Elephants Seal National League Pennant
Friday, September 19, 1952
YESTERDAY; an offensive and defensive masterclass sealed the National League pennant for the Manchester Elephants against their nearest rivals, the Edinburgh Cannons.
Under dark clouds, James O’Toole took the mound for Manchester and delivered a fine performance. The Cannons were muted by O’Toole’s wizardry, mustering only 4 meagre hits and 1 solitary walk, while O’Toole fanned 4 with his splendid arsenal of pitches. The batter’s box was veritable graveyard for Edinburgh’s pennant hopes, as O’Toole hurled a near flawless nine innings without a run conceded.
The Elephants’ struck early, third-baseman Williamson unleased a towering home run in the first inning off Edinburgh’s J. Croft, bringing home lead-off man Ireland and setting the tone for the game. Manchester maintained their momentum, and despite a 24-minute rain delay disrupting the rhythm in the third, Andrew Cameron launched another mighty blow for a two-run home run in the fourth.
Manchester tallied 9 hits, Ireland, Cook, Warren and the versatile O’Toole each playing a pivotal role, showcasing their prowess with the bat to seal a comprehensive victory.
A dejected Edinburgh dutifully trudged through the innings with B. O'Sullivan, K. Fox, and T. Summers among the few to find any joy at the plate, but ultimately failing to piece together any productive offensive action. Reliever D. Lindsay took over pitching duties to no great effect, and the Cannons' often formidable firepower was extinguished.
This Manchester’s 80th win of an exceptional season, guaranteed the Elephants the pennant and a place in the Championship Series. Celebrations on the field were subdued and respectful, hearty handshakes and backslaps all round. The Cannons club showed true grace in defeat as fans and players alike gave a standing ovation to the new National League winners as they left the field.
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: James O'Toole Ballpark: London Road Weather: Cloudy (61 degrees), wind blowing out to right at 10 mph Start Time: 2:05 PM GMT Time: 3:03 Attendance: 4246 Special Notes: Rain delay of 24 minutes in the 3rd inning.
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The Union League Pennant Chase
Monday, September 22, 1952
Early Sunday morning, crowds gathered outside Manchester Victoria railway station to welcome home their heros. The Elephants had won 5 of their 6 game series in Edinburgh, finishing late Saturday evening, to secure the National League pennant. Estimates suggest 10,000 gathered in the streets, police having to hold back the crowds from the station entrance as the sleeper train arrived.
The Manchester management promise a celebration after their final series against Bristol is wrapped up this week, it may be a task to stay focused however, as I am sure some of their attention will divert to the yet to be decided Union League, and who their opponents in the Championship Series will be.
Croydon and Leicester both sit tied with a record of 73-53, and 6 games remain. The Capitals face a series in Sheffield, against the former National League outfit. The Steelmen sit in seventh, with a 58-68 record, almost certainly regretting publicly stating they expected an easy ride in the new Union League against recent amateurs. Meanwhile the Foxes travel to Newcastle, a recently slump has seen the Knights fall to the bottom of the standings after sitting around the middle for most of the year.
Bookmakers have the Croydon club as 4/6 odds on favourites to win the pennant.