A wax statue of Bill Mazeroski immortalizes his game-winning hit during the 1960 World Series. (Photo/D.J. Swank)

The Steelers and the Pirates haven’t shared a home since the days of Three Rivers Stadium, but they were reunited for at least a few days in September at the Senator John Heinz History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

Sports fans and history buffs alike were treated to exhibits that featured some of each franchise’s greatest accomplishments and most memorable moments during the Beat ‘em Bucs and Super Bowl Lombardi Trophy exhibits.

On the fourth floor of the Heinz Center, museum-goers learned about the story of the 1960 Beat ‘Em Bucs.

The 1960 World Series is best remembered for the final play of the final game — a walk-off home run by Bill Mazeroski, the only one ever to end a World Series — but the exhibit touts the whole team, not just the late-game hero.

A timeline stretching across one whole wall of the lobby, made up of news clippings, baseball cards and blurbs of the events leading up to the Series leads into the gallery.

The wall features highlights from each player, as well as highlights of the roster moves made by General Manager Joe L. Brown and Manager Danny Murtaugh.

The gallery itself, however, immediately reminds you who the main character of the story is. Directly across from the gallery’s entrance is the wax effigy of Bill Mazeroski swinging away at the ball that would launch him to infamy.

Next to the statue is a television looping grainy black and white footage of the home run over and over again, with the shot following the ball all the way over the left field fence.

The room also features memorabilia from the stadium itself, uniforms and equipment from the players and baseballs signed by everyone on the roster — even the batboy.

On the opposite wall from the television is a painting by Pittsburgh native Burton Morris entitled “Maz Double Play.”

Even though Maz is perhaps best known for his historic dinger, the painting is a reminder that he was far more renowned as a fielder, and earned eight Gold Gloves in his career — an example of a Pittsburgh sports club thriving on good offense as a result of great defense.

The Steelers used that very formula to win an NFL record six Lombardi Trophies, all of which were on display in the history museum’s Great Hall.

The trophies were housed in a glass case atop a black steel beam with a mural depicting scenes from each game providing the backdrop. Patrons could walk right up to the case to take pictures with the trophies and even read the rosters etched into the silver bases.

This was a rare opportunity for sports fans, according to History Center Director of Communications Ned Schano.

“Typically, the trophies are in the Steelers’ South Side office and away from public view,” Mr. Schano said in an e-mail, “so this is a big deal to have them on display at the History Center.”

While it’s important to remember the past, the sports world always revolves around the question “What have you done for me lately?” Both teams are indeed still making history, but at decidedly opposite ends of the spectrum.

Two years ago the Steelers became the first NFL franchise to win six Super Bowls and Mike Tomlin became the youngest head coach ever to hoist the trophy — as well as only the second black head coach to do so.

The Pirates, on the other hand, are setting a record that encompasses practically all professional sports by securing an 18th consecutive losing season. Today’s Pirates can learn a lot from the 1960 squad, though.

The Beat ‘Em Bucs backed into the playoffs on the strength of a loss by the Cardinals and were heavy underdogs to the Yankees club featuring the likes of Roger Maris, Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle.

The Bucs had to scrape for their success, winning one come-from-behind victory after another in order to end a decade of disappointment in the 1950s.

Today’s Bucs now have two consecutive decades they’d love to forget, and the Steelers are trying to erase the memories of what may be their worst offseason ever, but in a world of “What have you done for me lately,” time — and victories — make the best bandages.

The Super Bowl trophies were on display for only a few days leading up to the kickoff of the 2010 NFL season, but the Beat ‘Em Bucs exhibit will be open until January 2011.

D.J. Swank is a writer who has lived on the Northside since 2009. He graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania in 2007 and his interests include writing, sports and studying artistic media.