The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Well, I needn't point out the significance of this season in history, and it has an immediate effect on the Dodgers, pushing them all the way to Game 7 of the World Series, which they ultimately lose to the Yankees.


AL CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (97-57)
NL CHAMPIONS: Brooklyn Dodgers (94-60)
WORLD SERIES: Yankees 4, Dodgers 3

AL MVP: Joe DiMaggio (Yankees)
NL MVP: Bob Elliott (Braves)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. JOHNNY MIZE, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .302 average, 137 runs, 177 hits, 26 doubles, 51 home runs, 138 RBIs, 74 walks.
• At age 34, Mize charged back to life with career highs in homers, RBIs and runs.

2. RALPH KINER, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .313 average, 118 runs, 177 hits, 23 doubles, 51 home runs, 127 RBIs, 98 walks, .639 slugging percentage.
• The Pirates brought in the left-field fence at Forbes Field to accommodate Hank Greenberg, but Kiner was the one who took full advantage and tied Mize for the home run title.

3. WHITEY KUROWSKI, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .310 average, 108 runs, 27 doubles, 6 triples, 27 home runs, 104 RBIs, 87 walks, 10 hit-by-pitches, 19 grounded into double plays.
• A year before his career collapsed under the weight of chronic arm issues, Kurowski became the last player not named Stan Musial to lead the Cardinals in home runs until 1958. He also managed to be the only National Leaguer to get hit by more pitches than rookie Jackie Robinson.

4. BOB ELLIOTT, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .317 average, 93 runs, 176 hits, 35 doubles, 5 triples, 22 home runs, 113 RBIs, 87 walks.
• In a year where many struggling players found renewed life via trades, Elliott was one of the more epitomizing examples after slipping badly the year before at Pittsburgh; in fact, his performance was good enough to earn NL MVP honors.

5. STAN MUSIAL, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .312 average, 113 runs, 183 hits, 30 doubles, 13 triples, 19 home runs, 95 RBIs, 80 walks.
• Stan the Man’s batting average was good for sixth in the NL, but from his viewpoint it was a disappointment; it would be his lowest season average within his first 14 years of play. Possible culprit: A bout with appendicitis.

6. WALKER COOPER, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .305 average, 24 doubles, 8 triples, 35 home runs, 122 RBIs.
• The younger brother of St. Louis pitching standout Mort Cooper never hit more than 20 homers in any other of 17 big-league seasons; and don’t think the incredibly short distances down the lines of the Polo Grounds had anything to do with this outburst, because 23 of his 35 homers came on the road.

7. WILLARD MARSHALL, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .291 average, 102 runs, 171 hits, 6 triples, 36 home runs, 107 RBIs, 67 walks.
• Like Cooper, Marshall had a sudden splurge of power in 1947—he never hit more than 17 homers in any other season—but in this case the Polo Grounds did help, with 25 of his 36 dingers delivered at the Giants’ home.

8. EARL TORGESON, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 128 games, .281 average, 16 home runs, 78 RBIs, 82 walks.
• Despite solid numbers acquired in just 128 games of play, Torgeson failed to get a single vote in Rookie of the Year voting.

9. JACKIE ROBINSON, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: .297 average, 125 runs, 175 hits, 31 doubles, 5 triples, 12 home runs, 48 RBIs, 74 walks, 28 sacrifice hits, 29 stolen bases, 11 caught stealing.
• How disruptive was Robinson upon opponents in his historic first season? Besides all the active numbers listed above, he also led the NL in reaching base on error.

10. HARRY WALKER, ST. LOUIS-PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .363 average, 81 runs, 186 hits, 29 doubles, 16 triples, 1 home run, 41 RBIs, 13 stolen bases.
• After hitting .237 in 1946 and .200 to start the year in Philadelphia, Walker needed a change of pace and got it big time in St. Louis, joining brother Dixie as the first siblings to win batting titles.

