For anyone caught up in the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1960 Pirates, a weekend of events is on tap -- from Cooperstown to the unveiling of the Bill Mazeroski statue at PNC Park to the opening of an exhibit at the Heinz History Center.

First up is Colleen Hroncich at 1 p.m. today at the author series program at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. The granddaughter of the late Danny Murtaugh will discuss her book, "The Whistling Irishman," which details the life and career of the manager who guided the Pirates to the 1960 title along with his many other accomplishments.

At 12:45 p.m. Sunday, before the Pirates game at PNC Park, the unveiling and dedication of the Mazeroski statue will take place on Mazeroski Way outside the right field gate. Fans can see the ceremonies in person or watch a live broadcast that will be shown on the main video board inside the ballpark.

The Mazeroski family will join the Hall of Fame second baseman at the dedication, including wife Milene, sons Darren and David, their wives Jill and Kelly, and grandchildren Bill, Sara and Tommy. Also taking part will be Pirates chairman Bob Nutting, team president Frank Coonelly and former teammates Bob Friend, Dick Groat, ElRoy Face and Bill Virdon, with Steve Blass scheduled to speak.

Then in a pregame ceremony, Mazeroski will ride around the ballpark warning track in a 1960 Bentley convertible while highlights of his career are shown on the video board. He also will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The celebration continues Monday at the Heinz History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, where doors will open to the public at 11 a.m.

A lifelike figure of Mazeroski showing him connecting on his home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 against the Yankees will be unveiled. It is the centerpiece of Beat 'Em Bucs -- The Story of the 1960 Pirates, an exhibit that features 200 images, artifacts, audio and film.

Mazeroski will be joined by several teammates to mark the 50th anniversary of what Heinz History Center president Andrew Masich called "the most memorable home run in baseball history." The exhibit runs through January, although the Mazeroski figure will remain on permanent display.

The Labor Day opening also features release of a new children's book titled "Maz, You're Up!" Author Kelly Mazeroski will join her father-in-law for an exclusive book signing from 11 a.m. to noon in the first-floor Great Hall. The Mazeroskis will sign only copies of the $12.95 book. No other memorabilia or photos brought in by museum visitors will be signed.

Colin Dunlap's blog on the Pirates is featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.