Trapped in the Basement: The Philadelphia Phillies (1942 - )

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1943
PART I

August 2-5: Philadelphia Phillies (46-66, 7th, 22 GB) at St. Louis Cardinals (68-44, T-1st, 3 GA)

2 – Andy Seminick’s 2nd-inning grand slam is enough to propel Jack Kraus to his 14th win of the season. Ike Pearson pitches a perfect ninth for the save.
Phillies 6, Cardinals 3
W: Jack Kraus (14-9) L: Mort Cooper (16-6) SV: Ike Pearson (4)
HR: Andy Seminick (12)

The Dodgers beat the Reds 3-1, giving them a 1 game lead over the Cardinals in the National League. Meanwhile, the Reds have now lost 12 straight games.

3 – Ike Pearson faced one batter: Frank McCormick. McCormick took Pearson deep for a walk-off home run in the 11th inning, giving the Cardinals the win.
Cardinals 4, Phillies 3
W: Clyde Shoun (5-3) L: Ike Pearson (0-2)

The Reds’ ineptitude continues, as they lose their 13th straight game.

4 – Larry Doby’s first home run as a Phillie is not enough to propel the visitors to victory, as Harry Gumbert spins a dandy (8.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER).
Cardinals 4, Phillies 2
W: Harry Gumbert (9-12) L: Dick Mauney (9-7) SV: Gordon Maltzberger (13)
HR: Larry Doby (1)

Guess who lost again? The Reds! That’s now 14 straight for the Cincinnati nine.

5 – Of all the Cardinals pitchers, Johnny Beazley is the one that shuts us out. Go figure. Gene Lambert just doesn’t have the stuff to match the Beazer.
Cardinals 4, Phillies 0
W: Johnny Beazley (2-0) L: Gene Lambert (2-7)

The Yankees shut out the Indians today, 7-0. This win officially eliminates the Philadelphia Athletics from pennant contention in the AL. On the NL side, the Reds finally won a game. The loss drops the Dodgers back into a tie with the Cardinals with 38 games to play. The Cubs sit 3 games back, and the Giants are 7 games off the pace.

August 6-9: Philadelphia Phillies (47-69, 7th, 24 GB) at Brooklyn Dodgers (71-45, T-1st, 3 GA)

6 – Jackie Robinson goes 4-4 with 2 doubles and home run for 5 RBI, as Johnny Vander Meer goes the distance, and the Dodgers dominate the Phillies from the start.
Dodgers 8, Phillies 2
W: Johnny Vander Meer (9-9) L: Jack Kraus (14-10)
HR: Andy Seminick (13)

The Indians beat the Browns 3-0, mathematically eliminating the St. Louis Browns from pennant contention.

7 – Dom Dallessandro’s pinch-hit single plates Andy Seminick with the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th inning, as the Phillies manage to steal one from the Dodgers.
Phillies 6, Dodgers 5
W: Tommy Hughes (9-6) L: Les Webber (10-2) SV: Ike Pearson (5)
HR: Chuck Klein (10), Ron Northey (7)

The Cardinals beat the Reds 7-4. This moves the Cards into sole possession of first place in the NL, while it eliminates the Cincinnati Reds from pennant contention.

8 – The Dodgers rally for 2 runs in the bottom of the eighth inning against Dick Mauney, who takes the hard-luck loss.
Dodgers 4, Phillies 3
W: Les Webber (11-2) L: Dick Mauney (9-8)
HR: Larry Doby (2)

9 – Wow. That’s all that can be used to describe this game. An 18-inning classic, where the Dodgers push the winning run across after the team’s play 2 for the price of 1. A reward is deserving for Joe Page, who despite the loss, went 4.1 innings of relief. The bullpen as a whole was fantastic, allowing only the one (winning) run in 12 innings of work. Bravo.
Dodgers 4, Phillies 3 (18)
W: Max Macon (1-3) L: Joe Page (3-5)

The Athletics beat the White Sox 12-3, eliminating the Chicago White Sox from pennant contention.

What had the makings of a four-team race has quickly turned into a showdown between the Dodgers and the Cardinals. The Redbirds have a 1 game lead, but have to play the 4th-place Giants, while the Dodgers play the Pirates.

August 10-12: Boston Braves (57-63, 5th, 18 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (48-72, 7th, 27 GB)

10 – Another close game, but Jim Tobin goes the distance, allowing only 1 run on 7 hits, outdueling Jack Kraus for the victory.
Braves 2, Phillies 1
W: Jim Tobin (15-11) L: Jack Kraus (14-11)

An 8-7 Indians win officially eliminates the Detroit Tigers from the pennant chase.

11 – Tommy Hughes pitches a complete game, but the Phillies can’t seem to catch a break as Warren Spahn dominates the lineup from top to bottom.
Braves 4, Phillies 2
W: Warren Spahn (15-9) L: Tommy Hughes (9-7) SV: George Diehl (12)
HR: Gil Hodges (10)

12 – The Phillies ride the coattails of a big inning on the way to victory, Dick Mauney’s 10th of the season.
Phillies 5, Braves 4
W: Dick Mauney (10-8) L: Al Javery (13-12) SV: Ike Pearson (6)

Andy Seminick will miss 2 weeks with a sprained thumb. Bill Peterman will replace him as he serves his stint on the DL.

August 13: Day Off

August 14-17: Cincinnati Reds (37-86, 8th, 40 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (49-74, 7th, 28 GB)

14 – The Phillies can’t seem to buy a win. A loss to the hapless Reds hurts more emotionally, but Bucky Walters doesn’t seem to care (CG, 7 H, 1 ER).
Reds 5, Phillies 1
W: Bucky Walters (9-11) L: Gene Lambert (2-8)

15 – Jack Kraus notches his 15th win of the season, and the offense wakes up from its recent slumber to provide enough support.
Phillies 4, Reds 1
W: Jack Kraus (15-11) L: Elmer Riddle (10-14) SV: Hugh Casey (12)

I sat down today with Phil Rizzuto and hammered out a nice fat contract extension. I signed Phil through the 1948 season for $16,000 per year. This avoids at least 1 arbitration hearing...

16 – You know what’s sad? Losing to a 2-15 pitcher.
Reds 4, Phillies 1
W: Ewell Blackwell (3-15) L: Tommy Hughes (9-8) SV: Walker Cress (7)

Tommy Hughes will be out 2 weeks with a stress fracture. We’ll find a replacement somewhere.

17 – Dick Mauney throws a 4-hit shutout, as the Phillies salvage a split with the Reds.
Phillies 1, Reds 0
W: Dick Mauney (11-8) L: Frank Dasso (5-14)
HR: Ron Northey (8)

The Cardinals won today, so the Philadelphia Phillies are officially eliminated from pennant contention. Maybe next year...

