Do you have any plans to reimport the players gone from World War II in 1945?
Also...great season! Although I don't know why you signed Trice.
--Pet
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Do you have any plans to reimport the players gone from World War II in 1945?
Also...great season! Although I don't know why you signed Trice.
--Pet
Petrel, unfortunatly he killed them off... But maybe he could bring them back to life and use the player editor to make players with the same excact career stats, and then sign hank greenberg!
I think that zombie Greenberg would give Ted Williams a run for his money :D
Yeah, both Greenberg and Feller were killed by the Japanese in late February, right around the time that Judge Landis died.
I don't think I'm going to get into human cloning....
...yet :D
As for why I signed Trice? I just felt like it. I hadn't made any moves all year, so this is my first. He's only 17, and has some upside for a reliever.
Sorry for the lack of updates recently. I haven't had a whole lot of time to write up the recaps. I assure you that this is very much alive, and hopefully we'll get back to the pennant chase soon!
No, the pennant race is dead-for your team at least! :D
Coach: You're right, I'm not really making this much of a race :D
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 1944
PART IV
August 26-29: Philadelphia Phillies (81-48, 1st, 4 GA) at St. Louis Cardinals (77-52, 2nd, 4 GB)
26 – Every starter except Ron Northey records a hit, as Lon Warneke gets roughed up by Andy Seminick, Vern Stephens and the rest of the Phillies offense. The Dodgers are off, meaning that both St. Louis and Brooklyn fall to 5 GB.
Phillies 10, Cardinals 4
W: Red Ruffing (15-10) L: Lon Warneke (13-8)
2B: Andy Seminick (20)
HR: Vern Stephens (15)
SB: Vern Stephens (2)
27 – Gil Hodges’ home run is all the offense can manage, as Howie Pollet tosses a complete game for the victory. The Dodgers lose, keeping them at 5 GB.
Cardinals 3, Phillies 1
W: Howie Pollet (4-4) L: Tommy Hughes (11-12)
2B: Johnny Blatnik (20)
HR: Gil Hodges (19)
*
The Washington Senators and the Pittsburgh Pirates both are eliminated today.
*
28 – The offense explodes, and the bullpen hangs on to beat the Redbirds, dropping them to 5 back. The Dodgers lose again, moving them to 6 GB.
Phillies 9, Cardinals 7
W: Charlie Ripple (18-9) L: Brent Pendergast (0-1)
2B: Danny Murtaugh (22)
3B: Gil Hodges (6)
HR: Ron Northey (14), Andy Seminick (12)
29 – A late Phillies rally falls short, as the Cardinals win and split the series. The Dodgers lose again, keeping them 6 GB.
Cardinals 6, Phillies 4
W: Harry Gumbert (15-5) L: Jack Kraus (12-7) SV: Ted Wilks (11)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (11), Leon Culberson (1)
August 30 – September 1: Pittsburgh Pirates (59-74, 6th, 24 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (83-50, 1st, 4 GA)
30 – Red Ruffing allows only 4 hits in a complete game effort, and Johnny Blatnik goes 3-4, as the Phillies survive a late charge to pick up the win. The Cardinals and Dodgers both lose, dropping them 5 and 7 games back, respectively.
Phillies 4, Pirates 3
W: Red Ruffing (16-10) L: Dick Conger (1-1)
2B: Johnny Blatnik (21), Ed Murphy (9)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (12), Ed Murphy (2)
31 – Ray Hamrick’s RBI double in the bottom of the 8th inning provides the only run of the game, as Ed Hanyzewski pitches 3 innings of one-hit ball to pick up the win. The Cardinals win, but the Dodgers lose their 6th straight, dropping to 8 games back.
Phillies 1, Pirates 0
W: Ed Hanyzewski (8-4) L: Ace Adams (10-6)
2B: Ray Hamrick (6)
1 – Charlie Ripple pitches 8 shutout innings, and helps his own cause with an RBI, as the Phillies rookie hurler notches his league-leading 19th win. The Cardinals (6 GB) and the Dodgers (9 GB) both lose.
Phillies 2, Pirates 0
W: Charlie Ripple (19-9) L: Max Butcher (11-10) SV: Ike Pearson (15)
SB: Larry Doby (3)
*
The Chicago Cubs, by virtue of a Phillies win, are eliminated from pennant contention.
*
September 2: Day Off
*
Although we’re off, the Cardinals are busy losing again, dropping them 6.5 games back.
*
MAGIC NUMBER: 12
STANDINGS (after games on September 2, 1944)
Italics denotes eliminated.
And don't forget to vote in the sister thread located in my signature! Time is running out, as we are in the final throes of the season!Code:NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia 86-50 ---
St. Louis 80-57 6.5
Brooklyn 77-59 9.0
New York 70-66 16.0
Chicago 66-70 20.0
Pittsburgh 59-77 27.0
Boston 55-81 31.0
Cincinnati 52-85 34.5
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston 93-44 ---
New York 87-49 5.5
Cleveland 81-55 11.5
Washington 67-69 25.5
Chicago 65-71 27.5
Philadelphia 59-77 33.5
Detroit 51-85 41.5
St. Louis 42-95 51.0
1945 #1 PICK SWEEPSTAKES
St. L. Browns 42-95 ---
Detroit Tigers 51-85 9.5
Cincinnati Reds 52-85 10.0
Boston Braves 55-81 13.5
BATTLE FOR THE LIBERTY BELL TROPHY
WINNER: Philadelphia Phillies
First time since 1937
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 1944
PART V
September 3-5: Philadelphia Phillies (86-50, 1st, 6.5 GA) at Chicago Cubs (66-70, 5th, 20 GB)
3 – A Vern Stephens 3-run home run caps a frantic 8th inning rally, but the bullpen loses the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Cardinals win, pulling to 5.5 back, while the Dodgers fall off the face of the Earth. MAGIC NUMBER: 12
Cubs 5, Phillies 4
W: Dale Alderson (10-6) L: Hugh Casey (4-7)
HR: Vern Stephens (16)
4 – Despite home runs by my Big 3 (Northey, Hodges, and Stephens), the bullpen costs us another game, this one in extra innings. The Dodgers snap their slide, and the Cardinals pull to 4.5 back with another win. MAGIC NUMBER: 12
Cubs 7, Phillies 6 (10)
W: Whitey Miller (3-4) L: Ike Pearson (5-2)
2B: Gil Hodges (26), Larry Doby (26), Ron Northey (24)
HR: Gil Hodges (20), Vern Stephens (17), Ron Northey (15)
5 – Tommy Hughes strikes out 5 over 8.2 innings, and the offense comes alive thanks again to Vern Stephens, and the Phillies take one from Chicago. The Cardinals are off, so we pick up a half-game (5 GB), while the Dodgers keep pace (8 GB). MAGIC NUMBER: 11
Phillies 7, Cubs 3
W: Tommy Hughes (12-12) L: Vern Olsen (5-5)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (27), Ron Northey (25), Danny Murtaugh 2 (24), Johnny Blatnik (22)
HR: Vern Stephens (18)
*
The New York Giants lost today, eliminating themselves from pennant contention.
