RedsoxRockies I don't think Vermont is the ideal place for them. But Connie Mack still has a great baseball mind: I think that the A's are starting to come around, but I don't know how much longer Connie's health can hold up.
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 1946
PART II
With the season beginning to wind down, it was time to take a look at some of our pending free agents.
Perhaps the most important unsigned player was CF Larry Doby. Although you could make compelling cases for the Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson and Monte Irvin of the Giants, it was not insane to call Larry the best black player in the game today. Larry was a little uneasy about resigning with us to begin with, but I promised I’d make a rededicated effort to signing some more African-American players.
Larry Doby resigns for $20,000 per year thru 1952, with team and player options that could take him thru 1955.
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August 19-21: Philadelphia Phillies (84-39, 1st, 8.5 GA) at Cincinnati Reds (58-64, 5th, 25.5 GB)
19 – Despite getting out-hit 11 to 5, the Phillies score 2 in the 8th inning thanks to Phil Rizzuto’s bases-loaded single, as Ewell Blackwell’s 9 strikeouts come in a losing effort.
Phillies 3, Reds 2
W: Harvey Haddix (18-7) L: Ewell Blackwell (12-6) SV: Ed Hanyzewski (7)
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The other big target on my list is SP Charlie Ripple. I sat down with Charlie, but his price was a little too high for my liking. I can always go to arbitration with Charlie, but I hope his price comes down.
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Former Phillies C Bennie Warren retired today after being released by the White Sox. Warren’s career highlight was his 1942 Gold Glove Award. He spent the first 4 years of his career with the Phillies before leaving as a free agent to make room for Andy Seminick. He retires with the 2nd best percentage of runners thrown out (46.5%).
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20 – Vern Stephens’ solo home run is all that Robin Roberts needs, striking out 3 Reds in a 4-hit shutout.
Phillies 1, Reds 0
W: Robin Roberts (21-5) L: Frank Dasso (10-13)
3B: Johnny Blatnik (3)
HR: Vern Stephens (13)
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Our crosstown rivals, the Philadelphia Athletics, lost today, eliminating themselves from pennant contention.
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21 – Butch Nieman’s RBI double in the 9th inning completes a 3-run rally, handing the Reds their 10th straight loss.
Phillies 3, Reds 2
W: Hugh Casey (11-2) L: George Diehl (6-6) SV: Ike Pearson (16)
2B: Butch Nieman (12)
August 22: Day Off
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The Reds’ 11th straight loss is enough to knock the Cincinnati squad out of the pennant race.
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Indians OF Dale Mitchell’s hit streak was snapped at 20 games today, after grounding out in a pinch-hitting performance.
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August 23-25: Philadelphia Phillies (87-39, 1st, 12 GA) at St. Louis Cardinals (59-67, 5th, 28 GB)
23 – The Cardinals come prepared for Charlie Ripple’s fastball, scoring 5 runs and staving off elimination for at least another day.
Cardinals 5, Phillies 3
W: Hank Borowy (11-5) L: Charlie Ripple (15-8) SV: Freddy Schmidt (8)
24 – It’s a late inning offensive explosion, as the Phillies put up 8 runs after the 6th inning to seal the victory.
Phillies 10, Cardinals 2
W: Harvey Haddix (19-7) L: Johnny Rigney (3-5)
2B: Vern Stephens (23), Johnny Blatnik (15), Andy Seminick (14)
HR: Gil Hodges (31), Andy Seminick (22), Butch Nieman (8)
SB: Butch Nieman (2)
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As a result of today’s loss, the Cardinals are eliminated from the pennant chase.
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25 – An error by Harry Walker allows the Phillies to grab a lead they will never relinquish, giving Robin Roberts his 22nd win of the year.
Phillies 5, Cardinals 4
W: Robin Roberts (22-5) L: Johnny Podgajny (11-12) SV: Ike Pearson (17)
2B: Andy Seminick (15)
3B: Phil Rizzuto (4)
HR: Andy Seminick (23)
August 26-29: Philadelphia Phillies (89-40, 1st, 11 GA) at New York Giants (78-51, 2nd, 11 GB)
26 – Gil Hodges drives in 3 runs, hitting his 32nd home run in the process, as Tommy Hughes gets back on the winning track.
Phillies 3, Giants 1
W: Tommy Hughes (9-5) L: Hal Schumacher (7-6) SV: Ike Pearson (18)
2B: Gil Hodges (20), Ty LaForest (2)
3B: Butch Nieman (2)
HR: Gil Hodges (32)
27 – A 5-run 2nd inning buries the Giants, moving the Phillies closer to winning their 3rd straight pennant.
Phillies 8, Giants 5
W: Charlie Ripple (16-8) L: Van Mungo (11-7)
2B: Don Kolloway (25), Larry Doby (19), Charlie Ripple (8), Danny Murtaugh (4)
HR: Larry Doby (19)
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A triple elimination happened today, but it hit the city of Chicago worst. Both the Cubs and White Sox were eliminated from their respective pennant races, with the Brooklyn Dodgers bowing out as well.
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28 – Bad news: Harvey Haddix gets roughed up. Good news: Ken Gables pitched his first scoreless inning since July!
