The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Bobby Doerr will be looking for a few more games along these lines down the stretch in what is shaping up to be one heck of a race in both divisions, with his Red Sox currently right in the thick of it in the AL.

[luckymann]

We get fewer current players in (two: Kiner and Burgess) than recently-traded-away players (three: Jansen, Easter and Pafko).




Dusty Rhodes defeats Luke Easter to win the HR Derby, while our own Ralphie-boy leads the NL to an 8-3 ASG victory, their third straight to put the running score at 10-each.

[luckymann]

In what is proving one of the most topsy-turvy seasons for us that I can remember, Vic Raschi makes it one to remember however it ends with the league's first no-hitter since 1947. It is our club's first since Red Ruffing back in 1938 and just the fourth in total by one of our pitchers. It being against the Phils, whom we are chasing doggedly in the standings, makes it even more important in the big scheme of things.

[luckymann]

The lads dig deep and play their way back into contention, going a combined 33-24 over June and July.






The one factor that gives me the most hope of us prevailing here is the fact that we are where we are with Wertz having one of his poorest seasons, Dark's productivity greatly reduced, and Boone having given basically zero since joining us. If we can just get these guys to shift into the next gear and hold firm elsewhere, we are a chance.




Serviceable but far from dominant is the way of this group. Special mentions, however, to Dutch McCall and Joe Ostrowski - each of whom has been superb out of the BP this year.




Both races are wide open, but the Yanks and Dodgers have to be viewed as favourites to finish on top. The fact that teams like the Sens, Tribe, Phils and Browns are in the mix adds plenty to the intrigue.


News, Leaders and Top 20s








Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Al Rosen (Indians): 419 / 6 HR / 28 RBI
• Pitcher – Howie Pollet (Indians): 5-1 / 2.54 / 17 K / 46 IP
• Rookie – Mike Fornieles (Senators): 3-0 / 1.96 / 5 SV / 4 K / 18.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Duke Snider (Dodgers): 337 / 11 HR / 32 RBI
• Pitcher – Curt Simmons (Phillies): 4-1 / 0.66 / 34 K / 41 IP
• Rookie – Vinegar Bend Mizell (Reds): 4-2 / 2.50 / 29 K / 50.1 IP

July

American League

• Batter – Bobby Morgan (Browns): 323 / 5 HR / 17 RBI
• Pitcher – Mel Parnell (Red Sox): 5-0 / 2.57 / 29 K / 56 IP
• Rookie – Harvey Haddix (Indians): 4-0 / 2.92 / 41 K / 49.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Mickey Vernon (Giants): 425 / 4 HR / 18 RBI
• Pitcher – Don Newcombe (Dodgers): 5-0 / 1.47 / 26 K / 49 IP
• Rookie – Bob Friend (Pirates): 4-1 / 2.12 / 9 K / 29.2 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• Luke Easter is currently top 3 across the Triple Crown stat cats - that said, the trade we did with the Sens involving him has turned out to be incredibly beneficial for all concerned, with every one of the players performing well for their new club.
• The Sens lose veteran outfielder Guy Curtright for the year with a fractured knee and a torn labrum prematurely ends the season of Athletics infielder Roy Smalley jr.

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[luckymann]

Well, it's official - I am too old for this s&%t...

To be honest, despite remaining close throughout August we never really look like threatening as the Dodgers seem to be cruising and the Phillies look far more likely to catch them.

Then everything changes.

The Dodgers (a year later than IRL...) lose 11 straight to start September and all of a sudden both ourselves and Philly are in with a shot. As Brooklyn keep struggling and the Phils run hot-and-cold, we catch fire from mid-month.

With just three games to play, and us in the middle of a 5-game win string, the race looks like this:




We duly win the first two of those games, with the Phils splitting theirs and the Dodgers' capitulation complete as they are eliminated:








Which brings us to Game 154. We are at Cincy, the Phils at the Jints.

The Phils win easily, 10 to 5.

We are leading 2-1 with two out in the bottom 9th, needing just that third out to lock down the pennant.

It never comes.




The next day, we travel to Philly for the tiebreak and lose it 4-0.

Game. Over.

