The Golden Age Of Baseball

[PhillieFever]

MLB Players Of The Week For Week Ending May 1st, 1949

[PhillieFever]

R.I.P to both Phil Cavaretta and Walt Dropo who both passed away this weekend.

[PhillieFever]

Wednesday May 4th, 1949

Rookie Shines In Giants Wild Victory Over Pirates

The Polo Grounds- In a game that saw a combined 8 pitchers allowed 27 runs on 30 hits, the New York Giants behind a spectacular performance from rookie LF Monte Irvin outslugged the Pittsburgh Pirates 16-11 today here at The Polo Grounds.
Irvin was 4 for 4 with a walk, a double, a triple, 2 runs scored and a team high 5 RBI. The club also got a big day from 2B Bill Rigney, who homered and knocked in 4.

6th Straight Win Puts Cards Alone At Top

A 5th inning homer by Stan "The Man" Musial boosted the Cardinals to a hard fought 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies giving St Louis their 6th straight win along with sole possession of first place in the National League with a record of 11-3. Brooklyn at 11-5 sits one game back, with Pittsburgh at 10-5 a half game behind them.

Baseball's Big Six

1.Stan Musial(SLC) .414
2. Walker Cooper(NYG) .404
3. Bobby Doerr(Bos) .394
4. Nippy Jones(SLC) .393
5. Vic Wertz(Det) .392
6. Dom DiMaggio(Bos) .390

MLB Trades And Transactions

The Philadelphia Athletics have returned 27 year old pitcher Jim Wilson to the Indians following their selection of him in the Rule V draft.

The New York Yankees have selected 31 year old pitcher Ed Klieman off of waivers from the Washington Senators

The Browns have placed 28 year old pitcher Bill "Lefty" Kennedy on the 15 day DL with a torn thigh muscle.

The Braves have placed 34 year old pitcher Red Barrett on the 15 day DL with a mild thigh strain.

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

Friday May 6th, 1949

Money-Heavy Yawkey Dickers With Browns

Boston(AP)- Wealthy Tom Yawkey, who has given the St Louis Browns about a half-million dollars in less than two years, appears very eager to give the DeWitt Brothers another $75,000 or so.
The latest estimates are that Yawkey gave up from $75,000 to as much as $150,000 along with 34 year old OF Stan Spence for 30 year old OF Al Zarilla. Now with the Red Sox pitching staff in dire straights, Yawkey is bidding very high for Ned Garver, the Browns 23 year old righty. The Zarilla deal is believed to be the groundwork for the Garver purchase before the June 15th deadline.
Since June 20th 1947, Yawkey, who formerly favored Philadelphia's Connie Mack and Washington's Clark Griffith with his six figure baseball purchases, has bought seven players from the Browns for a total of at least $500,000 in hard cash. The first to come from the Browns was Denny Galehouse, the veteran pitcher. Then Yawkey dickered for Boris Martin, Jack Kramer, Ellis Kinder, Billy Hitchcock and Vernon "Junior" Stephens.
While Red Sox admirers were asking each other why Yawkey was buying outfielders instead of much needed pitching help, some of the folk who know their way around Fenway Park were nodding in knowing fashion.
"Don't be surprised if Zarilla winds up in Philadelphia, Washington or even Detroit if the DeWitts refuse to let go of Garver" the insiders warned.
The Red Sox latest outfield acquisition would be welcomed by all three of those other American League clubs. But, it can be taken for granted, they would have to give up a dependable pitcher to get him.
Philadelphia would probably be asked to give up Dick Fowler, Joe Coleman or Dick Marchildon in a deal for Zarilla. Manager Joe McCarthy also has high regard for such Washington flingers as Ray Scarborough and Sid Hudson, and there has been much talk of a Red Sox trade with the Tigers for Paul "Dizzy" Trout. Rumors of the Trout deal were rife early in the spring training season, but GM Billy Evans silenced them after Art Houtteman, Detroit's brilliant young right hander, was smashed up in a Florida automoblie accident(he has since recovered).

Browns Pick Up Papai

The St. Louis Browns have selected 31 year old pitcher Al Papai off of waivers from the St Louis Cardinals earlier today, paying the Cards the $10,000 waiver fee.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Wow, just got caught up. Great finish to '48. What a season for Musial! Should be interesting to see what the new season brings.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

Wow, just got caught up. Great finish to '48. What a season for Musial! Should be interesting to see what the new season brings.

