Viewing Of Bing Crosby’s 1960 World Series Game 7 Film Set For Saturday In Pittsburgh

From MLB.com:

PITTSBURGH — A copy of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series recently found in the wine cellar of the late Bing Crosby’s home will be shown for the first time at Pittsburgh’s Byham Theater on Saturday.

MLB Network organized the viewing, which will feature host Bob Costas filming interviews with former players throughout the game. Those interviews will be aired during MLB Network’s premier telecast of Game 7 at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 15. The game has not been televised in its entirety since the day the Pirates won their third World Series championship.

Among the guests scheduled to attend Saturday’s event are former Pirates Joe Christopher, ElRoy Face, Bob Friend, Dick Groat, Vernon Law, Bill Mazeroski, Bob Oldis, Hal Smith and Bill Virdon. Also attending are former Yankees infielder Bobby Richardson, Vera Clemente, wife of the late Roberto Clemente, and members of Crosby’s family.

Crosby’s film of the classic World Series game — which ended with Mazeroski’s walk-off homer and a 10-9 Pirates win — is the only known complete copy of that game. It was discovered last December in a vault that included various other tapes and films.

The 2-hour, 36-minute broadcast appeared on NBC on October 13, 1960, with the Yankees’ Mel Allen and the Pirates’ Bob Prince calling the action.

Crosby, who was once a part owner of the Pirates, had the game filmed because he was too nervous to watch. Instead, Crosby traveled to Paris with his wife and listened to the contest on the radio.

In addition to being aired on MLB Network next month, the game will also be released in a commemorative two-DVD set. On Dec. 14, MLB Productions will begin selling “Baseball’s Greatest Games: 1960 World Series Game 7.” This DVD set will include the original 1960 telecast and 60 minutes of additional footage.

Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, By Gosh, It’s Langosch, and follow her on Twitter @LangoschMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.