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 Once was lost... Pirates' 1979 World Series trophy found behind church
Posted: Friday September 03, 1999 07:49 PM
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The missing gold World Series trophy that the Pittsburgh Pirates won in 1979 turned up behind a Pittsburgh-area church, and the boy who found it scored a visit with the team on Friday. However, it remained unclear exactly how the trophy disappeared from the lobby of the Allegheny Club at Three Rivers Stadium and authorities continued their investigation, now armed with fingerprints taken from the well-traveled trophy. "Maybe somebody's conscience was bothering them and they decided to turn it in," said Detective Donald Pasquarelli said. Andy Offerman, 12, was doing cleanup work Friday morning at a church when he found a black plastic bag outside the back door. He saw the trophy gleaming from the top of the bag and hailed fireman who were conducting a fundraiser in the neighborhood, after which they contacted police. "When I saw it at first I knew what it was, but I didn't want to believe it," Offerman said. He had seen television reports about it being taken. Pasquarelli said the freckle-faced youngster mentioned to police that he was a big fan of the Pirates, and told him he knew the team was back in town Friday for a game against the San Francisco Giants. "It was so cute," Pasquarelli said. "He said, 'Hey officer, I'm free tonight. I don't have anything to do.'" Pasquarelli said he knew someone at the Allegheny Club, and a few phone calls later, the Pirates had arranged for Offerman to meet his favorite player, Warren Morris. He was also given tickets to attend the game with family and friends. Before the game, Offerman walked awestruck across the field and visited in the Pirates dugout with team manager Gene Lamont. He tried on a few hats before finding one that fit just right; Lamont told him to make sure and roll the bill just right. The boy's eyes opened wide as Morris walked up to him. When asked what position he would play, Offerman said second base -- the same as Morris. "You'd better watch out, Mo," Lamont teased. Though he's not old enough to remember the 1979 World Series, when the Pirates won the trophy, Offerman said he knew it was important and wanted to make sure it got back to its proper place. Officials made sure he was the one to put it back into the trophy case. "He's a real good kid, just like out of a movie or something," Sgt. Mark Ninehouser said. There was minor damage to the award; two pennants -- the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics -- were missing. The trophy has rarely left the stadium since it was donated by the Galbreath family, former owners of the team. But sometime between 5:15 and 6 p.m. Wednesday during a private corporate party at the club, the trophy disappeared from an unlocked glass display case. Authorities and a memorabilia expert estimate the value of the trophy at $15,000. Allegheny Club President Kevin Vaughn said they don't think it was a guest who took it. A guard is posted at the stadium entrance to check the guest list for anyone coming in and likely would have noticed someone leaving with something that stands 3 feet tall and weights about 50 pounds. "Now that the trophy is returned, they're in there reviewing all the security measures," Vaughn said. Pittsburgh burglary detectives were questioning employees and some 100 guests who attended the private evening party, which was hosted by a club member. "It must have gone out into the stadium area," Vaughn said. "We have no idea how they got it, actually."
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