In the first game of the pivotal 3 game series between Boston and Brooklyn, the Braves took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the 9th when a win would have locked it up for them. The Dodgers rallied to win with a 3 run homer and never looked back.

[PhillieFever]

Saturday May 7th, 1948

Splendid Splinter Sox It To Tribe

Cleveland(AP)- In a marquee matchup between two of the American League's top teams, the Boston Red Sox went into Cleveland's Municipal Stadium and destroyed Bob Feller and the Indians 9-2. Led by LF Ted Williams, who went 3 for 5 with a double, triple, home run, 4 RBI and 2 runs scored, the Sox pounded Rapid Robert for 8 runs on 10 hits in just 6 and two thirds innings, handing Feller his second loss this season. With the win, Boston now improves to 11-6 to remain a half game behind first place Detroit.

White Sox Lose Game, Appling

Chicago(AP)- Gus Niarhos's RBI single capped off a 3 run 5th inning for New York who took advantage of 8 Billy Pierce walks to defeat the White Sox 5-3 here at Comiskey Park. Worse yet for Chicago was the loss of SS Luke Appling, who left the game in the 7th after being taken out by Niarhos on a double play attempt. Following the game, the Sox placed Appling on the disabled list with a sore back.

Baseball's Big Six

1. Vic Wertz(Det) .403
2. Ted Williams(Bos) .400
3. Stan Musial(SLC) .377
4. Al Evans(WSH) .365
5. Nippy Jones(SLC) .362
6. Walker Cooper(NYG) .361

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

Sunday May 8th, 1949

Nats Sweep Indians, Run Win Streak To 6

Cleveland(UPI)- With last year's 107 loss season seemingly a distant memory, the rejuvenated Washington Senators have been anything but a pushover this season, and they've proven it once again, defeating the defending American League champion Indians by the scores of 6-5 and 5-0 in today's doubleheader, giving the Nats an impressive 6 game winning streak.
In the opener, a two run 7th inning was capped off by an Eddie Robinson RBI double, which gave Washington a come from behind 6-5 victory over former Washington pitcher Early Wynn and his new Cleveland mates.
In game two, starting pitcher Mickey Haefner dominated the powerful Indians lineup, holding them to just 6 hits in a complete game 5-0 shutout victory, easily his best start to date. With today's sweep, the Senators have now won 6 straight ballgames, improving their record to an impressive 12-10 and moving them into 5th place.

Streaking Braves Too Much For Bucs

Boston(UPI)- After starting the season a disappointing 4-7, the Boston Braves have finally caught fire, winning 9 of their last 10 including their last 5 straight to move within a half game of first place with a record of 13-8.
In today's twin bill with the Pirates, the Braves and Warren Spahn overcame a 3-0 first inning deficit to go on to defeat sagging Pittsburgh by the score of 8-5 in game one.
In game two, starter Johnny Sain boosted his record to 4-1, holding the Bucs to 3 runs on 10 hits in a 6-3 Braves victory that was helped along by a 3 RBI day by catcher Bill Salkeld.
The Braves will finish out their series with the Pirates tomorrow, before welcoming in the first place Cards on Wednesday for a two game set, followed by a three game series with co-leading Brooklyn, also at Braves Field.

[PhillieFever]

MLB Players Of The Week For Week Ending May 8th, 1949

[PhillieFever]

Monday May 9th, 1949

Mize Blasts 300th In Giants 6-2 Loss To Cubs

Mize Connecting with historic homer

New York(AP)- Despite today's 6-2 loss to the lowly Cubs, their 8th in the last 10 games, Giants fans had something to cheer for today, thanks to "The Big Cat" Johnny Mize, who hit his 300th career homer off of Cubs starter Dutch Leonard in the 9th inning of today's ballgame. With today's historic blast, Mize becomes just the 8th player in big league history to reach 300 homers, and the first since Hank Greenberg, who hit his 300th on September 17th 1946.

Joltin' Joe Sparks Rout Of Tigers

Detroit(AP)- Still smarting from their 14-3 thrashing at the hands of these same Tigers yesterday, the Yankees got some measure of revenge today, doing their own thrashing in an 11-2 rout of the Tigers at Detroit's Briggs Stadium.
Leading the Yankee assault was none other than Joltin Joe DiMaggio, who went 3 for 3 with 2 walks, a double, a home run, 4 RBI and 2 runs scored, the Yanks also got big days from Yogi Berra and Hank Bauer, who each homered and knocked in 3.

