OnlyBucs

I was lucky enough to have grown up in the late 60s and early 70s. I loved the pirates, idolizing Clemente, Stargell, and really liked Oliver (who is vastly underrated), Hebner, and Sanguillen. But, like many kids I also came to favor more obscure players. I loved Richie Zisk. I thought he was fantastic (after coming to grips with the loss of Clemente). Zisk was a quality hitter but was very limited defensively, a fact a 10-yr old boy cared not a whit. Later, my hero was Mike Easler. Both trades broke my heart.
Incidentally, Zisk was traded for two of the worst hitters in history. Once the package included Rick Auerbach and another trade featured Mario Mendoza.

icantwatch2 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 2:04 am I was lucky enough to have grown up in the late 60s and early 70s. I loved the pirates, idolizing Clemente, Stargell, and really liked Oliver (who is vastly underrated), Hebner, and Sanguillen. But, like many kids I also came to favor more obscure players. I loved Richie Zisk. I thought he was fantastic (after coming to grips with the loss of Clemente). Zisk was a quality hitter but was very limited defensively, a fact a 10-yr old boy cared not a whit. Later, my hero was Mike Easler. Both trades broke my heart.
Incidentally, Zisk was traded for two of the worst hitters in history. Once the package included Rick Auerbach and another trade featured Mario Mendoza.

I might be a little older than you, but I saw my first game in 1961. I fell in love with baseball. Started buying baseball cards, listening to games on kdka. I too liked Clemente, Stargell, but my favorite was Clendenon. When the young kids such as Hebner, Oliver, Robertson,Cash and Sangy arrived in the late 1960s it was fun to be a Pirates fan. In the early 1970s Zisk and Parker arrived. Two World Series Champions in the 1970s. Those were fun years to say the least. Regarding the Pirates trade for Zisk in 1976, he was traded for Goose Gossage, and Terry Forester. Unfortunately all 3 players became free agents and moved to other teams after the 1977 season. In 1977 we had a very strong bullpen with Gossage, and Forester. Yes I am older, but 2025 baseball doesn’t seem as exciting as those previous years. I still enjoy the Pirates, but I get upset because we have an owner who doesn’t care about putting a more competitive team on the field.

I got Zisk's autograph at the Butler Mall (along with someone I can't remember). He seemed like a nice guy. I had a friend in college who claimed he was a pot head in high school. I was sorry to see him go but it turned out that Gossage and Forster almost helped them get the division title.

I always rooted for him and was tremendously impressed with his hustle on defense his first year as a Buc. He got a lot of assists, not because of a strong arm but because the opponent didn't think he would get to the ball as quickly as he did. I thought he was a player who hustled and was impressed.

Zisk batted .290-29-109 in Triple A in 1971, for his efforts was returned to Triple A for all of 1972. .290-26-86.

Zisk was outstanding. Hated to see him go. He had a good career. The trade that was mentioned occurred when Zisk was traded from Texas to Seattle. It was an 11-player deal. Auerbach, Zisk and 4 others went to Seattle while Mendoza and 4 others went to Texas.

Imagine being Zisk in 1971/72. You’re hitting so well but ahead of you are Clemente, Stargell, Oliver, and Gene Clines. Clines looked good but couldn’t win the job in 1973. Don’t remember why. (I was 10 then so I missed a lot.). All I really recall was Sangy trying RF so Milt May could catch. Didn’t work and Zisk became the guy. I fell for him immediately. I recall an announcer kind of overlooking him because another OF- some Parker dude- was coming along in minors.

In those days we had stud hitters falling out of trees. Now we can’t find two. Times they are a’changing.

icantwatch2 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 1:30 am Imagine being Zisk in 1971/72. You’re hitting so well but ahead of you are Clemente, Stargell, Oliver, and Gene Clines. Clines looked good but couldn’t win the job in 1973. Don’t remember why. (I was 10 then so I missed a lot.). All I really recall was Sangy trying RF so Milt May could catch. Didn’t work and Zisk became the guy. I fell for him immediately. I recall an announcer kind of overlooking him because another OF- some Parker dude- was coming along in minors.

Clines had no power, which is a detriment to a corner OFer. He was always best suited as a 4th OFer, PHer.