*
*
Old friend Danny Litwhiler (remember him?) hit for the cycle in the Athletics’ 10-1 thrashing of the Tigers today.
*
September 6-8: New York Giants (71-68, 4th, 16 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (87-52, 1st, 5 GA)
6 – Finding themselves in a 5-1 hole early, the Phillies score 6 unanswered runs, led by 4 home runs, en route to a dramatic, come-from-behind victory. The Cardinals lose, dropping them to 6 GB. MAGIC NUMBER: 9
Phillies 7, Giants 5
W: Ed Hanyzewski (9-4) L: Frank Rosso (3-2)
HR: Vern Stephens (19), Larry Doby 2 (14), Andy Seminick (13)
7 – Jack Kraus is dominant, allowing only 6 hits in a complete game victory. The Cardinals and Dodgers both win, keeping pace. MAGIC NUMBER: 8
Phillies 4, Giants 2
W: Jack Kraus (13-7) L: Frank Rosso (3-3)
2B: Vern Stephens (32), Ron Northey (26)
8 – An outstanding pitchers duel started by Van Mungo and Red Ruffing is decided in the bottom of the 10th, when Johnny Blatnik walks off with a home run, giving the Phillies the win. The Dodgers and Cardinals win again. MAGIC NUMBER: 7
Phillies 3, Giants 2 (10)
W: Ike Pearson (6-2) L: Ken Trinkle (3-11)
HR: Gil Hodges (21), Johnny Blatnik (4)
SB: Ray Hamrick (7)
*
Next up, we welcome the Cardinals to Shibe Park, where we have the chance to all but finish them off.
*
September 9-11: St. Louis Cardinals (84-58, 2nd, 6 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (90-52, 1st, 6 GA)
9 – Tommy Hughes gets roughed up again, as the Cardinals pounce all over the Phillies’ starter for 8 runs in 5 innings. The Dodgers are off, so they pick up a half-game. MAGIC NUMBER: 7
Cardinals 9, Phillies 5
W: Max Lanier (12-3) L: Tommy Hughes (12-13) SV: Murry Dickson (4)
2B: Larry Doby (27), Johnny Blatnik (23)
*
Bad news: Backup C Mickey Livingston will miss a month with a broken collarbone. He’s out for the season. FINAL STATS: .190, 1 HR, 7 RBI
I call up Bill Peterman from AAA, who will be the new backup for the remainder of the season.
*
10 – Charlie Ripple outduels Lon Warneke to record his 20th win of the season, as the Phillies reestablish their 6 game lead. The Dodgers lose, dropping to 8.5 back. MAGIC NUMBER: 5
Phillies 2, Cardinals 1
W: Charlie Ripple (20-9) L: Lon Warneke (14-10) SV: Ike Pearson (16)
2B: Ron Northey 2 (28), Danny Murtaugh (25)
SB: Ray Hamrick 3 (10)
*
More bad news: SP Tommy Hughes is injured, again. He’ll miss a month, and is out for the season. FINAL STATS: 12-13, 3.87 ERA, 100 K
Dick Mauney will start in his place.
*
11 – Another bullpen collapse that I really don’t want to talk about. Needless to say, the Cardinals (5 GB) and the Dodgers (7.5 GB) are still very much alive. MAGIC NUMBER: 5
Cardinals 8, Phillies 7
W: Freddy Schmidt (4-2) L: Ed Hanyzewski (9-5) SV: Gordon Maltzberger (23)
2B: Vern Stephens 2 (34), Phil Rizzuto (28), Johnny Blatnik (24)
HR: Johnny Blatnik (5)
*
Meanwhile, in the AL, the Yankees have cut the Red Sox’ lead to 3 games, thanks to 2 straight against the Olde Town Team. The Bronx Bombers look for the sweep tomorrow.
*
New York Giants 1B Johnny Mize knocked in his 1000th RBI of his career today.
*
September 12: Day Off
*
The Dodgers beat the Cubs, moving to 7 GB.
*
The Yankees pummeled the Red Sox, moving to 2 GB with 9 games to play in the American League.
*
STANDINGS (after games on September 12, 1944)
Italics denotes eliminated
Code:NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia 91-54 ---
St. Louis 86-59 5.0
Brooklyn 84-61 7.0
New York 74-71 17.0
Chicago 70-75 21.0
Pittsburgh 62-83 29.0
Boston 60-85 31.0
Cincinnati 53-92 38.0
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston 95-50 ---
New York 93-52 2.0
Cleveland 87-58 8.0
Washington 73-72 22.0
Chicago 69-76 26.0
Philadelphia 62-83 33.0
Detroit 55-90 40.0
St. Louis 46-99 49.0
1945 #1 PICK SWEEPSTAKES
St. L. Browns 46-99 ---
Cincinnati Reds 53-92 7.0
Detroit Tigers 55-90 9.0
Boston Braves 60-85 14.0
PHA & PIT 62-83 16.0
BATTLE FOR THE LIBERTY BELL TROPHY
WINNER: Philadelphia Phillies
First time since 1937
Oh no. The end-of-the-season-injury-bug is attacking you! Don't you hate it when that happens?
How does the rest of the Phils schedule look?
--Pet
3Run: Hate is a good word for this. Fortunately, it only struck my backup catcher, and my #4 pitcher (as far as playoffs are concerned), so I haven't been hit too hard (knock on wood).
Pet: The Phillies have 9 games remaining. They start with a 6-game homestand (3 vs. Pittsburgh & 3 vs. Boston) before finishing the season with 3 games in Brooklyn.
Hopefully, I can put this thing on ice at home!
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 1944
PART VI
September 13-15: Philadelphia Phillies (91-54, 1st, 5 GA) at Pittsburgh Pirates (62-83, 6th, 29 GB)
13 – Another big offensive day from Johnny Blatnik (3-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) helps Red Ruffing to his 17th win (297th career).
Phillies 7, Pirates 5
W: Red Ruffing (17-10) L: Stew Hinds (1-6) SV: Ike Pearson (17)
2B: Larry Doby (28), Johnny Blatni (25)
HR: Johnny Blatnik (6)
*
All 6 remaining teams won today. MAGIC NUMBER: 4
*
14 – Gil Hodges’ 22nd home run breaks a 4-4 tie in the top of the 8th, giving the Phillies a come-from-behind victory.