Baseball's Big Six

1. Ted Williams(Bos) .416
2. Vic Wertz(Det) .385
3. Dom DiMaggio(Bos) .377
4. Stan Musial(SLC) .377
5. Nippy Jones(SLC) .355
6. Wally Westlake(Pit) .351

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

Wednesday May 11th, 1949

Rookie Hurler Goes To 6-0, As Dodgers Top Bucs 5-3

Brooklyn(UPI)- With home runs from Duke Snider, Gene Hermanski, and Gil Hodges, the Brooklyn Dodgers powered their way past the struggling Pirates by the score of 5-3 here at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. On the hill for Brooklyn, 22 year old rookie Don Newcombe continued to impress, allowing 3 runs(2 earned) on 11 hits, while walking 4 and striking out 5 for his sixth straight complete game victory to start the season and his career. Incidentally, the record for consecutive wins to start a career is 12, by Hooks Wiltse of the New York Giants from May 29th to September 15th, 1904.

[PhillieFever]

Thursday May 12th, 1949

7-5 Loss To Detroit Snaps Nats Streak At 8

Detroit- Sparked by a 3 run triple by SS Johnny Lipon, the Detroit Tigers put up five first inning runs on their way to a 7-5 victory over the Senators, snapping Washington's win streak at 8.
Lipon was a thorn in the side of Nats pitching all day, going 2 for 4 with a triple, 5 RBI and a run scored, while on the hill, Tigers pitcher Ted Gray(2-0) turned in a workmanlike performance, allowing 5 runs(4 earned) on 9 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts in the route going win.

MLB Trades And Transactions

The Chicago Cubs have selected 30 year old OF Hank Edwards off of waivers from the Cleveland Indians

The Chicago White Sox have traded 30 year old 1B Don Kolloway to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for 27 year old OF Earl Rapp

The Philadelphia A's have placed 1B Ferris Fain on the 15 day DL with a sore ankle.

The White Sox have purchased 37 year old pitcher Clyde Shoun from the Braves for an undisclosed amount of cash.

37 year old Red Sox pitcher Denny Galehouse has decided to retire. A veteran of 15 big league seasons, Denny had a career record of 115-113 with a 3.76 career ERA.

The Washington Senators have claimed 31 year old OF Herman Reich off of waivers from the Indians.

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed 33 year old pitcher Hank Borowy on the 15 day DL with a strained back

Long time Cardinals pitcher Mort Cooper has decided to retire after a 10 year big league career. Cooper had a career record of 136-80 with an ERA of 2.96 in 2002.2 IP

Baseball's Big Six

1. Ted Williams(Bos) .402
2. Dom DiMaggio(Bos) .389
3. Vic Wertz(Det) .389
4. Stan Musial(SLC) .356
5. Andy Pafko(CHC) .356
6. Eddie Waitkus(Phi) .355

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

Sunday May 15th, 1949

Big Leagues Hurt By Recent Rash Of Injuries

New York- "Old man injury" is in his most merciless mood in many a moon, as one by one key players from around the league begin to fill up hospital beds.
Heading the list of currently ailing non-combatants are such top notch performers as Joe DiMaggio and Phil Rizzuto of the Yankees, Minnie Minoso of the Indians, Carl Furillo of the Dodgers, Joe Haynes of the Senators and Jerry Scala of the White Sox.
The loss of DiMaggio and Rizzuto is especially alarming for the Yankees, who cannot afford to fall too far back in such a hotly contested league, luckily for them though, both players should be back in the lineup within 2-3 weeks. As for the others, Minoso(fractured shoulder) will be out about a month, Furillo(sprained ankle) about two weeks, Haynes(stiff elbow) about three weeks, and Scala(torn thigh muscle) should be out for about a month.

Tigers Pound Out 44 Hits In Doubleheader Sweep

The first place Tigers laid waste to an overmatched Browns pitching staff today, pasting them for 44 hits while mopping up both ends of a doubleheader, 6-0 and 8-4.
In game one, seven players had at least two hits in a 6-0 Tigers victory in which starting pitcher Virgil Trucks went the route, allowing 5 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5 for his first complete game shutout of the season.
In the 15 inning marathon that was game two, SS Johnny Lipon and 2B Don Kolloway had 5 hits each, but it was catcher Aaron Robinson's 3 run homer in the top of the 15th which proved to be the difference, as the Tigers prevailed over the Browns 8-4.

