Posts by John Dreker

John Dreker

2129 posts

Card of the Day: 1952 Topps Monty Basgall

Today at 12:01 am

Today’s Card of the Day comes from the 1952 set, and it features Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Monty Basgall, who played for the club during the 1948-49 and 1951 seasons. Today’s Pirates daily history article has six former players who were born on February 8th, but they offer almost no…

This Date in Pittsburgh Pirates History: February 8th, Pie and Cookie

This Date in Pittsburgh Baseball History

Today at 12:01 am

Six former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date. Felix Pie, outfielder for the 2013 Pirates. He was originally signed by the Chicago Cubs as an international amateur free agent at 16 years old in 2001 out of the Dominican Republic. After hitting .321 in 2002, with 43 runs, 33…

Card of the Day: 1960 Topps Roman Mejias

Card of the Day

Yesterday at 11:54 am

Today is a busy day for birth dates of former Pittsburgh Pirates players. Our daily history article today has updated/extended bios for nine former players. One of the updates included something I’ve never done for a player before. That update led to our featured player today, who is not among…

This Date in Pittsburgh Pirates History: February 7th, Adrian Brown Leads Off a Busy Day

This Date in Pittsburgh Baseball History

Yesterday at 12:02 am

Nine former Pittsburgh Pirates born on this date. Adrian Brown, outfielder for the 1997-2002 Pirates. As a low draft pick (48th round in 1992) out of high school, he moved slowly through the minors, not making it to Double-A until the middle of his fifth season in pro ball. Brown…

Card of the Day: 1990 Pacific Legends Dale Long

Card of the Day

6 Feb at 12:01 am

Today is a great day for hitters in Pittsburgh Pirates history. You have Glenn Wright, an outstanding defensive and offensive shortstop during the 1920’s, who gets lost in the Pirates Hall of Fame shortstop run of coming after Honus Wagner and Rabbit Maranville, and before Arky Vaughan. You have Smoky…

This Date in Pittsburgh Pirates History: February 6th, Wright, Zisk, Burgess, Long and Alvarez

This Date in Pittsburgh Baseball History

6 Feb at 12:01 am

Seven former Pittsburgh Pirates born on this date and five of them were significant contributors. Zack Collins, first baseman/catcher for the 2022 Pirates. He was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds out of high school in the 27th round in 2013. He decided to attend the University of Miami, where…

Card of the Day: 1963 Topps Ted Savage

Card of the Day

5 Feb at 12:02 am

I recently found out that 1963 Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Ted Savage passed away at the age of 85 on January 15th. Once I learned of his passing, I put him on the next open date on the schedule for a Card of the Day article. Coincidentally, today’s This Date in…

This Date in Pittsburgh Pirates History: February 5th, Don Hoak Headlines a Quiet Day

This Date in Pittsburgh Baseball History

5 Feb at 12:01 am

Four former Pittsburgh Pirates born on this date, including a key member of the 1960 World Series champs. Don Hoak, third baseman for the 1959-62 Pirates. He spent seven seasons in the minors for the Brooklyn Dodgers before he got his first shot at the big leagues in 1954 at…

Card of the Day: 1921 Exhibits Possum Whitted

Card of the Day

4 Feb at 12:02 am

Today’s Card of the Day player has appeared in this series once before. Possum Whitted won’t be a regular here because he didn’t have many cards made during his 2 1/2 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His first article was posted here two years ago today on what would have…

This Date in Pittsburgh Pirates History: February 4th, Lefty, Possum and Plesac

This Date in Pittsburgh Baseball History

4 Feb at 12:02 am

Six former Pittsburgh Pirates born on this date. Dan Plesac, pitcher for the 1995-96 Pirates. He was a lefty reliever with nine years experience when the Pirates signed him as a free agent on November 9, 1994. He ended up playing 18 seasons in the majors. Plesac was highly touted…