Yep. WAYYYYY too old.


The Red Sox see off all comers to claim the AL title. The final standings look like this:




Here are our final season screenshots. Not much to add - very proud of the lads for hanging in there, but a better side wouldn't have let this one slip away. We need to be that side.









Batting titles to Minnie Miñoso (347; 1st) and Richie Ashburn (339; 1st). Eddie Mathews leads both leagues with 39 HR, Duke Snider with 111 RBI.

Bob Rush is the only 20-game winner in the MLB with 22, while the relatively unheralded Johnny Antonelli posts the low ERA of 2.35, well clear of the others. Curt Simmons is the King of K with 189 and Hersh Freeman and Bill Sayles tie for the most saves with 27.


Final Top 20s and Leaders







Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Dick Kryhoski (White Sox): 357 / 8 HR / 27 RBI
• Pitcher – Billy Loes (Browns): 4-0 / 1.13 / 32 K / 47.2 IP
• Rookie – Harvey Kuenn (Tigers): 345 / 0 HR / 11 RBI

National League

• Batter – Eddie Mathews (Braves): 384 / 10 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Bob Rush (Cubs): 5-1 / 2.76 / 35 K / 58.2 IP
• Rookie – Eddie Mathews

September

American League

• Batter – Bobby Doerr (Red Sox): 430 / 3 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Lew Burdette (Red Sox): 5-0 / 2.70 / 12 K / 50 IP
• Rookie – Harvey Haddix (Indians): 2-1 / 3.12 / 19 K / 34.2 IP

National League

• Batter – Eddie Mathews (Braves): 337 / 7 HR / 23 RBI
• Pitcher – Robin Roberts (Phillies): 4-1 / 1.24 / 23 K / 51 IP
• Rookie – Eddie Mathews

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2500 Hits: Joe DiMaggio
• 2000 Hits: Lou Boudreau, Bob Elliott
• A 13-game losing streak in late July and early August all but kills off the Senators’ run at the playoffs.
• Already sputtering a bit, the Yanks’ cause takes a further hit when SP Harry Feldman is ruled out for the rest of the season with some elbow problems. The Cubs also lose a key player when a torn labrum pulls down the curtain on Chico Carrasquel’s 1952 season.

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[luckymann]

Most Pitching Losses for a Winning Team

[luckymann]

Boston Red Sox (87-67) v Philadelphia Phillies (86-69)
Best-of-seven, Phillies with the home-field advantage.


BOSTON RED SOX S+ PAGE

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES S+ PAGE

Putting my neutral hat on here for a minute I’m loving the vague similarities coming through in this save, with the IRL Phils good around this era and obviously making the ’50 Series. And, despite Ashburn not being on this squad, I think they have a solid chance to go one better and actually lock down the club’s second title to go along with the one they won back in 1931.

That said, they are two incredibly even squads with the offence slightly favouring the Red Sox and the pitching, the Phils. I believe a lot of how this pans out will have to do with the sort of Series Williams has. Teddy is slightly more exposed than guys like Ennis and Irvin, and I’m sure the Phils will give him as few opportunities as possible to hurt them.

This should be a purler – Phils in seven for mine.

[CubMariner]

Tough end to the season! If only you had gotten some production at 3B...that seemed to be the only weak spot.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by CubMariner

Tough end to the season! If only you had gotten some production at 3B...that seemed to be the only weak spot.

Yeah, Boone was a real letdown but we gave it a good ride all the same and are hopefully headed in the right direction. Nice to see the Phils in there, let's see if they can get past the BoSox.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by luckymann

Yeah, Boone was a real letdown but we gave it a good ride all the same and are hopefully headed in the right direction. Nice to see the Phils in there, let's see if they can get past the BoSox.

How the universe so often works - not long after posting this, I went to bed and, as is usual, did a bit of reading before switching the light off. I am currently devouring The Kid, the brilliant doorstopper Ted Williams biography by Ben Bradlee jr and, would you believe it, on about the third page I read last night there's Ray Boone, who IRL was a few years behind Teddy at Hoover HS in San Diego and who would finish his career as one of Ted's teammates at the BoSox. Further delving tells me he was descended from Daniel Boone and was catcher Bob Boone's father EDIT and ergo Aaron and Bret's grandpappy. A learning day is a good day!

