Sad Day In The Fam-A-Lee

The last World Series the Pirates won was in 1979 and the way things are going they may never win another title.
The manager of that fun, exiting team led by Pops Stargell, was Chuck Tanner. The long-time big league skipper passed away today in New Castle, Pennsylvania, the town he was born in 81 years ago.
Tanner, who played in the majors with the Braves (Milwaukee), Cubs, Indians and Angels hit .261 over the course of 8 seasons with 21 homers. One of those home runs came during his first at-bat in the big leagues with the Braves. First pitch, home run off Gerry Staley of the Reds in 1955. Nice start to a career.
But he'll always be remembered as the manager of the "We Are Family" Bucs in 1979.
I remember that series well. I was a senior in high school and had a $5 bet with Tommy Carbone on the series. I had the Orioles and when the Baltimores went up 3-1 in the series, I told Tommy he might as well pay me now. Well, a few days later, when the Pirates took the series in Game 7 (Stargell the key blow, a 2-run homer off Scotty McGregor in the 6th inning. That gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead and they went on to win 4-1) I had to eat a crap sandwich and give Tommy 5-bucks. That was a lot of money to a high school kid in those days. Shoot, it's still a lot of money to me. I don't like to lose $5 anytime.
A few years later, when I was doing my radio internship for KQV radio in Pittsburgh in 1984, I had to cover the Pirates and frequently was in Chuck Tanner's office after games getting sound bites.
When the Pirates played at Shea Stadium that summer, I took a trip back to New York and got a media credential for the three game series. Prior to batting practice before one of the games, (I think it was the second game) I was walking in the visiting dugout, just looking around and thinking it was pretty neat to be there. Sitting in the dugout, by himself was Chuck Tanner. He recognized me and patted the padded bench next to him, inviting to me to take a seat. I've had a bunch of managers tell me to take a seat, but this was the first big league manager to tell me so. I sat down and we talked for about 20-minutes. He mostly asked me questions and the fact he took an interest in some radio intern made a big impression.
I haven't heard anyone say anything bad about Chuck Tanner and for good reason. He was a genuinely nice guy and a very good manager. And he hit a home run on the first pitch he saw in the Major Leagues. That is so cool.
Baseball lost a great one today. Unfortunately, too many of the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates have passed away. Willie Stargell, Bill Robinson, Jim Bibby, Dock Ellis and "The Hammer" John Milner. Now Chuck Tanner. RIP Skip.