Allie Reynolds got a save and a win in his last two Fall Classic appearances. They were also in back-to-back games in the 1953 World Series. And they were the last two games of the 1953 Fall Classic.
Reynolds actually started game one of the Fall Classic that year. Pitching for the New York Yankees against their rivals the Brooklyn Dodgers, he left with a one-run lead in the top of the sixth inning. Brooklyn tied it, and New York then blew it wide open. The 9-5 win got the Yankees off on the right foot.
But going into game five, the Fall Classic of '53 was tied at two. So it was a crucial one. Who better to turn the ball over to than someone with six career wins in the World Series? Reynolds was a little slow getting into this one, through no fault of his own!
The Yankees entered the bottom of the ninth ahead 11-6 in a slugfest at old Ebbets field. The Dodgers needed this one, for games six and seven would be over at Yankee Stadium. But five runs in one inning against the Bronx Bombers is asking for a lot!
But Jim Gilliam, surprising everyone, led off the bottom of the frame with a home run. It only counted for one run, of course, but it was evidence that Brooklyn would not go down without a fight!
Pee Wee Reese was then retired by Bob Kuzava, who was pitching in relief of starter Jim McDonald. But when Duke Snider singled, that was the end of the night for Bob. Worse still, the fleet and dangerous Jackie Robinson was next! The call to the 'pen went to Reynolds!
Reynolds came in. One on, one out. He got Jackie to ground into a game-ending double play! Although, it would not be a save by today's rules, Reynolds would get credited with one right there. He had done just what the Yankees had needed.
But in game six at home, Allie did something the Yankees didn't need!
New York was ahead 3-1 after seven, so manager Casey Stengel went to Reynolds. Allie was looking for another save. The eighth inning went according to plan. The Dodgers managed just a single by Robinson. As Reynolds trotted back out to the hill in the top of the ninth, New York was but three outs away from the 1953 World Series. It would also be their fifth straight title!
Gil Hodges flied out. Duke Snider walked. Carl Furillo then stunned the Yankee faithful by hitting a game-tying two-run home run to right! Reynolds fanned the next two batters, but did Brooklyn ever have life. That is, until the game went into the bottom of the ninth!
Clem Labine had to take his turn to hold the Yankees in check. But Hank Bauer led off with a walk. Yogi Berra then lined out to right. Mickey Mantle, two home runs and seven RBIs to his name so far in this series, showed his speed with an infield single.
Mantle's pal Billy Martin was next. He singled right back through the box. Bauer turned on the jets and raced home from second. The Yankees had the 1953 World Series!
Reynolds had failed to get the win in game one. He had also blown the save in this game. But with a save in game five and a win here in game six, Allie had cemented his place as one of the all-time best World Series pitchers. His win was his seventh, which tied him with Red Ruffling for first in that all-important lifetime category.
Whitey Ford would go on to win ten Fall Classic games to set the all-time record. Reynolds and Ruffling would soon have to settle for a three-way tie with Bob Gibson for second place. But, that's not bad company, now is it?
Reynolds actually started game one of the Fall Classic that year. Pitching for the New York Yankees against their rivals the Brooklyn Dodgers, he left with a one-run lead in the top of the sixth inning. Brooklyn tied it, and New York then blew it wide open. The 9-5 win got the Yankees off on the right foot.
But going into game five, the Fall Classic of '53 was tied at two. So it was a crucial one. Who better to turn the ball over to than someone with six career wins in the World Series? Reynolds was a little slow getting into this one, through no fault of his own!
The Yankees entered the bottom of the ninth ahead 11-6 in a slugfest at old Ebbets field. The Dodgers needed this one, for games six and seven would be over at Yankee Stadium. But five runs in one inning against the Bronx Bombers is asking for a lot!
But Jim Gilliam, surprising everyone, led off the bottom of the frame with a home run. It only counted for one run, of course, but it was evidence that Brooklyn would not go down without a fight!
Pee Wee Reese was then retired by Bob Kuzava, who was pitching in relief of starter Jim McDonald. But when Duke Snider singled, that was the end of the night for Bob. Worse still, the fleet and dangerous Jackie Robinson was next! The call to the 'pen went to Reynolds!
Reynolds came in. One on, one out. He got Jackie to ground into a game-ending double play! Although, it would not be a save by today's rules, Reynolds would get credited with one right there. He had done just what the Yankees had needed.
But in game six at home, Allie did something the Yankees didn't need!
New York was ahead 3-1 after seven, so manager Casey Stengel went to Reynolds. Allie was looking for another save. The eighth inning went according to plan. The Dodgers managed just a single by Robinson. As Reynolds trotted back out to the hill in the top of the ninth, New York was but three outs away from the 1953 World Series. It would also be their fifth straight title!
Gil Hodges flied out. Duke Snider walked. Carl Furillo then stunned the Yankee faithful by hitting a game-tying two-run home run to right! Reynolds fanned the next two batters, but did Brooklyn ever have life. That is, until the game went into the bottom of the ninth!
Clem Labine had to take his turn to hold the Yankees in check. But Hank Bauer led off with a walk. Yogi Berra then lined out to right. Mickey Mantle, two home runs and seven RBIs to his name so far in this series, showed his speed with an infield single.
Mantle's pal Billy Martin was next. He singled right back through the box. Bauer turned on the jets and raced home from second. The Yankees had the 1953 World Series!
Reynolds had failed to get the win in game one. He had also blown the save in this game. But with a save in game five and a win here in game six, Allie had cemented his place as one of the all-time best World Series pitchers. His win was his seventh, which tied him with Red Ruffling for first in that all-important lifetime category.
Whitey Ford would go on to win ten Fall Classic games to set the all-time record. Reynolds and Ruffling would soon have to settle for a three-way tie with Bob Gibson for second place. But, that's not bad company, now is it?
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