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Philadelphia

Robin Roberts (17-10, 2.78) v Mel Parnell (19-6, 2.92)

Some late injury news and Phillies fanatics won’t like it – starting pitcher Karl Drews is done for the year thanks to bone chips in his elbow. Such a cruel game.

The Phils will have to put that behind them immediately here. In what is shaping up as a tight contest, to not win these opening two games at home with Roberts and Simmons up would not bode well for them. But they’ll need to be at their absolute best in this first game facing one of the best in Mel Parnell.

Sadly, they are not, as Roberts gets a touch of stagefright and the Sox pounce, then rip the Phils BP apart to take a wild 8-6 win. Boudreau and Doerr each belt a 2-run homer for the visitors and Williams has a 3-hit game, while Dropo, Jackson and Hamner all do their bit for the home side.

Game 2 in Philadelphia

Curt Simmons (18-8, 2.86) v Lew Burdette (15-9, 2.87)

Red Sox lead series 1-0

Another beauty set up here with two of the league’s top young guns going head-to-head. I’ll be shocked if we see anywhere near 14 runs in this one.

We don’t, but it’s another misfire for the Phillies staff as Simmons gives up 4 in the 1st and the Red Sox cruise from there, with only a 2-run 9th giving this one any semblance of closeness. Pesky powers the Sox bats, going 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and Burdette impresses over 8+ as Boston heads home in total control.

Game 3 in Boston

Ken Raffensberger (9-21, 5.48) v Marv Breuer (5-5, 3.70)

Red Sox lead series 2-0

This is where things might get a little precarious for the Sox, with the bottom half of their rotation struggling for consistency all season and tonight’s starter Ken Raffensberger losing 21. Breuer is handy on his day but has been plagued by injuries. The proverbial “must-win” for the Phillies.

No such luck I’m afraid as Raffensberger goes off-script to deliver a peach, allowing just a run on 6 hits over 8+ as the Sox prevail once again. As was the case in the corresponding game a year earlier, Breuer does all he can but the Phillies bats stay very quiet indeed and this one looks all but over now.

Game 4 in Boston

Walt Masterson (14-12, 3.32) v Steve Gromek (7-10, 4.84)

Red Sox lead series 3-0

Steve Gromek steps into the breach left by Drews’ injury and takes on former Pirate Walt Masterson. A sweep would be the ultimate disappointment for a fan base that sticks by its club in spite of their lack of success.

And their boys seem to sense that, finally waking up and giving the Sox a bit of a touch-up. Gromek is superb, pitching a 3-hitter, with the early 5-0 lead he is gifted undoubtedly allowing him to relax a bit and find his groove. A strong win but still a long, long way back for the Phils.

Game 5 in Boston

Mel Parnell (1-0, 7.71) v Robin Roberts (0-0, 4.50)

Red Sox lead series 3-1

No doubt Phillies skipper Ty Tyson would be exhorting his group to focus all of their attention and energy on the 9 innings scheduled today and not allow their thoughts to drift an inch beyond. It might be clichéd, but one day at a time truly is the only way to approach elimination games. Watch out for some tightening by the Red Sox in the face of the knowledge that to lose here means they have to go back to Philly and face Simmons just to avoid a Game 7. That can play on even the toughest of minds. Best not to tempt fate – this I know from first-hand experience. Parnell v Roberts again and I’m looking for both to reverse their opening game misfortunes.

Nope, the bats prevail again and the Sox get it done with a really dogged and grinding come-from-behind win to lock down the club’s 8th title. Roberts does well but rookie Joe Black’s series from hell continues as he gives up 5 runs in the 8th and the Sox hold on for an 8-4 win. Boston catcher Joe Garagiola goes deep twice and knocks in 4, while teammate Lou Boudreau wins the MVP for his fine performance.

BOSTON WINS SERIES 4-1

SERIES MVP: Lou Boudreau (Boston)

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[luckymann]

After another really tough pennant race, our Wilkes-Barre boys rack up a Series sweep against Brownsville for their 14th AAA title.