August 18-21: St. Louis Cardinals (79-48, 1st, 2 GA) at Philadelphia Phillies (51-76, 7th, 28 GB)

18 – I don’t know how we did it, but we left the tying run stranded at third base. So very frustrating.
Cardinals 5, Phillies 4 (12)
W: Gordon Maltzberger (2-7) L: Ike Pearson (0-3)
HR: Ron Northey (9)

19 – Why does Jack Kraus have to be so good? He needs to spread that to his teammates. Talent hog.
Phillies 4, Cardinals 1
W: Jack Kraus (16-11) L: Howie Pollet (10-9) SV: Ike Pearson (7)

20 – Johnny Podgajny throws a complete-game 8-hitter, and the offense explodes for 9 runs in an easy victory.
Phillies 9, Cardinals 3
W: Johnny Podgajny (4-14) L: Mort Cooper (17-8)
HR: Vern Stephens (11)

Both the Washington Senators and the Cleveland Indians lost, eliminating both from pennant contention. This leaves only the Red Sox (9 GB) to challenge the Yankees this season.

21 – Stan Musial’s 2 home runs and Harry Gumbert’s complete game are just too much for the Phillies offense to overcome.
Cardinals 6, Phillies 1
W: Harry Gumbert (12-12) L: Dick Mauney (11-9)

August 22: Day Off


23 GAMES REMAINING

NATIONAL LEAGUE		
St. Louis	81-50	-
Brooklyn	79-52	2
New York	73-58	8
Chicago		73-58	8
Boston		63-68	18
Pittsburgh	61-70	20
Philadelphia	53-78	28
Cincinnati	41-90	40
			
AMERICAN LEAGUE		
New York	93-38	-
Boston		84-47	9
Cleveland	69-62	24
Washington	69-62	24
Detroit		56-75	37
Chicago		53-78	40
St. Louis	50-81	43
Philadelphia	50-81	43
			
RACE TO THE 1944 #1 PICK
Cincin. Reds	41-90	-
Phila. A's	50-81	9
St. L. Browns	50-81	9
Phila. Phillies	53-78	12
Chi. White Sox	53-78	12
			
RACE FOR CITY SUPREMACY	
Phillies	53-78	-
Athletics	50-81	3

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1943
PART II

Well, here we go. The stretch run of another long, arduous season. Can the Red Sox make up a 9-game deficit in 23 games? Who will emerge with the NL pennant? And, most importantly for Phillies fans, where will we pick next season in the draft? The answers to these questions and more start right now!

August 23-26: Philadelphia Phillies (53-78, 7th, 28 GB) at Cincinnati Reds (41-90, 8th, 40 GB)

23 – Bucky Walters pitches a complete game, and the Phillies offense just can’t seem to find their bearings.
Reds 5, Phillies 3
W: Bucky Walters (11-11) L: Marius Russo (2-9)

Ron Northey took a Walters fastball of his forearm, breaking the arm. He’ll be out for the season. RF Nick Goulish will get the call-up from AAA Utica.

Northey’s rookie season: .280, 9 HR, 45 RBI

24 – Jack Kraus tosses a complete game on the way to his 17th victory of the season, thanks in large part to Nick Goulish, who rapped a 2-run single to solidify the Phillies win.
Phillies 7, Reds 3
W: Jack Kraus (17-11) L: Elmer Riddle (10-16)
HR: Vern Stephens (12)

A Pirates loss and a Cardinals win officially eliminates the Pittsburgh Pirates from pennant contention.

25 – Gil Hodges had the game of his life, knocking in 5 runs, as Johnny Podgajny beats Ewell Blackwell in a match-up between two of the season’s losingest pitchers.
Phillies 6, Reds 3
W: Johnny Podgajny (5-14) L: Ewell Blackwell (3-16)
HR: Gil Hodges (11)

26 – Gil Hodges goes deep again, and Dom Dallessandro drives in 4, as Ed Hanyzewski survives a wild 9th inning to shut the door on the Reds.
Phillies 8, Reds 6
W: Dick Mauney (12-9) L: Joe Krakauskas (0-10)
HR: Gil Hodges (12)

The Redbirds have been red-hot lately, winning 5 straight, and extending their lead over the Dodgers to 5 games. The Yankees keep winning, and their lead over the Red Sox has grown to 11 games with 19 to play.

August 27-30: Philadelphia Phillies (56-79, 7th, 29 GB) at Chicago Cubs (74-61, 4th, 11 GB)

27 – The Phillies’ 7-0 5th inning lead seemed safe. However, the Cubs came storming back, scoring 9 unanswered runs in an improbable victory.
Cubs 9, Phillies 7
W: Paul Erickson (3-0) L: Marius Russo (2-10)
HR: Gil Hodges (13), Larry Doby (3)

It seems like we can’t go 3 days without another injury. This time, Dick Mauney will miss the end of the season again. His final stats: 12-9, 3.53 ERA, 100 K, 2 SO.

The Dodgers beat the Cardinals, pulling them to within 4 games of the Redbirds. The Red Sox manage to take a game out of the Yankees lead as well.

28 – We had this game won on three separate occasions. First, Ike Pearson can’t hold a ninth inning lead. Second, we leave the bases loaded in the 10th inning. Third, we score in the top of the 11th, only to have the Cubbies tie us in the bottom half. The Cubs win in 12.
Cubs 4, Phillies 3 (12)
W: Vern Olsen (3-3) L: Hugh Casey (3-6)

A Braves loss spells the end for the hopes of a cross-Boston Series, as the Boston Braves are eliminated from pennant contention. Meanwhile, the Dodgers take another game out of the Cardinal lead, cutting it to 3 games with another win against the league leaders.

29 – Phil Cavarretta knocked home 6 RBIs, including a grand slam, as the Cubs offense awakens and mauls Johnny Podgajny.
Cubs 11, Phillies 1
W: Paul Troughton (3-3) L: Johnny Podgajny (5-15)

The Dodgers take another game from the Cardinals trimming the lead to 2 games. The Bums look for the sweep tomorrow.

30 – Gil Hodges’ 9th-inning home run off of Dale Alderson proves to be the difference-maker, as the Phillies salvage their last game against the Cubs this season.
Phillies 2, Cubs 1
W: Gene Lambert (3-8) L: Dale Alderson (3-4)
HR: Gil Hodges (14)

The Dodgers may have just resurrected their season, as they complete the sweep of the Cardinals, pulling themselves to within 1 game of the lead. They might’ve unwittingly just brought the Giants and the Cubs back into play, who both picked up 3 games on the league-leading Redbirds. With the Yankees comfortably ahead of the BoSox, here’s how the NL stacks up with their remaining schedules:

St. Louis Cardinals: Leader (4 at Boston, 3 vs. Boston, 4 at Phillies, 4 at Chicago)
Brooklyn Dodgers: 1 GB (4 at Chicago, 3 vs. Chicago, 4 vs. Cincinnati, 4 vs. Boston)
New York Giants: 6 GB (4 vs. Cincinnati, 3 at Cincinnati, 4 at Chicago, 4 vs. Phillies)
Chicago Cubs: 8 GB (4 vs. Brooklyn, 3 at Brooklyn, 4 vs. NY Giants, 4 vs. Cardinals)

The Cubs have the toughest road, by far. The Giants have the easiest, although they can’t count on the Phillies for easy wins should it come down to the wire. They’re going to have to earn their pennant!