Phillies 5, Pirates 4
W: Ed Hanyzewski (10-5) L: Harry Shuman (6-5) SV: Ike Pearson (18)
2B: Vern Stephens (35)
HR: Gil Hodges (22)
*
With their loss today, the St. Louis Browns clinch the #1 Draft Pick in next year’s Amateur Draft.
The Brooklyn Dodgers lost, which officially eliminates them from pennant contention.
The Cleveland Indians were also eliminated, thanks to a Red Sox win.
The Red Sox still cling to their 2-game lead over the Yankees.
The Cardinals still are breathing, but running out of time.
MAGIC NUMBER: 3
*
15 – Bill Salkeld and Bob Elliott provide all the offense the Pirates needed, as the Bucs roll. To note: Harvey Haddix, a former #1 pick and September call-up, made his Major League debut today, pitching 1 inning of perfect relief.
Pirates 7, Phillies 2
W: Max Butcher (13-11) L: Dick Mauney (5-2)
2B: Gil Hodges (27)
*
The Red Sox and Yankees both win, keeping the Bombers 2 GB.
The Cardinals win, closing to 4 games back.
MAGIC NUMBER: 3
*
September 16-18: Boston Braves (61-87, 7th, 32 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (93-55, 1st, 4 GA)
16 – Jack Kraus tosses a shutout, allowing only 5 hits and striking out 4, to record his 14th win of the year.
Phillies 2, Braves 0
W: Jack Kraus (14-7) L: Manny Salvo (5-15)
2B: Ron Northey (29), Larry Doby (29)
*
The Red Sox had the day off. As did the Yankees. No changes in the American League.
The Cardinals won their 5th straight game, but will need some help from the Braves to cut into the deficit.
MAGIC NUMBER: 2
*
17 – Not to be outdone, Red Ruffing tosses a 2-hit shutout, as the Phillies inch closer to the pennant. The 95th win of the season sets a new team standard, breaking the old mark of 94, set in 1899.
Phillies 3, Braves 0
W: Red Ruffing (18-10) L: Chris Pfeffer (1-2)
2B: Ron Northey (30)
SB: Ray Hamrick (11)
*
The Yankees clobbered the Tigers, 18-4, in Detroit. In Cleveland, the Red Sox were drubbed by the Indians, 12-4.
This means, that with 5 games remaining, the Red Sox and Yankees are separated by 1 GAME.
After the game, we all rushed to the clubhouse to listen to the finale of the Cardinals-Dodgers game. Unfortunately, the Redbirds won 10-4, so we would have to wait another day to clinch the pennant.
MAGIC NUMBER: 1
*
NEXT: THE CLINCHER?
This is like when they go to commercials in the most exciting part of something lol
Lose, lose, lose, lose, lose, lose, lose...
Redsox: You caught me! Guilty as charged!
Coach Owens: You can say it all you want, but with Charlie Ripple on the bump, well, why don't you find out for yourselves...
SEPTEMBER 18
It has been 28 years, 11 months, and 21 days since the Phillies clinched their first (and only) pennant on September 29, 1915. On that day, it was Grover Cleveland Alexander who shut out the Dodgers. Today, it would be 23-year-old Charlie Ripple squaring off against Warren Spahn, with the pennant at stake.
Both pitchers were perfect through 2 innings. Ripple allowed a single to Spahn in the third, but allowed no further damage.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Danny Murtaugh led off with a double. 2 batters later, Ray Hamrick singled him home for the first run of the game. Phillies 1, Braves 0.
The Braves went quietly in their 4th.
With one out, Gil Hodges strode to the plate, and blasted a 2-1 fastball into the left-field bleachers for a solo home run. Phillies 2, Braves 0. Andy Seminick’s RBI single would plate Vern Stephens later in the inning. Phillies 3, Braves 0.
Both teams were retired without incident in the 5th.
Charlie Ripple was touched for a run in the top of the 6th, thanks to a Dom Dallessandro single. Phillies 3, Braves 1.
With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 6th, Larry Doby stepped up to face Spahn. Larry is notoriously bad against lefties, but laced a double down the line for 2 RBIs. Phillies 5, Braves 1. Charlie Ripple himself greeted reliever George Woodward with a base hit, scoring 2 more runs. Phillies 7, Braves 1.
Ripple shut down the Braves through 8 innings. The Phillies would add 3 more runs in the bottom of the 8th. Phillies 10, Braves 1.
Emil Kush came on for the 9th inning. It was really elementary. The crowd was on it’s feet, cheering and screaming.
Sam Gentile swung at the first pitch, and lifted an easy fly ball to Johnny Blatnik in right. 1 out.
The crowd began to get a little louder. Fans were pounding chairs, using whatever they had to make noise. The city police was in position to maintain order.
Phil Masi fell behind 0-2, then feebly lifted a foul pop fly toward the home dugout. Gil Hodges drifted over and squeezed the ball. 2 out.
The crowd could sense the end was near. The noise continued to grow, as the players took their positions with big smiles on their faces.
Jim Gleeson was the last chance for the Braves. A journeyman outfielder, he had spent some time in the indy leagues after being released by the Giants earlier this year. Well, I’ll let Phillies’ radio announcer Byrum Saam tell you:
“Alright, 2 outs in the top of the 9th. Gleeson coming to the bat against Kush. Emil winds and delivers…swing and a miss! Strike one! Gleeson couldn’t catch up to that fastball, and the Phillies are 2 strikes away! Kush gets the sign from Andy [Seminick], into the motion and delivers…strike two! The curveball catches the corner, and the Phillies are 1 pitch away from playing in the World Series! The crowd is deafening, right now, as Kush takes the sign from Andy, into the windup, and delivers…
…STRIKE THREE SWINGING! FASTBALL! I THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD NEVER COME! THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES HAVE WON THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT!”
The crowd erupted, and stormed onto the field. The police officers could do nothing but stand and watch, as the players were rushed into the dugout for protection from the mob. I was ushered to the clubhouse, where I was met by Ford Frick as well as several members of the press.
“On behalf of the National League”, Frick read a prepared speech, “I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Walsh, and your organization on winning the National League pennant. Hopefully, you will carry on your success to the World Series!”
*
I managed to catch up with the head of the City Council.
“Councilor! Last chance to back out of our deal!”
“Mr. Walsh, I am a man of my word. Win the Series, and you’ve got yourself a new stadium.”
*
THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ARE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!
Phillies 10, Braves 1
W: Charlie Ripple (21-9) L: Warren Spahn (14-12)
2B: Larry Doby (30), Danny Murtaugh (26)
HR: Gil Hodges (23)
*
The Yankees beat the Tigers, 6-4, for their 8th straight victory. Meanwhile, the Indians pounced all over the Red Sox, 10-1. This means, that with 4 games to play, the American League is tied!