[luckymann]

Obviously the big news is the relocation of the Braves franchise from Boston to Milwaukee. Roughly equidistant for us, so little effect on our logistics.

Just the one managerial change this time around, with the Tigers getting rid of skipper Earl McNeely (and GM Paul Steelman as well, for good measure).

We void the final year of Bob Kennedy’s contract and non-tender Bill Rigney, while letting Johnny Lipon walk as well. That leaves only Dutch McCall and Johnny Groth for arb.

Those leaving the game feature Pistol Pete Reiser, Johnny Hopp, Max Lanier, Johnny Vander Meer, Wally Moses, Sam Chapman, Dutch Leonard and Dixie Walker.

[luckymann]

I have decided to make a few little adjustments as well to reflect how the nature of the game is changing.

Commencing with the 1953 Rookie Draft, the threshold for Legacy Players will now be 25 career WAR or 20 for one-club players. Furthermore, relievers will need to have pitched in at least 500 games for the one club to qualify. We’ll see how this goes and twiddle the knobs as necessary. Marquee rules are unchanged, except for the RP requirement - although very few if any relievers will qualify with >70 career WAR anyway.

I had been planning this for some time and would implement it immediately except that I don't want it to seem like I'm trying to make things more advantageous (or perhaps less disadvantageous...) for us - you'll see what I mean in the upcoming Draft.

[luckymann]

AL 1952 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1952 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


A rare tie for the NL Wagner-Lajoie as Eddie Mathews - who also wins the RoY - and Richie Ashburn can't be separated, with each finishing on 151 votes and at the top of six ballots. Boston's Bobby Doerr wins in the AL, and all three are first-timers. Robin Roberts takes his third straight Johnson-Waddell, with Mel Parnell nabbing his first across in the AL. The Paige Plates go to relievers Jack Banta (his 1st) and Bill Sayles (2nd), while the AL's best rookie is pitcher Harvey Haddix.


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[luckymann]

We get plenty of bang for our buck using the first of this season's trade tickets in an absolute blockbuster deal with the A's.



This all stemmed from a one-for-one-straight-up involving Meyer and Piersall. But I am always loath to use up so limited a commodity without trying to fill as many holes as possible, and we kept putting players into the mix as it seemed we each had a few guys the other one felt they needed.

We were never keeping Al Dark or Johnny Groth past 1953 anyway, and that will also be Eddie Joost's final year with us, so to offload them in such a productive fashion is a fantastic windfall for us. Meyer has been OK for us but we still have a surplus of pitchers and he and Wehrmeier were the ones they wanted.

In return we get two absolute young guns and a handy utility type, at the same time reinforcing the squad in a couple of spots it badly needs. Piersall struggled last season with limited opportunities and I am confident he's much better than that, with the intention being for him to become our everyday CF. Runnels has hit around 330 for his two seasons so far and will supplant Joost at 2B. Dyck offers solid D at 3B / LF / CF and has some pop.

A really positive move for our franchise moving forward.

[luckymann]

A bit more action on the Legacy Player front this year – with six all up including two big-name Marquees coming aboard.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1953 Season:

Chicago Cubs: Ernie Banks (67.7; 2528 – one club player) MARQUEE (conceded)
Detroit Tigers: Al Kaline (92.9; 2834 – one club player) MARQUEE
Boston Red Sox: Frank Sullivan (20.6; 252)
Brooklyn Dodgers: Jim Gilliam (45.1; 1956 – one-club player)
Milwaukee Braves: Bill Bruton (26.3; 1052)
Pittsburgh Pirates: Roy Face (20.4; 802)


Johnny Podres (29.8; 366) was also eligible for the Dodgers, but Gilliam’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Bob Buhl (21.9; 282) was also eligible for the Braves, but Bruton’s higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 101 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 6 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1952 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. Detroit Tigers (325)
2. Chicago Cubs (500)
3. Brooklyn Dodgers (627)
4. Milwaukee Braves (418)
5. Boston Red Sox (494)
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (273)
7. St. Louis Browns (416)
8. Cincinnati Reds (448)
9. Washington Senators (506)
10. Philadelphia Athletics (513)
11. Chicago White Sox (526)
12. Philadelphia Phillies (565)
13. St. Louis Cardinals (571)
14. New York Giants (597)
15. Cleveland Indians (604)
16. New York Yankees (617)