PENNANT FEVER! CATCH IT!*

*not contagious in Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and some parts of Boston, Chicago, and St. Louis.

CONTINUED...

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1943
PART III

August 31-September 3: Philadelphia Phillies (57-82, 7th, 28 GB) at Pittsburgh Pirates (62-77, 6th, 23 GB)

31 – Gil Hodges has been red-hot lately. In his last 7 games, he’s hitting .360 with 5 HR and 11 RBI. This time he victimizes the Pirates’ starter Bob Chesnes.
Phillies 3, Pirates 1
W: Marius Russo (3-10) L: Bob Chesnes (6-8) SV: Ike Pearson (8)
HR: Gil Hodges (15)

The Cardinals win, but so do the Dodgers and Giants. The Cubs lost to the Dodgers, so they fall off the pace.

Time for the September call-ups!
SP Dick Mauney (75/87) [85]
SP Charlie Ripple (74/91)
SP Al Gerheauser (80/88)
SP Jocko Thompson (77/86)
SP Andy Lapihuska (67/80)
RP Dale Matthewson (71/81)
C Bill Peterman (73/83)
C Bob Finley (75/81)
2B Al Glossop (72)
3B Ty LaForest (65/78)
3B Bert Hodge (66/73)
SS Jack Albright (62/82)
LF Johnny Blatnik (75/95)
LF Ed Sanicki (70/82)
RF Ron Northey (84/93) [47]

1 – Jack Kraus cruises to his 18th victory of the season, thanks in large part to Larry Doby’s 5 RBI day and (another) home run Gil Hodges.
Phillies 11, Pirates 5
W: Jack Kraus (18-11) L: Stew Hinds (0-1)
HR: Gil Hodges (16)

(THIS IS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT! Gil Hodges is showing his true potential! Now I just need a ballpark that is more conducive towards hitting home runs... (Shibe Park has an 80 rating – 100 is average))

2 – Tommy Hughes gives up 8 runs in 7 innings in his return from injury, and not even ANOTHER Gil Hodges home run can prevent a Phillies loss.
Pirates 8, Phillies 4
W: Ken Heintzelman (10-12) L: Tommy Hughes (9-9)
HR: Gil Hodges (17)

3 – No home run from Gil Hodges today, but he did score ahead of Andy Seminick on the catcher’s go-ahead 2-run home run in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Phillies the win.
Phillies 7, Pirates 4
W: Hugh Casey (4-6) L: Harry Shuman (8-5)
HR: Andy Seminick (14)

The Giants are smoking! They’ve won seven straight and are now within 5 games of the league-leading Cardinals, who managed to pull 1 game ahead of the Dodgers with a big win. With 11 to play, here’s how the NL shakes out:

St. Louis Cardinals – 88-55
Brooklyn Dodgers – 87-56 (1 GB)
New York Giants – 83-60 (5 GB)

Remember that the Cubs play their remaining 11 games against these clubs. The Northsiders may be 10 games out of first, but you certainly can’t count them out yet.

The Yankees, meanwhile, have lowered their magic number to 2 games. They’ve also topped the 100-win plateau for the 3rd consecutive year, and the 6th time in the last 8 seasons. They’re also the first team in history to top 100 wins 3 consecutive seasons.

September 4: Day Off

September 5-7: Pittsburgh Pirates (63-80, 6th, 25 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (60-83, 7th, 28 GB)

5 – I forgot why I acquired Marius Russo in the first place. Was it to take up a roster space?
Pirates 2, Phillies 0
W: Rip Sewell (7-3) L: Marius Russo (3-11) SV: Diomedes Olivo (17)

The top 3 NL teams win, which means that the Chicago Cubs are eliminated from pennant contention. They’ll still play a large role in deciding the eventual champion, though.

The Red Sox lost, moving the inevitable Yankees pennant one day closer.

6 – Every starter gets a hit, and the Phillies explode for a 9-run 4th inning in support of Jack Kraus’ lead-tying 19th victory on the season.
Phillies 11, Pirates 2
W: Jack Kraus (19-11) L: Stew Hinds (0-2)

The Yankees won, so...

THE NEW YORK YANKEES ARE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS, AGAIN!

Updating the numbers from last season:
This is the Yankees’ 3rd consecutive pennant, their 7th in eight years, and their 14th in 22 years.

The NL’s top 3 all win again, so nothing changes there.

7 – A 14-inning thriller that the Pirates will win, thanks to a couple of crucial errors committed by Phillies call-ups.
Pirates 7, Phillies 5 (14)
W: Ken Gables (1-0) L: Emil Kush (3-6)

The Cincinnati Reds lost today, officially clinching the #1 pick in next June’s amateur draft.

The Cardinals capitalize on both the Dodgers and Giants losses, winning their game. This leaves Brooklyn 2 back and New York 6 back.

Now the Giants travel to Chicago to face the Cubs, the Dodgers host the hapless Reds, and the Cardinals travel to the world’s toughest place to play, Shibe Park! BRING IT, REDBIRDS!

September 8-11: St. Louis Cardinals (91-55, 1st, 2 GA) at Philadelphia Phillies (61-85, 7th, 30 GB)

8 – Gene Lambert holds the Cardinals to only 3 hits in 7 innings of work, but Augie Bergamo’s 2-run home run is one of them.
Cardinals 2, Phillies 1
W: Mort Cooper (20-9) L: Gene Lambert (3-9) SV: Murry Dickson (3)

The Giants lost, but the Dodgers won, keeping pace with the Cards.

9 – I decide to let Charlie Ripple have shot, and the kid didn’t disappoint, allowing only 1 run over 8 innings of work. However, this game would go long, and the Cards would push the eventual winning run across in the 13th.
Cardinals 2, Phillies 1 (13)
W: Gordon Maltzberger (3-7) L: Emil Kush (3-7) SV: Freddy Schmidt (1)

The Cardinals win kills another team’s hopes, as the New York Giants are officially eliminated. The Dodgers won again, keeping themselves 2 games back with 6 to play.

10 – Jack Kraus doesn’t disappoint in his quest for a 20th win, but a pinch-hit home run by Walker Cooper spells doom for the home team.
Cardinals 3, Phillies 2
W: Howie Pollet (12-11) L: Jack Kraus (19-12) SV: Gordon Maltzberger (16)
HR: Gil Hodges (18)

The St. Louis Browns, by virtue of their loss today (their 8th straight), have clinched the #2 selection in next June’s draft.

The Dodgers won again, but still can’t gain any ground on the Cardinals.

11 – Gil Hodges went 3-4, but the real star of the home finale was Andy Seminick. Our young catcher smashed two home runs and drove in 5, ending the Phillies’ home slate on a high note.
Phillies 8, Cardinals 3
W: Marius Russo (4-11) L: Harry Gumbert (14-14)
HR: Andy Seminick 2 (16)

With 4 games to play, the #3 pick in next June’s draft is still up in the air. Three teams are vying for it, and all 3 have identical 62-88 records. The Athletics finish the season at the Yankees, and are the betting favorite. The White Sox finish at home against the Red Sox, and come in a close second. The Phillies finish at the Polo Grounds against the Giants, and are the “dark horse” in this sweepstakes.