Cardinals Continue To Roll

Putting some distance between them and the rest of the league, the St Louis Cardinals finished off a 3 game sweep of the Pirates to give themselves a record of 18-7, tops in the majors, and three games better than second place Brooklyn who lost a barnburner today to the Braves 8-7 on an RBI single by Marv Rickert in the bottom of the 9th.

Basbeball's Big Six

1. Ted Williams(Bos) .408
2. Vic Wertz(Det) .393
3. Dom DiMaggio(Bos) .392
4. Andy Pafko(CHC) .371
5. Carl Furillo(Bro) .357
6. Eddie Waitkus(Phi) .350

MLB Standings

[Questdog]

Beat the Cubs! Beat the Cubs!

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Questdog

Beat the Cubs! Beat the Cubs!

Just think, 1961 is only 12 years away!

[PhillieFever]

MLB Players Of The Week For Week Ending May 15th, 1948

[PhillieFever]

Tuesday May 17th, 1949

Giants Smash Pirates 18-0

Pittsburgh- In one of the most lobsided shutouts in N.L. history, the New York Giants invaded Forbes Field today and absolutely massacred the hometown Pirates, launching six home runs in a stunning 18-0 victory. The 18-0 score was just one run shy of the modern N.L record which is held by the Chicago Cubs, who ironically defeated the Giants 19-0 on June 7th, 1906. The Major League record is held by the New York Yankees, who shellacked the Philadelphia Athletics by the unbelievable score of 21-0 on August 13th, 1939.
As the Giants offense continually doled out the punishment to Pittsburgh's hurlers, Giants starter Monte Kennedy was quietly hurling a masterpiece, and when it was over he wound up with a complete game three hit shutout, walking one and striking out four, finally giving Kennedy his first win of the year. For the Bucs, it was their 6th straight defeat

9th Inning Clout By Doby Wins It For Tribe

New York- Jim Hegan's RBI double in the top of the 8th tied the game at four, setting up the heroics of CF Larry Doby, who's mighty clout off of Yankees hurler Frank Hiller gave the Tribe a come from behind 5-4 victory here at Yankee Stadium. Indians pitcher Mike Garcia improved to 4-0, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6 in the complete game victory.

MLB Trades And Transactions

Today is cutdown day in the big leagues, all teams must have their rosters down to 25 men by midnight tonight.

33 year old catcher Hal Wagner, who spent 8 of his 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics has decided to retire.

The Cubs have traded 30 year old 2B Hank Schenz to the Dodgers in exchange for 32 year old 2B Bob Ramazzotti

The Chicago White Sox have purchased 31 year old pitcher Ed Klieman from the Yankees for $25,000 in cash.

Baseball's Big Six

1. Ted Williams(Bos) .404
2. Johnny Groth(Det) .390
3. Vic Wertz(Det) .380
4. Andy Pafko(CHC) .380
5. Carl Furillo(Bro) .357
6. Eddie Waitkus(Phi) .352

MLB Standings

[captaincarl]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

Just think, 1961 is only 12 years away!

And in '62 he can say "Beat the Mets".


(Just an FYI, my friend told me that Johnny Pesky is battling dementia and has been getting worse according to his son. Unfortunately, he might be joining his friends Ted & Dom within a year or so. He's a great guy and very fan friendly. I met him a couple of years ago at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI and got an autographed ball, which I had also signed by Sam Mele, who also played for the Red Sox. I told Mr. Pesky that I would like to donate something to the Jimmy Fund for his signing the ball for me but he said not to because the Sox donate plenty to the cause. I'm sure that you already know that the Jimmy Fund is to help fight cancer in children. It was started by the Boston Braves and the Red Sox took over for them after the Braves moved to Milwaukee.)

[Questdog]

You guys have me contemplating doing a historical replay. I've never been inclined to play anything but fictional, but I love both your threads and I think I'm gonna give it a try. Having never played historical though, I'm gonna take a while to get used to it before I start a dynasty.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Questdog

You guys have me contemplating doing a historical replay. I've never been inclined to play anything but fictional, but I love both your threads and I think I'm gonna give it a try. Having never played historical though, I'm gonna take a while to get used to it before I start a dynasty.

Using historical transactions made the game 100% more fun for me.