AL Hitters

• 1. TED WILLIAMS, BOSTON
• Key Numbers: .343 average, 125 runs, 181 hits, 40 doubles, 9 triples, 32 home runs, 114 RBIs, 162 walks, 29 intentional walks, .499 on-base percentage, .634 slugging percentage.
• Williams became the second and last player to win a second triple crown in batting—and amazingly failed to win the MVP each time, in this case because Boston sportswriter Mel Webb left Williams completely off his ballot.

2. JOE DIMAGGIO, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .315 average, 97 runs, 31 doubles, 10 triples, 20 home runs, 97 RBIs.
• Webb’s spite gave Joe DiMaggio the award by a single point. Perhaps he and other voters presaged that 1947 would be the last dominant year put up by Joltin’ Joe, who would begin bowing to age and injury.

3. TOMMY HENRICH, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .287 average, 109 runs, 35 doubles, 13 triples, 16 home runs, 98 RBIs, 71 walks.
• At the age of 34, Henrich led the AL in triples for the first of two seasons.

4. JOE GORDON, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .272 average, 89 runs, 27 doubles, 6 triples, 29 home runs, 93 RBIs, 62 walks.
• Looking dead at age 32 after hitting .210 in 1946, Gordon was shipped to Cleveland from the Yankees and awoke his numbers to prewar levels.

5. GEORGE MCQUINN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .304 average, 84 runs, 13 home runs, 80 RBIs, 78 walks.
• Age 38 and struggling with second-division organizations throughout his entire major league life, McQuinn looked refreshed within the Yankees’ winning mindset and became a pleasant surprise in the lineup.

6. JEFF HEATH, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .251 average, 81 runs, 20 doubles, 7 triples, 27 home runs, 85 RBIs, 88 walks.
• It was the Browns’ turn after the season to get rid of the veteran Heath, whose solid numbers were unfortunately outweighed by his difficult disposition.

7. JOHNNY PESKY, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .324 average, 638 at-bats, 106 runs, 207 hits, 27 doubles, 8 triples, 72 walks, 12 stolen bases.
• Pesky became the first major leaguer to collect 200 hits in each of his first three years.

8. GEORGE KELL, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .320 average, 75 runs, 188 hits, 29 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, 93 RBIs.
• Solid in time of war, Kell trashed former boss Connie Mack’s belief that he couldn’t play well in postwar baseball by posting the second of eight straight .300+ campaigns.

9. ROY CULLENBINE, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .224 average, 82 runs, 24 home runs, 78 RBIs, 137 walks.
• In a time when walks were becoming more commonplace, fans and coaches excused Cullenbine’s poor batting average because he reached base more often via bases on balls.

10. LOU BOUDREAU, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .307 average, 79 runs, 45 doubles, 4 home runs, 67 RBIs, 67 walks.
• With a magnet for second base, Boudreau led the AL in doubles for the third time in his career.

NL Pitchers

1. WARREN SPAHN, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.33 ERA, 21 wins, 10 losses, .677 win percentage, 40 appearances, 35 starts, 22 complete games, 7 shutouts, 289.2 innings.
• Spahn won his first eight games, on his way to his first of a record 13 years with 20 or more victories.

2. EWELL BLACKWELL, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.47 ERA, 22 wins, 8 losses, .733 win percentage, 33 starts, 23 complete games, 6 shutouts, 273 innings, 193 strikeouts.
• Coming within two outs of duplicating teammate Johnny Vander Meer’s feat of two straight no-hitters was impressive enough, but so was a 16-game win streak in which he went the distance in 15 of them.

3. RALPH BRANCA, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 2.67 ERA, 21 wins, 12 losses, 43 appearances, 36 starts, 280 innings, 6 hit-by-pitches.
• One of four NL pitchers to hit blackjack in the win column, Branca easily had his most successful season; he never won more than 14 in any other campaign.

4. DUTCH LEONARD, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 2.68 ERA, 17 wins, 12 losses, 235 innings, 57 walks.
• One of the decade’s more underrated pitchers—certainly one of the most frustrating to hitters trying to connect on his knuckler—Leonard brought his act to Philadelphia and began a short but productive tenure with the Phillies.

5. LARRY JANSEN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.16 ERA, 21 wins, 5 losses, .808 win percentage, 42 appearances, 30 starts, 248 innings, 57 walks.
• Jansen had the highest winning percentage by a rookie with 20 wins since Russ Ford in 1910.