The Dodgers won their 4th straight capitalizing on the Cardinals loss. With 4 games to play, the Cardinals lead the Dodgers by 1 GAME! The Cardinals finish with four games in Chicago against the Cubs, while the Dodgers host the Boston Braves.

CONTINUED...

[PotatoOfCouch13]

September 13-16: Philadelphia Phillies (62-88, 7th, 32 GB) at New York Giants (85-65, 3rd, 9 GB)

13 – Ray Hamrick’s first ML home run was not enough to stop Mel Ott and the rest of the Giants lineup.
Giants 4, Phillies 3
W: Hal Schumacher (14-12) L: Emil Kush (3-8) SV: Hoyt Wilhelm (18)
HR: Ray Hamrick (1)

A Cardinals win coupled with a Dodger loss increases the Redbirds’ lead by 1 game. It is now a 2 game lead with 3 to play.

Both the Athletics and the White Sox lost as well, leaving things deadlocked at the bottom of the heap.

14 – Charlie Ripple tried his best. In his third career start, he goes the distance, but gives up 5 runs to the Giants offense. The lone bright spot: he may be able to say that he started opposite Carl Hubbell in the Meal Ticket’s final game (should King Carl retire, of course).
Giants 5, Phillies 3
W: Ace Adams (10-8) L: Charlie Ripple (0-1)

Both the Cardinals and the Dodgers lost. Therefore:

St. Louis clinches the pennant with 1 win OR 1 Dodger loss.
Brooklyn forces a playoff with 2 wins AND 2 Cardinal losses.

It’s as simple as that.

The White Sox and Athletics also lost today.

15 – Jack Kraus is denied the opportunity at a 20-win season by Johnny Mize and the rest of the Giants lineup.
Giants 6, Phillies 1
W: Freddie Fitzsimmons (13-12) L: Jack Kraus (19-13)

The pennant will be decided on the last day of the season! The Dodgers won, and the Cardinals lost, bringing the Dodgers to within 1 game of a share of the lead. The possible scenarios:

CARDINALS:
Win – and they clinch the pennant
Lose – and hope the Braves beat the Dodgers

DODGERS:
Win – and hope the Cubs beat the Cardinals to force a playoff
Lose – and they finish a close second

The A’s and Sox continue to lose! All three teams are deadlocked at 62-91 with 1 game to decide who will be picking 3rd next season.

16 – Well, we got shut out, but there is good news...
Giants 3, Phillies 0
W: Van Mungo (15-12) L: Marius Russo (4-12)

...the Athletics and the White Sox both won! That means that we get the #3 pick next June!

The Dodgers, however, crumbled under the pressure, losing to the Braves. For an extra measure, the Cardinals beat the Cubs, meaning...

THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS ARE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS, AGAIN!

This is the 2nd consecutive pennant for the Cardinals, and their 6th all-time.

So this year’s World Series is a rematch of last season’s. It will begin on September 20, although the Cardinals have the home-field advantage this time. Will it make a difference? Find out after the season recap!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

THE END OF YEAR RECAP

STANDINGS

NATIONAL LEAGUE		
St. Louis	96-58	-
Brooklyn	94-60	2
New York	89-65	7
Chicago		85-69	11
Boston		75-79	21
Pittsburgh	68-86	28
Philadelphia	62-92	34
Cincinnati	47-107	49
			
AMERICAN LEAGUE		
New York	107-47	-
Boston		98-56	9
Cleveland	84-70	23
Washington	77-77	30
Detroit		68-86	39
Chicago		63-91	44
Philadelphia	63-91	44
St. Louis	56-98	51
			
1944 DRAFT ORDER
Cincinnati Reds (47-107)
St. Louis Browns (56-98)
Philadelphia Phillies (62-92)
*Philadelphia Athletics (63-91)
*Chicago White Sox (63-91)

*order to be determined
			
RACE FOR CITY SUPREMACY	
Athletics	63-91	-
Phillies	62-90	1

SEASON STATISTICS
Red denotes League Leader

BATTING

1943 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Kush, Emil                PHI   48 1.000     2    2   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0 1.000 1.000
Klein, Chuck              PHI  146  .293   498  146  27   2  10   34   58    7   5   59   59  .416  .341
Dallessandro, Dom         PHI  122  .292   298   87  21   4   2   32   30    4   2   36   44  .409  .364
Rizzuto, Phil             PHI  146  .285   530  151  27   5   0   58   55   13  17   65   36  .355  .358
Northey, Ron              PHI  117  .280   411  115  25   6   9   37   32    3   1   52   45  .436  .343
Doby, Larry               PHI   42  .275   160   44   5   4   3   20   13    3   2   20   24  .413  .363
Stephens, Vern            PHI  144  .274   584  160  31   6  12   47   71    3   2   69   72  .409  .329
Livingston, Mickey        PHI   44  .270   115   31   4   0   0   11   15    1   0   13   13  .304  .333
Hamrick, Ray              PHI   49  .261   157   41   1   1   1   18   16    5   1   10    9  .299  .337
Hodges, Gil               PHI  143  .246   483  119  18   3  18   78   56    9   2   69   74  .408  .352
Mauney, Dick              PHI   30  .232    69   16   2   0   0    0   18    0   1    4    3  .261  .232
Goulish, Nick             PHI   17  .227    22    5   1   0   0    1    2    0   0    2    3  .273  .261
Seminick, Andy            PHI  132  .223   449  100  10   3  16   57   56    0   0   53   58  .365  .318
Murtaugh, Danny           PHI  101  .217   267   58  11   1   0   33   32    8   3   24   15  .266  .308
Wasdell, Jimmy            PHI   45  .206    63   13   1   0   0    7    9    0   1    2    4  .222  .286
Marnie, Harry             PHI   99  .205   239   49   5   1   0   11   37    3   0   27   16  .234  .249
Page, Joe                 PHI   34  .200     5    1   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .200  .200
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI   24  .192    52   10   2   0   0    1   14    0   0    5    3  .231  .208
Lambert, Gene             PHI   19  .175    40    7   2   0   0    1    9    0   0    3    2  .225  .195
Ripple, Charlie           PHI    2  .167     6    1   1   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .333  .167
Blatnik, Johnny           PHI    6  .143    14    2   2   0   0    1    2    0   0    0    1  .286  .200
Gerheauser, Al            PHI   11  .136    22    3   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    2    1  .136  .136
Murphy, Ed                PHI   16  .125    16    2   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    2    0  .125  .125
Russo, Marius             PHI   25  .109    46    5   1   0   0    1   13    0   0    3    2  .130  .128
Kraus, Jack               PHI   38  .101    89    9   2   0   0    4   26    0   0    6    8  .124  .138
Hughes, Tommy             PHI   24  .071    56    4   0   0   0    0   19    0   0    1    2  .071  .071
Peterman, Bill            PHI    4  .000     4    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Hodge, Bert               PHI    1  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Glossop, Al               PHI    5  .000     3    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Sanicki, Ed               PHI    1  .000     0    0   0   0   0    1    0    0   0    0    0  .000 1.000
Albright, Jack            PHI    1  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Casey, Hugh               PHI   51  .000     2    0   0   0   0    1    2    0   0    0    0  .000  .333
Masterson, Paul           PHI   10  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

