Bill Mazeroski called it a "perfect day."

"I'm overwhelmed," he said following the ceremonies and festivities surrounding the dedication of his statue outside PNC Park yesterday. "I can't believe this could happen to me, a little guy from a coal town on the Ohio River. Geez, who could have ever dreamed of something like this?"

On the day he turned 74, surrounded by his family and friends and teammates on the 1960 World Series championship team, he saw the veil come off a 14-foot high monument of him in joyful stride after the home run that beat the Yankees 50 years ago.

Then the man known by the single syllable name Maz completed another trip around the bases of a city's heart.

In his 17-year career with the Pirates, during which he established himself as the best defensive second baseman in baseball history, Maz seldom dropped the ball. But the wellspring of tears, flowing like a fourth river, didn't stop until former Pirate Bobby Del Greco stepped from a row of dignitaries and handed him some tissue.

The poignancy began building early. About 90 minutes before the 12:45 p.m. ceremony, the Mazeroski family strolled down Mazeroski Way, a street that ends with a cul de sac where the statue is located. The honoree held the hand of his 5-year-old grandson, Billy, who wore a jersey with the name Maz and a gold No. 9 on it. The rest of the clan, including two other grandkids, followed their lead.

After the unveiling of the statue, Bob Friend, ElRoy Face, Dick Groat and Bill Virdon -- all members of the 1960 champions -- teamed up again to help honor Maz.

After the unveiling, Maz and Milene, his wife of 52 years, were whisked into PNC Park for more honors. They were driven around the warning track in a 1960 Bentley convertible. His feet didn't touch the ground until he emerged to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the game against the Washington Nationals. Neil Walker, heir to the second base position, caught the ball and exchanged pleasantries with his predecessor.

Still to come is the 50th anniversary of that Oct. 13 day, when at 3:36 p.m., his home run disappeared over the red brick wall at Forbes Field and delivered the city's first championship in more than three decades.

He became the fourth Pirates Hall of Famer to be immortalized with a statue. When it was pointed out that Honus Wagner, Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell are all depicted with their bats while he is shown running with his batting helmet in hand, Maz chuckled softly.

"I'm not known for my bat," said Maz, who won eight Gold Glove awards and still owns the single season and career records in double plays.

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