SO49 1959 World Series...

[The Professor]

Tonight, we at SO49 bid adieu to the 1950s...

The 1959 Fall Classic features Hal Newhouser's Detroit Tigers going for their 4th consecutive World Championship. Standing in their way are the last team other than Detroit to win the series, the Minnesota Giants of Ossie Bluege (1955 World Champs under the guidance of then manager Freddie Fitzsimmons).

A look at the matchup:
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DETROIT TIGERS

98-56 Record
Team BA: .276 (3rd in MLB)
Team HR: 229 (#1 in MLB)
Team SB: 11 (17th in MLB)
Team Runs: 864 (2nd in MLB)
Team ERA: 3.61 (3rd in MLB)

Manager: Hal Newhouser (since 1951) -- 'Prince Hal' has followed a would-be Hall of Fame pitching career by building a Hall of Fame managerial resume. 5 pennants (1952, 1956-59), 3 World Championships and possibly a 4th consecutive title in the offing. Newhoiuser, relatively young for a manager by today's standards, is notoriously "hands off" and generally relies on his team's talent to come through.

C: Joe Ginsberg -- (.317-11-72) -- Ginsberg, a practical joker by nature, is an accomplished hitter who is often lost in a lineup full of heavy-weights. This is unfortunate because, when healthy, he among the best offensive catchers in baseball.

1B: Norm Zauchin -- (.269-34-86) -- Considered by many fans to be the Tigers most brutal hitter, "Mr. Z" had an off year in 1959. Still, he is capable of mashing on any pitcher in the league.

2B: Gil McDougald -- (.305-18-71) -- The former NL Rookie of the Year will never amaze anyone with his defense (although he does own a Gold Glove from 1955) but that doesn't matter. McDougald doesn't do much but hit .300 with 15-20 HRs per year and 70-90 RBI. By those standards Gil is one of the pedestrian hitters in the Motown order. His 5 stolen bases also mark Gil as the "speed" in the Detroit lineup.

SS: Rocky Bridges -- (.241-6-42) -- 1959 was a rough year for the most forgettable bat in the Detroit lineup. People tend to overlook the fact that the light-hitting Bridges is more than capable of hitting .300, he is no slouch at the plate. His brilliant glovework often goes unnoticed in the offense-crazy environs of Tiger Stadium, but writers know how valuable he is to this team. Bridges is the heart of an otherwise klunky infield unit.

3B: Eddie Mathews -- (.261-49-133) -- A healthy Mathews translates into 40-50 HRs for the Tigers. Mathews is consistent - he destroys baseballs and he does so with all the regularity of an oiled machine. Defensively he is adequate, but that is more than he needs to be.

LF: George Shuba -- (.311-36-113) -- Ask any Detroit fan who their favorite player is and chances are the majority will pinpoint 'The Shotgun.' Shuba remains a steady influence in the Tigers lineup. He plays his best under the October lights and remains a gamer even as scouts predict his decline. While his hitting prowess remains top-notch, Shuba's defense promises many adventures in left. The words 'awkward' and 'futility' come to mind.

CF: Willie Mays -- (.325-44-112) -- There are no words in the baseball lexicon to adequately describe Mays. He's been an All-Star every year of his career. His defense is matchless and his bat more than potent. Playing in Detroit means that Mays gets taken for granted. Nevertheless, he is the franchise and if he played elsewhere, would inspire cults.

RF: Bill Virdon -- (.313-18-71) -- The bespectabled Virdon - a superb platoon player - finally stepped into a full-time role in 1959 and delivered. A graceful fielder and smooth hitter, Virdon can hold his own though he is usually overshadowed by his comrades.

SP1: Art Houtteman -- (14-9, 2.70) -- Houtteman remains the staff's leader, though he tires quickly these days. Few pitchers have made as much out of a simple repetoire (fastball & slider) as Houtteman, a three-time 20-game winner.

SP2: Tom Poholsky -- (17-10, 3.54) -- Poho, a Detroit native, learned to throw a split-fingered fastball in Philadelphia and parlayed it into three 20-win campaigns for the Tigers. While Houtteman is the staff's elder statesman, Poholsky is as worthy of the "ace" title.