PITCHING

1943 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Kush, Emil                PHI   75.0  2.04   48   0   3   8   2   37   32 10.80
Casey, Hugh               PHI   77.2  2.09   51   0   4   6  12   28   32 10.20
Kraus, Jack               PHI  272.1  3.17   38  38  19  13   0   79   84 11.70
Ripple, Charlie           PHI   16.0  3.38    2   2   0   1   0   10    5 10.69
Mauney, Dick              PHI  214.0  3.53   30  30  12   9   0  100   70 11.69
Hughes, Tommy             PHI  180.2  3.74   24  24   9   9   0   76   59 11.86
Pearson, Ike              PHI   22.0  4.09   17   0   0   3   8    5    5  8.59
Page, Joe                 PHI   59.0  4.27   34   0   3   5   1   31   38 14.95
Masterson, Paul           PHI   22.0  4.50   10   1   0   1   1   11   13 14.73
Lambert, Gene             PHI  130.1  4.70   19  19   3   9   0   85   65 13.19
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI  168.0  4.71   24  24   5  15   0   52   81 14.09
Russo, Marius             PHI  151.2  5.04   25  25   4  12   0   72   79 14.84
Hanyzewski, Ed            PHI   33.0  5.45   28   0   1   1   0   14   15 13.64
Gerheauser, Al            PHI   64.2  6.82   11   8   1   7   0   27   41 17.12
Matthewson, Dale          PHI    6.1  9.95    4   0   0   1   0    5    5 24.16

LEAGUE LEADERS

NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS		
AVG - Joe Medwick (BRO)		.329
HR - Bill Nicholson (CHC)	36
     Ralph Kiner (PIT)		
RBI - Bill Nicholson (CHC)	131
SB - Sam Jethroe (BSN)		36
				
W - Whit Wyatt (BRO)		20
    Mort Cooper (STL)		
ERA - Jim Tobin (BSN)		2.58
K - Warren Spahn (BSN)		175
SV - Jim Hughes (BRO)		23
				
AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS		
AVG - Jeff Heath (CLE)		.335
      Mickey Vernon (WSH)	
HR - Jimmie Foxx (BOS)		31
RBI - Jimmie Foxx (BOS)		124
SB - Walt Chipple (WSH)		27
				
W - Lefty Gomez (NYY)		22
ERA - Tiny Bonham (NYY)		2.13
K - Hal Newhouser (DET)		187
SV - Tom Ferrick (CLE)		21

MILESTONES

2B Charlie Gehringer (CHW): 1500th RBI (8/7)
C Bill Dickey (NYY): 2000th Hit (8/28)

MAJOR INJURIES

8/8: C Ernie Lombardi (CLE) out for the season with a broken leg (.295, 13 HR, 69 RBI).
8/15: LF Andy Pafko (CHC) out for the season with a separated shoulder (.281, 19 HR, 72 RBI).
8/20: SP Lon Warneke (STL) out 2 weeks with a strained knee.
8/27: CF Terry Moore (STL) out for the season with a broken foot (.268, 4 HR, 40 RBI).
9/7: CF Sam Jethroe (BSN) out for the season with a broken ankle (.210, 15 HR, 43 RBI).
9/10: SP Early Wynn (WSH) out for the season with a stress fracture (18-9, 2.77 ERA, 155 K).

NOTABLE RETIREMENTS

8/20: LF George Selkirk
	1934-1943: New York Yankees
	2-time All-Star (1936, 1939)
	6-time World Champion
	.289, 109 HR, 592 RBI in 9 seasons

COMING UP NEXT: World Series Preview

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1943 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW

1943 AL CHAMPION NEW YORK YANKEES
C Bill Dickey - .256, 8 HR, 31 RBI
1B Oscar Grimes - .235, 5 HR, 30 RBI
2B Joe Gordon - .244, 15 HR, 94 RBI
3B Harlond Clift - .302, 11 HR, 80 RBI
SS Pee Wee Reese - .287, 7 HR, 58 RBI
LF Charlie Keller - .310, 29 HR, 97 RBI
CF Joe DiMaggio - .307, 19 HR, 118 RBI
RF Tommy Henrich - .266, 8 HR, 75 RBI

SP1 Lefty Gomez – 22-5, 2.54 ERA, 180 K
SP2 Tiny Bonham – 11-2, 2.13 ERA, 50 K
SP3 Atley Donald – 15-3, 2.81 ERA, 86 K
CL Norm Branch – 3-6, 5.19 ERA, 20/25 SV/OPP
SU Johnny Murphy – 6-2, 1.69 ERA, 7/8 SV/OPP

KEY INJURIES
SP Red Ruffing
SP Spud Chandler

The Yankees are not bulletproof. You’ll need more than one gun to keep them down, though. Joe DiMaggio and Charlie Keller spearhead the offense, while Cy Young Award frontrunner Lefty Gomez anchors an airtight pitching staff.

How They Beat You:
Power, power, power.
How You Beat Them:
Pitching around the heart of the order, and getting runs off their bullpen.

1943 NL CHAMPION ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
C Walker Cooper - .295, 11 HR, 58 RBI
1B Frank McCormick - .315, 5 HR, 40 RBI
2B Lou Klein - .224, 1 HR, 21 RBI
3B Whitey Kurowski - .285, 10 HR, 65 RBI
SS Jeff Cross - .205, 0 HR, 2 RBI
LF Stan Musial - .323, 31 HR, 130 RBI
CF Johnny Hopp - .299, 7 HR, 44 RBI
RF Enos Slaughter - .291, 11 HR, 90 RBI

SP1 Mort Cooper – 20-9, 3.09 ERA, 146 K
SP2 Johnny Rigney – 13-10, 2.86 ERA, 108 K
SP3 Lon Warneke – 13-4, 2.90 ERA, 70 K
CL Gordon Maltzberger – 3-7, 3.16 ERA, 16/20 SV/OPP
SU Clyde Shoun – 7-4, 2.55 ERA, 8/9 SV/OPP

KEY INJURIES
CF Terry Moore
RP Art Lopatka

The Cardinals are back and hungry to avenge last year’s World Series loss. Stan Musial put up another MVP-caliber season, and the pitching staff was the best in the National League from top to bottom.

How They Beat You:
Great starting pitching and solid offense from everyone.
How You Beat Them:
Frustrate Stan Musial. Without him, they’re nothing.