*
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pennants fly forever!
Coach: The Phillies have won the pennant, and the sky hasn't crumbled! It's a miracle!!!
3Run: Hopefully they can fly over a brand new riverside stadium. But first, we have to finish off the season, and the Sox and Yanks are going right down to the wire...
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 1944
PART VI CONTINUED
August 19: Day Off
*
Perfectly timed by the schedule makers. We got an extra day to savor our victory, and plan for both the Red Sox and Yankees in the World Series.
Speaking of…
The Yankees beat the Tigers handily, 7-1. The Red Sox lost a heartbreaker to the Indians, 6-5. Thus…
The New York Yankees lead the American League by 1 game.
With 3 games remaining for each team, it will come down to the final series. With the Red Sox on the verge of a monumental collapse, they host the Senators (75-76) at Fenway. The Yankees, meanwhile, have to travel to Comiskey to face off against the White Sox (73-78).
*
September 20-22: Philadelphia Phillies (96-55, NL Champions) at Brooklyn Dodgers (86-65, 3rd)
20 – The backups almost pulled it out, but the Dodgers won in extra-innings.
Dodgers 4, Phillies 3 (10)
W: Jim Hughes (4-4) L: Dick Mauney (5-3)
2B: Johnny Blatnik (26), Ray Hamrick (7)
SB: Harry Marnie (3)
*
The Yankees beat the White Sox, 5-3, to win their 10th straight game.
The Red Sox finally won a game, beating the Senators 7-0.
With 2 games remaining, the AL Pennant is still undecided.
YANKEES: Any combination of Yankee wins and Red Sox losses that equal 2 clinches the pennant.
RED SOX: Need to do 1 game better than the Yankees (2-0 vs. 1-1, 1-1 vs. 0-2)
*
21 – 1944 #1 draft pick Robin Roberts makes his Major League debut today, and while he did get the loss, he struck out 6 over 7 innings, so the future looks bright.
Dodgers 3, Phillies 2
W: Kirby Higbe (8-3) L: Robin Roberts (0-1)
2B: Ed Sanicki (3)
SB: Ray Hamrick (12)
*
Well, the Yankees streak ends at 10 games, as Chicago’s Schoolboy Rowe shuts out the Bombers, 4-0.
The Red Sox, needing the win badly, get a clutch (4-4, 2 R) performance from Dom DiMaggio in a 5-4 win over the Senators.
So, with 1 game left in the season,
The American League pennant will be decided on the final day of the season.
At 1:05pm, the Red Sox send Sid Hudson (14-8) against Dutch Leonard (16-10) of Washington. 1 hour later, the Yankees send ace Tiny Bonham (21-8) against the #3 pick in the 1943 Draft, Bob Rush. This will be Rush’s 2nd career start. Enough pressure for an 18-year-old?
*
22 – Harvey Haddix gets the start today, his first in the Major Leagues. He doesn’t fare as well as Roberts, though, getting touched for 6 earned runs in 6 innings.
Dodgers 8, Phillies 3
W: Ed Head (10-1) L: Harvey Haddix (0-1) SV: Paul Erickson (5)
2B: Johnny Blatnik (27), Ed Sanicki (4), Leon Culberson (2), Harvey Haddix (1)
*
The Red Sox were on the verge of a monumental collapse, but rallied in the final week to force a tie. After 8 innings, they were tied with the Senators at 3. But a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th lifted the Sox to a 4-3 victory, and put the Yankees in the hot seat.
With the Yankees now in need of a win, they took a 5-3 lead, and turned it into an 11-3 win. Rush was just dominated by the Bronx Bombers, as Bonham wins his 22nd game of the year, best in the big leagues.
Now, there is a 1 game playoff, tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium: the Boston Red Sox (Bill Butland (15-7)) vs. the New York Yankees (Spud Chandler (21-6)) for the American League Pennant!
*
I'm not a Boston fan but I have to say, go Sox!
(I just want the Yanks to lose)
Go Sox World Champions Baby!!!!
Gosens & Redsox: somehow, I don't think you're the only ones. If the Sox win the playoff, I'll face a huge moral dillemma on whether to let my team in the game win (Philadelphia) or to let my hometown real-life team win (Red Sox). Of course, there is the small matter of the playoff game against the Yankees...
BY THE WAY...
I'm going to bump the sister thread, but you have until the end of the World Series to get your votes in for the 2 expasion NL teams. If you're interested in voting, but don't want Coach to kill you for not voting for Seattle, then you can PM me or whatever. Just giving you a little advance notice.
SEPTEMBER 23
Yankees-Red Sox. A 1-game playoff to decide the American League pennant. Spud Chandler vs. Bill Butland. Ted Williams vs. Joe DiMaggio. The subplots are many, but there will only be one winner.
The only 2 teams in baseball with over 100 wins, these 2 cities, located only 200 miles apart, have long been rivals. The Red Sox were the first truly great dynasty, winning 5 of the first 15 World Series. However, after the 1919 season, the Red Sox sold their star player Babe Ruth to the Yankees, and baseball would never be the same. In the 24 complete seasons since that deal, the Yankees have been to 14 World Series’, winning 10 times. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have not returned to the Fall Classic.
Today, one game will determine the fate of 2 franchises: one looking to continue its dominance, and one looking to return to the throne.
*
Despite a 2 out rally, the Sox can’t score a run off Chandler in the 1st. The Yankees, however, strike with their own 2 out rally, thanks to back-to-back doubles by Harlond Clift and Joe DiMaggio. Yankees 1, Red Sox 0.
Both teams manage a single in the 2nd, but are unable to inflict further damage.
Bobby Doerr’s 2-out 3rd inning double goes for naught, as he’s stranded there.
Pee Wee Reese leads off the third with a sinking liner, but it’s grabbed by Dom DiMaggio in center on a dead run. It would not be the last time Dominic would be heard from. The Yankees don’t score.
The Sox manage a single in the fourth, but are unable to score.
With 2 outs in the bottom half, C Frankie Hayes lifts a fly ball to deep centerfield. Dom has to go all the way back to the wall to reel it in.
The Red Sox can’t do anything in the top of the 5th, and Dom DiMaggio takes away 2 sure doubles with outstanding running catches in the bottom half.
The Sox get a real chance in the top of the 6th. With 2 outs, Joe Cronin walked. Wally Moses yanked a single into right field, and Cronin scampered to third. Gee Walker was called up to pinch hit after Moses stole second base. Walker hit the ball hard, but right at Chet Ross in left field to retire the side.
The Yankees had a chance of their own in the bottom half. After a walk to lead off the inning, Dom DiMaggio had to make another outstanding catch to prevent a first and third with 1 out. Instead, Chet Ross sets up the first and third with 2 outs, and it takes a miraculous diving catch by Dom to keep the Yankees off the board.
