PRELIMINARY ROUND
Series #17
1946 Cleveland Indians (68-86) vs 1953 Chicago Cubs (65-89)
Two years prior to winning a championship, the Cleveland Indians were still trying to find themselves after the war years. The pitching was adequate for Lou Boudreau and his club, but the offense certainly had not found their groove yet. At the top of the rotation was the very best, Bob Feller was in his prime and won 26 games while throwing 371 innings with 36 complete games. He had a 2.18 ERA in all those innings with 348 strikeouts; an amazing season from Rapid Bob. Allie Reynolds and Bob Lemon are some farther recognizable names in the rotation but things do get a bit thin if this rotation is pushed. The lineup had major issue scoring runs with Pat Seerey leading the club with 62 paltry RBI. Future stars Ken Kelter and Jim Hegan had down years and the club average was .245. Can Feller almost singlehandedly carry this Indians club to the next round? Dont bet against him.
Not great days for the Cubs and aging player manager Phil Cavaretta. A fast fall from grace for a club that competed for most of the first decade of the game, now the attention and consistency at Wrigley Field went missing. The biggest holes were in the pitching staff as 19 game loser Warren Hacker lead the team in WAR but had little to no luck. Seven additional arms got double digit starts and none really came through, showing the lack of production from off the mound. Some age in the lineup with Ralph Kiner and Hank Sauer having their moments in the middle of the order. Real hope comes from the 23 year old short stop with the enthusiasm of a kid, Ernie Banks was making a name for himself debuting in 53 but mostly coming off the bench. Chicago will have its work cut out for them in this series, but one could argue they provide more upside on offense then their opponents from Cleveland.
Game 1 At Cleveland Stadium
Partly cloudy Wind blowing out to center 10mph
1953 Cubs.........................4
1946 Indians......................5
WP: B. Feller LP: P. Minner
HR: H. Sauer
1946 Indians lead series 1-0
Bob Feller did not have his best stuff but still found a way to get the win as he struck out 12 Cubs over nine innings in the opening win. Control issues allowed the Cubs to score three times in the 5th and in the 6th Chicago took the lead on a Hank Sauer solo home run. Feller helped his own cause tying the game with an RBI single in the same inning and in the 7th, the Indians get the win on a wild pitch by Paul Minner who could have done better in his nine inning loss.
Game 2 At Cleveland Stadium
Partly Cloudy Wind blowing out to left 10mph
1953 Cubs............................4
1946 Indians.........................2
WP: W. Hacker LP: R. Embree
HR: P. Seerey
Series tied at 1
Warren Hacker was the right man for the Cubs in game two in front of a full house in Cleveland. Hacker held the Indians to only one run before allowing another in the ninth to go the distance for the win striking out 5 batters with no walks. Chicago first baseman Dee Fondy went 2-4 with 2 RBI in the win while once again the Indians pitcher came through at the plate as Hacker scored and drove in a run. Cleveland were frustrated this afternoon and despite a Pat Seerey solo home run and a Les Fleming triple in the first, had no significant rallies in this one.
Game 3 At Wrigley Field
Partly cloudy wind blowing out to center 10mph
1946 Indians........................6
1953 Cubs...........................1
WP: M. Harder LP: B. Rush
HR: L. Fleming
1946 Indians Lead Series 2-1
The Cubs were holding on until the 6th inning to a one run lead but in the top of the frame the Indians plated 4 runs to turn the tide. Four hits and an error in the inning contributed to the turnaround and the lead would prove true as Mel Harder would go the full nine striking out four and walking five. Frank Baumholtz went 4-5 in the game and is 7 for 14 in the series.
Game 4 At Wrigley Field
Partly cloudy Wind blowing out to left 10mph
1946 Indians.........................2
1953 Cubs............................7
WP: T. Lown LP: B. Lemon
HR: H. Sauer; P. Seerey
Series Tied At 2
Frank Baumholtz did it again going 4 for 5 for the second consecutive game and this time the Cubs made it pay off as they drub the Indians and even the series. Hank Sauer took Bob Lemon deep for a three run home run in the sixth inning that was a back breaker while Cleveland made three errors on the afternoon and making the Cubs task much easier. Turk Lown pitched good enough before Jim Willis closed things out. All is even now in what is becoming a very good series.
Game 5 At Wrigley Field
Clear Wind blowing out to center 11mph
1946 Indians...................1
1953 Cubs......................5
WP: P. Minner LP: B. Feller
HR: K. Kelter (1)
1953 Cubs Lead Series 3-2
Bob Feller did not have his best stuff when his club needed it walking six men and allowing 5 earned runs including a bases loaded walk in the first. Feller did strike out 10 but his work was patchy and lacked command in the loss. The Cubs only had one extra base hit and it came from Dee Fondy who hit a two run triple in the 7th to put the Cubs up by 4. Paul Minner in his complete game was quite good, only walking one and allowing only to solo shot by Ken Kelter in the 2nd. Chicago looks to close out the series on the road with Feller behind them.
Game 6 At Cleveland Stadium
Clear Wind blowing in from right 12 mph
1953 Cubs......................4
1946 Indians...................3
WP: W. Hacker LP: R. Embree
HR: H. Sauer
Warren Hacker put on his role as ace for the Cubs and lead them to a one run clinching win to celebrate the series win. Hacker won his second game of the series despite not having his best stuff, and throwing 151 pitches. Chicago had 15 hits in support and opened up a three run lead with Hank Sauer continuing his strong series with a home run in the 7th. Hank Edwards hit a two run double in the bottom of the 8th to cut the lead to one and in the 9th had 2 men on before Lou Boudreau, the Indians manager, flew out to left field. Cubs take it in six.
1953 Chicago Cubs Win Series 4 Games to 2
Series MVP:
Frank Baumholtz
(16 hits, 2 2B, 3 RBI, .621 OBP, 5 R)