Rounds 2 thru 6

1. Pittsburgh Pirates (273)
2. Detroit Tigers (325)
3. St. Louis Browns (416)
4. Milwaukee Braves (418)
5. Cincinnati Reds (448)
6. Boston Red Sox (494)
7. Chicago Cubs (500)
8. Washington Senators (506)
9. Philadelphia Athletics (513)
10. Chicago White Sox (526)
11. Philadelphia Phillies (565)
12. St. Louis Cardinals (571)
13. New York Giants (597)
14. Cleveland Indians (604)
15. New York Yankees (617)
16. Brooklyn Dodgers (627)


So now you see why I’ve held off with the changes until next year, as we get the 1st overall pick for the first time in ages but have to spend it in a less beneficial way than I’m sure we would have.

As the few position players we have our eyes on go before we get a clean pick, we decide to continue with our policy of stocking up on good arms and trading away for what we need along the way; here’s who we take:

1. P Roy Face, 24

• Don’t get me wrong, Roy looks a handy reliever and we’ll use him in the Stopper role we like to deploy. It’s just that we’re fairly well stocked on arms for now and might have been better served with a free pick. Never mind, it is what it is. He’s a few years away at any rate.

2. P Johnny Podres, 20

• A huge get for us and he won’t be far away from being at the parent club, ahead of even Law one would think and perhaps even straight off.

3. P Ruben Gomez, 25

• The Magic 8-Ball for Ruben predicts a year at AAA and then traded away. We miss Don Larsen by one pick, with him somewhat ironically going to the Dodgers.

4. P Bob Miller, 17

• A hard-throwing lefty who we have earmarked for mid-relief duties from the get-go. (BTW along with this one and the guy playing for the White Sox, a third Bob Miller will be joining the league in a few years' time.)

5. OF Bill Antonello, 25
6. OF Paul Schramka, 24

• MiLB filler

We have taken a couple big steps here in really giving us one of the league’s premier staffs.

FULL DRAFT LOG

[luckymann]

Black Mike finally gets his plaque, with one of the absolute NeL legends joining him for the ride on the express shuttle to C-Town. Charlie Gehringer is inching closer but running out of ballots, while I'm not liking Big Poison's chances from here.

[luckymann]

Five in a row for the Yanks – never done before and doubtful ever to be repeated – and once again it is their cross-borough rivals vanquished at the final hurdle despite winning 105. In addition to the first franchise shift in half a century, this season also marks the true arrival of the game on TV, with ABC’s Game of the Week broadcast debuting.

AL CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (99-52)
NL CHAMPIONS: Brooklyn Dodgers (105-49)
WORLD SERIES: Yankees 4, Dodgers 2

Pittsburgh Pirates: 50-104, last in NL

AL MVP: Al Rosen (Indians)
NL MVP: Roy Campanella (Dodgers)

AL RoY: Harvey Kuenn (Tigers)
NL RoY: Jim Gilliam (Dodgers)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. DUKE SNIDER, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .336 average, 132 runs, 198 hits, 38 doubles, 42 home runs, 126 RBIs, 82 walks, 16 stolen bases, .627 slugging percentage.
  
• Whether it was because he stung lefties more, was protected by a gang of right-handed slugging stars, or that he was just simply getting better, Snider emerged into a monster force with the first of five straight years with 40-plus homers.

2. STAN MUSIAL, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .337 average, 127 runs, 200 hits, 53 doubles, 9 triples, 30 home runs, 113 RBIs, 105 walks, .437 on-base percentage.
  
• Stan the Man may have failed in his quest to cop a fourth straight batting title, but it wasn’t for a lack of a last-ditch effort—hitting .429 over his final 32 games.

3. EDDIE MATHEWS, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .302 average, 110 runs, 175 hits, 31 doubles, 8 triples, 47 home runs, 135 RBIs, 99 walks, 16 intentional walks.
  