Both teams go down in order in the 7th.
The top of the 8th will go down as one of the most memorable innings in Red Sox history. Bobby Doerr leads off with a single to center, and hustles into second when Joe DiMaggio can’t field the ball cleanly. Ted Williams lined a single back through the box, but a great throw by Joe D. keeps Doerr at third base. Why the coach didn’t send him home would be left up for debate by the Red Sox faithful. The next batter, Jimmie Foxx, drew a walk, so the bases were loaded with no outs. Joe Cronin worked a full count, but got fooled by a Chandler curveball for strike three. And as luck would have it, Wally Moses grounded to Clift at 3rd base, who started the rare 5-2-3 double play to end the inning. The Red Sox had blown a terrific chance to put the game away.
Naturally, when the Sox blew their opportunity to get runs in the top half, the Yankees responded with runs in their half. Tommy Henrich doubled to lead off the inning, and scored on a Joe DiMaggio single. Yankees 2, Red Sox 0. Reliever Mace Brown would retire the side without further damage.
Jim Hickey came on to close the game out for the Yankees. He got the first batter, pinch hitter Paul Campbell to pop to third. But perhaps fortune was about to smile on the Red Sox, as Clift dropped the pop up! Former Phillies 3B Pinky May pinch hit for the pitcher, and dropped a single down the right field line, sending Campbell to third base. The Sox now had the go-ahead run at the plate, and nobody out! Hickey settled down and got Dom DiMaggio to pop to short. Bob Dillinger flied out to left field, but it was deep enough for Campbell to score. Yankees 2, Red Sox 1. Now, the tying run was on first, the go-ahead run was at the plate in the person of Bobby Doerr, and the batter on deck was Ted Williams. However, Terrible Ted would never get to see a pitch, as Doerr saw a 94 MPH fastball go by him for strike 3. Game over. Season over.
THE NEW YORK YANKEES ARE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!
For the Red Sox, it was a very bitter pill to swallow. They had a 6 game lead with 18 to play, and they let it slip away. Perhaps starting Butland, their #4 starter, was a poor decision by player-manager Joe Cronin.
For the Yankees, it was a message sent to the rest of baseball. It proved to all the critics that the dynasty was not dead, and that the Bombers still had a little life in them. They can celebrate for now, but looming on the horizon are the NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Game 1 is Thursday, September 27 back at Yankee Stadium!
END OF REGULAR SEASON
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fact that the Phils beat the Braves to secure their NL Championship - suckage.
The fact that Ted Williams didn't even get that last at-bat as the Yankees beat the Red Sox for the pennat - double suckage.
--Pet
What he said.Quote:
Originally Posted by RedsoxRockies
Pet: Called 3rd strikes are never the way to end a winner-take-all game. Just ask Carlos Beltran (zing!). Sorry Mets fans!
RedSox & GoSens: I think that pretty much sums up the feeling in all of baseball right about now.
END OF SEASON REVIEW
FINAL STANDINGS
SEASON STATISTICSCode:NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia 96-58 ---
St. Louis 94-60 2.0
Brooklyn 89-65 7.0
New York 78-76 18.0
Chicago 74-80 22.0
Pittsburgh 66-88 30.0
Boston 62-92 34.0
Cincinnati 57-97 39.0
AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York 102-53 ---
Boston 101-54 1.0
Cleveland 96-58 5.5
Washington 75-79 26.5
Chicago 74-80 27.5
Philadelphia 66-88 35.5
Detroit 55-99 46.5
St. Louis 48-106 53.5
1945 DRAFT ORDER (TOP 5)
St. L. Browns 48-106
Detroit Tigers 55-99
Cincinnati Reds 57-97
Boston Braves 62-92
Phila. A's 66-88
BATTLE FOR THE LIBERTY BELL TROPHY
WINNER: Philadelphia Phillies
First time since 1937
Red denotes League Leader
BATTING
PITCHINGCode:1944 Batting Team G AVG AB H 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS R RBI SLG OBP
Stephens, Vern PHI 149 .273 542 148 35 4 19 56 68 2 1 80 106 .458 .347
Rizzuto, Phil PHI 142 .283 537 152 28 9 1 73 60 12 8 92 44 .374 .372
Doby, Larry PHI 149 .235 524 123 30 4 14 52 74 3 4 55 76 .387 .308
Northey, Ron PHI 148 .291 508 148 30 3 15 56 64 1 1 68 74 .451 .366
Hodges, Gil PHI 146 .277 501 139 27 6 23 75 60 0 2 79 86 .493 .365
Seminick, Andy PHI 145 .261 499 130 20 2 13 53 53 0 2 67 73 .387 .337
Murtaugh, Danny PHI 130 .277 397 110 26 2 0 39 46 5 2 59 28 .353 .339
Goulish, Nick PHI 95 .287 355 102 30 4 8 40 37 4 0 56 58 .462 .360
Blatnik, Johnny PHI 94 .296 297 88 27 2 6 24 28 5 2 44 37 .461 .348
Hamrick, Ray PHI 110 .230 213 49 7 2 0 28 26 12 0 25 18 .282 .325
Murphy, Ed PHI 80 .226 133 30 9 0 3 15 12 2 0 17 16 .361 .303
Marnie, Harry PHI 68 .226 106 24 3 0 0 4 14 3 1 12 5 .255 .255
Ruffing, Red PHI 35 .160 100 16 2 0 0 10 18 0 0 8 7 .180 .236
Ripple, Charlie PHI 38 .202 94 19 4 0 0 6 24 0 0 8 12 .245 .248
Hughes, Tommy PHI 33 .154 78 12 1 0 0 2 21 0 0 6 3 .167 .173
Kraus, Jack PHI 27 .174 69 12 0 0 0 2 23 0 0 6 3 .174 .197
Sanicki, Ed PHI 27 .313 64 20 4 0 1 9 13 1 3 10 8 .422 .413
Livingston, Mickey PHI 28 .190 63 12 2 0 1 6 9 1 0 5 7 .270 .257
Culberson, Leon PHI 37 .267 60 16 2 1 0 10 10 1 2 7 7 .333 .366
Lambert, Gene PHI 15 .139 36 5 2 0 0 2 9 0 0 4 1 .194 .184
Mauney, Dick PHI 11 .192 26 5 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 3 2 .192 .207
