World Series: Did You Know?

Allie Reynolds won a Fall Classic game in all six seasons he pitched in one. He started with a win against Brooklyn and ended it with a win against Brooklyn.

Reynolds began his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1942, but before he could get a chance to go to the postseason with them, he was traded to the New York Yankees for Joe Gordon, the 1942 American League MVP. His first year with The Bronx Bombers was 1947, and they won it all.

Reynolds pitched against the Dodgers in the 1947 World Series, winning game two. He also got a no decision in the sixth contest. Despite this, both outings weren't very impressive. But he was 1-0 at this point in the Fall Classic. Reynolds was still on the Yankees two season later, when the two teams met again. In game one, at Yankee Stadium, Reynolds tossed a two-hit shutout. In the fourth game, he added a save to his resume. New York won this in five games.

In game two of the 1950 World Series, he found himself pitching against a legend. The Philadelphia Phillies sent out Robin Roberts to try and square it at one game each. Instead, it was Allie besting the Phillies 2-1 in 10 innings. That sent the Yankees home up 2-0. They won the next two games, with Reynolds getting the last out of the deciding game. That gave him a save.

Against the upstart New York Giants in 1951, Reynolds had to taste the defeat pill in the World Series for the first time in first game. However, when he took the mound for a second time, he didn't let the Yankees down. His 6-2 win squared the Fall Classic at two games each. The Yankees did not look back, winning games five and six. This was Joe DiMaggio's last Fall Classic, but Reynolds made sure the tradition of winning continued.

Reynolds lost his second game the next year, as he was back against the Dodgers. This was a Fall Classic that the Yankees nearly lost. This was the first game at Ebbets Field. Despite Reynolds' win in the fourth game at Yankee Stadium, Brooklyn took the next contest, and headed home with a chance to wrap it up. They were up 3-2.

The tying run was on second inning in the bottom of the eighth, as the Yankees were clinging to a 3-2 lead. Here's where Allie Reynolds relieved Vic Raschi. The batter was Roy Campanella and Reynolds fanned him. With one out in the last of the ninth, the home team again got the tying run on. Reynolds got things in order, and retired Andy Pafko and Billy Cox to preserve the series-tying win. Our boy wasn't finished.

One again, he was needed in relief, as Ed Lopat faltered in the fourth inning. The Yankees came out of the inning tied at one. Gene Woodling pounded a Joe Black pitch to right for a home run to give Reynolds and New York a 2-1 lead. Pee Wee Reese got Brooklyn back to even terms with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the frame.

Mickey Mantle put the Yankees ahead again, however, with a solo home run of his own. This time, the Yankees didn't let the Dodgers come back. Ralph Houk pinch hit for Allie Reynolds in the seventh. While he didn't come through, Gil McDougald singled. A bunt and a single by Mantle scored him. 4-2. Vic Raschi and Bob Kuzava nailed this one down, and the Yankees had another series win over the Dodgers. This gave them four consecutive World Series wins.

They made it five the next year, again over the Dodgers. New York got it done again. Reynolds got a no decision in game one, a save in game five, and the win in relief in game six. Brooklyn did not make it to game seven this time. It was Billy Martin that clinched this with a single that ended the game in the bottom of the ninth for the home side.

Reynolds had won 13 games that year. He had one more year in him, and again Allie won 13. But 1954 saw his old team, just like in 1948, make it to the World Series. The Cleveland Indians were outstanding that year, winning 111 games. Reynolds' New York Yankees had to settle for second despite 103 wins of their own.

Reynolds, all told, was 7-2 in the World Series for his career, just like Bob Gibson. Not quite as dominating, for sure. Lefty Gomez was 6-0 lifetime for the New York Yankees of an earlier generation. 1950 saw Whitey Ford as the winner in the clincher, although Reynolds relieved him. Ford went on to win a Fall Classic record 10 games (Although, he also lost a record 8 games!). Ford, Gibson and Gomez are really the standard by which pitchers are compared to in the World Series. Reynolds didn't make the Hall Of Fame, unlike those three. But in the postseason, he got the job done whenever the Yankees needed him to.


References


Enders, Eric. 100 Years Of The World Series. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 2005. Print.

Golenbock, Peter. Dynasty: The New York Yankees, 1949-1964. Lincolnwood, IL: Contemporary, 2000. Print.

Neft, David S., Richard M. Cohen, and Michael L. Neft. The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 1992. 12th ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. Print.

Neft, David S., and Richard M. Cohen. The World Series: Complete Play-by-play of Every Game, 1903-1989. 4th ed. New York: St. Martin's, 1990. Print.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.

World Series: Did You Know?

There was a two-hitter thrown in the opening tilt three straight years: 1948, 1949, 1950!

It was the strong Cleveland Indians vs. the upstart Boston Braves in 1948. And it was no surprise to see Bob Feller starting for the Indians. The Braves countered with Johnny Sain. The game is best remembered for a controversial call at second on a pickoff play.

Feller, pitching great on the road, battled Sain to a scoreless deadlock through 7 1/2 innings. Bob was working on a fine one-hitter. However, in the bottom of the eighth, catcher Bill Salkeld drew a leadoff walk. Phil Masi ran for him. Feller then pitched to Mike McCormick, who got the bunt down and moved Masi into scoring position. That should have been as far as Masi got. Eddie Stanky was walked intentionally. He, too, left for a pinch runner as Sibby Sisti came in to run. But it was the other pinch runner that had Feller's attention. Bob whirled around and fired a perfect strike to Lou Boudreau to catch 'em napping at second. However, Bill Stewart, the umpire at second, said that Masi made it back safely. There has been much debate. But there was no debate that Tommy Holmes later knocked home the game's only run with a single later that inning. Feller completed the two-hitter, and lost 1-0 to Sain.

