The fans speak out. (Letters To The Editor).(Letter to the Editor)

On June 2, 1973, I was the honorary batboy at a Pittsburgh Pirates game. I didn't get to go on the field and retrieve bats, but I did get to watch the game from the Pirates' bench that day.

I was a bit star-struck as an impressionable 11-year old kid. I can't remember a thing about that game except wrestling with pitcher Steve Blass, seeing my name on the Three Rivers Stadium scoreboard and receiving a baseball that has the date on it and was signed by most of the `73 Pirates.

I came across that baseball and thought of my dad who is now gone. He was a member of the media in Southwestern Pennsylvania and pulled a few strings to get me in the dugout that day. This is one of the most sentimental memories I have of my father.

Can you tell me who the Pirates played that day and how the game went?

 
Jeff Bird 
Auburn, Wash. 

On that date, a Saturday afternoon, the Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 4-3, for their sixth consecutive victory with Doc Ellis picking up the win, Dave Giusti getting the save and Jack Billingham being charged with the loss.

The Reds scored an unearned run in the first inning, but Pittsburgh came back with three in their half of the first on singles by Dave Cash and Manny Sanguillen, a double by Richie Hebner, a walk to Willie Stargell and an infield out.