• The breakout slugger, along with his Braves teammates, reveled in the reception from eager new fans in Milwaukee—but on the road, he was even more at home, hitting .343 with 30 homers away from County Stadium.

4. ROY CAMPANELLA, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: .312 average, 103 runs, 162 hits, 26 doubles, 41 home runs, 142 RBIs.
  
• Campanella was at his thunderous best while winning his second of three MVPs, driving in five-plus runs five times.

5. GIL HODGES, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: .302 average, 101 runs, 157 hits, 22 doubles, 7 triples, 31 home runs, 122 RBIs, 75 walks.
  
• Hodges hit over .300 for the first of two straight seasons—the only two in which he’d finish over the milestone—even after a poor start in which he was mired in the .100s as late as May 25.

6. JACKIE ROBINSON, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: .329 average, 109 runs, 159 hits, 34 doubles, 7 triples, 12 home runs, 95 RBIs, 74 walks, 17 stolen bases.
  
• A man of all positions in 1953, Robinson played all four infield spots and, for the first time, in the outfield as he obliged promising rookie Jim Gilliam to take his normal place at second base.

7. TED KLUSZEWSKI, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .316 average, 97 runs, 180 hits, 25 doubles, 40 home runs, 108 RBIs.
  
• All biceps and no sleeves, the muscular Kluszewski took advantage of a moved-in right-field wall in Cincinnati to become the first Red (er, Redleg) to reach 40 homers.

8. CARL FURILLO, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 132 games, .344 average, 82 runs, 165 hits, 38 doubles, 6 triples, 21 home runs, 92 RBIs.
  
• Furillo hit .361 at Ebbets Field, helping the Dodgers to win a franchise-record 60 games out of 77 at the fabled ballpark.

9. RALPH KINER, PITTSBURGH-CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 158 games, .279 average, 100 runs, 157 hits, 35 home runs, 116 RBIs, 100 walks.
  
• Kiner was unceremoniously exiled to Chicago after seven stellar seasons at Pittsburgh, because as Branch Rickey said: We finished last with you, and we’ll finish last without you.

10. HANK THOMPSON, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 114 games, .302 average, 80 runs, 15 doubles, 8 triples, 24 home runs, 74 RBIs, 60 walks.
  
• Five different Giants hit 20 or more homers, and Thompson would have been the sole guy at 30-plus had he not had to prove his way back into the starting lineup early in the year.

AL Hitters

1. AL ROSEN, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .336 average, 115 runs, 201 hits, 27 doubles, 5 triples, 43 home runs, 145 RBIs, 85 walks, .613 slugging percentage.
• Had the AL’s home run/RBI leader managed a hit in his final at-bat of the season instead of grounding out, he would have edged Mickey Vernon for the AL batting title by one-tenth of a point—and secured the triple crown along with it.

2. MICKEY VERNON, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .337 average, 101 runs, 205 hits, 43 doubles, 11 triples, 15 home runs, 115 RBIs.
• But Rosen grounded out, and the batting crown belonged to the 35-year-old Vernon—seven years after winning his first title. His efforts helped a D.C.-based team earn its last non-losing record before the Expos came to town 50 years later.

3. RAY BOONE, CLEVELAND-DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 135 games, .296 average, 94 runs, 17 doubles, 8 triples, 26 home runs, 114 RBIs, 72 walks.
• Struggling at shortstop, misdiagnosed as a leadoff hitter and booed by Cleveland fans, Boone got a welcome trade to Detroit and immensely raised his comfort level at third base while averaging nearly an RBI per game.

4. MICKEY MANTLE, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 127 games, .295 average, 105 runs, 24 doubles, 21 home runs, 92 RBIs, 79 walks.
• Although Mantle had yet to power up to his future career-best heights, he still had the year’s most memorable homer when he blasted one completely out of Washington’s cavernous Griffith Stadium.

5. MINNIE MINOSO, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .313 average, 104 runs, 174 hits, 24 doubles, 8 triples, 15 home runs, 104 RBIs, 74 walks, 17 hit-by-pitches, 25 stolen bases, 16 caught stealing, 23 grounded into double plays.
• With Eddie Robinson shuffled off to the A’s, Minoso became the default masher within the White Sox’ lineup—and he did a good job of playing one in July, belting nine of his 15 season homers during the month.

