Film Access | 
⚾ Baseball Guide
On April 19, 1946, in a contest that showcased both the storied traditions and emerging realignments in postwar baseball, the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians delivered an afternoon of twists and timely heroics. The Tigers struck early in the second inning when Tommy Henrich belted a solo home run—an emphatic statement that set the tone. Yet, the Guardians quickly answered back; in the bottom of the second, a combination of Clyde Kluttz’s single, Bob Kennedy’s double, and a perfectly executed tag–up on Hoot Evers’ fly out ignited a three–run outburst, tilting the scales 3–1 in Cleveland’s favor.
The drama continued to build as Detroit clawed its way back in the middle frames. In the fourth inning, a well–placed single by Connie Ryan (accompanied by a daring steal) produced a run, narrowing the gap. But it was in the eighth inning that the Tigers truly seized their moment: Luke Appling’s steady single set the stage for Chet Laabs’ towering 2–run home run—an explosive hit that gave Detroit a 4–3 lead. As the final outs were recorded and the crowd absorbed the unfolding narrative of resilience and comeback, the Tigers emerged victorious, 4–3, in a game that epitomized the shifting landscape of a newly realigned league and the enduring spirit of classic baseball rivalry.
⚾