Amazingly, it is Willie Mays who has the record for most double plays hit into in a single contest. Three.
Willie was playing in his first ever Fall Classic in 1951, and it was his New York Giants vs. their cross-town rivals, the Yankees. For the Bronx Bombers, it was Joe DiMaggio's last World Series and Mickey Mantle's first.
So after three games, it looked like the Giants were going to follow up their historic pennant win with a World Series triumph. It was 2-1 for the team representing the National League in the final showdown.
Game four, for good measure, was at home at the old Polo Grounds. Right where Bobby Thompson had hit that pennant-winning walk-off home run. The fourth contest was all Yankees, however.
Sal Maglie was the right choice for the Giants, and got the Yankees out in the top of the first with no scoring. Monte Irving, who just recently passed away, drove home Alvin Dark in the bottom of the frame with a single.
But just to show you how good this Yankee team was, right in the top of the second, they tied it. Joe Collins singled to score Gene Woodling. The Giants had The Miracle Man, Thompson, on first with one out in the bottom of the inning. However, Willie Mays hit into a double play to end that.
Allie Reynolds, the Yankees' starter, put the Bronx Bombers ahead for good with a single off Maglie in the top of the fourth. The Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, blasted a two-run home run off The Barber the next inning. 4-1 for the junior circuit champs after 4 1/2. They were really in the driver's seat.
Bobby Thompson started the bottom of the fifth for the Giants by drawing a walk. Mays again hit into a double play. Wes Westrum followed with walk, too. If only Mays' hadn't done that. The Giants may have come back right there.
As it was, Maglie was removed for a pinch hitter. Sheldon Jones came in to pitch. The Bronx Bombers were done finished.
In the top of the seventh, the Giants had Phil Rizzuto in the wrong spot. Westrum noticed The Scooter a little too far off second base. But Eddie Stanky, after getting the throw, hit Rizzuto in the back as he was heading to third. Rizzuto scored the fifth Yankee run. Woodling scored the sixth when McDougald singled. Neither tally was earned.
In the bottom of the seventh, Mays came up after Thompson had singled with one out. This time, he skied it to DiMaggio in centre. Westrum fanned to end the inning. The Giants finally scored again in the bottom of the ninth on a single by Thompson. That scored the other Thompson, Hank.
The single sent Irvin, who'd himself hit a single following a leadoff walk to Thompson, to third. Runners on the corners, one out, 6-2. And Mays at the dish.
Mays sent a roller to Rizzuto at short.
Ouch!
It happens to even the best of them.
Willie was playing in his first ever Fall Classic in 1951, and it was his New York Giants vs. their cross-town rivals, the Yankees. For the Bronx Bombers, it was Joe DiMaggio's last World Series and Mickey Mantle's first.
So after three games, it looked like the Giants were going to follow up their historic pennant win with a World Series triumph. It was 2-1 for the team representing the National League in the final showdown.
Game four, for good measure, was at home at the old Polo Grounds. Right where Bobby Thompson had hit that pennant-winning walk-off home run. The fourth contest was all Yankees, however.
Sal Maglie was the right choice for the Giants, and got the Yankees out in the top of the first with no scoring. Monte Irving, who just recently passed away, drove home Alvin Dark in the bottom of the frame with a single.
But just to show you how good this Yankee team was, right in the top of the second, they tied it. Joe Collins singled to score Gene Woodling. The Giants had The Miracle Man, Thompson, on first with one out in the bottom of the inning. However, Willie Mays hit into a double play to end that.
Allie Reynolds, the Yankees' starter, put the Bronx Bombers ahead for good with a single off Maglie in the top of the fourth. The Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, blasted a two-run home run off The Barber the next inning. 4-1 for the junior circuit champs after 4 1/2. They were really in the driver's seat.
Bobby Thompson started the bottom of the fifth for the Giants by drawing a walk. Mays again hit into a double play. Wes Westrum followed with walk, too. If only Mays' hadn't done that. The Giants may have come back right there.
As it was, Maglie was removed for a pinch hitter. Sheldon Jones came in to pitch. The Bronx Bombers were done finished.
In the top of the seventh, the Giants had Phil Rizzuto in the wrong spot. Westrum noticed The Scooter a little too far off second base. But Eddie Stanky, after getting the throw, hit Rizzuto in the back as he was heading to third. Rizzuto scored the fifth Yankee run. Woodling scored the sixth when McDougald singled. Neither tally was earned.
In the bottom of the seventh, Mays came up after Thompson had singled with one out. This time, he skied it to DiMaggio in centre. Westrum fanned to end the inning. The Giants finally scored again in the bottom of the ninth on a single by Thompson. That scored the other Thompson, Hank.
The single sent Irvin, who'd himself hit a single following a leadoff walk to Thompson, to third. Runners on the corners, one out, 6-2. And Mays at the dish.
Mays sent a roller to Rizzuto at short.
Ouch!
It happens to even the best of them.
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