Community Corner

Former Pirate Steve Blass Signs Autographs, Meets With Fans at Penguin Bookshop

Blass was at the Penguin Bookshop on Saturday signing copies of his new autobiography, "A Pirate for Life."

Dan Curry remembers growing up as a youth watching Steve Blass pitch for one of baseball’s best teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“He was a hero when I was a kid,” said Curry, 55, of Oakmont, joined by his wife, Lori, in a Pirates T-shirt.

Curry was one of many fans Saturday who ventured to Sewickley to meet Blass. The 1971 World Series great was at the  to sign autographs as part of the release of his new autobiography, A Pirate for Life, which he collaborated on with professional writer Erik Sherman.

Find out what's happening in Sewickleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kate Weiss-Duncan, book store manager, estimated about 150 people came through during the two-hour book-signing event. 

As fans waited, they were treated to refreshments with a ball park flair, hot dogs from and beer from .

Find out what's happening in Sewickleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Curry said he met Blass previously, but wanted to catch his childhood hero again.

“He wrote a book and I have to have a book with his signature,” he said.

Sewickley Manager Kevin Flannery said Blass is quite charitable. He met Blass previously while working on his golf outing committee. He said Blass works with the Pittsburgh Pirates charity and gives to youth groups and organizations outside of baseball. Blass and his wife Karen live in Upper St. Clair.

“He’s a good guy,” Flannery said. “He has great baseball stories. He’s unbelievably funny and entertaining.”

Blass, now 70, was part of the memorable Pittsburgh Pirates team of the 1960s and early 1970s that included Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski. In A Pirate For Life, Blass shares stories from the era both on and off the field.

The title of the book's first chapter says it all, "They Named a Disease After Me." The All-Star pitcher woke up one day to the mysterious reality that he could no longer find the strike zone. 

According to his book, he had never had a sore arm until then. After a two-year struggle, he gave in and was finished at the prime of his career at age 32.  

Though he isn’t old enough to remember Blass in his heydey, Ryan Brown, 13, of Sewickley, said he was well aware of Blass’s professional record.

“I do know of him and his pitching,” he said.

A self-described “huge Pirates fan,” Ryan was glowing after his encounter with Blass.

“I’m the biggest Pirates fan,” said Ryan, a statement quickly confirmed by his mom, Kim, and grandmother, Charlotte, also of Sewickley.

Chrissie Johns said her husband is a big fan so she bought the book Monday for his birthday and wanted to get it autographed, along with a copy for her 10-year-old son K.C. Johns bought another two copies for other July birthdays. 

“It’s exciting, yeah, and it’s cute to see the young kids get excited,” said Johns, 40, of Glen Osborne, who waited with her son and 7-year-old daughter. 

Blass laughed with fans, took photos and signed books. Some fans even brought along memorabilia, like 10-year-old Nick Merriman, who presented a baseball and had his photo taken with the Pittsburgh icon.

“Did you catch it or have to chase it?” Blass asked, signing the ball.

“I had to chase it,” Nick replied.

Blass has been part of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization since 1960 and has seen the Bucs through good times and bad. The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently in first place in the National League Central division. 

When asked what he thinks about the season thus far, Blass was quick to give a optimistic assessment.   

“I’m liking them. I’ve got my fingers crossed, but I’m liking them,” Blass said.

--

Pirate-turned-broadcaster Steve Blass will be at Northern Tier Library in Richland Township from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, to talk about his new book.

 "A Pirate for Life" will be available for purchase and signing. Reservations are not required, but appreciated as refreshments will be served.

 

Keeping up with news in the Sewickley Patch is easy—simply sign up for our daily email newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Sewickley