6. GUS ZERNIAL, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .284 average, 85 runs, 42 home runs, 108 RBIs, 11 intentional walks.
• Passed by Al Rosen in the season’s final week for what could have been his second AL home run crown, Zernial still finished the year leading all AL players in home runs (133) over the decade’s first four seasons.

7. YOGI BERRA, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 137 games, .296 average, 80 runs, 23 doubles, 5 triples, 27 home runs, 108 RBIs.
• Though he didn’t win the AL MVP this year, Berra placed second—the fourth of seven consecutive years in which he finished no lower than fourth in the vote.

8. LARRY DOBY, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .263 average, 92 runs, 29 home runs, 102 RBIs, 96 walks, 121 strikeouts.
• Doby’s .263 average may have been his lowest amid any of his full-time campaigns, but he was still potent enough to place ninth in the AL in OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage).

9. GEORGE KELL, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 134 games, .307 average, 41 doubles, 12 home runs, 73 RBIs.
• In his one full-time year at Boston, Kell arguably proved to be the most dangerous Red Sock in the lineup until Ted Williams returned late in the season from Korean War duty.

10. EDDIE YOST, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .277 average, 107 runs, 30 doubles, 7 triples, 9 home runs, 45 RBIs, 123 walks.
• In a decade in which nobody in the majors would accrue more walks, Yost continued to get the most out of opposing pitchers exhausting their pitch counts trying to retire him.

NL Pitchers

1. WARREN SPAHN, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 2.10 ERA, 23 wins, 7 losses, .767 win percentage, 32 starts, 24 complete games, 5 shutouts, 265.2 innings.
• Of all of his many great years that resulted in 363 career wins, 1953 may have been the absolute stingiest in Spahn’s major league tenure.

2. HARVEY HADDIX, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.06 ERA, 20 wins, 9 losses, .690 win percentage, 33 starts, 6 shutouts, 253 innings, 21 grounded into double plays.
• The rookie started out strong in St. Louis, setting a career high in wins and leading the NL with six shutouts.

3. ROBIN ROBERTS, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 2.75 ERA, 23 wins, 16 losses, 44 appearances, 41 starts, 33 complete games, 5 shutouts, 346.2 innings, 61 walks, 11 intentional walks, 198 strikeouts, 31 grounded into double plays.
• Roberts’ continued excellence included a streak of 28 straight complete games dating back to 1952.

4. LEW BURDETTE, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 3.24 ERA, 15 wins, 5 losses, .750 win percentage, 8 saves, 46 appearances, 13 starts, 175 innings.
• First-half reliever, second-half starter, Burdette was all quality as he poked into an injury-riddled rotation and established himself as a sidekick to Warren Spahn.

5. CARL ERSKINE, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 3.54 ERA, 20 wins, 6 losses, .769 win percentage, 39 appearances, 33 starts, 246.2 innings, 187 strikeouts.
• Erskine was in line with Dodger dominance in the standings, posting the NL’s best win percentage while Brooklyn set a franchise record for the same.

6. CURT SIMMONS, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 3.21 ERA, 16 wins, 13 losses, 30 starts, 238 innings.
• When Robin Roberts needed a well-deserved breather, Simmons continued to step in as the next best guy as in the Phillies’ rotation.

7. BOB BUHL, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 2.97 ERA, 13 wins, 8 losses, 30 appearances, 18 starts, 154.1 innings.
• The rookie righty bounced around the bullpen until the Braves gave him shot at the rotation—and he responded with six straight starts of at least eight innings, including a 14-frame outing (the majors’ longest stint of the year) in the last of those six.

8. RUBEN GOMEZ, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.40 ERA, 13 wins, 11 losses, 26 starts, 204 innings, 101 walks.
• After getting the game-winning hit for Puerto Rico in the Caribbean World Series, the rookie helped salvaged a Giants rotation that saw disappointing results from established vets Larry Jansen and Sal Maglie.

