World Series: Did You Know?

The 1940 Cincinnati Reds were forced to rely on a third-stringer, pressed into service because of a series of unfortunate events.

Ernie Lombardi, the regular catcher for the Reds, sprained his ankle in September of that year. There was no one good enough to call 'em behind the plate! Willard Hershberger, the backup catcher and one of baseball's tragic figures, committed suicide on August 3rd. Cincy headed into the Fall Classic against Detroit with Jimmie Wilson doing the catching duties. Now, he was on the Reds from the get-go. But he was wasn't really playing. He was, however, on the coaching staff! He was also 40 years old.

It was a rout in the opener in Cincy. It was a 7-2, Detroit final. Wilson did not get a hit and was removed for a pinch-hitter. Bill Baker took over after that behind the dish. None of that seemed to help.

But in game two, Jimmie came through. He hit a single in the bottom of the second. Cincinnati was already up, 2-0. When Wilson crossed the plate two batters later, it was 4-0. Jimmie added a single in the bottom of the eighth. Detroit got close, but not close enough as the Reds won, 5-3. Off to Detroit. Series tied at one.

Here though, the momentum of Cincy seemed to fade. Not only did the Reds win again and score seven runs again, but Wilson did not play. But Lombardi did, so that was a good sign. Back behind the dish to provide the Reds with some inspiration, Ernie got a hit. Lombardi had a reputation as a slow runner, but his hit ended up being a double to right. There he stood, on second in the top the second. There was nobody out. But Ernie was stranded and did not reach first again. Detroit won, 7-4.

Wilson was back for game four. But for a while, he did nothing. Hitless in his first three at-bats, it looked like an 0 for...day for him. But he singled in the top of the seventh. Alas, like Lombardi the previous day, Jimmie was stranded. The good news, however, was the win by the Reds. 5-2. The 1940 Fall Classic was tied at two.

But the tie was broken by the Tigers. Did they ever! The final score was 8-0. Wilson had a tough time at the dish. He only batted once and popped out behind the plate. And speaking of behind the plate, Wilson allowed a passed ball in the bottom of the fourth. In that inning, Detroit scored four times. However, Wilson threw out Bruce Campbell, tying for a swipe of second in the bottom of the third. Wilson ended up being removed for a pinch hitter in the top of the fifth.

So Cincinnati was heading home and needing to win game six and seven, obviously.

Wilson fanned in the bottom of the bottom of the first, but Cincy had a 2-0 lead. Behind the plate, Jimmie called the right pitches. The Reds won the game, 4-0. Wilson lined up the next time, but singled and walked later. On to the seventh game!

Wilson, behind the plate, called another great game. First time up, he singled and stole second. But he was stranded. What does the guy have to do?

Well, what Jimmie did was single again his next trip to the plate. This time he was not stranded, but a double play erased him. Detroit was up 1-0 at this point.

But in the bottom of the seventh, Wilson helped. A pair of doubles had tied the game. And with not a man out, Wilson laid down a sac bunt. Ernie Lombardi pinch hit and was walked. The catchers were doing their job!

But Lombardi was replaced by a pinch runner. And Wilson had batted for the last time in the 1940 Fall Classic. But, with both of them in the clubhouse now, the Reds broke the deadlock. A sac fly by Billy Myers put Cincinnati up, 2-1.

The Tigers got the tying run on in the top of the eighth, and the Reds got a bunt single in the bottom of the frame, but neither led to a run. Detroit was retired 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth, as the Cincinnati Reds won the 1940 World Series!

Tragedies happen in sports, as well in life. But winning always means overcoming obstacles. The Reds lacked a starting catcher, and Bill Baker had caught only 27 games that year as a rookie. But 40 year old Jimmie Wilson had hit .353, stolen a base, and helped inspire his team to victory in the 1940 Fall Classic!