Summer of Baseball
In celebration of an all-star summer in Pittsburgh, the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum have a grand slam lineup of baseball-related events, exhibits and public programs.

The "Summer of Baseball" includes a new Roberto Clemente photo and online Smithsonian exhibit, a special celebration for the 1971 World Series, a Negro League weekend, and programs for the All-Star Game weekend.

1971 World Series Luncheon
Friday, June 2
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the 1971 World Series, a special luncheon will be held on Friday, June 2, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum to help celebrate one of the greatest Pirates teams of all time. The luncheon, which is open to the public, will allow visitors to mingle with members of the "71 Pirates team and re-live stories from the championship season.

As a special feature of the luncheon, FSN Pittsburgh will premiere highlights of their upcoming show on the '71 team, which includes interviews with former players and video clips from the '71 season.

Tickets for the celebration luncheon are $19.71 and can be purchased by contacting Naomi Horner at 412-454-6372 or nhorner@hswp.org. Tickets must be purchased by May 30.

Roberto Clemente Remembered
Saturday, June 3
The History Center will premiere a new Roberto Clemente photo exhibit and online exhibit that will open on Saturday, June 3.

Roberto Clemente -- Photographs by Les Banos, features more than 40 images of Clemente, dating from 1969 through 1972. Shot by former Pirates team photographer Les Banos, the black & white images show the athleticism, grace, dignity and character that were staples of Clemente's Hall of Fame career.

The images show Clemente in the final years before his tragic death in 1972, and include photographs that have never been seen by the public. Clemente is shown winning the MVP trophy during the 1971 World Series, chasing 3,000 hits, at work with his Pirates teammates, and in quieter moments with his wife, Vera, and young boys. A number of limited edition prints from the exhibit will be available for purchase in the History Center's museum shop.

Included in partnership with the photo exhibit is a unique online exhibit developed by the Smithsonian Institution that highlights the remarkable life and career achievements of Clemente. The online exhibit, titled Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente, will be on display at the History Center beginning on June 3. The site features a virtual exhibit, children's sections with games and activities, and a teacher's resource area with free downloadable curriculum guides.

Cooperstown is Coming to Pittsburgh
Friday, July 7 to Tuesday, July 11
From July 7 to 11, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will call the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum its All-Star home. The Sports Museum will host a series of public programs from Cooperstown that will provide All-Star fans with a chance to step back in baseball history.

Cooperstown outreach programs will include hands-on activities for the whole family that show how baseball uniforms and equipment have changed from the earliest days of the game until today. Actor Greg Kinney will also provide theatre-style performances each day portraying some of Pittsburgh's legendary baseball players, including Roberto Clemente, Josh Gibson, and Willie Stargell. A full schedule of performances will be available in early June.

In conjunction with the All-Star Game and Cooperstown festivities, the Sports Museum will also display featured items from its All-Star collections, including photos, game programs and ticket stubs from All-Star Games played at Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium. To help kick off the All-Star week festivities on Friday, July 7, from 3 to 7 p.m., Rep. Jim Ferlo, the Forbes Field Wall Committee, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum will help to unveil a state historical marker at the last remaining piece of the Forbes Field outfield wall in Oakland. A youth baseball game and public celebration also will be held as part of the event.

Heritage Weekend
Friday, Aug. 11, through Sunday, Aug. 13
Greenlee Field, former home field of the Pittsburgh Crawfords, will be recognized with a Pennsylvania state historical marker on Friday, Aug. 11.

The dedication, held in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Josh Gibson Foundation, and the Sports Museum, will honor Greenlee Field, the first black-owned and built ballpark in the nation. The park opened in 1932 on Bedford Avenue in the Hill District, an area known for its jazz clubs and bustling nightlife, and was home to a number of Negro League Hall of Famers, including Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, "Cool Papa" Bell and Oscar Charleston.

The marker dedication will kick off the Pirates "Heritage Weekend" festivities, scheduled for Aug. 11-13. As part of the weekend celebration, the Sports Museum is planning a series of public programs related to the Negro Leagues, and is also installing updates in the Sports Museum to honor the 2006 Negro League inductees to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.