Peterman, Bill PHI 5 .250 16 4 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 2 .250 .294
Casey, Hugh PHI 51 .000 7 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Hanyzewski, Ed PHI 31 .000 6 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Page, Joe PHI 18 .400 5 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .600 .400
Hodge, Bert PHI 3 .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Gerheauser, Al PHI 1 .500 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .500 .667
Mullen, Moon PHI 1 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Haddix, Harvey PHI 2 1.000 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2.000 1.000
Kush, Emil PHI 24 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Roberts, Robin PHI 1 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
LEAGUE LEADERSCode:1944 Pitching Team IP ERA G GS W L SV K BB R/9
Ruffing, Red PHI 289.1 3.17 35 35 18 10 0 154 98 10.54
Ripple, Charlie PHI 273.2 2.89 38 38 21 9 0 194 87 11.84
Hughes, Tommy PHI 239.1 3.87 33 33 12 13 0 100 92 12.15
Kraus, Jack PHI 203.2 3.62 27 27 14 7 0 87 78 12.46
Lambert, Gene PHI 104.1 2.93 15 13 7 3 0 80 44 11.56
Mauney, Dick PHI 78.2 4.00 11 11 5 3 0 29 27 13.27
Casey, Hugh PHI 73.0 1.85 51 0 4 7 4 23 26 10.48
Hanyzewski, Ed PHI 63.1 3.27 31 0 10 5 2 29 26 10.52
Pearson, Ike PHI 32.1 2.51 31 0 6 2 18 11 7 9.19
Page, Joe PHI 27.1 6.59 18 0 0 0 0 15 24 17.45
Kush, Emil PHI 27.0 5.67 24 0 0 0 0 12 6 13.67
Gerheauser, Al PHI 9.0 1.00 1 1 1 0 0 4 2 11.00
Haddix, Harvey PHI 7.0 7.71 2 1 0 1 0 3 7 19.29
Roberts, Robin PHI 7.0 3.86 1 1 0 1 0 6 2 11.57
Masterson, Paul PHI 3.2 7.36 2 0 0 0 1 1 2 17.18
COMING UP NEXT: 1944 World Series PreviewCode:NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS
AVG - Stan Musial (STL) .330
HR - Stan Musial (STL) 31
RBI - Johnny Mize (NYG) 119
SB - Sam Jethroe (BSN) 26
W - Charlie Ripple (PHI) 21
ERA - Charlie Ripple (PHI) 2.89
K - Charlie Ripple (PHI) 194
SV - Gordon Maltzberger (STL) 25*
AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS
AVG - Roy Weatherly (CLE) .356
HR - Ted Williams (BOS) 38
RBI - Joe DiMaggio (NYY) 120
SB - George Case (CHW) 40
W - Tiny Bonham (NYY) 22
Spud Chandler (NYY)
ERA - Allie Reynolds (CLE) 2.95
Spud Chandler (NYY)
K - Allie Reynolds (CLE) 158
SV - James Atkins (BOS) 25*
*New single season record
How many complete games and shutouts did Ruffing end up pitching?
Also, Ripple seems to be a decent hitter.
Goooooooooooooooooooooo Yankees!
GoSens: I acquired Ruffing the day after his 39th birthday. He was 2-4 with 1 CG (a shutout) for the Braves. For me, he was 16-6 with 16 CG and 6 SO. He has been a really big part of this pennant run.
Charlie has surprised me all year long. A 23-year-old rookie winning the Pitching Triple Crown? Although, I am more impressed by Ruffing's career hitting numbers. 34 career HR for a pitcher!?
Coach: that's not something any self-respecting Mariners fan would say... :D
1944 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW
NEW YORK YANKEES
1944 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
World Series Appearances: 14
World Series Victories: 10
Last World Series: 1943 (L 3-4 STL)
BATTING ORDER
SS Pee Wee Reese (94) - .293, 6 HR, 57 RBI, 128 R, 13 SB
RF Tommy Henrich (87) - .307, 21 HR, 99 RBI, 97 R
3B Harlond Clift (93) - .281, 11 HR, 98 RBI, 105 R
CF Joe DiMaggio (95) - .333, 19 HR, 120 RBI, 105 R
2B Joe Gordon (93) - .267, 10 HR, 96 RBI
LF Chet Ross (89/93) - .302, 12 HR, 61 RBI
C Frankie Hayes (84) - .259, 1 HR, 23 RBI
1B Oscar Grimes (78) - .255, 1 HR, 28 RBI
PITCHING STAFF
SP Tiny Bonham (84) – 22-8, 3.34 ERA, 94 K
SP Spud Chandler (81) – 22-6, 2.95 ERA, 105 K
SP Bill Bevens (89) – 15-8, 3.14 ERA, 100 K
SR Alex Carrasquel (81) – 5-3, 3.46 ERA, 5/6 SV
SU Howie Krist (83) – 8-4, 1.79 ERA, 15/15 SV
CL Jim Hickey (81/82) – 6-6, 3.72 ERA, 13/18 SV
KEY INJURIES
LF Charlie Keller (93) - OUT
SP Lefty Gomez (77/78) - OUT
***
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
1944 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
World Series Appearances: 1
World Series Victories: 0
Last World Series: 1915 (L 1-4 BOS)
BATTING ORDER
SS Phil Rizzuto (89/93) – .283, 1 HR, 44 RBI, 92 R, 12 SB
LF Johnny Blatnik (80/95) – .296, 6 HR, 37 RBI
RF Ron Northey (88/93) – .291, 15 HR, 74 RBI
1B Gil Hodges (89/90) – .277, 23 HR, 86 RBI
3B Vern Stephens (93/95) – .273, 19 HR, 106 RBI
C Andy Seminick (89/95) – .261, 13 HR, 73 RBI
2B Danny Murtaugh (77) – .277, 0 HR, 28 RBI
CF Larry Doby (83/90) - .235, 14 HR, 76 RBI
PITCHING STAFF
SP Red Ruffing (84) – 18-10, 3.17 ERA, 154 K
SP Charlie Ripple (87/95) – 21-9, 2.89 ERA, 194 K
SP Jack Kraus (85/88) – 14-7, 3.62 ERA, 87 K
SR Ed Hanyzewski (81/86) – 10-5, 3.27 ERA, 2/7 SV
SU Hugh Casey (81) – 4-7, 1.85 ERA, 4/4 SV
CL Ike Pearson (82/85) – 6-2, 2.51 ERA, 18/23 SV
KEY INJURIES
SP Tommy Hughes (84/93) – OUT
LF Nick Goulish (87/88) – OUT
C Mickey Livingston (74) – OUT
***
PREDICTION
Yankees in 6. The Bronx Bombers are just way too strong for us to compete with. For now…
GAME 1 COMING UP NEXT TIME!
Coach, how can you cheer for the Yanks, look at how they pounded your poor Mariners
1944 WORLD SERIES
GAME 1
It was on to New York for the second time in a week for us. I had the team come home after their series in Brooklyn, just for some deserved rest and recovery. On the train ride from Philly on Monday, I sat with Bucky Harris to discuss strategy.
