This book is a history of the World Series written by the baseball writer for the New York Times. The parts of it that are of the most interest are the older accounts since although I keep up with MLB my interest is mostly in talking baseball history.
In the opening pages the author talks about the mystique of the World Series while acknowledging that the Super Bowl commands the most public interest now but they are fundamentally different in that the Super Bowl lasts maybe four hours whereas the World Series is a best of series of up to seven games, a difference in the nature of each sport.
I say the glory of the World Series still works for me although in the world at large it may not be the glory it used to be.
What you know: The 1919 White Sox conspired to throw the World Series.
What you might not know: The Reds were the better team anyway.
Shoeless Joe Jackson has the most hits in the game with 12 and he hit .375. He had the only home run by either team. He took money to lose---$5,000. A grand jury acquitted Jackson and his teammates of conspiracy in August of 1921, but Commissioner Lands banned them all from baseball for life. P. 39
What you know: Babe Ruth called his shot in the 1932 World Series.
What you might not know: Charlie Root give it up----and never lived it down.
This author seems to think that Ruth held up two fingers to check with the umpire that it was two strikes, but he did not point to centerfield.
Charlie Root says Ruth did not point so he lived the rest of his life remembered for something that never happened.
What you know: Don Larsen threw a perfect game in Game Five of the 1956 World Series.
What you might not know: Clem Labine threw a 10-inning the next day.
Clem Labine was the premier relief pitcher of the 1950s. Pitching relief was the job he preferred. Starting was not his goal. He liked the presssure of relieving.
Labine made nearly 500 relief appearances in his career but only 4 starts. Walter Alston named him the starter the day after Larsen’s perfect game at Ebbet’s Field. This would only his fourth start of the season.
Before today’s specialized pitching Labine just pitched. 45
Labine’s shutout in 1956 one of only three shutouts in World Series history. His great 10-inning shutout in ’56 was forgotten before Larsen’s perfect game. P. 45
Labine gave up the final hit in Jackie Robinson’s career before Robinson retired when the Dodgers tried to trade him to the Giants. P. 46
What you know: Bill Mazeroski’s homered to win Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.
What you might not know: Hal Smith’s home run was more important. P. 47
I remember asking a salesman in the family fabric business in 1960 who won the first game of that Series. I wanted the Yankees to win. He told me the Pirates won 6 to 4. I was disappointed to hear that.
What you might not now: The winning pitcher was Rick Wise.
No comment.
What you know: A bad call crushed the Cardinals in the 1985 World Series
What you might not know: The Cardinals deserved to lose.
No comments:
Post a Comment