Steve Blass from the Chronology

Sep 26, 1972 - The Pirates Steve Blass wins his 19th‚ defeating the Phillies‚ 5-1. Billy Champion‚ relieving in the 2nd‚ takes his 11th straight defeat.

May 1, 1972 - Jim Wynn hits a grand slam and Edward hits a 3-run homer to help the Astros edge the Pirates‚ 9-8. Both homers come off Steve Blass. Jim "Sting" Ray‚ who pitches the last 2 innings‚ wins his 4th straight.

Oct 17, 1971 - Steve Blass hurls a 4-hitter and Clemente homers as the Pirates win game 7 of the WS 2-1‚ becoming World Champions for the first time since 1960. After the game‚ 40‚000 people riot in downtown Pittsburgh; at least 100 are injured‚ some seriously.

Oct 12, 1971 - As the Series moves to Pittsburgh‚ Steve Blass 3-hits the Orioles 5-1 to give the Pirates their first win.

Sep 5, 1969 - Billy Williams has all 4 of Chicago's hits‚ as the Cubs lose a 9-2 decision to Steve Blass and the Pirates. There's nothing cheap about Billy's hits-two doubles and two homers-as he sets an NL record for most hits in a game with no other hits‚ tying the ML record of Norm Elberfeld (August 1‚ 1903). Blass helps his own cause with his only ML homer‚ a 3-run blast‚ off Ken Holtzman‚ and 3 singles. The win is Pittsburgh's first at Wrigley since July 5‚ 1968‚ a string of 13 losses. They'll win the next 2 to sweep the series and drop the Cubs lead to 2 1/2 games.

Aug 17, 1969 - After the Pirates open with 5 runs in the first inning‚ the Reds answer with 4 tallies as Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan‚ the first two Reds hitters in the game‚ belt homers off Pittsburgh's Steve Blass. It's a record-setting 2nd time this year that the duo has led off a game this way: Don Drysdale was greeted on April 7th with double dingers. It's Pittsburgh day‚ however‚ as they win‚ 8-5.

Sep 24, 1968 - Steve Blass records his 3rd shutout in a row‚ defeating the Reds‚ 2-0‚ and beating Gary Nolan. For Nolan‚ it is his first defeat after 7 straight wins‚ while Blass wins his 9th straight for the Pirates.

Aug 31, 1968 - Steve Blass gets the first out against the Braves‚ and then moves to LF as Roy Face relieves. Face retires Felix Millan and ties Walter Johnson's ML record of 802 pitching appearances with one club. Blass comes back to pitch and the Pirates go on to win 8-0. Blass will not get credit for the shutout but will still lead the NL in shutouts with 7. Late in the game‚ the Pirates announce the sale of Elroy Face to the Detroit Tigers.