“Andrew, I just think that we should put our best foot forward. Start the kid (Charlie Ripple) on Wednesday, then come back with Red [Ruffing] in Game 2.”
“Look, Bucky, I don’t want to get into an argument about this, but I’d rather lead with experience. We already have Scooter (Phil Rizzuto) leading off, and he’s the only hitter with Series experience. I think that since we have a former Yankee in the rotation, we ought to start Red in Game 1, then Charlie in Game 2.”
“Andrew, how long have you been a manager? Trust me. Back in 1924, it was obvious who my #1 was: Walter Johnson. I worked him to the bone to try and get us the win. You know what? He did an outstanding job in relief because I started him in Game 5! Not Game 6!”
“We’re not going with a 4-man rotation! We’re using a 3-man rotation! Charlie will be ready in Game 7! Now I am your boss, and I am ordering you to start Red, Charlie, and Jack [Kraus], in that order! Am I understood?”
Bucky nodded as I made my way out of his car.
*
After the usual pre-game festivities, Game 1 was underway.
Phil Rizzuto singled to start the game off Bill Bevens, but was thrown out trying to stretch his hit into a double. After a Johnny Blatnik flyout, Ron Northey smashed a towering drive into the leftfield bleachers for a home run! Phillies 1, Yankees 0. Gil Hodges grounded out to end the inning.
Red Ruffing walked to the mound, and calmly retired Pee Wee Reese, Tommy Henrich, and Harlond Clift in order. I was looking pretty good.
After walking to lead off the inning, Vern Stephens gets wiped out on a double play, and the Phillies don’t score.
Ruffing retired Joe DiMaggio, Joe Gordon, and Chet Ross on 3 straight groundouts.
The Phillies get retired in order in the top of the third.
Frankie Hayes led off the bottom of the inning with a single. He was still on first 2 outs later, but that’s when Red started getting wild. He walked Pee Wee Reese, then gave up a bases-clearing double to Tommy Henrich. Yankees 2, Phillies 1. Clift and DiMaggio followed with walks, loading the bases. Fortunately, Ruffing found enough in him to strike out Gordon.
Aside from a Northey double, the Phillies were retired without incident in the 4th. The Yankees went 1-2-3 in their half.
Singles by Danny Murtaugh and Red Ruffing go for naught, as both men are stranded thanks to a popout by Phil Rizzuto. Pee Wee Reese reached on an error by Ruffing and stole second, but the Yankees could not get him home.
A 2-out walk is all the Phillies can muster in the 6th.
With 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th, the Yankees offense exploded. 2 singles, a double, a walk, and another single score 3 runs. Yankees 5, Phillies 1.
Bill Bevens finishes the game for the Yankees, while the Bombers tack on 2 more runs in the 7th inning to provide the final margin.
Yankees 7, Phillies 1
Yankees lead series, 1-0
W: Bill Bevens L: Red Ruffing
Code:Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees
September 27, 1944
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Phillies (PHI) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 3
Yankees (NYY) 0 0 2 0 0 3 2 0 x 7 6 0
PHILADELPHIA ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
P. Rizzuto (SS) 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283
J. Blatnik (LF) 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .296
R. Northey (RF) 4 3 0 1 1 1 0 0 .291
G. Hodges (1B) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .277
V. Stephens (3B) 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .273
A. Seminick (C) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .261
D. Murtaugh (2B) 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .277
L. Doby (CF) 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .235
R. Ruffing (P) 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .160
E. Murphy (PH) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .226
J. Page (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .400
TOTALS 31 7 3 1 1 1 4 0
2B: R. Northey 2
HR: R. Northey
GIDP: D. Murtaugh, A. Seminick
PHILADELPHIA ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
R. Ruffing 7.0 6 6 0 7 2 2 143 3.17
J. Page 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 16 6.59
TOTALS 8.0 6 6 0 7 2 3 159
NEW YORK ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
P. Reese (SS) 4 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 .293
T. Henrich (RF) 5 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 .307
H. Clift (3B) 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 .281
J. DiMaggio (CF) 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 .333
J. Gordon (2B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .267
C. Ross (LF) 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .302
F. Hayes (C) 3 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 .259
O. Grimes (1B) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .255
R. Derry (PH-1B) 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 .241
B. Bevens (P) 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 .141
TOTALS 31 6 6 7 0 6 3 1
2B: T. Henrich, R. Derry
GIDP: J. Gordon
NEW YORK ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
B. Bevens 9.0 7 3 1 1 1 4 149 3.14
TOTALS 9.0 7 3 1 1 1 4 149
WP: B. Bevens
LP: R. Ruffing
Temperature: 55F
Wind: 8 MPH (right to left)
Attendance: 70,000
Time: 3:24
SEPTEMBER 28
I sought out Bucky Harris in his hotel room.
“Hey Buck, I, uh, just wanted to apologize for what happened yesterday. You’ve been in the game for almost as long as I’ve been alive, and I shouldn’t have questioned your judgment. I’m sorry.”
“No problem Andrew. I suppose that if no one doubts you, you have no one to prove wrong!” A wry smile crossed his lips. “But it takes a big man to admit his mistakes. Apology accepted. Just let me run the team for now, okay?”
“You got us here. Absolutely. Hey Buck?”
“Yeah?”
“Give ‘em h***.”
*
Ouch. You outhit them and still lost 7-1. The errors absolutelyt killed you.
Come on, dont lose to New York!
GoSens: Yeah, errors tend to do that. But there really isn't a worse time than Game 1 of the World Series (perhaps Game 7, but who's counting)
RedSoxRockies: Okay, but this is a really good team!
1944 WORLD SERIES
GAME 2
Game 2 would be a match-up of two 20-game winners.
The Yankees would trot out their #1 starter, Ernie “Tiny” Bonham (22-8, 3.34 ERA). Bonham’s nickname is an ironic one, as he stands at 6’2”, and weighs over 200 pounds. He has one of the best forkballs in baseball, to go with an above-average fastball and a poor curveball.
The Phillies would counter with 23-year-old rookie southpaw Charlie Ripple (21-9, 2.89 ERA, 194 K). Charlie had won the NL’s Triple Crown in his first season. He has an electric fastball (clocked on occasion at 99 MPH) and an average sidearm curve.
With one out in the first, Johnny Blatnik slashed a double down the first base line, but is stranded as the Phillies can’t bring him around.
Charlie Ripple set down the Yankees in order in the first.
Tiny Bonham followed suit, retiring the Phillies on 10 pitches.
A one-out double by Joe Gordon is all that the Yankees can muster in the 2nd, and the game remained scoreless.
Both teams were retired 1-2-3 in the third inning. Ripple and Bonham were certainly up to the task.
