelers’ 6 Super Bowl wins were all at neutral sites, both the 1971 and 1979 World Series finished in Baltimore, and all 5 of the Penguins’ championships were won on the road. In fact, the only other time a Pittsburgh team won a championship at home was the 1925 World Series. This means that 14 of Pittsburgh’s 16 championships were won away from Pittsburgh (and 8 of 10 non-Super Bowls).
Hal Smith not even being the best Hal Smith at the time is hilarious. Long live Hal Smith. Don’t think this record is gonna be touched.
As a pirates fan this video is amazing and makes me feel good especially nowadays where nothing but bad and sadnesses happens to this franchise and trust me 1960 lives forever in Pittsburgh that season was Pure MAGIC.
Go Pirates go : )
I'm not certain but this is probably my favorite video of yours. The forgotten history is dusted off. I get goosebumps, but just can't fathom the Forbes Field Crescendo to Fortissimo on Hal & Bill's homemade 4 base sandwiches.
Bill Mazeroski was always a legend in my household growing up. With a polish father from Pittsburgh, always talked about the game 7.
We need a 125 power Bill Mazerozki in MLB The Show for that moment, as well as Hal Smith new legend 👀 lol
Edit: The next day, SDS comes out with a 💎 Mazeroski, coincidence, I think not
A legend Hal Smith would be legendary indeed.
Let’s all push for a postseason Hal Smith card with 125 power
3:10 I already know the Nats are going to be included here
Close. Howie Kendrick's home run in Game 7 was 13th all time.
@@FoolishBaseball so close
I would say that its slightly overrated at 13. After rendon hit the home run and after they took genkie out, i knew we had a shot.
@@steelers3321 Overrated? That's not how it works. This is literally mathematical probability. It's inarguable.
@Thor Christensen: from my admittedly imperfect understanding, WPA is probabilistic, but it’s not super precise and definitely not inarguable. Unlike more recent stats, it doesn’t even take the individual player or team’s stats into account. Not to mention weather, field, double-headers, season-to-season league averages, pitch count, etc.
I love how you introduce these stats. Comprehensive, easy to understand, and without sacrificing anything necessary. GOAT.
This is not only what I think is your best video, but my favourite baseball video of all time. Thank you so much @FoolishBaseball
I am SO THANKFUL YOU MADE THIS VIDEO! I’m a Yankees fan, but I still think this game was the greatest of all time, and Hal Smith’s homer was the magnum opus of clutch. So good. Thank you.
And I thought Roy Face was a legendary name on that Pirates staff.
Kind of surprised Face isn’t in the Hall of Fame considering the career he had.
Love this video. I haven’t watched many video of these old baseball games, the ones with the iconic photos, players, and highlights. Watching this with all the context of the season and series was awesome. Thanks as always Bailey!
I've been binging so many of your videos recently and this one has to be one of my favorites. Just really amazing stuff.
I read a biography on Roberto Clemente, and the Harvey Haddix perfect game reference cracked me up
This is going high on my Baseball Bits tier list
great video Bailey! To me, this is the sweet spot between not being too recent baseball content (21st century) and not too old baseball content (19th to beginning of 20th century). It it cool that the Pirates uploaded this full game at the beginning of the pandemic, I surprised that the quality of video was pretty good. I wish Hal Smith could have been alive to see this video, hopefully this will go viral and bring some more attention to this home run. Also good to see that you got a skillshare sponsorship, bring in that dough Bailey!
Baseball is full of great lore and it doesn’t matter what team it involves. It’s as much about the players as it is the story itself. That’s what makes this unique sport timeless.
You know it’s a good day when Bailey uploads an episode of Baseball Bits!
It's a good day for me too. Hope you enjoy!
@@FoolishBaseball Loved the video and will remember that homerun forever.
Need an update on yordon’s cWPA after the homer he hit in game 6
Bailey once again with a reminder about the beauty of the game of baseball. Every one of these videos reminds me of why I love the game and why we all should.
One of my favourite WPA shifts is Hirotoshi Kitagawa's pennant winning walk off grand slam in 2001
BlueWave 5
Buffaloes 2
Bottom of the 9th, Bases loaded. The Blue Wave had a 67.9% chance of coming away with the win and spoiling the Buffaloes pennant hopes, instead, a career bench bat who'd never played more than 40 games in a season before this year, puts a moonshot into the third deck in Center Field.
beautiful
I want Bailey to do live updates of the tier list. This was a very good one. So great that the film of this game lives on
I was just thinking this!
