The year 1966 was an odd one. It gave us Batman (the original campy TV series, not the brooding, depressing movie version) and that weird pop song “Winchester Cathedral.” B-52 bombers pounded Hanoi, and a homely, murderous man named Richard Speck horrified the nation.
In the midst of all this, the Pirates emerged as contenders for the National League pennant. By July 17 — a hot, sunny Sunday — the Bucs had a chance to take sole possession of first place. All they needed to do was sweep a double-header against the San Francisco Giants.
Fans gathered outside the park hours before gametime and waited for the gates to open. One line snaked down Sennott Street and ended deep inside Schenley Park. Police struggled to keep traffic moving as fans stood six-abreast in the street.
Pirates officials said the games were a sell-out, but provided 1,000 “standing room only” tickets shortly before the first pitch. More than 35,000 people crammed into the stadium.
A series of photographs in the PG archive shows the crowd from several different angles inside Forbes Field, a place where I-beams framed (and sometimes blocked) views of the field. Fans in the bleachers sat on benches that seem little bigger than a 2×4 boards. Crushed paper cups and crumpled food wrappers litter the concrete at their feet.
Some men wore ties, but most wore pull-over shirts. Women wore summer dresses or knee-length shorts. A number of people donned hats — fedoras, Panama hats, baseball caps, sombreros. Some created hats from that day’s newspaper, which blared fearful headlines about the manhunt for Speck.
The Bucs won the first game, 7-4. Steve Blass took the mound for game two, and the Pirates cruised to a 7-1 victory. At day’s end, the Bucs stood alone atop the National League. Pirate fever swept the city.
Pittsburghers daydreamed of a past magical season, one that ended in October 1960 with a Bill Mazeroski home run sailing over Forbes Field’s left field wall and everyone (except Yankee fans) going nuts. ‘It can happen again,” Pirate fans thought.
Only it didn’t. The Bucs held on to first place for 53 days, then blew their chances in the last week of the season, losing three straight to … wait for it … the San Francisco Giants. Maz fanned for the final out of the campaign and the team finished in third place, behind the Dodgers and the Giants.
The Pirates roster that year included Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Matty Alou, Elroy Face and Steve Blass, now a Pirates broadcast announcer. Many would, in years to come, bring glory to the city.
But in 1966, it wasn’t to be. “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel was big that year. The song could have been the theme in Forbes Field once the World Series came around.
Beautiful journalism. Clemente was MVP in 66. Thanks a bunch Steve.
I saw my first game at Forbes Field in 1959 at the age of 7 against Stan Musial and the Cardinals
Some of the photos are flipped. The one with Litchfield towers in the background can only have been taken from the stands looking between 1st and 2nd, but since the photo is flipped, it looks like it’s between 2nd and 3rd.
Good catch. We’ve corrected the image and notice that Roberto Clemente is in right field.
Great shots Steve. I’ve seen hundreds of photos of Forbes Field, but I’ve never seen these. Thanks for the memories!!
July, 1966…the month and year I left my heart in a city and it wasn’t San Francisco….My dad was transferred to Houston, Texas and I was moved from the city where I was born, raised and I loved. Ironically for this story, my husband was transferred to the San Francisco Bay area where we have lived for 30 years….across the Bay and through a tunnel. Baseball-wise? Oakland fans…and a big piece of my heart will always be in Pittsburgh. These pictures bring back such memories….especially of those really special times when we actually got to go to Forbes Field…Nostalgia at its best! :-) Thanks!
Wow! Great article, Steve. The 1966 Bucco campaign is still my personal favorite. You really stirred up some wonderful memories. While we’re on the topic of baseball reminisces, do you recall the doubleheader that the Pirates played against the Dodgers on September 2nd in 1965? I was fortunate to be sitting in the bleachers with my Dad that evening. The Bucs won both ends of that twi-nighter, defeating both Sandy Koufax AND Don Drysdale. I’m sure that was an occurrence that rarely happened, if ever.
Oops! The doubleheader that I referred to previously was actually played on September 1, not on the 2nd. Sorry for the misinformation — memory can indeed be a leaky barque.
Love seeing the pictures of Forbes Field. I was born and raised in Oakland. Remember the 1960 Pirates and the excitement of the day of the win. I moved years ago but still love the “Burgh”‘
I had trouble picturing where Forbes Field was in relation to the Hillman LIbrary picture until I realized that Forbes Quad obviously wasn’t there. I had forgotten about home plate being by the bathrooms on the ground floor.
I well remember the 1966 season despite being just 14. The Pirates were playing so well that Commissioner Eckert had granted the club permission to print World Series tickets just in case they would win the pennant. Somehow, Dad was able to purchase two tickets which I actually held in my hand. In the end, he redeemed them at Mellon Bank for a full refund. Now, 49 years later, I wish I had those tickets. 1966 was Clemente’s best-ever season and how shocking it was to see Matty Alou win the National League Batting Title in his first season as a Bucco.
[…] Step inside Forbes Field in the summer of ’66. Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh […]
Involved in a Navy swearing in ceremony in June, 1956. Don’t remember the exact number of enlisted but there were quite a few.Contacted Pirates for info numerous times and have yet to hear back from them. (60 years). They should have some info.
I worked as a non union vendor at Forbes Field in 1964 and had a friend named Ernest who was an African American.
I have been trying to find him with no luck for several years and without a last name it was more difficult. I live in Texas but visit family in the Pittsburgh area a few times a year.
I heard there were some sign in logs on line for all vendors and could not find them.
Boy she was an awesome park! Other than wishing I had read this on Fathers’ Day weekend, the article is perfect. I remember going with my dad to watch the Pirates a few times in the 1960s and walking down the slight decline as we approached he entrance. I was 10 when we attended our last game together against the dreaded Phillies—we lost. My dad suddenly passed away before summer came again, but my love of Pirate baseball remains with me.
Forbes Field evokes so many fond memories. I was a young boy from Alabama spending the summer with my daddy. I would walk to Forbes Field from 1501 Caldwell Street to watch Roberta Clemente in right field. Memories I will never forget.
Went to my first Pirates game in 1947, at the age of 2, and had my picture taken with Clyde Klutz, catcher. Saw too many games to count, including the All-Star game in ‘59 and ‘60 World Series games, culminating in the last game at Forbes. I loved Forbes Field and wish it could have been saved, pillars and all. Saw a ton of games at Three Rivers, including the first and last games there, and ‘71 and ‘79 World Series games. Also attended first game at PNC. Still a fan, but …
The 66 team was really good. It took Sandy Koufax’ last season and 27 (count em) wins to nose out the Bucs.
1966 – one of my absolute favorite seasons as a young Pirate fan. What a team, it was the best! Recently came across one of the Long Ball Fans distributed by Iron City during a series with the Dodgers that summer. Pirate fans waved them to either help Pirates’ fly balls out of the park, or to keep Dodger fly balls in play. Don Drysdale, the Dodger ace, refused to pitch due to the constant motion he faced from the stands. I remember a lot of booing…. but don’t remember if fans really stopped waving them. What a fun night.