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

[gosensgo101]

2 exciting games so far. Too bad the ALCS isn't around yet. That'd be one **** of a series.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Coach Owens: I guess so

Gosensgo101: This series has been exciting, and it's a good thing that I've won the first two.

And I'd pay good money to see that ALCS. Maybe I oughta speed up this expansion process...

AUGUST 18
CHUCK KLEIN DAY

A capacity crowd of 33,000 people packed Shibe Park this afternoon. Yes, the 1st-place Phillies were looking to complete a sweep of the 2nd-place Cardinals, but there was an ulterior motive for a lot of fans in attendance. At about 12:05pm, an hour before today’s game. I stepped up to the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, baseball fans of all ages: thank you for coming to Shibe Park today for what promises to be a historic afternoon. Today, we celebrate one of Philadelphia’s greatest athletes. Today, we look back and honor the legendary career of #3, Chuck Klein!”

Thunderous applause resonated throughout the grandstand as Chuck Klein made his way from the home team’s dugout to the row of chairs situated behind the microphone at home plate.

“At this time,” I continued, “I’d like to welcome several dignitaries to today’s festivities. First, I’d like to welcome the Mayor of our fair city of Philadelphia, Bernard Samuel.”

Mayor Samuel stood to a mixed reaction from the crowd. He pulled a speech from his jacket pocket.

“Thank you, citizens of Philadelphia. As many of you know, I have been an ardent baseball fan for many, many years. And while there hasn’t been a lot of winning over the last decade, it truly has been a joy to watch this man patrol rightfield for the last 17 seasons. On behalf of the City Council, and all the baseball fans in the city of Philadelphia, I am proud to present Chuck Klein with the key to the city!”

The crowd erupted in applause as Klein shook the mayor’s hand, and graciously accepted the key.

I returned to the mic.

“Next, we have two gentlemen from Major League Baseball here. Please, give a warm Philly welcome to National League President Ford Frick and Commissioner Albert Chandler!”

The fans were relatively indifferent.

“Thank you, Mr. Walsh, and thank you, fans of Philadelphia!” ‘Happy’ Chandler was going to do the talking. “Y’all know that I’m from Kentucky, but I’ve always been partial to the city of Philadelphia. And perhaps no one has had such an impact on the history of the Philadelphia Phillies as the man we’re honoring today. He is only 1 of 7 players in this game’s history to record over 300 home runs, and the National League and the Office of the Commissioner would like to pay tribute with this silver platter.”

“Thank you, Commissioner.” I was back on the mic. “Now, ladies and gentlemen, the Philadelphia Phillies organization would like to pay special tribute to Chuck Klein.”

As I finished, the players started walking out of the dugout toward the pitchers mound. All 25 active players wore jerseys with Chuck’s old number 3 on them. The team stopped at the first base line. Pretty soon, the Cardinals joined us on the third base line.

“At this point, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to present one final award to our guest of honor this afternoon. In cooperation with the National League, and the Office of the Commissioner, we would like to do something that has never been done before. If you will please direct your attention to the outfield fence in rightfield…”

Stationed in rightfield were 2 members of our grounds crew. After I gave them the signal, they removed a giant sheet of paper covering a 5x5 section of wall, revealing a circle with some printing in it:

I continued: “From this day forth, the number 3 will never be issued for another Phillie. Consider it retired, in honor of the greatest hitter to ever don a Phillies uniform.”

The crowd erupted. Chuck gave a little speech, thanking everyone and all that good stuff. He then went to the locker room and spoke before the team. It looked like his chat really fired everyone up.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AUGUST 18

The Cardinals were in desperate need of a win, so they sent out their #1 pitcher, Lon Warneke (13-7, 3.22 ERA).

Bucky Harris decided to stick to the rotation, meaning Tommy Hughes (11-11, 3.82 ERA) would get the start. Tommy has been inconsistent, to say the least. I’m hoping he snaps out of it today.

Hughes got off to a wild start. A walk, a single, and another walk loaded the bases. With one out, Ray Sanders singled to drive in the first run of the day. Cardinals 1, Phillies 0. Hughes induced a double play to end the threat with the bases loaded.

The Phillies struck back in their half. Phil Rizzuto singled, and Johnny Blatnik reached second on a throwing error by SS Marty Marion. An RBI groundout by Ron Northey tied the game. Phillies 1, Cardinals 1.

Tommy Hughes would continue to have trouble with his control. He would walk 3 men over the next 2 innings, but would somehow get out of the jam both times.

Phil Rizzuto led off the bottom of the 3rd with a triple, and scampered home on a wild pitch. Phillies 2, Cardinals 1. Ron Northey slashed a double down the line, and scored on a Vern Stephens base knock. Phillies 3, Cardinals 1.