Giants 6, Phillies 1
W: Larry Jansen (9-9) L: Harvey Haddix (19-8)
2B: Gil Hodges (21), Larry Doby (20), Ed Murphy (6)
29 – An extra-inning thriller, the Phillies win on Butch Nieman’s RBI single in the top of the 12th inning.
Phillies 4, Giants 3 (12)
W: Ike Pearson (5-3) L: Murry Dickson (9-5) SV: Hugh Casey (5)
2B: Don Kolloway (26), Johnny Blatnik 2 (17), Ed Murphy (7)
SB: Johnny Blatnik (5), Ty LaForest (1)
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Ron Northey is back and primed for the postseason!
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August 30 – September 1: Brooklyn Dodgers (68-65, T-3rd, 24 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (92-41, 1st, 13 GA)
30 – Johnny Blatnik’s double in the bottom of the 10th inning plates Leon Culberson (remember him?) as the Phillies walk-off with another win. Larry Doby becomes the first black player to hit 20 home runs in a season.
Phillies 3, Dodgers 2 (10)
W: Ike Pearson (6-3) L: Cy Buker (3-8)
2B: Johnny Blatnik (18)
HR: Larry Doby (20), Vern Stephens (14)
SB: Leon Culberson (1)
31 – After watching Larry Doby become the first black player with 20 homers in a season yesterday, Jackie Robinson hits 2 bombs, helping his team win in a slugfest.
Dodgers 8, Phillies 7
W: Cy Buker (4-8) L: Ed Hanyzewski (6-6)
SB: Larry Doby (8)
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SEPTEMBER CALL-UPS
SP Kent Bickett
SP Bill McCahan
RP John Fick
RP Hilly Flitcraft
RP Dale Matthewson
RP Charley Schanz
C Bob Finley
C Ryan Scifo
2B Ray Hamrick
2B Ed Walczak
3B Bert Hodge
3B Nick Picciuto
SS Jack Albright
SS John O’Neil
RF Jackie Jensen
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1 – Harvey Haddix gets his 20th win, as the offense provides plenty of backup.
Phillies 6, Dodgers 2
W: Harvey Haddix (20-8) L: Mort Cooper (14-8)
2B: Vern Stephens (24), Larry Doby (21)
HR: Butch Nieman (9)
September 2-4: Philadelphia Phillies (94-42, 1st, 14 GA) at Cincinnati Reds (59-77, 6th, 35 GB)
2 – Robin Roberts is knocked out after 5 innings. That should tell you a lot about this game. The Phillies comeback fell short numerous times.
Reds 4, Phillies 3
W: Pat Scantlebury (4-5) L: Robin Roberts (22-6) SV: Junior Thompson (1)
2B: Don Kolloway (27)
HR: Ed Murphy (5)
3 – The Phillies get 3 home runs in the 1st inning, including a lead-off shot by Phil Rizzuto, as they cruise to victory.
Phillies 5, Reds 1
W: Tommy Hughes (10-5) L: Travis Robbins (7-10)
HR: Andy Seminick (24), Larry Doby (21), Phil Rizzuto (2)
4 – A late inning collapse by Ripple and Pearson cost the Phillies this one. ML debut of Nick Picciuto: 1-2, 2B, BB, RBI.
Reds 6, Phillies 5
W: Jim Konstanty (5-6) L: Ike Pearson (6-4)
2B: Butch Nieman (13), Nick Picciuto (1)
HR: Gil Hodges (33)
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Today’s home run by Gil Hodges is the 100th of his career. He is only the 2nd man to hit 100 home runs before turning 23 (the other is Dodgers OF Mel Ott). Still only 22, Gil Hodges is making himself a legitimate threat to attack Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, especially with more seasons like this one.
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Senators CF Jose Zardon’s hitting streak was snapped at 20 games today.
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September 5: Day Off
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GUSTAV FORKHANN UPDATE
Gustav’s season has come to a conclusion, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone saying it wasn’t successful. Even with a difficult language barrier, Gustav managed to hit .295, with 4 HR and 48 RBI for the C-level team in the Cubs system. Forkhann also showed his ability in the field, leading all 3Bmen in Level C in fielding percentage and range factor. He showed great patience and a terrific batting eye, walking 38 times against 7 strikeouts. He also managed to swipe 9 bases!
STANDINGS (after games on September 5, 1946)
*Code:NATIONAL LEAGUE Philadelphia 95-44 -- New York 82-57 13.0 Chicago 70-69 25.0 Brooklyn 70-69 25.0 St. Louis 66-73 29.0 Cincinnati 61-78 34.0 Boston 59-80 36.0 Pittsburgh 53-86 42.0 AMERICAN LEAGUE Boston 93-46 -- Cleveland 82-57 11.0 New York 79-60 14.0 Washington 76-63 17.0 Chicago 66-73 27.0 Philadelphia 57-82 36.0 Detroit 55-84 38.0 St. Louis 48-91 45.0 RACE TO #1 PICK (1947) St. L. Browns 48-91 -- Pitts. Pirates 53-86 5.0 Detroit Tigers 55-84 7.0 Phila. A's 57-82 9.0 Boston Braves 59-80 11.0 WINNER OF THE LIBERTY BELL TROPHY Philadelphia Phillies 3rd straight LBT
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