Monday, March 3, 2014

World Series: Did You Know?

Two pretty good lefties almost got shafted in the 1953 World Series. Kind of makes me amused that you had two clutch pitchers, and they neither of them got to the mound until game four.

Whitey Ford had pitched pretty well for the Yankees in 1950, even getting the start in game 4. He nearly got the shutout. He also had to wait until game 4 of the 1953 World Series to get his first start.

Ford, 9-1 (but not on the Yankees until July) in 1950, was 18-6 in 1953. But, what about the main man as far as soutpaws go on the Bombers? Ed Lopat? Nothing short of magnificent. In 1953 alone, he led the American League in W% at .800 (16-4) and ERA (2.42). And how about from Ed's winning percentage from 1948 to 1954? .641 (109-51).

So the Yankees went with Lopat in game 2. Having won game 1, the Yankees were looking to make it two staight. They got it. Lopat stopped the Dodgers 4-2, although he did give up 9 hits. The Yankees got only 5, but a win is a win, right? The Yankees were up 2 games to 0.

But the Dodgers were not about to go away. The won game 3, but just barely. In fact, they didn't even score the game winning run until the bottom of the 8th. 3-2 was the final for Brooklyn. Now, finally, Whitey Ford would start a game!

It wasn't much, alas. Jim Gilliam led off game four with a double for the Dodgers. One out later, Jackie Robinson drove him in. A wild pitch and an intentional walk brought Duke Snider to the plate. The Duke Of Flatbush drove home two more runs with a double. 3-0, Dodgers, right off the bat. The Yankees lost the game, 7-3. The Fall Classic of 1953 was tied at 2.

Game 5, finally saw Johnny Podres take the hill. Now, why had the Dodgers waited so long to start him? Podres was actually in a tougher spot than Ford. He was a rookie in 1953. But he went 9-4 despite a high ERA (4.23).

Preacher Roe was actually the Dodgers top lefty in 1953. Not only that, but with Don Newcomb off in military service like Ford had been, he was close to Brooklyn's top arm that season. Preacher was 11-3, far back of Carl Erskine's 20-6. But if you look at his recent career, you know why Roe is the southpaw to turn to in these situations.

From 1948 to 1953, Preacher Roe was 90-33 for an amazing W% of .732. And his ERA was pretty good during that span, 3.17. It was Roe who started game 2, and surrendered just 5 hits to take a tough loss.

And for all you Max Scherzer fans out there: 2013, Maxy goes 21-3 for an .875 W%

Preacher Roe, 1951: 22-3 for an .880 W%

Getting back to the postseason, it was Roe who shutout New York in game 2 of the 1949 World Series. It ended up being the only game Brooklyn won in that Fall Classic. He also won his only start of the 1952 World Series, which was game 3. He pitched twice more in that World Series and didn't get a decision. So his loss in game 2 of the 1953 World Series was his first. His career ERA in the Fall Classic was 2.54.

So Podres had to wait until game 5 to start. And he was about to embark on a World Series career ERA better than Preacher Roe, 2.11!

But, for all of the time Johnny Podres had to wait, he didn't have long to find out his fate. The Yankees were the Yankees!

Gene Woodling led of the top of the 1st for New York by going yard. After the Dodgers tied it in the bottom of the second, it was Podres and Dodgers who came unravelled in the top of the 3rd.

A walk, a bunt, and a groundout moved Phil Rizzuto to third. Then an error by first sacker Gil Hodges scored a run. Johnny hit Hank Bauer. When Yogi Berra walked, the bases were loaded with two outs, and Podres was out of the game. Russ Meyer came in and surrendered a grand slam to Mickey Mantle. Podres took a 7-3 loss. The Yankees were ahead in the 1953 World Series, 3 games to 2. A win in game 6, and the Yankees would make it 5 straight World Series. The 1936 to 1939 Yankees had won 4 in a row, and 5 in 6 years. But this had the potential to be better.

And Whitey Ford went out to try and nail this one down. But him and Podres were a combined 0-2 in the 1953 postseason. That doesn't sound right to me! How about you?

The Yankees started this one out fast, scoring twice in the bottom of the first, then once more in the second. Could Ford hold the fort?

The Dodgers got a run back in the top of the 6th, as the majestic Jackie Robinson hit a double and stole third. The steal was crucial, as Roy Campanella would score him with a ground out. Other than that, Whitey pitched well. He went 7 strong innings, gave up just 6 hits and 1 run. He fanned 7, and looked like he was going to win his second World Series game of his career.

Allie Reynolds pitched a scoreless top of the 8th. In the 9th, the Yankees were just three outs away from another Fall Classic win. And again, it would be against Brooklyn. Yes, back-to-back World Series wins over Brooklyn. Add to that wins over them in 1941, 1947, 1949 and you have ownage!

Hodges flew out to Mantle in center. Reynolds was careful to Snider. But he was too careful, as the Duke walked. Carl Furillo tied it with a clutch home run! Just like that, Ford was stuck with a no-decision.

In the bottom of the ninth, Clem Labine went out for this third inning. For some reason, Clem was always clutch when the Dodgers needed him. Here, he had a 1-2-3 7th. In the 8th, the Yankees looked like they had him, thus rendering the Dodgers 9th a little less important. The got two hits off Labine, but the Yankees stranded them both!

So in the 9th, Hank Bauer led off. He managed to walk. Yogi Berra lined out, bringing Mantle to the plate. He hit a bleeder to third and made it to first with an infield hit. Now it was time for another clutch player, Bill Martin!

And Martin came through, lining it right back up through the box for his 12th hit in only 6 games of the 1953 Fall Classic. Bauer scored, and New York had five World Series in a row. The only downside was Whitey Ford failing to win a game, and taking his first World Series loss.

Who would have thought that two men, who would dominate the World Series with one great performance after another in the next 10 years, would be non-contributors in the 1953 Fall Classic. Simply put, they had to work their way up.

And when next they would meet, there was no one left for either to conquer. Except for maybe, each other!

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