Monday, September 22, 2014

World Series: Did You Know?

There was an Al Smith in the 1959 Fall Classic, and a Hal Smith in the 1960 showdown. Each was involved in a memorable play, for good measure.

The Al was with the Chicago White Sox of 1959. And in game one of that year's World Series against Los Angeles, all Smith did was go 2-4 with a run scored. The Go-Go White Sox, at home, really took it to the Dodgers. They won 11-0. It was in game two were his moment came.

In game two Chicago started out strong again. And again their pitching was good. Bob Shaw held the Dodgers to no runs through four innings. The Sox scored twice in the bottom of the first. Smith, for his part, reached on an error and walked in his first two trips.

But in the top of the fifth, the Dodgers finally touched home. And it was a beauty of a way! With two down and the bases empty, Charlie Neal launched a ball to left, which happened to be Smith's position.

The ball landed in the stands and it was 2-1. But hardly anyone watching the game took notice, except in that area of the park. The ball's descent into the stands causes fans to stop what they are doing. Their eyes dart for the prize. As does their legs. Their arms make a stab and grab. And in doing so, one fan knocked over a cup of beer.

The beer can feel deposited its contents onto the field, right in Smith's territory. And Al, with his back to the wall, didn't see it coming. Well, Smith wasn't on fire, but he sure got doused!

The White Sox fell behind 4-2, but then Smith nearly tied it. Two men were on and nobody was out when he lashed a double. A run scored and Sherman Lollar tried to make it a 4-4 game. But he was gunned out at home. Smith made it to third on the play, meaning a single or fly ball would tie it. But Billy Goodman, sent up to pinch hit, fanned. Jim Rivera then fouled out. Chicago lost the game, 4-3.

The Los Angeles Dodgers ultimatly ended up winning the 1959 World Series, four games to two. Al Smith finished up at .250 with one RBI. But he added four walks. And one beer to the face!

The next year, another Smith, but with the first name of Hal, had his longball trumped. That happened to be by Bill Mazeroski. But you can't spell "Mazeroski" without spelling out "zero" right? But for Smith, Maz's home run would have been worth zero!

Smith, who was a catcher and third baseman, didn't look like he'd do much at all in the 1960 Fall Classic. When his turn came to finally get into a game, it was the third tilt. And against New York Yankee ace Whitey Ford, he went 0-3 as the Pittsburgh Pirates lost, 10-0. A 2-4 performance in game six meant little, as Ford won again, 12-0.

So it was on to game seven, and New York roared back from 4-0 to take a 7-4 lead into the bottom of the eighth. Here's where Hal and hit mates needed to do something at home, or it would be another World Series triumph for New York. They needed some luck. And they got it.

With one on and one out, what looked like a double play ball turned out to be a hit. A bouncer off the bat of Bill Virdon hit a pebble that had been knocked around by some baserunner earlier in the game. The ball bounced up and hit Tony Kubek in the throat. This led to a huge opening. While another single by Dick Groat made it 7-5, New York, the next two batters were retired without a single runner going anywhere!

But Roberto Clemente got an infield single to not only keep the inning alive, but also score another run. Here, Hal Smith, was at the dish. He had been inserted in the top of the frame behind the dish. Sadly, for him, New York scored twice. Here, he was trying to do something about that.

And he did! Launching a Jim Coates offering out of the park to left, it was suddenly the underdog Pirates with the lead, 9-7. Three more outs now, and it would be Pittsburgh with the World Championship!

It was not to be, at least in the top of the ninth. Mickey Mantle drove in a run to make it 9-8. Then, a fine baserunning play by The Mick on a Yogi Berra roller to first, and the game was tied, at 9! The Pirates went on to win on a home run by Mazerkoski in the bottom of the frame, which made everyone forget about Hal Smith's blast! But would Pittsburgh have been in any position to do that without Hal? I think not!

Smith, one of the most common names in the world, was not going to be remembered when we think of the 1959 or '60 Fall Classic. But whether it's getting a face-full of beer or swinging the game in your team's favour, both Smith's provided moments that should not be forgotten by the baseball fan who seeks humour or drama in the month of October. The Fall Classic has always been fourtunate in the sense that it never lacks in entertainment value!

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