Pablo Sandoval’s three home runs in Game 1 of the World Series have been matched only by Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Albert Pujols.

That two of these magnificent shots came off Justin Verlander is even more remarkable. Sandoval’s “Panda” nickname may also need an upgrade.

When Pittsburgh Pirates minority owner Bing Crosby — yes, that Bing Crosby — was out of the country during the 1960 World Series, he had the full NBC broadcast of Game 7 recorded on several reel-to-reel tapes.

Those films were among the various non-alcoholic artifacts recenly found in the wine cellar of the late entertainer’s northern California home. Richard Sandomir tells the fabulous story of a most unlikely discovery, and how Crosby tuned in excruciatingly (crooning?) in Paris for what’s been long dubbed “The Best Game Ever:”

“We were in this beautiful apartment, listening on shortwave, and when it got close Bing opened a bottle of Scotch and was tapping it against the mantel. When Mazeroski hit the home run, he tapped it hard; the Scotch flew into the fireplace and started a conflagration. I was screaming and Nonie said, ‘It’s very nice to celebrate things, but couldn’t we be more restrained?’ ”