Helmar “This Great Game” Card #26 – Bill Mazeroski (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Helmar’s portrait of Bill Mazeroski shows him poised and focused, bat held high, eyes turned toward the unseen pitcher. The golden batting cage behind him glows with sunlight, contrasting with the cool tones of his Pirates uniform, creating a powerful composition that blends calm anticipation with quiet strength. The artist’s careful modeling of form and color conveys the essence of Mazeroski’s game—steady, balanced, and purposeful. Behind him, a small figure practicing at the cage adds depth to the scene, reinforcing the rhythm and routine of baseball life. It’s an evocative image that captures both the discipline and serenity of one of the game’s great second basemen.

Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1936, Bill Mazeroski became a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Pirates for 17 seasons, known as perhaps the finest defensive second baseman of his era. A ten-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner, Mazeroski combined flawless fielding with a steady bat and an instinct for clutch performance. His place in baseball history was forever sealed on October 13, 1960, when he hit the walk-off home run in Game 7 of the World Series, defeating the mighty New York Yankees and bringing the championship to Pittsburgh. That moment remains one of the most iconic in the sport’s history—the only Game 7 World Series to end on a home run. Mazeroski’s skill, grit, and humility made him a beloved figure both in Pittsburgh and across the league. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series captures the enduring moments and personalities that define baseball’s spirit. Card No. 26 honors Bill Mazeroski—a player whose quiet excellence and unforgettable heroics still echo through the ages.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.