In the bottom of the 4th, Danny Murtaugh led off with a single, then advanced to second on a sacrifice, when Rizzuto singled him home. Phillies 4, Cardinals 1.

Lou Klein led of the top of the 5th with a triple, and scored on a Terry Moore sacrifice fly. Phillies 4, Cardinals 2.

Ron Northey slashed a base hit to start the bottom of the 5th. With one out, reliever Al Jurisich balked. Obviously rattled, Jurisich grooved a fastball to Vern Stephens, who launched it into the leftfield bleachers for a home run. Phillies 6, Cardinals 2.

The Cardinals scratched out another run on a walk and two singles in the top of the 6th. Phillies 6, Cardinals 3.

It would stay that way until the top of the ninth, when Ike Pearson was brought in to nail down the save. Pearson allowed a leadoff single to Lou Klein, then a Texas League double to Terry Moore. One out later, Stan Musial strode to the plate as the tying run. He didn’t hit a home run, but he still drove in a run with a single to right. Phillies 6, Cardinals 4. Ray Sanders followed with a single to centerfield, scoring another run and sending Musial to third. Phillies 6, Cardinals 5. On the ensuing play, Sanders broke up a potential double play, allowing Musial to score the tying run. Phillies 6, Cardinals 6.

Ted Wilks had started in the 8th inning. He was obviously smarting from yesterday’s walk-off loss, and I’m sure that it was in the back of his mind. Wilks got Rizzuto to fly out, but Johnny Blatnik yanked a fastball down the line, fair by inches. As it rattled around in the leftfield corner, Blatnik raced around the bases, sliding headfirst into third base with a triple. Ron Northey stepped in, and calmly stroked a single to center, giving the Phillies their second straight walk-off win, and completing the sweep.

FINAL SCORE: Phillies 7, Cardinals 6
W: Ike Pearson (5-1) L: Ted Wilks (14-4)
2B: Ron Northey (23)
3B: Phil Rizzuto (9), Johnny Blatnik (2)
HR: Vern Stephens (13)
SB: Mickey Livingston (1)

The loss drops the Cardinals into 3rd place, 4.5 games back. The Dodgers sit in 2nd, 4 games back, after a win today.

*
The Cincinnati Reds, by virtue of our win today, become the first team to be eliminated in the National League.
*

With 31 games remaining on our schedule, here’s how it breaks down:

HOME
6 with Boston – 29.5 GB
3 with Pittsburgh – 20.5 GB
3 with New York – 16 GB
3 with St. Louis – 4.5 GB

AWAY
6 with Pittsburgh – 20.5 GB
4 with St. Louis – 4.5 GB
3 with Chicago – 17.5 GB
3 with Brooklyn – 4 GB

With 10 games with Brooklyn and St. Louis still to play, the race isn’t over by a long shot.

[CatKnight]

Nice sweep! Looks like you just might be able to do this!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

CatKnight: I hope so. I'm a little wary, though, especially because of the 7 games against the Cardinals. I just wish the season could end right now!

AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 1944
PART III

With only 4.5 games separating the remaining 5 contenders in both leagues (Red Sox, Yankees (4.5), Phillies, Dodgers (4), Cardinals (4.5)), both pennant races should be decided late in September. With the season ending on September 22, we might see a World Series extend into October. Heck, we might even see a World Series without the Yankees!

August 19-21: Philadelphia Phillies (77-46, 1st, 4 GA) at Pittsburgh Pirates (56-66, 6th, 20.5 GB)

19 – Andy Seminick’s pinch-hit home run broke a 1-1 tie, and propelled the offense to another victory. Charlie Ripple wins his league-leading 16th game. Both the Cardinals and Dodgers win.
Phillies 6, Pirates 1
W: Charlie Ripple (16-9) L: Ken Heintzelman (10-9)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (25)
HR: Vern Stephens (14), Andy Seminick (11)
SB: Ed Murphy (1)

*
A loss, coupled with our win, officially eliminates the Boston Braves.
*

20 – Andy Seminick goes 3-5 with a double and 3 RBI, as Dick Mauney takes his spot starting opportunity and turns it into a win. Both the Cardinals and Dodgers win again.
Phillies 7, Pirates 4
W: Dick Mauney (5-1) L: Bob Chesnes (5-12) SV: Ike Pearson (13)
2B: Johnny Blatnik 2 (19), Andy Seminick (18)
SB: Johnny Blatnik 2 (3)

*
Dodgers OF Carl Furillo hit for the cycle today.
*
With the White Sox on the verge of elimination, 2B Charlie Gehringer announced his retirement.

