Inside the bond between Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin and Mazeroski family

BRADENTON, Fla. — The first time Konnor Griffin walked past the gigantic bronze statue outside of PNC Park’s right-field gate, he examined the depiction of Bill Mazeroski and stood there awestruck, taking an extra moment to appreciate the Hall of Fame second baseman’s immense legacy.

Griffin’s wheels then began to turn in a way that shows his uncommon maturity and thought process.

“My first thought was, ‘Man, it would’ve been cool to play with him,’ ” Griffin said. “To have the same impact that he did and try to bring a World Series to Pittsburgh like he did.”

Griffin carving out his own legacy in Pittsburgh has been at the forefront of fans’ minds this spring, but the relationship with Mazeroski — a seven-time All-Star and Pirates legend who died Feb. 20 at age 89 — extends far beyond a baseball field.

They’re linked by Bill’s son Darren, a scout for the Pirates who signed Griffin out of Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood, Miss., impressing the ninth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft with his exhaustive work and forming a relationship with the Griffin family that exists to this day.

Although Griffin's background includes zero red flags — he’s unfailing humble, doesn’t swear and attends church every day — Mazeroski “went the extra mile” when it came to getting to know Konnor’s parents, Kevin and Kim, as well as Konnor’s wife, Dendy, and her family.

All of it made an impression on Griffin, who remains close with Darren Mazeroski to this day.

“He takes his job very seriously,” Konnor Griffin said. “He did the in-home visit with us. Was at a ton of games. Came to watch me train at my facility.

“It was funny. We have a running joke with our family. We knew I would be a Pirate because Darren was the only scout to do some background digging on Dendy and her family. He went the extra mile. We know he really cares.”

That he was able to build that trust with Griffin and his family says something about the younger Mazeroski, who joined the Pirates in 2005. It never came off as obnoxious or prying. Mazeroski knew Griffin could play and wanted to demonstrate how serious the Pirates about bringing him into the organization.

“We knew he was out for the right reasons,” Konnor Griffin said. “He just wanted to find out who I was, even away from the baseball field. That meant a lot.”

Similar to how his dad handled the attention that came with his iconic home run to end the 1960 World Series, Darren Mazeroski maintains an aw-shucks sort of approach to scouting Griffin.

He was just doing his job, Darren will tell you. The scout is also quick to add that he’s only one small part; there’s a small village of people who’ve worked to make a situation like this possible.

Plus, Konnor Griffin is a such a good kid and a talented baseball player that he continually makes everyone’s job easy.

“Whenever you meet him, obviously it’s great,” Mazeroski said. “The next time you talk to him, maybe you think it won’t come across the same way. But it’s the same every time, no matter the setting, no matter the situation or who he’s talking to.”

That seemed to resonate with Bill Mazeroski, right up until his death. Although Bill’s health was a struggle in his final months, Darren said he’d always ask about Konnor Griffin, intrigued by someone with a relatively uncommon build for a shortstop.

Whenever Darren would call his dad or visit with him, the question was inevitable: “How’s that big shortstop doing?”

“He was definitely aware of Konnor’s talent, athletic ability and how good he could possibly be,” Darren said. “He was very excited.”

Bill Mazeroski isn’t alone, either.

Konnor Griffin has become the unquestioned best prospect in baseball, a five-tool talent who’s pushing for a Major League roster spot this spring.

There was the two-homer game in Fort Myers, then the sweeper from Cardinals starter Kyle Leahy that he demolished 408 feet into a stiff wind during the Pirates’ trip to the eastern part of the state. Not to mention pelting various parts of Pirate City during batting practice.

Griffin has flashed his speed on the bases and the defensive acumen that helped him win a minor league Gold Glove in 2025, and there’s been ample excitement surrounding his every move. But it hasn’t changed him one bit, the same consistency Mazeroski saw first now framing the narrative surrounding the Pirates’ shortstop of the future.

Not Griffin pays attention to the noise.

“I see a little bit,” Griffin said. “But I try to stay off social media as much as possible. Whether it’s good or bad, I don’t know if it’s healthy for me to read into stuff all day. I just try to do my work at practice. People are going to write what they want to write. That’s their job. That’s fine.

“I just try to stay in my lane and play baseball. I don’t want to be playing baseball just for the media. I want to play baseball for a purpose. I want to win games. I want to do different things with the Pirates. That’s my goal.”

Here’s guessing Bill Mazeroski would’ve taken the same tack had social media existed back when he played.

Griffin insisted that he isn’t think about making the Pirates’ Opening Day roster. He merely wants to play baseball, be prepared and get better every time he laces up his cleats. It’s a way of operating that resonated with Darren Mazeroski on those high school fields in Mississippi, when Griffin was chasing a high school state title and had MLB team executives flocking to his games. Regardless of crowd size or pressure, Griffin stayed locked into his routine and never changed.

It’s what makes Griffin and the Mazeroski family such predictable friends, uncommon ability and humility, never focused on individual stuff but more how they can help a team win and a city celebrate.

Mazeroski had lunch with Konnor’s parents recently, continuing the relationship that was started back in high school. Those traits were reinforced once more. That he was raised right and approaches the game in a way the older Mazeroski would’ve absolutely loved.

“He’s just such a respectful and good person,” Darren Mazeroski said of Griffin. “Anywhere he’s even been, it’s never been anything but consistency, respect and humbleness.”

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.