Johnny Blatnik lead off the 4th for Philadelphia. He drove a fastball down the left-field line for a double. Ron Northey stepped into the box, and took the first pitch he saw into the short porch in right-field! Phillies 2, Yankees 0. Northey’s 2nd home run in as many games put the Phillies on top, but they couldn’t get any more, as Bonham rebounded to retire the side.
The Yankees get a 2-out walk, but can do nothing with it. Charlie Ripple is in charge.
Both offenses go down 1-2-3 in the fifth inning. Bonham has allowed only 3 hits, Ripple 1.
The Phillies are set down in order again in the 6th inning. The Yankees notch a 2-out single, but leave the man at first.
Bonham quickly got 2 outs in the top of the 7th. However, he walked Andy Seminick on 4 pitches, and that came back to bite him, as Danny Murtaugh lined a double into right-center, scoring the Phillies’ catcher. Phillies 3, Yankees 0.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, the Yankees started to get to Ripple. Joe Gordon doubled to left field, but Chet Ross popped out. However, Ripple walked Frankie Hayes. Just like the walk had come back to haunt Bonham in the top half, Ripple would be haunted by this walk in the bottom half. Pinch-hitter Hank Sauer worked a 3-2 count, then drove a 98-MPH fastball into the left-centerfield bleachers. With one swing of the bat, the game was tied. Phillies 3, Yankees 3.
But not for long. As they had so many times during the course of the season, the Phillies battled back in the top of the 8th. Pinch hitter Ed Murphy drew a walk against reliever Howie Krist, then advanced to second on a sacrifice. After another walk, Ron Northey stepped up to the plate. He didn’t hit a home run, but he drove in Murphy with an RBI single. Phillies 4, Yankees 3. Gil Hodges picked the perfect time for his first World Series hit, smashing a single back through the box for an RBI. Phillies 5, Yankees 3. Krist would retire the side, but the damage was done.
Hugh Casey came on for the Phillies, and allowed only 1 baserunner over the last 2 innings. The Phillies had hung tough, and taken a game at Yankee Stadium!
Phillies 5, Yankees 3
Series tied, 1-1
W: Charlie Ripple L: Howie Krist SV: Hugh Casey
Code:Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees
September 28, 1944
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Phillies (PHI) 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 0 5 6 0
Yankees (NYY) 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 5 0
PHILADELPHIA ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
P. Rizzuto (SS) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283
J. Blatnik (LF) 3 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 .296
R. Northey (RF) 4 2 0 1 1 3 0 0 .291
G. Hodges (1B) 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .277
H. Marnie (1B) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .226
V. Stephens (3B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
A. Seminick (C) 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 .261
D. Murtaugh (2B) 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .277
R. Hamrick (2B) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230
L. Doby (CF) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235
C. Ripple (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .202
E. Murphy (PH) 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 .226
H. Casey (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
TOTALS 32 6 3 5 1 5 0 0
2B: D. Murtaugh, J. Blatnik 2
HR: R. Northey
PHILADELPHIA ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
C. Ripple 7.0 4 2 1 3 3 4 111 2.89
H. Casey 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 1 20 1.85
TOTALS 9.0 5 2 1 3 3 5 131
NEW YORK ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
P. Reese (SS) 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .293
T. Henrich (RF) 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .307
H. Clift (3B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281
J. DiMaggio (CF) 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 .333
J. Gordon (2B) 4 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .267
C. Ross (LF) 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .302
F. Hayes (C) 2 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 .259
B. Hassett (1B) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .307
H. Sauer (PH-1B) 1 1 0 1 1 3 0 0 .220
T. Bonham (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .157
R. Derry (PH) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .241
H. Krist (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167
TOTALS 31 5 2 3 1 3 5 0
2B: J. Gordon 2
HR: H. Sauer
GIDP: T. Henrich
NEW YORK ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
T. Bonham 7.0 4 1 1 3 3 0 82 3.34
H. Krist 2.0 2 2 0 2 2 0 37 1.79
TOTALS 9.0 6 3 1 5 5 0 119
WP: C. Ripple
LP: H. Krist
SV: H. Casey
Temperature: 55F
Wind: 6 MPH (right to left)
Attendance: 70,000
Time: 2:46
Way to steal one in NYC. Now finish it up at home!
Nice win. Keep it up.
So much for a Yankees sweep. Now it's a best of five. You can win a "best of five", cantcha?
Cantcha?
EVEN, GoSens, petrel: Thanks guys. Hopefully this won't go back to Yankee Stadium, but it probably will have to in order for me to win. This Yankee team is really good.
But first...
SEPTEMBER 29
PART I
I arrived back in Philadelphia a little early. Who knew that there would be so much planning for a World Series? Shibe Park is in prime condition. It’s been 13 years since the last Series game played here, but the ballpark is ready for whatever the players will throw at it tomorrow.
*
Late at night, there was a knock at my door. I opened it to find two police officers standing outside my door.
“Mr. Walsh, we need you to come downtown with us”, the shorter officer said.
“Let me grab my coat.”
*
I was hoping that one of my players wasn’t going to have to spend the night in the big house. I had brought my wallet, just in case I needed to pony up some bail money. It had to be Northey. He was the only one that had a valid excuse to hit the town. But seriously, before Game 3 of the World Series?
I was prepared for the worst as we approached Philadelphia Police Headquarters. However, the car zoomed past the station, and continued down the road.
“Officers, where are we going?”
“We’re going to the hospital, Mr. Walsh. We got a call for an 11-45 tonight from one of your players’ wife.”
“Domestic disturbance?”
“No sir, attempted suicide.”
*
All I can say is, "Holy Schmidt".
This story is going to be very interesting.
--Pet
Wow. This could be VERY interesting....
You hold the very slight advantage: It's best 3 of 5, with 3 games in Phil and 2 in New York. If you can take two here, I like your odds.
petrel: I figure that if it's ok for you to do a dark turn, then I can too! :D
CatKnight: In a perfect world, I'd like to think that I am in command. However, these are DiMaggio's Yankees, and, well, let's just continue with our story, shall we?
SEPTEMBER 29
PART II
We made our way through the streets to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
‘This can’t be happening. Game 3 is tomorrow! What are we going to do?’ I kept repeating those thoughts in my head.
The car pulled up to the Emergency room entrance. I ran to the reception desk.
“Mr. Walsh, we’ve been expecting you.” The nurse behind the counter said. “Please, follow me.”
For what seemed like an eternity, she snaked her way through the corridors of the hospital. I was never a big fan of these places. The smell of death was constantly around you. Hospitals are more often than not the last stop for a person on their way out.
The nurse finally arrived at the room.
There was a coroner standing over the bed, and a sheet over the body.
*
You seem to have a passion for killing off people, first Koufax, Landis, and Greenberg, now whoever this is