6. AL BRAZLE, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 2.84 ERA, 14 wins, 8 losses, 44 appearances, 19 starts.
• A late-bloomer at age 33, the side-armed lefty—playing in his third year at the major league level—arguably had the best year in a solid seven-year stretch divvying his time between the rotation and bullpen.

7. JOHNNY SAIN, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.52 ERA, 21 wins, 12 losses, 38 appearances, 35 starts, 22 complete games, 266 innings.
• Strong run support (5.6 runs per start) helped Sain back over the 20-win mark—but he had himself in part to thank, hitting .346 over 107 at-bats.

8. JIM HEARN, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.22 ERA, 12 wins, 7 losses, 37 appearances, 21 starts.
• The designated Pirate killer for St. Louis, the rookie right-hander collected nearly half of his wins (five) against Pittsburgh with a 1.89 ERA.

9. GEORGE MUNGER, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.37 ERA, 16 wins, 5 losses, .762 win percentage, 40 appearances, 31 starts, 6 shutouts, 224.1 innings.
• You wouldn’t find a better lobbyist for night ball, as Munger went 12-3 with a 2.78 ERA at night (as opposed to 4-2 and 4.54 in day games).

10. MURRY DICKSON, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.07 ERA, 13 wins, 16 losses, 47 appearances, 25 starts, 231.2 innings.
• Dickson suffered from a frustrating record in a career that would be full of them, through no fault of his own.

AL Pitchers

1. BOB FELLER, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 2.68 ERA, 20 wins, 11 losses, 42 appearances, 37 starts, 5 shutouts, 299 innings, 127 walks, 196 strikeouts.
• Apart from his three no-hitters, Feller threw 12 career one-hitters—including two within a 10-day space early in 1947, that after producing a consecutive scoreless-inning streak of 30. Though his strikeout total paled in comparison to the 348 he collected the year before—suggesting his electric fastball was starting to lose some of its juice—he was still the class of the AL.

2. HAL NEWHOUSER, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 2.87 ERA, 17 wins, 17 losses, 40 appearances, 36 starts, 24 complete games, 285 innings, 110 walks, 11 wild pitches.
• In a five-year period in which he led the AL in wins four times, Newhouser suffered through the odd year out because of poor run support (3.7 runs per start); he had the lowest ERA of a pitcher leading the AL in losses since 1918.

3. JOE HAYNES, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.42 ERA, 14 wins, 6 losses, .700 win percentage, 29 appearances, 22 starts.
• All but exclusively a reliever earlier in the decade, Haynes took on the rotation spot more than not in 1947 and responded with a surprise ERA crown.

4. JOE DOBSON, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.95 ERA, 18 wins, 8 losses, .692 win percentage, 31 starts, 228.2 innings, 11 wild pitches.
• Dobson picked up the slack on a Red Sox rotation handicapped by the onset of career declines from former 20-game winners Tex Hughson and Boo Ferriss.

5. FRED HUTCHINSON, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 3.30 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 33 appearances, 25 starts.
• Almost as good a hitter as a pitcher—batting .263 over 650 career at-bats with just 30 strikeouts—Hutchinson produced a lifetime-best 18 wins as he stabilized his spot in the Detroit rotation for a number of years to come.

6. ED LOPAT, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.81 ERA, 16 wins, 13 losses, 31 starts, 22 complete games, 252.2 innings.
• The southpaw finished what he started 22 times in 1947; no other White Sock managed to do that more than seven times.

7. WALT MASTERSON, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: 3.12 ERA, 12 wins, 16 losses, 35 appearances, 31 starts, 253 innings.
• Masterson’s 34-inning scoreless streak in June was the longest by a Senators/Twins starter not named Walter Johnson.

8. PHIL MARCHILDON, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 3.22 ERA, 19 wins, 9 losses, .679 win percentage, 35 starts, 21 complete games, 276.2 innings, 141 walks, 7 hit-by-pitches.
• A former POW who lost 40 pounds while captive in Germany, Marchildon crucially pitched the A’s over the .500 hump for the first time in 14 years.

