The Pirates will make their best pitch at the New York Yankees.

Manager Lloyd McClendon announced yesterday he will take advantage of an off day tomorrow, skip Dave Williams' turn in the rotation and go with Kip Wells, Mark Redman and Oliver Perez for the three-game set at Yankee Stadium that opens Tuesday.

"Obviously, we had a chance to line up the rotation we wanted," McClendon said. "We're taking advantage of it."

The visit to the Bronx will be the Pirates' first since beating the Yankees in the 1960 World Series, but McClendon insisted that the added theater did not factor into his decision.

"It just makes sense to use our best pitchers for any team when we're going on the road," he said. "We wanted to go with the matchups we feel are the best."

Williams will pitch the second game of the series with the Boston Red Sox. Josh Fogg will pitch the opener Friday, then Williams, then Wells.

Part of the thinking in pushing back Williams, a left-hander, was that the Yankees feature right-handed hitters Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez near the top of their order. By contrast, three of the top five in the Red Sox's order are left-handed hitters Johnny Damon, David Ortiz and Trot Nixon.

Fenway Park's famed Green Monster could prove to be a factor for Williams, who has given up six home runs in his past two starts. Most of those have been beyond PNC Park's far more spacious left field.

"I know I've given up a lot of home runs, but I'm not worried about anything," Williams said. "If I was giving up two-run and three-run shots, then I'd have to think about doing something differently. I'm not changing anything with that or doing anything special for Fenway."

Wilson hopes to hit soon

Craig Wilson, out since May 6 because of finger surgery, said he hopes to resume swinging a bat next week. But he also stressed neither he nor the team's medical officials are certain about his timetable.

"We said 6-8 weeks at the time of the injury, and that's still there," he said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to start hitting. After that, we'll see where it goes."

McClendon has described Wilson as "quite a ways away" from rejoining the lineup, in part because Wilson would need to have a rehabilitation assignment in the minor leagues.

Wilson would need to agree to such a stint. He said yesterday it was too early to discuss the matter.

Moved by 1960 players

The Pirates celebrated their 1960 championship with a pregame ceremony, one highlighted by a replay of Bill Mazeroski's legendary home run with 10 members of the team watching from in front of the dugout.

In addition to Mazeroski, who was welcomed with a warm standing ovation, those on the field were Bob Friend, Bill Virdon, Vernon Law, ElRoy Face, Dick Groat, Dick Schofield, Bob Oldis, Joe Gibbon and Mickey Vernon.

Earlier in the day, McClendon met in his office with Mazeroski, Virdon and Schofield, and seemed genuinely moved by the experience.

"When I took over this job, the one thing I wanted our current group of guys to always understand is that this organization has a rich history," McClendon said. "There have been some tremendous players who have played in this city. Only recently have we had struggles. They need to hold onto those traditions and successes. We need to hold up our end of the bargain and start picking it up. When our players put that uniform on, they ought to wear it with pride."

North Side notches

Third baseman Freddy Sanchez, who sat out four games because of a tight groin, rejoined the starting lineup and batted leadoff.

The Pirates signed their sixth-round draft pick, second baseman Cameron Blair.

Catcher Neil Walker, the Pirates' top pick last year, was named to the South Atlantic League all-star team. Going into yesterday, he was hitting .265 with four home runs and 30 RBIs in 58 games.