MY PREDICTION:
Yankees in 7 – their numbers seem to be down this year. Call it a hunch, but I say this goes the distance. Don't be surprised if the injury to Red Ruffing comes back to bite the Bronx Bombers, though.
MVP: Lefty Gomez – After his performance in last season’s World Series, don’t be surprised if Lefty does it again to the Cardinals. And if the series goes to Game 7 (like I predicted), look for him to win it.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 1

The 1943 World Series would open with a match-up of two 20-game winners: Lefty Gomez (22-5, 2.54 ERA) would get the nod for the Yankees, while Mort Cooper (20-9, 3.09 ERA) would open for the Cardinals. If you’ll recall, these two squared off in Games 1 and 4 of last year’s World Series, with Gomez winning both times.

The Yankees tried to strike first. Pee Wee Reese singled, but was erased on a double play. Charlie Keller walked, and Joe DiMaggio followed with a single, but both were stranded when Joe Gordon flied out.

Lefty Gomez retired Jeff Cross, Johnny Hopp, and Enos Slaughter in order.

Cooper allowed a two-out single to Oscar Grimes, but got the next man to retire the side.

Gomez set down Stan Musial, Ray Sanders, and Walker Cooper in order.

Clift stroked a one-out single in the top of the third, but was stranded at first.

Gomez retired Whitey Kurowski, Lou Klein, and Mort Cooper in order.

Cooper retired the side in order in the top of the 4th.

Gomez set down Cross, Hopp, and Slaughter in order again.

Pee Wee Reese smacked a two-out single, but was gunned down by Slaughter when he tried to stretch his hit into a double.

Gomez got Musial, Sanders and Cooper in order in the 5th.

It was about this time that fans started to realize that Lefty Gomez was working on a Perfect Game. This is when a pitcher retires all 27 batters he faces in order, without a single one reaching base. There had never been one thrown in the World Series, and only been 3 thrown since the turn of the last century. Gomez was working on something special here.

Cooper got Clift to pop out, and sat Keller and DiMaggio down on strikes in the top of the 6th.

Whitey Kurowski walked to lead off the 6th. The perfect game was gone, but the no-hitter still had a possibility of happening. Gomez got through the inning without anymore damage, and the no-no was still intact.

Joe Gordon reached on an error and advanced to second, but was stranded there.

Gomez retired Hopp, Slaughter, and Musial in order.

Gomez was scheduled to lead off the top of the eighth inning. This led Yankee manager Joe McCarthy to an interesting quandary: does he leave Gomez in to try and finish history, or does he try and go for the win here?

I’ll wait to let you make your own decision...



[Whistles Jeopardy theme song]



In the end, McCarthy decided to pinch hit for Gomez. The pinch-hitter was loudly booed by the Cardinal fans, who wanted to see history. Russ Derry grounded out, but Pee Wee Reese singled and stole second. With one out, former Brown Harlond Clift doubled, scoring Reese with the game’s first run. Yankees 1, Cardinals 0. After a Keller strikeout, Joe DiMaggio plated Clift with an RBI single. Yankees 2, Cardinals 0. Cooper retired the side, but the damage was done.

Johnny Murphy came in to pitch for the Yankees. He gave up 1 hit in the 8th and another in the 9th, but that was all the Cardinals would get. They were simply dominated by Lefty Gomez and the New York Yankees.

Yankees 2, Cardinals 0
Yankees lead series, 1-0
W: Lefty Gomez L: Mort Cooper SV: Johnny Murphy

MVP: SP Lefty Gomez (NYY): 7 IP, 0 H, 1 BB. If only Joe McCarthy had left him in, we wouldn’t be wondering what might’ve been...
LVP: The Cardinals offense: 2-28 (.071) in Game 1

[CatKnight]

:sigh: It appears McCarthy made the right decision, but God that had to have hurt Gomez. I think Larsen's perfect game (which of course hasn't happened here) is the only no-no in post season play too.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

CatKnight: I suppose it did pay off, but it was magical to watch. If only it had been a blowout...

You're right about Don Larsen, who's Perfect Game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series is the only postseason no-hitter to date. However, that hasn't happened in this universe.

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 2

After getting embarrassed yesterday, the Cardinals were definitely out for revenge. They would send mid-season acquisition Johnny Rigney to the mound (13-10, 2.86 ERA), hoping to right the ship before they headed to New York. The Yankees would counter with AL ERA Leader Tiny Bonham (11-2, 2.13 ERA).

Rigney was jittery early. He went to 3-0 counts with the first three hitters. Fortunately for the Cards, only one reached base (on a single), and Rigney got through the first unscathed.

Bonham wasn’t as lucky. Jeff Cross led off with a single, and after another hit by Enos Slaughter, Stan Musial drove him home, giving the Redbirds their first lead of the Series. Cardinals 1, Yankees 0. Bonham bore down, though, and retired the side on the next pitch.

Both pitchers cruised along through the third inning, scattering hits and walks, but not getting into trouble.

Tommy Henrich led off the 4th inning for the Yankees. Henrich has a reputation for being one of the best clutch hitters in the game, so look for him should a big situation arrive. He smashed a triple to left field, and scored on a Bill Dickey RBI groundout. Cardinals 1, Yankees 1. Rigney allowed no further damage.

The Cards went down easy in their 4th. The Yanks were set down in the fifth.

The Cardinals fifth started much the same way the first did. Jeff Cross singled, and stole second. Slaughter singled again, but he plated the runner this time. Cardinals 2, Yankees 1. Musial singled, and Walker Cooper followed with an RBI double, plating Slaughter. Cardinals 3, Yankees 1. It should be noted the Yankee shortstop Pee Wee Reese appeared to hang on to the ball a little longer than usual, as though he was hesitant about throwing home. Slaughter beat the tag by inches, and scored a very important (as it would turn out) run. The Cards now had two runners in scoring position with 1 out, but were unable to capitalize as Bonham regained his composure and retired the side.

Both teams went down 1-2-3 in the 6th inning.

The Yankees tried mounting a comeback in the 7th. Russ Derry pinch hit for Bonham with one out and single. Reese followed with a single of his own, and Clift drove him in with another single. Cardinals 3, Yankees 2. They wouldn’t get any more, though, as Rigney rallied to strike out Keller, and got DiMaggio to fly out.

The Cardinals left an insurance run stranded on third base in the bottom of the 7th.

The Yankees left the tying run on third in the top of the 8th.

The Cardinals left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th.

Gordon Maltzberger was brought in to close out the game. “Maltzy” was another midseason acquisition from the White Sox and had done quite well as the closer since Art Lopatka’s injury. He set the Yankees down 1-2-3, and secured the Cardinals win.

Cardinals 3, Yankees 2
Series tied, 1-1
W: Johnny Rigney L: Tiny Bonham SV: Gordon Maltzberger

MVP: RF Enos Slaughter (STL): 2-4, R, RBI
LVP: SS Pee Wee Reese (NYY): the catalyst of their offense went 1-5 with 2 K, and he held the ball.