9. SPEC SHEA, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.07 ERA, 14 wins, 5 losses, .737 win percentage, 178.2 innings.
• The regular season numbers were impressive enough for the first-year right-hander, but he also became the first rookie to earn credit for victory at an All-Star Game, while winning two of three starts in the World Series; he would never participate in either event again.

10. JOE PAGE, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.48 ERA, 14 wins, 8 losses, 17 saves, 56 appearances, 2 starts, 141.1 innings.
• Page succeeded Johnny Murphy as the Yankee closer—and managed to finish the year tied for second on the club in wins.

[luckymann]

Missed by that much.

[luckymann]

The big news from a hectic offseason is the massive splash the Reds make to get Willard Brown back, not something we’ve seen a lot of from Cincy over the years. The Cards get a nice add with Dizzy Trout - is this finally their year? Not if the Cubs have anything to do with it, with them arguably the busiest of all.

Here are the major moves:

• OF Willard Brown: Reds, 6 years / $328400
• P Johnny Mize: Cubs, 5 years / $285000
• P Dizzy Trout: Cardinals, 6 years / $280000
• 3B Whitey Kurowski: Yankees, 6 years / $254800
• OF Johnny Hopp: Giants, 5 years / $204000
• 3B Pete Reiser: Cubs, 5 years / $199000
• OF Dick Wakefield: Giants, 3 years / $139400
• OF Jim Gleeson: Cardinals, 4 years / $136000
• 1B Hank Greenberg: White Sox, 3 years / $117400
• P Mickey Harris: Yankees, 3 years / $117200
• P Jack Kramer: Red Sox, 3 years / $115800
• OF Bobby Estalella: Red Sox, 3 years / $114600
• P Al Smith: Browns, 3 years / $102600
• 3B Hank Majeski: Cubs, 5 years / $101200 (extension)
• C Aaron Robinson: Red Sox, 5 years / $98800 (extension)
• P Spud Chandler: Red Sox, 2 years / $91200
• OF Dixie Walker: Red Sox, 2 years / $86400
• P Leroy Matlock: Cubs, 2 years / $68800

• 2B Al Cihocki and P Mike Modak from Dodgers to Tigers for P Red Embree
• P Rex Cecil and 1B Howie Schultz from Browns to Reds for IF Howard Easterling
• P Cal McLish from Tigers to Phillies for OF Johnny Barrett
• SS Al Dark from Athletics to Tigers for P Virgil Trucks

ALL TRANSACTIONS


We go 8-10 for S/T and the boffins are picking us to finish bang on 500 this year. That's a fair call, this is a consolidation year for us and we've set 80 wins as our target. They do think the NL race will be a bunched finish, so anything can happen. They see the Red Sox' AL dominance continuing - can they join our 1924-27 legends as the only group to win four straight?

FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

[luckymann]

Our team page can be accessed HERE.


As I mentioned in the previous post, we see 1947 as a consolidation year for the club. We expect mild regression from Elliott and moderate regression from Kiner after a season in which everything fell into place, for them and us, and we made huge strides in the right direction. We have a few guys just edging toward the cliff and a few just commencing their journey, so if we can go 500 or thereabouts and discover some insights into the group along the way then I'll consider it a successful campaign.

[luckymann]

An incredibly even start to the season, with both divs clustered ever so tightly, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if it stays that way right through.

The Red Sox have begun well, and Bus Clarkson has a big day out for them here against the Browns, mashing 3 taters in a tight win.

[luckymann]

One gets the distinct feeling there will be a fair few games like this one throughout the season - all we can do is hope we win our fair share of them.

[luckymann]

After a surprisingly strong first month it's fair to say we have completely hit the wall in the second half of May, with an ugly four-game home sweep loss to the Cubs in which we are outscored 25-5 leaving us under 500 by a game and scratching our heads as to where our form has gone.





No change to our game plan just yet - I mean at 22-23 and with the metrics as you see them we're going OK, the past week or so notwithstanding - with us still keen to get some games under the belts of our younger guys where possible. That said, I am keen to keep improving our group and have been working away at a trade aimed at doing just that over the mid-term (3-5 years). No joy yet in this regard at the time of writing but I'll keep at it, with Heintzelman the prime candidate to be moved on.