SP3: Gene Conley -- (17-7, 3.61) -- Conley has finally blossomed in his third stop around the circuit. A master of control, Conley - another former Phillies arm - would be an ace on any other staff.

SP4: Orlando Pena -- (13-6, 4.23) -- The 25-year-old rookie from Cuba is something of a lesser Houtteman clone. 2 pitches, both thrown with effectiveness. He has done nicely filling in for the injured [/b]Billy Pierce.[/b]

CL: Bobby Shantz -- (44 S, 1.42) -- 'The Diminutive One' remains the standard by which other closers are measured. When Newhouser calls for Shantz the game is all but over.

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MINNESOTA GIANTS

91-61 Record
Team BA: .290 (#1 in MLB)
Team HR: 172 (5th in MLB)
Team SB: 61 (5th in MLB)
Team Runs: 825 (3rd in MLB)
Team ERA: 3.71 (7th in MLB)

Manager: Ossie Bluege (since 1958 ) -- Bluege was hired to do what predecessor Freddie Fitzsimmons could not: guide the talented Giants to a Division Title. He now stands poised to duplicate Fitzsimmons's 1955 accomplishment by winning a World Championship. Like Philadelphia's Mel Ott, Bluege is a steadying force in the clubouse and keeps a finger on the pulse of his squad but rarely overplays his hand.

C: Yogi Berra -- (.334-33-114) -- Some were saying Berra was on the downside of his career after 1958, but the stocky backstop has returned to MVP form this season. Berra - whose place in Cooperstown is already reserved - is the leader of this squad, its most lethal hitter, and perhaps the greatest hitting catcher of all time.

1B: Nippy Jones -- (.276-12-84) -- The cement-shoed Jones has fashioned a productive career while remaining well outside the limelight. A 4-time All-Star with the Cardinals, Jones typifies the workmanlike attitude that Minnesota fans like. His defense at 1B is solid, as is almost every other aspect of his game (other than his running).

2B: Billy Goodman -- (.304-17-84) -- The sweet-swinging Goodman has been all over the infield since his glory days inside Fenway Park. Somehow he manages to eek by at his new keystone spot, but would rather be playing at the corner. The one-time Red Sox mainstay remains the consumate line-drive hitter and it is pleasant to see him back on track after several years on the roller-coaster.

SS: Danny O'Connell -- (.246-14-64) -- Once upon a time O'Connell was considered the prototype for modern shortstops. Once upon a time he was a Polo Grounds favorite and star of 'Gashouse Gotham.' Today, Danny-O remains a fan favorite at Metropolitan Stadium, is one of the most highly-regarded base runners in the league, and is a solid (but far from spectacular) shortstop both offensively and defensively. Every now and again O'Connell will put a hot streak together, reminding scouts of what he once was.

3B: Davey Williams -- (.316-27-91) -- Williams, one time star of Chicago's "Slap and Dash" squad, is a devastating line-driver hitter, his smooth swing is perhaps the most consistent of all the Minnesota Hit Men. Typical of the Giants infield, Williams is a sparkling second baseman who has been forced to play a position at which he doesn't excel (though he is more than adequate).

LF: Stan Musial -- (.294-8-67) -- In his final campaign, Stan the Man has been reduced to part-time duty. Still, the latest member of the 3,000-hit-club can be dangerous. There is a little pop left in his legendary bat, the power still generated by that famous coiled batting stance. The Giants other part-time fill-in, Don Lenhardt was a regular on the 1955 Championship squad, but is strictly bench-material these days. Some may wonder if Bluege will give speedy Don 'Blazer' Blasingame a chance to play in some capacity.

CF: Don Mueller -- (.364-21-77) -- Mueller, the Hit Man among the Hit Men, could someday reach the 3,000 hit milestone. Like a number of Giants, Mueller isn't a power hitter by trade but his line-drive style carries a few out of the yard. His 21 blasts in 1959 are a career high. Some scouts have said that the 32-year-old Mueller stands the greatest chance of hitting .400 among the current Major League crop.