9. VINEGAR BEND MIZELL, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.49 ERA, 13 wins, 11 losses, 33 starts, 224.1 innings, 114 walks.
• Future North Carolina congressman (and “religious fanatic”) Mizell overcame some of his normal wildness to have one of his best years in just his second season.

10. GERRY STALEY, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.99 ERA, 18 wins, 9 losses, 4 saves, 40 appearances, 32 starts, 230 innings, 54 walks, 17 hit-by-pitches.
• The 33-year-old Washington state native gave up a career-high 31 homers—which may explain why he might have been in the mood to hit 17 players, the most by an NL pitcher since 1916.

AL Pitchers

1. BILLY PIERCE, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.27 ERA, 18 wins, 12 losses, 3 saves, 40 appearances, 33 starts, 7 shutouts, 271.1 innings, 102 walks, 10 intentional walks, 186 strikeouts, 2 stolen bases allowed, 11 caught stealing/picked off.
• Lack of support was a problem for Billy Pierce, but it was a much bigger problem for the pitchers he faced; opponents hit just .218 against him, and he produced the White Sox’ third longest-ever streak of consecutive scoreless innings (40).

2. BOB PORTERFIELD, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: 3.35 ERA, 22 wins, 10 losses, .688 win percentage, 32 starts, 24 complete games, 9 shutouts, 255 innings, 31 grounded into double plays.
• Not only was the 30-year-old fastballer a one-year wonder on the mound—throwing two one-hit shutouts and a 16-hitter, May 5 at Detroit—he was also one at the plate, batting .255 with three home runs and 16 RBIs over 98 at-bats.

3. MICKEY MCDERMOTT, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.01 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 30 starts, 206.1 innings, 109 walks.
• The eventual journeyman pitcher with vanilla career numbers enjoyed his finest moment with the Red Sox…before being shipped off to lowly Washington.

4. ED LOPAT, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.42 ERA, 16 wins, 4 losses, .800 win percentage, 24 starts, 178.1 innings, 32 walks.
• Often throwing on six or seven days’ rest, the 35-year-old Lopat maintained stellar efficiency and saved his best for (this year, at least) the halfway-decent Senators—winning all six of his starts with a 0.87 ERA against them.

5. BOB LEMON, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 3.36 ERA, 21 wins, 15 losses, 41 appearances, 36 starts, 23 complete games, 286.2 innings, 110 walks, 39 grounded into double plays.
• Lemon’s season got off to a great start; he became the first major leaguer to both throw a shutout and hit a home run in an Opening Day start.

6. WHITEY FORD, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.00 ERA, 18 wins, 6 losses, .750 win percentage, 30 starts, 207 innings, 110 walks, 4 stolen bases allowed, 15 caught stealing/picked off.
• Well preserved after two years in the military, Ford ran up his streak of most consecutive wins (as a starter) without a loss to start a career to 16.

7. MIKE GARCIA, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 3.25 ERA, 18 wins, 9 losses, .667 win percentage, 35 starts, 21 complete games, 271.2 innings, 16 stolen bases allowed, 32 grounded into double plays.
• One of the AL’s best—and certainly most underrated—pitchers of the 1950s made his lone career All-Star appearance in 1953.

8. VIC RASCHI, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.33 ERA, 13 wins, 6 losses, .684 win percentage, 26 starts, 181 innings.
• The veteran right-hander’s increased fragile pitching state didn’t seem to impact his bat; no American League knocked in more runs in one game than Raschi did on August 4 against Detroit, driving in seven.

9. MEL PARNELL, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.06 ERA, 21 wins, 8 losses, .724 win percentage, 38 appearances, 34 starts, 241 innings, 116 walks, 30 grounded into double plays.
• Riding the comeback trail, Parnell threw five shutouts—four against the rival Yankees.

10. VIRGIL TRUCKS, ST. LOUIS-CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.93 ERA, 20 wins, 10 losses, .667 win percentage, 3 saves, 40 appearances, 33 starts, 264.1 innings, 99 walks.
• A year after his bizarre odyssey of going 5-19 with two no-hitters, Trucks received overdue satisfaction with his first and only 20-win campaign.