The gap between the Red Sox and their nearest rival is wider than that from first to last in the NL.




Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

• Batter – Hank Greenberg (White Sox): 340 / 6 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Nick Strincevich (Athletics): 3-0 / 0.60 / 1 SV / 4 K / 15 IP
• Rookie – Mel Parnell (Red Sox): 2-0 / 2.70 / 19 K / 46.2 IP

National League

• Batter – Johnny Mize (Cubs): 388 / 4 HR / 12 RBI
• Pitcher – Paul Derringer (Phillies): 3-0 / 2.30 / 19 K / 31.1 IP
• Rookie – Bill Wight (Cardinals): 2-0 / 4.15 / 2 K / 13 IP

May

American League

• Batter – Ted Williams (Red Sox): 419 / 9 HR / 32 RBI
• Pitcher – Tex Hughson (Red Sox): 5-1 / 1.51 / 27 K / 47.2 IP
• Rookie – Mel Parnell (Red Sox): 4-0 / 2.70 / 8 K / 23.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Johnny Mize (Cubs): 346 / 10 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Bucky Walters (Dodgers): 5-2 / 2.91 / 21 K / 52.2 IP
• Rookie – Allie Clark (Reds): 387 / 3 HR / 22 RBI

News and Leaders

• The Yankees lose pitcher Mickey Harris for the season to a torn rotator cuff.
• Red Sox rookie Mel Parnell has so far won the first six decisions of his MLB career.

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Most Pitching Losses for a Winning Team

[luckymann]

Having something of a renaissance is our Mr Derringer at the ripe old age of 40 and he gives us the first no-hitter of the year with the first in his illustrious career. Not that there was much doubt he'd end up in the HOF as it was, but this certainly seals the deal.

FYI He never threw one IRL.

[luckymann]

This tough loss pretty much perfectly encapsulates our current group - a never-give-up mentality but rough around the edges and just lacking the sort of polish and poise under pressure that helps you for the most part avoid heartbreakers like this one.

Buddy Kerr is outstanding here, going 6-for-7 with a couple ribbies.

[luckymann]

Five of our lads make it in this time around.




Charlie Keller wins his second HR Derby, while the ASG is won 10-9 by the NL, with Eddie Stanky the MVP in a losing cause.

[luckymann]

After to-ing and fro-ing pretty much all season and with the deadline fast approaching, we finally pull the switch on this swap with the Sens.

In a perfect world, we would have held onto Bevens for one more year then traded him, as he drops off the cliff fairly quickly, and this trade would have involved Mickey Haefner and a couple other dispensable guys. But we just couldn't swing it. The crux here was to get something for Heintzelman before letting him walk at year-end, and Hutchinson is a guy I've had my eye on for some time. He's locked down until 1949 on a reasonable deal and should hold his form much better than Bevens, who is three years his senior as well. Another one of our young arms, Monte Kennedy, gets his first crack at the bigs.

Anderson is a cheap insurance policy at catcher, with Batts no guarantee of coming on as we want or as quickly as we need and Tresh never really up for MLB duties anyway - he'll get sent down then let walk come October. Sturgeon, while no star, offers us better IF flexibility moving forward in a backup role, dependent upon him being re-signed as he is an imminent FA.

[luckymann]

In a season that is panning out not too unlike the one before, we are there or thereabouts without really looking like we're going to finish on top. Once again, the lads' effort cannot be faulted and I retain the belief that we're headed in the right direction and not far off a return to postseason play. We go a combined 35-28 since June 1. We'd be in an even stronger position were it not for our 4-11 record in extra-inning games - yet again demonstrating a slight lack of poise when the game is on the line.





Once again, the most pleasing aspect of our offence has been how evenly spread it has been. Elliott has been superb again, while Kiner's slippage hasn't been too bad. Key contributions from Kerr, Seminick, Gustine and Joost have more than adequately covered that.




