Game 1 in Boston
Frank Sullivan (20-7, 3.30) v Bob Gibson (18-11, 3.54)
Not sure it gets much better than this for a Game 1, with 20-game winner Frank Sullivan taking on Cards wunderkind Bob Gibson to get things underway.
And while the rook certainly doesn’t disgrace himself, it is the more experienced Sullivan who comes through with a sparkling 6 shutout innings to help the Red Sox draw first blood with a controlled 3-0 win. Jim Brosnan allows just one hit over 3 scoreless to preserve the win and 3B Lee Walls puts one in the seats.
Game 2 in Boston
Gene Conley (17-7, 3.14) v Billy O’Dell (10-10, 4.27)
Red Sox lead series 1-0
This one shapes up as another top-notch and incredibly even-looking contest with the 1957 Johnson-Waddell winner taking on the highly-underrated Gene Conley.
Another valiant effort by a Cardinals pitcher goes to waste as O’Dell holds Conley to a draw over 6 but the BoSox score one late on a Dee Brown solo shot off Karl Spooner to sneak home 2-1. Just 5 hits for St. Louis and only Bob Skinner at the top of the lineup showing any signs of life to this point as the series heads to the Gateway City and what's sure to be a rabid Sportsman's Park crowd.
Game 3 in St. Louis
Vinegar Bend Mizell (13-12, 4.94) v Joe Nuxhall (19-7, 3.38)
Red Sox lead series 2-0
Definite touch of the do or die here for the Cards – if the present situation and a stadium full of fans can’t rouse you from your torpor then, one would think, nothing can. The responsibility for at least giving them a chance falls at the feet of Vinegar Bend Mizell, who despite only being 29 seems to have been around forever. He is facing Joe Nuxhall, who is in a similar boat – in his 10th season despite having only just turned 31.
And the Redbirds do finally get that elusive first World Series game win in a tight tussle that ends with a 4-2 final. The quality pitching prevalent throughout continues in this one as Mizell allows just 2 runs on 2 hits over 6, although Nuxhall’s early shakiness ends up proving the difference as St. Louis stakes itself to a 3-0 lead and hangs on grimly for the duration. Skinner and Brown each hits his second homer of the series, while Cards shortstop Wayne Causey goes 3-for-4.
Game 4 in St. Louis
Art Ditmar (1-1, 3.00) v Billy Pierce (10-6, 4.20)
Red Sox lead series 2-1
No doubt Boston has the edge here, with Pierce well on the way to a 200-win career. But all that counts for little if Ditmar can keep the Redbirds close and the bats do their thing.
And it follows the expected script as Pierce is dominant in a CG win made immeasurably less stressful by the 4-spot the Red Sox post in the top 1st. Red Sox catcher Dick Brown continues his splendid series with 2 hits and 3 ribbies and it looks pretty dire from here for the boys from St. Louis.
Game 5 in St. Louis
Bob Gibson (0-1, 3.38) v Frank Sullivan (1-0, 0.00)
Red Sox lead series 3-1
All is far from lost for the Cards with Gibson going for them, but they obviously have zero room for error and Sullivan has already shown what a money pitcher he is.
And the big righty comes through for the home side to send this series back to Beantown. Hoot is almost untouchable thru 8 as his offence gives him a 4-run cushion and the last one of those via a Musial homer in the 8th ends up proving vital as Bob flags and the Sox tag him for 3 before he finally closes it out operating on fumes.
Game 6 in Boston
Gene Conley (1-0, 1.00) v Billy O’Dell (0-0, 1.50)
Red Sox lead series 3-2
How twitchy are the Red Sox feeling at this moment in time, having of course blown a similar 3-1 lead to us a year ago? That sort of experience can often be a double-edged sword and only a strong performance and getting the job done can make it cut the right way.
As it turns out, they gather themselves and take no risks of a Game 7 with a strong 7-3 win for the club’s 9th Championship. 5 runs in the first 3 frames set the tone for a relatively straightforward win, although the Cards never stop trying and keep it close enough to keep the Sox honest to the very end. Conley is wild but nevertheless effective and gilds the lily with a 2-run bomb in the 2nd. Dick Brown is a deserved MVP.
BOSTON WINS SERIES 4-2
SERIES MVP: Dick Brown (Boston)