RF: Chuck Tanner -- (.287-22-79) -- Tanner, acquired last season from L.A as a fill in, has blossomed into a solid offensive player for the Giants. Tanner isn't expected to carry this team, doesn't need to, and as such generally does just what he needs to do to remain a starter.

S1: Don Bessent -- (19-9, 2.87) -- The slender Floridian throws everything in the book (his repetoire is almost matchless) and he throws it all well. His name doesn't pop up among the popular aces of the league - but he is one, as Metropolitan Stadium regulars well know.

S2: Jackie Collum -- (18-13, 3.72) -- Collum was once a Tiger, then a Cub, and blossomed as a bona fide workhorse for the Giants. Like most of the Giants rotation, his fame doesn't extend far beyond Bloomington, but he is a top-notch hurler.

S3: Herb Score -- (17-14, 4.07) -- The lanky southpaw is one of the most feared flamethrowers in the Major Leagues, owing to his dominating heat and (more than) occasional lapses in control. 1959 is his third straight season with 300 or more strikeouts.

S4: Ken Lehman -- (14-8, 3.04) -- Lehman was one of the most highly touted pitching prospects in baseball while with St. Louis in the mid-50s, but all that talent translated into two 16-loss seasons and charges that he was a washout. Now 31, the Seattle native has begun to realize his considerable talent and some are starting to revive the old 'ace' talk of yesteryear.

CL: Frank Quinn -- (36 SV, 1.91) -- What Bobby Shantz is to the AL (with all due respect to Mickey McDermott's divine 1959 season), Quinn is to NL firemen. Lights out at the end, Bluege knows that a ninth inning lead is all but locked when he can bring Quinn out of the bullpen.

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The World Series scores and run-downs are live on AIM: NMC1979 for any interested parties, 6:30 CST

[holyroller]

Great matchup of two of the best clubs in the history of So49.

The Tiger dynasty continues to roll on as they won their fourth consecutive AL pennant and are looking to make it four for four in WS titles as well.

The Giants won their first NL pennant since winning the World Series in 1955. The Giants have been anything but struggling, however, finishing second in the NL in each of the past three years.

Should be a very interesting matchup, one I am planning on attending.

[rem]

6:30 Sunday Night? Got give more advance notice man.

[JDScorch]

It was one for the History books folks. I'll wait for Nathan to share the tale. He does it far better than I ever could. Jim

[Michael Xavier]

First off, I wish to congratulate Jim, but not because I actually like him, but because he has finally unseated Frank and his dynastic Detroit Tigers.

Secondly, this league is fantastic, but having a World Series featuring the Tigers and the Giants is yet another slap in the face of the Cincinnati Reds organization. As owner and general manager of the Reds, I've made it a principle to not trade or cooperate with either organization, for I believe they are led by corrupt and evil beings. If other organizations would not yield to the temptation of making uneven exchanges with these two known megalomaniacs, then So'49 would be far better off.

Finally, I close in protest against the league for screwing the Reds out of a shot at the playoffs for the 4th time in 8 seasons. One day, the boys from the Queen City will make it to the big dance, and when that day comes, I will resign from my role as league critic.

[JDScorch]

Originally posted by Michael Xavier
First off, I wish to congratulate Jim, but not because I actually like him, but because he has finally unseated Frank and his dynastic Detroit Tigers.

Secondly, this league is fantastic, but having a World Series featuring the Tigers and the Giants is yet another slap in the face of the Cincinnati Reds organization. As owner and general manager of the Reds, I've made it a principle to not trade or cooperate with either organization, for I believe they are led by corrupt and evil beings. If other organizations would not yield to the temptation of making uneven exchanges with these two known megalomaniacs, then So'49 would be far better off.

Finally, I close in protest against the league for screwing the Reds out of a shot at the playoffs for the 4th time in 8 seasons. One day, the boys from the Queen City will make it to the big dance, and when that day comes, I will resign from my role as league critic.

Stated as only Michael could! Just one of the cast of characters currently residing in SO49. Or wait is Michael, THE Character? I forget...

[simboy]

Nate, great read as always.

Congrats to both the Giants and Tigers on a great season.

[BigBambino]

About time the Tigers get back to winning