While very much still a work-in-progress, one cannot help but regale in how good our staff has been so far. Top-ranked Starter ERA, 3rd for the pen. Meyer is showing signs he'll be a good one, winning the July rookie award, while Houtteman has revelled in Matlock's old role as stopper. He's still only 20 and destined for the spin eventually (most likely for '49), but for now he is proving integral to our relief corps, along with Woods, Hughes and veteran Jim Tobin, in his last go-around with us.




The NL has finally strung out a bit, with really only four sides in the hunt: the Cubs (who go 20-7 in July and are looking dangerous again), Reds, ourselves and the Cards, who currently hold a slight lead. In the AL, the Red Sox have failed to capitalise on their strong early form and the A's are lurking. The Yanks will need an almighty charge from here to figure in proceedings.





News, Leaders and Top 20s

Ted Williams has just slipped back a bit in his quest to hit 400, but is still putting together another sublime campaign, while Johnny Mize is making his age-34 season a memorable one.








Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Ted Williams (Red Sox): 382 / 3 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Virgil Trucks (Athletics): 5-1 / 1.27 / 33 K / 49.2 IP
• Rookie – Mel Parnell (Red Sox): 3-1 / 3.19 / 10 K / 42.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Sid Gordon (Giants): 398 / 8 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Ken Raffensberger (Reds): 5-1 / 1.81 / 21 K / 49.2 IP
• Rookie – Allie Clark (Reds): 315 / 3 HR / 19 RBI

July

American League

• Batter – Larry Doby (Indians): 400 / 6 HR / 25 RBI
• Pitcher – Schoolboy Rowe (Yankees): 4-1 / 1.82 / 23 K / 49.1 IP
• Rookie – Earl Torgeson (Browns): 364 / 7 HR / 18 RBI

National League

• Batter – Johnny Mize (Cubs): 392 / 6 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Johnny Schmitz (Cubs): 5-1 / 1.14 / 29 K / 47.1 IP
• Rookie – Russ Meyer (Pirates): 3-2 / 2.34 / 17 K / 34.2 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• Another pitcher down for the season at the Yanks, with Bill Donovan lost to an elbow injury.
• A rotator cuff strain will keep Reds rookie hurler Allie Clark out of action for the better part of two months.
• Veteran Willie Wells finally makes it to 300 HR and is later traded to the Reds.
• Schoolboy Rowe gets his 200th career win.
• Red Sox owner Rick Moreno dies, with control of the franchise passing to his son Rick jr.

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Players with Win and Save and no Losses or Blown Saves

[luckymann]

Like some dream, I can't stop dreaming...

This season looked all set to be almost a carbon copy of '46 in which we go close, never really threaten, and miss out.

Then this happens...

That's thirteen wins on the bounce, to save you counting. Which, of course, is almost unbelievable in and of itself. But then throw in how some of those wins are achieved and it really does veer into the dreamscape.

• 09/04: comeback from 0-4
• 09/10: walkoff for our third one-run victory in a row
• 09/11: walkoff for our fourth one-run victory in a row
• 09/13: score 5 in the late innings after falling behind
• 09/13-18: 35 consecutive scoreless innings by our staff
• 09/21: score one in the 9th to send it into spares then win it with one in the 11th

At this point, we have hit the front and timed our run so well that our magic number is down to 1. We lose the next two and are trailing the Cards big time at home.

Then we do this...

And that is how we secure our first playoff appearance since 1943!






The metrics almost right across the board speak for themselves - this has been an excellent team effort in every regard.





The Red Sox see off the A's for their fourth straight AL Pennant. The Dodgers lose their final game to miss out on their first winning season in a decade.




Yet another batting title to The Splendid Splinter (who misses the Triple Crown by one measly homer), while Willard Brown takes it in the NL. Ralph Kiner's 38 HR and 125 RBI lead the league, as do Bill Wright's 46 steals. On the pitching side of things, Eddie Lopat is the league's only 20-game winner, finishing 20-7, with Hal Newhouser's 2.59 ERA the low marker. Prince Hal also leads the league with 193 strikeouts, while Art Houtteman pips Jack Hallett in the saves department by 29 to 28. Hallett, meanwhile becomes just the seventh player with 100 for his career.


