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1960 World Series Photo Gallery
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Here’s Something All Baseball History Fans Will Enjoy! 

One of my Twitter followers, Bill Presson, recently sent me a copy of the featured photo below. It’s the classic photo of Bill Mazeroski rounding third after hitting his historic walk-off home run to win the seventh game of the 1960 World Series played on October 13, 1960.

We’ve all seen the photo. But what makes it even more interesting for us is that Bill told me he’s friends with the guy on the right!

That’s right…His name is Ken Simons, now 71, residing in Florida, and still a Pirates’ fan. Bill put me in touch with Ken, and I sent him some questions, asking for his reflections on this famous photo. Here’s what I sent to Ken and his response to my questions:

Can you briefly share a little bit about yourself? 

“I live in Jacksonville Florida. I moved from Pittsburgh over 30 years ago to California and then here. I’m married, three children. I’m General Manager of Recordkeeping Software for Ubiquity Retirement.”

Are you a lifelong Pirates fan?  Do you still follow the Pirates?  

“I’ve been a Pirate fan since the 1950s when Dale Long had eight homers in eight consecutive games.  I used to listen to Bob Prince on my transistor radio!”

How old were you at the time?

“At the time of Maz’ homer, I was 13.”

Did you attend a lot of games that year or was this the only one?

“I went to many games as a member of the “knothole” club. I went to lots of weekend games and many other games where we would stand outside Forbes Field and wait for them to open the exit gates which they always did in the bottom of the 7th!  We could also go to the 17th floor of the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh and watch from there!”  

Where were you sitting during this game?

“For Game Seven, I was in the third base boxes about 15 rows up and near the dugout.  I went to three World Series games that year. For the first game, I sat in the right field upper deck with my father. The next two games I was by myself with tickets that I got from my Uncle (my uncle was a connected gambler!).”

Was your decision to go out on the field a spontaneous one, or were you planning it?

“It was a spur of the moment basically.  As soon as the ball was hit, it was very obvious it was a homer. When Yogi Berra (playing left field) turned around to watch it, I took off for the field.”

Did anyone else you were with run out on the field with you? 

“Many people ran on the field. There simply was no security like you see today.  If you watch the highlights you will notice an older gentleman in a sport coat at shortstop with his fedora in his hand. I always wondered how he got out there!”

Did you have any trouble getting onto the field from where you were sitting?

“None whatsoever!”

Did you follow Maz all the way to the plate?

“I tried to touch him as he rounded third (look for the kid with hat in hand) and then ran down the line. I thought I would try to steal home plate, but there were simply way too many people there by then. It was the first World Series in 33 years for the Pirates.  Now it’s even longer since 1979!” 

What did you do after the game ended?

“I celebrated on the field and on the streets.  We went downtown later for the city-wide celebration.”

Do you have any souvenirs from the game?

“I did at one time. I had many baseball souvenirs, which for many years were with my parents.  When I moved to California and bought a condo, my mom sent them all to me. A year so later, I lost my home and all of my possessions (except the clothes I was wearing and the car my wife and I drove away in), because of Painted Cave Fire in Santa Barbara.  There’s a funny story about my claim which listed “Pirate team sets for many years.” The insurance company at first denied that as they said Topps told them they didn’t sell team sets back then.  I said I had team sets, but I didn’t buy them. I bought cards and each team has a checklist card and when you got all the players on that card, you had a team set!  They rechecked and finally said OK.” 

Did anyone try to stop you from going out on the field or try to get you off?

“Nope. It was a mass celebration.  Literally no security other than ushers!”

Did you get in any kind of trouble for running out on the field?

“Nope!”

Did you ever have any contact with Maz afterward? Or anyone else from the Pirates?

“After the fire, my brother called them and they sent some other balls with autographs.”  

Have you ever been contacted by any news organizations over the years about the photo?

“I had a 15 minute interview with Chick Ludwig from Cincinnati Sports Radio. There used to be a sports bar in downtown Cincinnati that had the picture on the wall. My best friend knew the bartender, who asked me to sign the wall.  I got free beer thereafter – was always on the house!”

What’s your most vivid memory about the 1960 World Series, the home run, and your running on to the field?

“The Pirates had a two-run lead going into the ninth and the Yankees tied it because of a misplay by first baseman Rockey Nelson [which allowed the tying run to score]. Hal Smith had put them ahead with a three-run home run in the eighth. If the Pirates don’t make that misplay, Hal Smith is the hero, Maz doesn’t make the Hall of Fame, and I go home happy!  Funny thing is, if you listen to the replay of the TV broadcast, the announcer gives the wrong score and the wrong pitcher for the Yanks!”  

Over 50 years later, do you still think about it?

“Yes, every year at World Series time. It’s still the only World Series in history to end with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth of the seventh game, so the highlights are on every year!”

What has it meant to you being a part of Pirate history?

“My 15 seconds of fame, lots of great stories and plenty of free drinks!”

Thanks Ken!

Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: From e-mail exchange with Ken Simons

Check out my two books, both now available on Amazon in e-book and paperback:  “Paul Pryor in His Own Words: The Life and TImes of a 20-Year Major League Umpire” and “Memorable World Series Moments.” All profits go to the Illinois Veterans Foundation