In 1949, it was a classic Yankees / Dodgers duel. And while the series only lasted five games, the first two contests were 1-0. Allie Reynolds needed the two-hitter, as Don Newcombe matched him all the way. All Newk had was a four-hitter and eleven strikeouts through eight innings in this brilliant scoreless game at Yankee Stadium. Newk though, fell behind 3-0 to Tommy Henrich in the bottom of the ninth. Needing to throw a strike to Old Reliable, Newk ended up throwin his last pitch. Henrich hit a home run to right. Reynolds finally was rewarded. Only Pee Wee Reese and Spider Jorgensen could brag about hitting safely against Superchief!

The next year saw Vic Raschi join Allie with a two-hitter of his own in game one. Reynolds would have to the second contest to pitch. Raschi made sure it was the mighty Bronx Bombers with a win at Shibe Park. The upstart Philadelphia Phillies sent their top relief pitcher, Jim Konstanty out to the mound in this game. And amazingly, Jim didn't pitch like someone making his first start of the season. He matched Vic all the way. When the smoke had cleared however, big Jim found himself in the same boat as Don Newcombe the year before at this very same stage: a 1-0 loser!

But Jim had allowed just five hits, like Don. However, the Phillies could only get two hits, both in the bottom of the fifth. Neither of them led to any scoring, of course. The Yankees went on to a sweep of The Whiz Kids.


References


Enders, Eric. 100 years of the World Series. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. New York, 2005. Print.

Neft, David S., Richard M. Cohen, and Michael L. Neft. The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 1992. 12th ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. Print.

Neft, David S., and Richard M. Cohen. The World Series: Complete Play-by-play of Every Game, 1903-1989. 4th ed. New York: St. Martin's, 1990. Print.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 29 Apr. 2016.

World Series: Did You Know?

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.

World Series: Did You Know?

Monte Irvin, who passed away two days ago, stole home in his very first time on the basepaths in 1951. His daring moves helped the New York Giants win the game.

The 1951 World Series will forever be known as DiMaggio's last, The Say Hey Kid and The Mick's first. But Mickey Mantle was in right field and Willie Mays was in centre.

So it was the Giants playing the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium in game one. Eddie Stanky led off the first against Allie Reynolds and could only ground out. Alvin Dark flied out to Mantle in right.

But Hank Thompson walked, and Irvin singled. Mantle got to it, but it was Thompson who motored to third. A double by Wally Lockman (Which bounced into the stands in left) made it 1-0, Giants. Irvin did not get to score on the play. However, a two runners were in scoring position, and Bobby Thompson was know the batter.

Irvin then took things into his own hands. As Reynolds delivered to Thompson, he broke for home, and caught everyone napping, including catcher Yogi Berra. Safe! 2-0, Giants.

Irvin ended the game with four hits, although the run he scored was his only one. He also failed to collect an RBI. The Giants, however, won the game, and after three games, looked poised to wrap it all up. The Yankees rallied from two games to one down and ended up winning the last three games.



Monte ended the series with 11 hits, two stolen bases, a triple and hit .458. All tops. This would also not be his last Fall Classic. The Giants returned in 1954, this time winning. Irvin, however, hit just .222 in New York's sweep of Cleveland.


References

Neft, David S, and Richard M. Coheen. The World Series: Complete play-by-play of every game, 1903-1989. New York: St. Martin's Press. 1990. Print.

Sports Reference LLC. "October 4, 1951 World Series Game 1, Giants at Yankees" Baseball-Reference.com Major League Statistics and Information http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA195110040.shtml (13 Jan. 2016)

1951 World Series, dvd, Major League Baseball Productions. 2013.

World Series: Did You Know?

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?

World Series: Did You Know?

The first ever walk-off homerun was hit in game 1 of the 1949 World Series.

And it was by "Old Reliable" himself, Tommy Henrich. Another Dodgers (still in Brooklyn) and Yankees game for the history books. I guess this homerun explains his other nickname.

"The Clutch", was it. Today, it would be, "Mr. Clutch", or something along the lines of  what is said about Jordan or James from another sport!

Actually, this game 1, played on October 5, 1949, was a classic!

It was also a pitcher's duel!

Allie Reynolds went the distance for the Yankees, allowing just 2 hits, 4 walks and fanning 9. He needed that, because the Dodgers' Don Newcombe also "had it" on this day.

Newk allowed just 5 hits, 0 walks, and 11 K's. Actually, he was working on a fine 4-hit shutout through 8 innings. But then Henrich had to ruin it for him and the Dodgers in the bottom of the 9th.

On the last day of the 1949 season, Tommy drove in the Yankees first run. Later, he hit a homerun. Finally, he caught a pop fly to end the game and clinch the pennant for the Yanks. And here he was again, about to do something to end the game. Only this time, with the bat.

Alas, Henrich had done nothing so far. He grounded out in the first, he popped out in the third. In the sixth, with Reynolds on first after hitting a single, Tommy flied out to Duke Snider in center.

But he led off the bottom of the ninth, nonetheless.

And on Newcombe's third (and final) pitch of the at-bat, Reynolds made contact (he didn't know whether the pitch was a fastball or slider) and ended the game with a blast to deep right! That "1" on the scoreboard sure looks big when the other team has a zero on it's side.

The Yankees lost game 2, also by a 1-0 score. But that would be their only loss in this Series. In 1947, it had taken them 7 games to prevail over Brooklyn. Here, a little easier. But nothing was ever easy when it was New York and Brooklyn.

That's one of the reasons the Yankees needed reliability.


References

Enders, Eric. (2005). 100 Years Of The World Series. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 01 Oct. 2013.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-CNgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3W4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2909,745284&dq=tommy+henrich&hl=en