The 6-time All-Star won the 1937 AL MVP award for the Detroit Tigers, with whom he spent the majority of his 21-year career. He is one of only 7 men with at least 3,000 hits in a career (Cobb, Speaker, Wagner, Paul Waner, Eddie Collins, Lajoie). In 5 years, he will undoubtedly be elected into the Hall of Fame.

FINAL CAREER LINE: .314, 3055 H, 623 2B, 151 3B, 198 HR, 1521 RBI, 1891 R, 202 SB
*

21 – Dick Conger went 0-8 last season for Pittsburgh. He had been mired in A ball all season. He was called up today to start against us. Mismatch? I’ll say. Red Ruffing didn’t know what was coming. The Cardinals leapfrog Brooklyn with a win and a Dodgers loss, moving the Redbirds 3.5 back.
Pirates 7, Phillies 0
W: Dick Conger (1-0) L: Red Ruffing (14-10)

*
The Chicago White Sox lost today, eliminating themselves from the pennant.
*
I was perusing the free agent market, and saw a 17-year-old Bob Trice. So I figured, why not?
Bob Trice signs for $3,400 through 1945, with a 3-year player option worth $3,300.

August 22: Day Off

*
The Cardinals beat the Dodgers in the first game of a 4-game series between the two. I hope that they can destroy each other, while I beat up on the Braves.
*

August 23-25: Boston Braves (49-78, 7th, 30.5 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (79-47, 1st, 3 GA)

23 – A pinch-hit single by Ed Sanicki in the bottom of the 14th gives the Phillies the extra-innings win. The Dodgers beat the Cardinals, evening their 4-game set, and helping us extend our lead to 4 games.
Phillies 3, Braves 2 (14)
W: Ed Hanyzewski (7-3) L: Roy Talcott (2-2)
2B: Gil Hodges (25), Ed Murphy (8)

24 – Ed Murphy’s pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the 8th inning lifts the Phillies over the Braves bullpen again. The Dodgers win, leapfrogging the Cardinals, and holding steady at 4.5 games back.
Phillies 2, Braves 1
W: Charlie Ripple (17-9) L: Roy Talcott (2-3) SV: Ike Pearson (14)
2B: Andy Seminick (19)
HR: Gil Hodges (18), Ed Murphy (3)
SB: Johnny Blatnik (4)

*
Giants SP Freddie Fitzsimmons recorded his 250th career win today. This puts him 15th all-time on the career wins list, and he is the 4th overall among active pitchers, behind Carl Hubbell (277), Ted Lyons (280), and Red Ruffing (294).
*

25 – Roy Talcott exacts a measure of revenge, as he and the rest of the Braves bullpen allow only 1 run in 4.2 IP, giving the offense time to come back and win. The Cardinals beat the Dodgers, moving into second place, 4 games back.
Braves 8, Phillies 7
W: Roy Talcott (3-3) L: Ed Hanyzewski (7-4) SV: Elmer Singleton (2)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (26)
SB: Johnny Blatnik (5)

STANDINGS (after games on August 25, 1944)
Italics denotes eliminated

NATIONAL LEAGUE		
Philadelphia	81-48	---
St. Louis	77-52	4.0
Brooklyn	77-53	4.5
New York	65-64	16.0
Chicago		63-66	18.0
Pittsburgh	58-71	23.0
Boston		50-80	31.5
Cincinnati	46-83	35.0
			
AMERICAN LEAGUE		
Boston		90-40	---
New York	84-46	6.0
Cleveland	76-53	13.5
Washington	65-64	24.5
Chicago		59-70	30.5
Philadelphia	56-74	34.0
Detroit		49-80	40.5
St. Louis	39-91	51.0
			
1945 #1 PICK SWEEPSTAKES
St. L. Browns	39-91	---
Cincinnati Reds	46-83	7.5
Detroit Tigers	49-80	10.5
Boston Braves	50-80	11.0
Phila. A's	56-74	17.0

BATTLE FOR THE LIBERTY BELL TROPHY
Phillies	81-48	-
Athletics	56-74	25.5

COMING UP…
4 games at Sportsman’s Park against the 2nd place Cardinals.

[petrel]

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

[RedsoxRockies]

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!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

I think that zombie Greenberg would give Ted Williams a run for his money

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

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.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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!

[Coach Owens]

No, the pennant race is dead-for your team at least!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Coach: You're right, I'm not really making this much of a race

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.

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

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!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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

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

[3RunHomer]

Oh no. The end-of-the-season-injury-bug is attacking you! Don't you hate it when that happens?

[petrel]

How does the rest of the Phils schedule look?

--Pet

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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?