[Donny Ballgame]

So close, Gomez was, so close. Boy, will there be a buzz when he takes the mound again.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Donny Ballgame: Yeah, it was one of those moments where you wish you could take over as manager for just a few innings. There was such a rush on Game 4 tickets that they needed to open up that centerfield section at Yankee Stadium.

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 3

With the series all square at one win apiece, the two teams travel to Yankee Stadium in The Bronx. The Cardinals, now suddenly confident, would send Lon Warneke (13-4, 2.90 ERA) to the mound today, while the Yankees would counter with Atley Donald (15-3, 2.81 ERA).

I didn’t know who Atley Donald was before this series. Now, he’s America’s best kept secret. Donald mowed down the Cardinal hitters like he was Lefty Gomez. Only one runner reached third base, and that was in the first inning. Donald went 8 innings, allowing only 3 hits and 0 runs. He even helped his own cause by driving in the Yankees’ only runs with a bases-loaded single in the 4th.

Yankees 2, Cardinals 0
Yankees lead series, 2-1
W: Atley Donald L: Lon Warneke SV: Norm Branch

MVP: SP Atley Donald (NYY): 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R; 1-3, 2 RBI
LVP: LF Stan Musial (STL): 0-3, K. Hey, the blame has to fall somewhere, and when your star player doesn’t produce...

The teams would meet again tomorrow night, where Lefty Gomez will make his return to the mound. The Yankees are supremely confident that they can take a 3-1 lead into Game 5 on Tuesday.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 4

A Cardinals fan’s worst fear? Seeing Lefty Gomez walk out to the rubber. Gomez has been masterful against the Redbirds. In his 3 starts during the last 2 World Series’, Gomez has pitched 24 innings, allowing only 7 hits and 1 run. He would take the mound tonight against Mort Cooper, in a rematch of Game 1.

Any thoughts of a no-hitter were dispelled early today. Enos Slaughter rapped a first-inning single through the middle to end that notion. He was stranded. The Yankees went 1-2-3 in their half.

The Cardinals jumped on Gomez in the 2nd. Ray Sanders walked, but was still standing on first base with two outs. Then Lou Klein singled, followed by Mort Cooper’s RBI double. Cardinals 1, Yankees 0. After a Jeff Cross walk loaded the bases, Johnny Hopp poked a single into centerfield for two more runs. Cardinals 3, Yankees 0.

The Yankees got a runner to third base in their second, but stranded him there.

The Cards went 1-2-3 in the third. The Yankees, however, did not.

With two outs, Pee Wee Reese singled. Harlond Clift followed by reaching second on a throwing error by Mort Cooper. Charlie Keller followed with an RBI single. Cardinals 3, Yankees 2. Joe DiMaggio followed that with a game-tying RBI double. Cardinals 3, Yankees 3.

Both teams would threaten but come up short over the course of the next few innings. After 6, the score was still knotted at 3.

The Cardinals struck back with two outs in the top of the 7th. Jeff Cross walked, and Johnny Hopp smashed the first home run of the series. Cardinals 5, Yankees 3.

The normally-reliable Max Lanier was brought in to preserve the lead. After a strikeout, pitcher Howie Krist singled, and Reese followed with a triple, scoring the relief pitcher. Cardinals 5, Yankees 4. After walks to Keller and DiMaggio to load the bases, Joe Gordon slapped a single to center, plating 2 runs and giving the Yankees the lead. Yankees 6, Cardinals 5.

The Cards went down without incident in the eighth, but the Yankees added an insurance run thanks to an RBI single by Pee Wee Reese. Yankees 7, Cardinals 5.

Howie Krist was on the mound, trying to finish the game for the Yankees. He walked Lou Klein, and pinch-hitter Dave Bartosch reached on a throwing error. With the go-ahead run at the plate, Krist reared back and struck out pinch-hitter Frank McCormick, but walked Johnny Hopp. The bases were now loaded with 1 out. The go-ahead run was standing on first base, and Stan Musial was on deck. It wouldn’t get to Stan the Man, however, as Enos Slaughter bounced a tailor-made grounder to second. Joe Gordon fielded and flipped to Pee Wee Reese, whose throw to first beat Slaughter to the bag, and gave the Yankees a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Yankees 7, Cardinals 5
Yankees lead series, 3-1
W: Howie Krist L: Max Lanier
HR: Johnny Hopp

MVP: SS Pee Wee Reese (NYY): 3-4, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI
LVP: LF Stan Musial (STL): 0-4, K (3-15, 1 RBI this series)

The Cardinals locker room was sullen. There were no smiles on anyone’s faces. They had that game in the palm of their hand, but couldn't close out the Yankees. If Max Lanier, the bullpen ace, was getting roughed up by the Yankees, then certainly they didn’t stand a chance. Only 1 team had EVER come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the World Series, and that was the 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates. I suppose they could take some solace that the incomparable Lefty Gomez looked human, but there was mostly disappointment on their faces.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 5

It would be the final game at Yankee Stadium for the season. Whether or not it would be the last game of the season period was yet to be decided. Two men with a large say in that decision are today’s starters: in a rematch of Game 2, Johnny Rigney and Tiny Bonham would take the mound for their teams. However, after seeing the deflated Cardinals slink off the field yesterday, I think it’s really a matter of when the Yankees want to stop playing.

The game was uneventful until the bottom of the 3rd, when Pee Wee Reese walked, stole second, and scored on a single by Harlond Clift. Yankees 1, Cardinals 0.

The Cardinals would tie the game in the top half of the 5th inning, when Johnny Rigney doubled home Whitey Kurowski. Yankees 1, Cardinals 1. The Yankees took it right back in the bottom half, as Joe Gordon singled home Pee Wee Reese. Yankees 2, Cardinals 1.

With one out in the top of the 6th, Enos Slaughter took a forkball and forked it over the left field wall for a game-tying home run. Yankees 2, Cardinals 2. The Redbirds would add to the inning with a bases-loaded walk by Kurowski. Cardinals 3, Yankees 2.

The Yankees loaded the bases in the 7th, but Max Lanier induced Hank Sauer into a fly out, stranding all three runners.

The Cardinals put two men on in the 8th, but they failed to score.

Joe DiMaggio singled with one out in the 9th, but was left standing their as Max Lanier shut the door on the Yankees, and sent the series back to St. Louis.

Cardinal 3, Yankees 2
Yankees lead series, 3-2
W: Johnny Rigney L: Tiny Bonham SV: Max Lanier
HR: Enos Slaughter

MVP: RP Max Lanier (STL): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 K, SV
LVP: LF Charlie Keller (NYY): 0-4, K

The Cardinals had staved off elimination, at least for one more day. After the off day tomorrow, Sportsman’s Park will be packed to the gates with anxious Cardinal fans, hoping that their boys will pull through and force a Game 7.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 6

In a rematch of Game 3, the Yankees would send Atley Donald to the hill to square off against the Cardinals’ Lon Warneke.

