PRELIMINARY ROUND
Series #126
1946 Brooklyn Dodgers (96-60) vs 1965 Pittsburgh Pirates (90-72)
Missing out on the pennant by two games, Leo Durocher had a number of off the field issues he was dealing with but still lead a very balanced Dodger team to 96 wins. The team ERA was at 3.05 as the Dodger pitching was stellar which is quite a feat considering the era and the small ballpark that they played in. From the left side Joe Hatten went 14-11 with a 2.84 ERA even as he walked 110 batters or 4.5 per nine. Kirby Higbe won 17 games with a 3.03 number to his name throwing three shutouts and allowing only 6 home runs in 210 innings of work; at times his control could get the best of him. Vic Lombardi at only 23 made 25 starts and did well for himself even though he pitched with good luck as his FIP was up close to 4. Rounding out the four man rotation was Hal Gregg who made only 16 starts with a 2.99 ERA as he also split time in the rotation with Hank Berhman and Rube Melton; Melton had an eye-opening 1.99 ERA. Hugh Casey had an identical ERA as Melton and was the main reliever on the team throwing in crucial moments no matter what inning the game was in; he did complete five saves. Durocher did a great job with this entire unit and it created the backbone of the teams success. Pete Reiser was slowing down a bit from his days as a legitimate star hitting .277 with 73 RBI's but the dynamic talent still stole 34 bases. Dixie Walker in centerfield hit .319 and had 116 runs driven in proving he could be counted on when the game was on the line. Carl Furillo was still young in right field and had a nice swing but lacked any real power with only three home runs and 35 RBI in 117 games. Cookie Lavagetto was a fan favorite but really should not have been playing everyday at third hitting .237 with an 86 OPS+. At 21 years old Ed Stevens was thrown into the fire and it showed as he hit only 10 home runs but did drive in 60 with 7 triples. Another young kid at catcher was Bruce Edwards who hit .267 and split time with Ferrell Anderson. The leader of the club was the short stop as Pee Wee Reese had the respect of everyman and played a stellar role on defense, Reese 10 triples, 10 steals and a 114 OPS+ but the intangibles are where he excelled. Augie Galen is an excellent veteran on the bench who hit .310 and could play just about anywhere. Billy Herman and Joe Medwick were two more red beards on the roster, who helped instil a winning feel to the clubhouse. This club started a long run of excellent baseball in Flatbush, and this team Durocher is leading is an excellent baseball club.
Just as good if not better then the Dodgers pitching staff was that of the 1965 Pirates, all be it in a very different pitching dominant era. Bob Veale was the ace throwing 266 innings and taking home 17 wins he struck out a very impressive 9.3 batters per nine and was much better then history give shim credit for. All four Pirate starters threw over 200 innings and Don Cardwell went 13-10 with a 3.18 ERA but maybe the biggest revelation was thirty five year old Vern Law who seemed to rejuvenate his career. Law went 17-9 with a 2.15 ERA including 4 shutouts and 101 strikeouts to 35 walks. Bob Friend has a good reputation as well and started in 34 games with a 1.08 ERA plus even if he had worse luck and won only 8 times. Al McBean took on the role of closer and saved 19 games while 23 year old Tommie Sisk made a number of starts but became most valuable as a setup man. Wilbur Wood and even 37 year old Roy Face were part of an experienced yet very effective group of arms that where the glue for the 90 win Bucs. Five years from winning it all, the offense for the most part stayed in tact. The outfield was excellent as 25 year old Willie Stargell was not fully on the scene slugging .501 with 27 home runs and 107 RBI in the middle of the order. Bill Virdon was slowing down quickly in centerfield hitting .279 but with only 4 home runs and 24 RBI. The great Roberto Clemente was still in his prime hitting .329 with 14 triples and 91 runs, his legendary defense goes without saying. Speaking of great defense Bill Mazeroski was was dealing at second base even as his bat and .271 average were nothing to brag about. Maz however always had his moment from 1960 that made him revered at Forbes Field. Bob Baily was the third baseman with some speed stealing 10 bases but lacking in muscle slugging only .363 with 11 home runs. Gene Alley was the short stop and in 500 atbats hit .252 with 21 doubles and 5 home runs. Donn Clendenon seemed to be wearing out his welcome at first base but he did put together a solid season hitting .301 with 96 RBI even if he did strikeout 121 times. Jim Pagliaroni did most of the catching and impressed with 17 home runs and a .268 average, his 115 OPS+ for the position was among the best in the league. Manny Mota spent alot of time in centerfield for Virdon hitting .279 with 47 runs scored. Dick Schofield and Del Crandell were two names off the bench that many would recognize but the Pirate depth was not great. These two NL rivals with over 90 wins are sure to make a great series in which pitching should dominate. Many are considering this series to truly be a tossup.
Game 1 At Ebbets Field
Clear 72
1965 Pirates......................6
1946 Dodgers....................7 (10 inn)
WP: A. Herring (1-0) LP: R. Face (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Billy Herman
1946 Dodgers lead series 1-0
The Dodgers turned around a 5 run deficit to defeat the Pirates in 10 innings after Billy Herman singled in the winning run off of Roy Face. Herman went 4-5 on the day while Pee Wee Reese drove in 3 runs in what was a satisfying Dodger win. The Pirates outhit Brooklyn 13-8 and took the lead with a 5 run fifth inning but three big Buc errors cost them big and will leave them with regrets.
Game 2 At Ebbets Field
Clear 63
1965 Pirates......................1
1946 Dodgers....................2 (10 inn)
WP: H. Gregg (1-0) LP: R. Face (0-2)
HR: None
POG: Hal Gregg
1946 Dodgers lead series 2-0
Another extra inning battle and once again Ebbets Field leaves a happy place as the home Dodgers win again. Roy Face lost his second consecutive game this time after pinch hitter Goody Rosen singled in the winning run to break a 1-1 tie. Hal Gregg and Vern Law both pitched stellar but it was Gregg who refused to be pulled out and went the distance striking out five and allowing only three hits. Two very good games but it is Brooklyn that is in the drivers seat.
Game 3 At Forbes Field
Clear 66
1946 Dodgers.......................5
1965 Pirates.........................1
WP: J. Hatten (1-0) LP: J. Gibbon (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Joe Hatten
1946 Dodgers Lead Series 3-0
With 15 hits and 4 runs in the final two innings, the Dodgers continued their momentum in the series and now look to end it quickly with a 3-0 lead. Joe Hatten had an ace like performance at Forbes allowing one run in nine innings despite 4 walks and 6 hits allowed. Goody Rosen came through for the second straight game again as a pinch hitter, he cleared the bases for three RBI in the 9th inning to put the game away.
Game 4 At Forbes Field
Partly cloudy 59
1946 Dodgers.....................9
1965 Pirates........................1
WP: R. Branca (1-0) LP: T. Sisk (0-1)
HR: P. Reiser (1)
POG: Billy Herman
Billy Herman ripped a bases clearing double in a four run first inning as the 1946 Dodgers made sure they snuffed the life out of the Pirates and dominated in a four game sweep. Herman ended with 5 RBI on the day as Tommie Sisk did not get out of the 4th inning. Ralph Branca was excellent pitching into the 9th inning and allowing only one run. The competitive series that was to be turned into a rout.
1946 Brooklyn Dodgers Win Series 4 Games To 0
Series MVP:
Billy Herman
(.562, 7 RBI, 3 2B, 4 R, 1.361 OPS)