[Big Six]

Boston Globe, September 30, 1932
Special World Series Edition

HOYT EVENS SERIES WITH FOUR-HIT SHUTOUT
Gehrig’s Homer Leads Red Sox Attack

Special to the Globe by PAT O’FARRELL

CINCINNATI—Big league pitchers had been subjected to some fairly rough treatment over the last few years. This season, however, the moundsmen reasserted themselves to some degree, so I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising that the first two games of this year’s World Series should feature some truly outstanding pitching.

Both games have featured a shutout, and today the star of the show was the Red Sox’ Waite Hoyt. He threw every pitch in his repertoire for strikes, and kept the Cincinnati hitters off balance all day long. Hoyt yielded only four hits, never more than one in a single inning. Only one Red reached third base: Evar Swanson, who managed the first extra base hit for his team in the Series by doubling, and who moved to third on a long fly out by Tony Cuccinello.

Red Sox fans who have followed Waite’s incredible season have been treated to several such exhibitions of his talent. The fans of the Queen City now have a full appreciation of his skill, and having seen Hall of Famers like Del Mason, Roy Hitt, and Jean Dubuc ply their trade in their town, they know good pitching when they see it.

The first home run of the Series was hit by the man who hit more of them during the regular season than any man in either league, Lou Gehrig. Lou hit a fine pitch, a fastball on the outside corner from Harlan Pyle,over the right-field wall; rather than Pyle’s mistake, it was Gehrig’s skill that made the difference.

Boston’s other runs came on a wild pitch; a Chick Hafey double that scored Martin Dihigo, who had singled; and the combination of a Phil Todt double and a Josh Gibson single. I was impressed with the poise Gibson demonstrated in his first taste of World Series action (Johnny Bassler caught the Series opener). Gibson and Hoyt appeared to be working off the same page all day long; the veteran pitcher shook off very few of the young catcher’s signs. And, the blasts Gibson touched off during batting practice drew “oohs” and “ahhs” from the Cincinnati fans.

By the time you read this, all of us—Reds and Red Sox alike--will have boarded a special train for Boston. Today the players of both teams will rest, treat a few minor aches and pains, work out lightly, and perhaps have dinner or catch a movie. Tomorrow, they will be back at it, before a Fenway Park crowd that will undoubtedly be large and enthusiastic.

Despite all the winning baseball you have seen, you Boston rooters have never lost your enthusiasm, and greet each successive championship squad you see with the same affection as the ones before. For my money, you’re the best fans in the business, and always have been.

I hope you, and I, have another Red Sox victory to enjoy tomorrow.