A Life Well Spent: Honoring the Late Pirate Bill Virdon

Tuesday afternoon, everyone in the baseball community was saddened due to the death of long-time Pirate Bill Virdon at the age of 90. Although Virdon began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, he finished out the last 11 years as a Pirate. Even after his playing days were done, Virdon continued to be in the game of baseball as a manager for several teams, including our very own Pittsburgh Pirates from in 72 and 73.

When the Pirates, along with the Pittsburgh media, heard of his passing, several heartfelt messages were sent out via social media. Below are just a few of the tweets sent out.

Hate to hear about the passing of Bill “Quail” Virdon. He hit me ground balls as long as his body would let him. Time would pass and Id catch him sitting on bucket. Id tease him and tell him to get up. His response ,” Old age can kiss my as🤭.” That was him. Rest easy my friend pic.twitter.com/PIfpHXx0n8

— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) November 23, 2021

RIP Bill Virdon. A sweet man who always gave me great words and teachings. I always enjoyed his presence in the clubhouse and dugout. God bless him and his family. #BillVirdon @Pirates pic.twitter.com/ehctgSY6yY

— Garrett Jones (@Garrett_GIJones) November 24, 2021

Such a wonderful, wonderful man. One of the all-time great figures in #Pirates history. Thank you, "Quail" for your kindness, knowledge, humility & professionalism. Deepest sympathies to Shirley (married 70 yrs. this past Wednesday) & the Virdon family. https://t.co/AhtspcuXHM

— Greg Brown (@gbrowniepoints) November 23, 2021

RIP. What a legend.
I’ll never forget seeing Mr. Virdon — in those early morning sessions in Bradenton as the fog was lifting — blistering fungos at @TheCUTCH22 and Polanco and Marte and the outfield group. The guy was in his 80s and hitting them missiles. What a legend. https://t.co/oXSk81TYKZ

— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) November 23, 2021

The Hall of Fame remembers Bill Virdon, a member of the @Pirates 1960 World Championship team and later the manager of the Pirates, Yankees, Astros and Expos, who passed away on Tuesday. https://t.co/raKcBLj4sc pic.twitter.com/PVl3HkTsVJ

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) November 23, 2021

We here at Pittsburgh Baseball Now are saddened that such a revered man in the baseball world is now gone. At the age of 90, Mr. Virdon has seen both the pretty and the ugly things in life. When men like Virdon pass, it gets you thinking about appreciating life and who’s in it. So as we mourn Mr. Virdon’s death, let’s take the time to appreciate our life and who we chose to include in it.