The Yanks jump on Warneke, putting up a crooked number in the first inning. Yankees 2, Cardinals 0. Lon Warneke, however, would hold them to just 3 hits the rest of the way, and the offense would come alive in the third. A Walker Cooper RBI single cut the deficit in half. Yankees 2, Cardinals 1. In the fourth inning, the Cardinals did their heaviest damage, putting three hits together with a walk and a sacrifice to produce 3 runs. Cardinals 4, Yankees 2. As previously mentioned, Warneke was outstanding the rest of the way, so all the Yankees could do was to stare glumly at the field, and mentally prepare for Game 7 tomorrow.

Cardinals 4, Yankees 2
Series tied, 3-3
W: Lon Warneke L: Atley Donald

MVP: SP Lon Warneke (STL): CG, 2 R, 6 H, 6 K
LVP: SP Atley Donald (NYY): 4 IP, 4 ER

NOW the momentum has shifted! The Cardinals are excited and confident, while the Yankees are left shaking their heads. The most powerful offense in the Major Leagues, who during the season had scored almost 6 runs per game, had been held to 2 in the last two games. A World Series had only come down to a winner-take-all Game 7 six previous times: 1924, 1925, 1926, 1931, 1934, and 1940. In both 1926 and 1934, a visiting Cardinals team beat their AL opponents to record the only Game 7 road victories of all-time. Their 1926 AL counterpart? The Ruth-Gehrig-Lazzeri led New York Yankees! In a cruel twist of irony, the 1943 Yankees had a chance to turn the tables on the Cardinals, while the Redbirds had a chance to humiliate the Bronx Bombers by achieving the impossible.

Gomez vs. Cooper. Yankees vs. Cardinals. Game 7. Sportsman’s Park. Tomorrow night. Can YOU handle the pressure?

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 7

What can be said about Game 7? It is the ultimate climax. Two evenly matched teams have traded blows for 6 hard-fought games. Now, a season’s worth of hard work is about to pay off. 154 regular season games and 6 postseason ones have decided nothing; it comes down to 1 game: 9 innings, 50 men, 1 World Champion.

The Yankees were about tradition. If they won today, it would be just another title on their way towards many more.

The Cardinals were after history. Only the 1925 Pirates had ever won the World Series after trailing 3-1. The Cards had a chance to etch their name in the history books.

In a rematch of Games 1 & 4, it would be Lefty Gomez and Mort Cooper starting for their teams.

Pee Wee Reese would lead off the game by striking out. Harlond Clift followed with a double, but was stranded on second after a Charlie Keller groundout and a Joe DiMaggio flyout.

Jeff Cross flied out to start the game for the Cardinals. Johnny Hopp reached on a base hit, and promptly stole second. Enos Slaughter then stroked an RBI double to the left-field gap, and Hopp scored easily to give the Cards the early lead. Cardinals 1, Yankees 0. Slaughter was stranded, though, when Stan Musial and Ray Sanders were both set down.

Joe Gordon, Tommy Henrich, and Bill Dickey were sent down by Mort Cooper 1-2-3.

Gomez would run into trouble again in the second, as Walker Cooper takes the first pitch he sees and crushes a solo home run to left field. Cardinals 2, Yankees 0. Whitey Kurowski flied out, but Lou Klein singled. Mort Cooper flied out, Jeff Cross walked, and Johnny Hopp struck out, ending the inning.

It was right about this time that a funny thing happened: the Yankees couldn’t get hits. They were making contact, but they weren’t getting any hits. The leadoff man reached in both the third and fourth innings on a walk and an error, but was stranded on the bases. The Bronx Bombers were set down in order in the 5th and 6th innings. Mort Cooper was dominating the most vaunted offense in baseball!

Meanwhile, Lefty Gomez had rebounded after a poor start and returned to his Game 1 form. He retired the side in order in the 3rd and 6th innings, and allowed only one runner in the 4th and 5th. However, his pitching wasn’t going to win the game for the Yankees anymore. They needed three runs, and time (and outs) were running out.

With one out in the 7th, Joe Gordon and Tommy Henrich hit back-to-back singles, but there efforts would go for naught, as Dickey and pinch-hitter Russ Derry both flied out.

The Cardinals went down 1-2-3 in the seventh.

A two-out walk translates into nothing, as the Yankees are still scoreless after 8 innings. The Cardinals get a two-out walk of their own against reliever Johnny Murphy, but leave him on the basepaths.

So heading to the ninth, the Cardinals had a 2-0 lead. Mort Cooper walked out to the mound, determined to finish what he started. He would face DiMaggio, Gordon, Henrich, and possibly Dickey, four of the most feared hitters in the American League.

Joe DiMaggio led off the inning and wasted little time influencing the game: he ended the shutout bid with a towering home run. Cardinals 2, Yankees 1. Cardinal manager Billy Southworth came out to the mound, but went back to the dugout without Cooper! He was going to leave his ace in the game!

Joe Gordon strode to the plate. He worked himself into a hitter’s count, and took a mighty cut at a fastball. He just got the top of the ball though, and a harmless roller to short was corralled by Klein and fired to first base in time. One out.

Tommy Henrich stepped up to bat. As previously mentioned, Henrich is one of the best clutch hitters in the game today. Tommy also worked a favorable count and took a mighty cut at a forkball. He just got under it, though, as he lifted a routine fly that Stan Musial was under easily to make the catch. Two out.

Bill Dickey would be the last chance. The sellout crowd at Sportsman’s Park was screaming! The first pitch was outside. Dickey stepped out, regained his composure, and stepped back in. He was sitting on a fastball, and got one on the next pitch. He took a mighty cut and smashed a high fly ball to deep right field. Enos Slaughter raced back to the wall, readied himself against the concrete fence, jumped...

...and he caught the ball! The most improbable comeback was complete! And after 9 long years, it was finally time to proclaim...

THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!!

Cardinals 2, Yankees 1
Cardinals win series, 4-3
W: Mort Cooper L: Lefty Grove
HR: Walker Cooper, Joe DiMaggio

Mort Cooper was named the World Series MVP. In his 3 starts, he was 1-1 with a 1.17 ERA. I think you could make a compelling case for Enos Slaughter, but I agree with the voters on this one.

As for a LVP, did anyone see if Charlie Keller, Tommy Henrich or Bill Dickey got off the team bus? The three vital cogs in the Yankee machine went a combined 12-70 (.171) with 4 RBI and 11 K. I suppose that all three are deserving of it.

It certainly was a tremendous World Series, but the injury to Red Ruffing really hurt the Yankees (just like I suggested, by the way). Tiny Bonham was the #3 starter all season long, but Ruffing’s injury forced him into the #2 spot. He certainly wasn’t effective this series with the added pressure (0-2, 4.50 ERA, .308 BAA). But I don’t think that Yankee fans will remember that. I think they’ll remember Game 2, when Slaughter dashed around the bases to score, and “Reese held the d*** ball!” Worst of all though, they have to remember that their vaunted and beloved Yankees aren’t as dominant as they once were. The Cardinals revealed some chinks in the armor, and one has to wonder if the team will ever be the same, again.