Game 1 in Brooklyn
Preacher Roe (15-10, 3.15) v Mel Parnell (15-6, 3.60)
A tantalising matchup to get things started, with veteran lefty Preacher Roe taking on second-year player Mel Parnell – who actually spent a portion of the year at AAA before returning white-hot to the fold.
And it is the more experienced Roe and his Brooky cohorts who come out on top, albeit not in the most convincing fashion as they chase Parnell early and get it out to 8-1 with Nicholson and Sauer each bombing one out, but then let the Red Sox back into it with a 4-run 6th. Dutch Dietz comes in to steady the ship for the home side, pitching 2+ scoreless for an 8-5 final.
Game 2 in Brooklyn
Mickey Haefner (19-11, 3.78) v Ellis Kinder (12-2, 3.09)
Dodgers lead series 1-0
A couple fascinating storylines presenting themselves here in Game 2, with Mickey Haefner taking on Ellis Kinder. Haefner, you may recall, was with us last season and at age 34 didn’t show enough to be extended, despite a fine WS performance in his one start. Yet, here he is, back in the Big Dance with a stellar 19-win campaign under his belt and a not unreasonable hope for some love come awards season. Kinder is the poster-boy for late-bloomers, entering the league in 1946 as an age-31 rookie and proving pretty handy so far and two WS rings to his credit already.
And, while both are fantastic in this one, neither gets the W as an epic battle unfolds. With the Dodgers carrying a 1-0 lead into the 7th, the Boston bats finally come alive, tying and then passing their hosts with 3 runs. The Dodgers respond with 3 of their own in the bottom 8th, but Bus Clarkson ties it again in the 9th with a solo shot, with both BPs now deployed. But Boston’s Joe Page gets in a twist and Brooky walks it off 5-4 on a bases-loaded sac fly by another former Pirate, Babe Young. I needn’t tell you that Ebbets Field was rocking then!
Game 3 in Boston
Doyle Lade (8-7, 5.68) v E. Smith (16-6, 4.20)
Dodgers lead series 2-0
For mine, it is this element of the home-field advantage in short series – the likelihood of going 2-0 up / 0-2 down – rather than the extra game that carries the most benefit. The Sox, as good as they are and as much as they’ve won, cannot help but have in the back of their minds the possibility of their opponents clinching on their turf. It can toughen your resolve, but it can also put you on the defensive.
It is an unexpected figure who stands in the way of the Dodgers going 3-0 up in this one, with Doyle Lade only in this position because of the horror run the Sox have experienced this year with injuries to their SPs. He and his cohorts will need to find a way to beat lefty Eddie Smith, who has been a revelation this year with 16 wins against just 6 losses.
And the fairy-tale script continues as the Dodgers blow Boston away with a real statement win that can perhaps also be seen as a metaphorical baton-change, if you will. Gil Hodges belts two homers and drives in 5 to lead the Brooklyn assault that stakes them to a 10-0 lead before eventually finishing 12-5. Campanella is another star for the visitors with 5 hits, while Robinson and Furillo each go 3-5 with a double and a ribbie.
Game 4 in Boston
Spud Chandler (4-6, 5.55) v Dick Newsome (16-6, 4.95)
Dodgers lead series 3-0
A slow start costs the Dodgers a sweep but they never stop coming and the Red Sox will be concerned at how many hits and runs they are giving up. Still, thanks mainly to a 5-run 1st helped by a grand slam by Bill Rigney off Dodgers starter Dick Newsome, the Sox stay alive and remind the Brooky boys that only four wins get you the prize. The Dodgers, on the other hand, will take heart in their strong finish to the game that sees them come all the way back to 9-7 before just coming up short.
Game 5 in Boston
Ed Head (0-0, 0.00) v Preacher Roe (1-0, 7.11)
Dodgers lead series 3-1
A most unexpected development for this one, with Parnell unable to take his start and the virtually unused Ed Head called in to replace him. In the end, however, I doubt even Parnell could have done anything here as Roe dominates and the Brooklyn fans’ dreams becomes reality. The Preacher allows only 2 late runs on 5 hits, by which point the game has been run and won. Campy is named a deserving MVP.
Look out world, the Dodgers have arrived.
BROOKLYN WINS SERIES 4-1
SERIES MVP: Roy Campanella (Brooklyn)