PITTSBURGH -- Whenever Tom Gillespie meets a new Pirates employee, he tells them to look up the story of Gift Ngoepe. Gillespie didn't sign Ngoepe for the Pittsburgh, but the Bucs' European scout has known the South African shortstop since he was 17 years old.
Learn his story, Gillespie said, "and you'll have a new favorite player with the Pirates."
Ngoepe's remarkable story added an historical new chapter on Wednesday. The Pirates are expected to recall the slick-fielding infielder from Triple-A Indianapolis, according to an industry source, and make Ngoepe the Majors' first African-born player.