[abell1198]

1932 New York Yankees vs. 1939 New York Yankees



Game 1 of the American League Championship Series features the 1932 New York Yankees against the 1939 New York Yankees in what is sure to be an instant classic. The 1932 club will start Lefty Gomez (1-1, 4.79). Gomez finished the regular season with a mark of 19-8, with a 2.99 ERA, but has had a rough go of it in the postseason. He suffered a loss to the 1970 Baltimore Orioles in the 1st round, followed by a no decision start in the 2nd round series against the 1913 Philadelphia Athletics. His first victory in the playoffs was five days ago against the 1953 New York Yankees. On the mound for the 1939 team is Marius Russo (3-1, 3.25). Russo was 18-10 in the regular season, with a 4.27 ERA. After going 1-1 against the 1921 New York Yankees in the first round, Russo picked up wins against the 1936 New York Yankees and 1989 Oakland A's in the 2nd round and American League Semi-Finals.

The '32 Yankees wasted no time getting on the board. With one out in the top of the 1st, Earle Combs singles off Russo, who then walks both Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. Tony Lazzeri would then fly out to center. Combs tags up at third and is able to beat the throw to the plate to give the '32 Yankees a 1-0 lead. The lead would last until the bottom of the 2nd inning. George Selkirk leads off with a base hit and advances to third on Bill Dickey's base knock to right field. He would later score on Tommy Henrich's sac fly to deep left, tying the game, 1-1. The '39 Yankees would take the lead in the bottom of the 4th on a Joe Gordon two run shot to right, giving the '39 team the 3-1 advantage. But the '32 club chipped away at the lead. In the top of the 5th, Lyn Lary would score on a fielder's choice to cut the lead to 3-2. The game would be tied again in the top of the 6th. Lazzeri draws a walk against Russo, his sixth of the game. Dickey would double to right, ending the night early for Russo, as he heads to the showers. Bump Hadley (0-0, 2.08, 2 G, 4.1 IP) is brought in to hold the lead, but he walks Samuel Byrd to load the bases, then hits Joe Sewell to allow the tying run to cross the plate. The '32 Yankees had momentum on their side and they took the lead in the top of the 8th. After a Sewell ground out, Hadley's control woes resurface, as he hits Lary and walks Ben Chapman, ending his time on the mound. Atley Donald (0-0, 2.45, 7 G, 3.2 IP) is brought in to pitch, but he gives up a single to Combs. Lary is able to beat the throw home from left field and the '32 Yankees have a 4-3 lead. We head into the 9th inning and Jumbo Brown (3-0, 1.93, 1 BSv, 9 G, 14 IP) is in to save the game. Gordon steps up and delivers a base hit into right center to get things started for the '39 club. Henrich flies out to left center for the first out, bringing up pitch hitter Buddy Rosar (.154, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 35 G, 91 AB). This is Rosar's second appearance in the postseason and his first at bat. Rosar makes contact with the ball, grounding it deep in the hole at short. Lary makes the throw, but Rosar is able to beat it out for the infield single!! Frankie Crosetti steps into the batters box and hits the ball deep in the hole at short, but he can't outrun the throw by Lary. Crosetti is the second out, but the runners advance. So, with two out and runners on second and third, up comes Charlie Keller. Keller wastes no time and hits the first pitch thrown by Brown, blooping it into left field. Gordon scores easily and Rosar rounds third. By the time Byrd gets to the ball, there's no throw to be made, as Rosar scores easily to win the game!!!

1939 New York Yankees 5 1932 New York Yankees 4 '39 Yankees lead series 1-0