Final Top 20s





Final Leaders




Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Vern Stephens (Browns): 340 / 7 HR / 27 RBI
• Pitcher – Hal Newhouser (Detroit): 6-0 / 0.72 / 40 K / 50 IP
• Rookie – Earl Torgeson (Browns): 270 / 6 HR / 23 RBI

National League

• Batter – Ralph Kiner (Pirates): 284 / 9 HR / 31 RBI
• Pitcher – Ewell Blackwell (Reds): 5-1 / 2.45 / 44 K / 55 IP
• Rookie – Ted Kluszewski (Reds): 262 / 5 HR / 15 RBI

September

American League

• Batter – Danny Gardella (Indians): 338 / 6 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Eddie Lopat (Yankees): 5-1 / 2.44 / 25 K / 48 IP
• Rookie – Ferris Fain (Athletics): 328 / 2 HR / 15 RBI

National League

• Batter – Ted Kluszewski (Reds): 411 / 7 HR / 28 RBI
• Pitcher – Warren Spahn (Braves): 4-1 / 1.82 / 17 K / 39.2 IP
• Rookie – Ted Kluszewski

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 hits: Sam Bankhead

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Boston Red Sox (95-59) v Pittsburgh Pirates (87-67)
Best-of-seven, Red Sox with the home-field advantage.


BOSTON RED SOX S+ PAGE

PITTSBURGH PIRATES S+ PAGE

This wasn’t supposed to happen. There’s no real reason we should even be here. This was meant to be our transition group.

Try telling them that.

Sometimes you can simply catch lightning in a jar, which is what’s happened here with us. There’s no real point trying to unpick why or how – you just have to go for the ride.

Are we outclassed here? Outmanned and outmuscled? Overmatched by degrees?

Most definitely.

Does that bother us?

Not one bit.

[CubMariner]

Amazing September...now to just close it out!

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by CubMariner

Amazing September...now to just close it out!

Why not us?

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Boston

Tex Hughson (16-10, 3.16) v Johnny Sain (18-10, 3.18)

An inauspicious start for our stagestruck offence as we are no-hit thru seven and eventually shut out on just 2 hits. Johnny Sain acquits himself well in his playoff debut, allowing just 2 runs over 7 IP – one of which is unearned – but it is to no avail.

Game 2 in Boston

Jack Kramer (16-10, 3.87) v Fred Hutchinson (18-10, 3.04)

Red Sox lead series 1-0

A 3-spot in the 1st off the bat of Ted Williams proves the difference as we fall behind 2-0 heading home to Steeltown. The lads try hard as they always do but the class divide is positively Dickensian here and the Sox are clinical without ever totally dominating us for a second straight game. Babe Young goes deep for us, but we are once again parsimonious with our offence – just 5 hits to our name.

Game 3 in Pittsburgh

Mickey Haefner (11-9, 4.19) v Mel Parnell (16-6, 3.55)

Red Sox lead series 2-0

A great performance by veteran Mickey Haefner is unfortunately wasted as the usually ultra-reliable (but also very raw) Art Houtteman blows a lead late in we fall into an 0-3 hole that will be incredibly tough to clamber out of. After Haefner allows just an unearned run over 6+ and leaves with a 3-1 lead, but they get to Art in the 8th, zooming past us with 3 runs and then hang on for the win.

Game 4 in Pittsburgh

Russ Meyer (11-9, 3.52) v S. Chandler (16-6, 3.26)

Red Sox lead series 3-0

It’s four-and-door for us in an unsightly end to a season that deserved much better than what we’ve shown here. Rookie Russ Meyer is completely out of his depth as the Sox bats flay him to pieces and this ends up an 11-1 laugher. If it takes some gloss off what we’ve achieved then it is only the slightest undercoat and we’ll be better for it. That makes it four in a row for this mighty Red Sox dynasty and they have the chance to become the first to win five on the trot next year. It also brings the running score to 24-23 in favour of the NL. Bobby Doerr is named series MVP.

BOSTON WINS SERIES 4-0

SERIES MVP: Bobby Doerr (Boston)

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME