Pirates remember Bob Robertson; so do O's
Missed bunt sign helped ex-Mount Savage slugger, Bucs to '71 World Series title
By Mike Burke, Times-News Sports Writer
Monday, June 6, 2005 9:39 AM EDT
But perhaps Robertson is most famous for the bunt sign he never saw from Pirates third
base coach Frank Oceak at Three Rivers Stadium in Game 3 of the '71 World Series against
the Baltimore Orioles.
"People ask me all the time about the missed bunt sign," Robertson said. "I
didn't know the bunt sign was on. Obviously I didn't see it. I was so focused on what I
was trying to do.
"People forget we were down 2-0 in the series. I was in the on-deck circle and
(Roberto) Clemente was on second and (Willie) Stargell was on first. I never bunted and we
were playing on Astroturf. The only thing I had in mind was, if the ball was close, I
wanted to hit it as far as possible and get something going."
On a replay of the home run, Clemente can be seen trying to call time out as Robertson
swung away, sending the pitch sailing into the bleachers for a three-run home run. It was
not until Robertson returned to the dugout that he realized his "mistake."
"(Orioles 20-game winner Mike) Cuellar threw me a good pitch down and away," Robertson said. "I never hit the ball to right-center, but I got that one.
"I came around the bases, sat down on the bench and Bill Mazeroski came over to tell me the bunt sign was on. I happened to look down to (Pirates manager Danny) Murtaugh, and he had his cap down over his face and he was laughing."
Robertson's three-run home run lifted the Bucs to 5-1 win in Game 3 and propelled them
to a 4-3 World Series win over the Orioles, put in the books when first baseman Robertson
caught the throw from shortstop Jackie Hernandez on a ground ball hit by the Orioles' Merv
Rettenmund.
Rightly, the 1971 World Series will forever be remembered for the electrifying and
inspiring play of the late Roberto Clemente and for the pitching of Steve Blass. But it
was the three-run home run by the Mount Savage High School graduate, Bob Robertson, that
ended up being the key hit of the series.
"They say (Orioles manager) Earl Weaver was a stickler for not missing signs,"
Robertson mused. "I'm sure he still doesn't think too much of me for missing that
one."
The Orioles return to Pittsburgh tonight to open a three-game interleague series with the
Pirates. It will be the Birds' first visit to Pittsburgh since the 1979 World Series,
which the Bucs also won in seven games, and while Three Rivers Stadium is no longer
standing, the replay of Robertson's home run is bound to be shown over the course of the
next three nights at PNC Park and over the Orioles and Pirates television networks.
"People always bring up the missed bunt sign," said Robertson, who lives in
LaVale with his wife Carolyn. "I missed the bunt sign, obviously, and it's a good
thing I did. The 1971 World Series was a great series. It was great for our area because
you had the Orioles and the Pirates, and this week it's the same thing. It brings good
interest to the area. Some people are for Baltimore, and some are for Pittsburgh.
"I do think the interleague is good, especially good for Pittsburgh and for the
Orioles."
Robertson, who is employed by Bayliner, says he will watch the games on television,
forgoing a return to Pittsburgh, the city where many of his historic baseball
accomplishments took place.
"It's just a strange feeling for me sitting in the stands," Robertson said,
"but, sure, I'll be watching at home."
And he'll remember.
"I remember staying at the Lord Baltimore Hotel (in Baltimore) after we lost the
sixth game (of the '71 World Series). We got on the bus and went down to Memorial Stadium
and won the seventh game, 2-1. I guess that's one of the high points of my career."
Next week: The high point of Bob Robertson's 11-year major league career and what keeps
him busy today.