The best series on CZcams
I'm more into that GeoWizard guy who tries to cross countries in a straight line.
@@FoolishBaseball this is a crossover of two of my favorite channels I did not expect 😳 crossing an MLB stadium in a straight line collab when?
I feel this is the best video yet, using modern stats to highlight aspects of the game most sports fans would never even consider. The epitome of why I enjoy this channel
I got to wear Hal’s World Series ring a few months ago. Very cool to have this video pop up today.
I'd be interested to know what the most WPA or cWPA-changing DEFENSIVE plays were.
Also, as someone who is watching your videos to learn your moves, the transition from Mazeroski's video to the famous photograph was smooth.
i did not plan on watching this full video. what a great fucking video!
clemente is a god here in the burgh, but today ill have a drink for hal smith
I love these breakdowns i’m not the biggest baseball fan but i really enjoy the baseball bits and how far in depth they go!
I've seen all of your Baseball Bits videos and I think this one is my favorite. Excellent job, keep up the great work.
As a pirates fan it’s nice to see the pirates be actually good. To bad this year we might lose 100+
We take wins where we can get em, brother
I love Clemente so much he’s like a God In Puerto Rico
There was an old Baseball Tonight ad where the hosts are around a campfire. One of them complains that, yeah, he likes baseball, but that doesn't mean he knows who played third base for Pittsburgh in 1960.
I always know who Don Hoak is because of that commercial.
you made baseball cool to me again, after 2004 i stopped watch MLB out of frustration but for a year of watching your channel, i now enjoy watching baseball again thanks to you (and to Vlady Jr.)
Here's one for Hal Smith 🍺
He’s back!!
never left
Hal smith I will remember that name it deserves to be remembered
Dude your videos are so good and educational about baseball!!
“Forbes Field... at this moment... is an outdoor insane asylum!“
I would be curious to see something about the second most significant hit, by Tris Speaker in 1912, in game 8*!
Yeah can't believe i have never heard of a game 8 being played. What's that about
@@EE-gv9wt he notes in the bottom of the table that Game 2 was called due to darkness
@@EE-gv9wt the first World Series was actually a best of 9. That’s not why there was a game 8 in 1912, but my point is that it has happened.
@@legochickenguy4938 The three Series from 1919 to 1921 were also best-of-nine.
A touching and fitting tribute. As always, nicely done.
There's nothing more baseball to me than the fact that there were two major league catchers named Hal Smith active at the same time
Here before 200k subscribers
3-1
Here before 306k subscribers
Same
He still doesn’t have 200,000 subs that’s a shame
A WPA video for the "Most important hit" instead of something philosophical about the image of the game?
Excellent premise
Lmao
why do think when number do think for me
@@FoolishBaseball Wtf
@@FoolishBaseball Some say no think not smart but me say this smart content
Fantastic video. This channel never ceases to amaze, keep up the amazing work.
Another video about an important moment lost in the flashbang of a famous one. Thank you for making lesser known or completely forgotten stories heard.
Can’t wait to show this to my dad who will dismiss it out of principle 😎
How can you not be romantic about baseball
This is already one of my favorite videos you have ever created. Bailey, you're a legend
A video that makes me feel GOOD about the Pirates?? You’ve outdone yourself, especially after Will Craig’s game this week
"In fact, Hal Smith wasn't even the most famous catcher named Hal Smith at the time" (11:21). Poor guy was doomed to obscurity... at least until FB got ahold of him.
Nothing poor guy about him. He had a great life and mom got a new Cadillac offer series, lol.
5:55 I came running into the office when I heard "Vinegar Bend Mizell"... First time I've ever heard it mentioned outside of my group of friends. Vinegar Bend (population 187) is just a half hour north of here. We go up there to jump in the river and float down from Vinegar Bend, AL to Moss Point, MS.
This is an awesome video and incredible footage. Great content as always Bailey
The Vinegar Bend Mizell joke genuinely made me laugh out loud.
Thanks for including the highlights of some of these plays. Incredible seeing Mantle diving back to first
11:20 this absolutely blew my mind. old baseball is insane man
Amazing video, immediately one of my favorites that you’ve made.
I LOVE your videos. Great job. I learn something new every time.