Colleen Hroncich was 2 years old when her grandfather died, so she has no memories of him.

But a lot of other people do.

Her grandfather was former Pirates Manager Danny Murtaugh, who led the team for 15 seasons, including two World Series championships.

Mrs. Hroncich, of Cranberry, Butler County, and her mother, Kathy Walton, who is Mr. Murtaugh's daughter, are teaming up to write a book about Mr. Murtaugh.

She and her mom have interviewed former Pirates players and coaches and are seeking memories of Mr. Murtaugh from fans.

The idea for the book came to Mrs. Hroncich after she wrote an article in December that appeared in the Post-Gazette after Mr. Murtaugh failed to win entrance into the Hall of Fame in his first time on the ballot. Her e-mail address was published with the article, and the responses poured in.

"A lot of [people] had never really met him, but they had fond memories of him," she said.

The two women have set out to interview former players and coaches from other teams, in addition to the Pirates.

"Time has passed and everybody is getting older. To get their thoughts is very good," said Mrs. Walton, of Greenville, Mercer County.

"It's amazing how much they remember," Mrs. Hroncich said. "Some of them are 80 and 90 years old, from the 1960s. They remember things better than I remember."

Mrs. Walton added: "Bottom of the seventh [inning], 3-2 count, high curveball -- it's absolutely remarkable."

Former Pirates players Ralph Kiner, Vernon Law, Al Oliver and Richie Hebner have been interviewed, along with former General Manager Joe L. Brown.

"Many people say [Mr. Murtaugh] was just a great guy," Mrs. Hroncich said. "That's the thing that impressed me the most as a granddaughter who didn't know him -- that he was universally loved."

Mr. Murtaugh retired after the 1976 season and died two months later, at age 59, following a stroke.

"My dad was really, really a nice man," Mrs. Walton said. "My husband often referred to him as a gentleman, as in gentle man.

"He came to the very pinnacle of his profession, and there were a lot of stories about him that I had heard over the years."

Many of those stories involved practical jokes.

Mrs. Walton told about a time her parents were having dinner at a buffet restaurant. They saw another couple they knew and, while the other couple was at the buffet, Mr. Murtaugh sneaked some silverware and salt and pepper shakers into the woman's purse.

When the other couple was leaving the restaurant, he told the staff, "That lady's been putting stuff in her purse," Mrs. Walton recalled.

She also remembered when she started dating her husband, Joe, and he came to pick her up one night.

"He said, 'I'm here to pick up Kathy,' and my dad said, 'OK,' and closed the door. Five minutes later, my dad opened the door and said, 'Are you still here? Well, I guess you'd better come in.' Then he threw his coat on the floor.

"Finally, I said, 'Dad, leave him alone.' "

A chapter in the book will be devoted to memories from Pirates fans. One man wrote about moving to Philadelphia when he was 7. He was extremely homesick and went to a Pirates-Phillies game.

Mrs. Hroncich said: "My grandfather met him on the dugout and eased his homesickness. It might seem like something little, but it's all part of the picture."

Mrs. Hroncich said she has leads on publishers and hopes to have the book published in 2010, the 50th anniversary of the 1960 World Series .

Mrs. Walton said working on the book has been cathartic for the family.

"Years ago, I would tell a story, and Colleen would say to me, 'Mom, you should write that down.' She's becoming my recorder," she said.

"Colleen has had an emotional time doing this. She really has."

To contribute a memory about Danny Murtaugh for the upcoming book, e-mail it to colleen@dannymurtaughmemories.com or go to www.dannymurtaughmemories.com.