Fireworks 1947

I failed to mention a couple of other reasons for choosing seasons to replay in the last blog, and both are evident in the 1947 APBA baseball season I am now replaying.

The first is the use of pitchers. I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s when pitch counts were not that important and starting pitchers tended to finish games more. Relief pitchers often went two or three innings in games if needed. Unless you buy extra players, the APBA company cards only about 10 or 11 pitchers per team. After taking out the five or six starters, there’s not many left for long-inning relief, set up and closing. I tend to leave my pitchers in probably too long because of the lack of pitching depth, but it works in the earlier eras. For example, Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Clayton Kershaw has 25 complete games in 12 seasons. Bob Gibson completed 28 of his games in both 1968 and 1969. Can you imagine pulling Gibson, or Nolan Ryan or Steve Carlton out in the fifth inning because he threw too many pitches?

Another reason is doubleheaders. They are a thing of the past now, only done as make up games. But back in the day, at least in the 1947 season, it seemed teams played twin bills almost every Sunday and on holidays.  To me, doubleheaders help move the pace of the season along and it’s fun to see how players do in both games. For example, Brooklyn Dodgers’ first baseman Jackie Robinson had a great day on July 4, 1947, against the rival New York Giants. And when Ralph Kiner, who has been on an amazing home run tear for the Pittsburgh Pirates in my replay, couldn’t launch one out of Crosley Field in Cincinnati in the first game, Hank Greenberg knocked his 13^th of the season to help the Pirates to a win. Kiner, by the way, hit his 29^th home run in the second contest of the day.

So, here are quick game recaps of the doubleheaders on July 4, 1947, and how they affected the standings.

Brooklyn 5, 8 New York Giants 3, 7

Jackie Robinson hit his fourth homer of the season in the first game and Ralph Branca pitched a complete game. Johnny Mize decked his 21^st home run. Robinson added another home run in the seventh inning of the second game. The Giants led 7-5 in the bottom of the ninth in Brooklyn, but Dodgers scored three to win, including the winning run when Arky Vaughan hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Dixie Walker.

Boston Braves 6, 2 Philadelphia Phillies 7, 1

The Phillies were down 6-1 in the eighth, but scored three runs in that frame and three more in the ninth for the victory. In the second game, Si Johnson went eight innings for the Braves and Warren Spahn picked up his fourth save by pitching a hitless ninth inning.

Washington 2, 2 New York Yankees 1, 3

The Washington Senators stunned the Yankees in the first game, scoring both runs in the first and then keeping the Yanks’ bats quiet until Phil Rizzuto hit a home run in the seventh.  The Yankees were down again, 2-1, in the seventh of the second game, but a single by Tom “Old Reliable” Henrich and a sac fly by Joe DiMaggio scored two runs. Rookie pitcher Vic Raschi picked up his sixth win and reliever Joe Page, who has been Old Unreliable of late, got his 11^th save.

Philadelphia As 13, 0 Boston Red Sox 9, 6

Another surprising game. Philadelphia was trailing 6-2 into the seventh inning, but they scored 11 runs in the last three innings to win the first game. A pinch hit homer by seldom used Mickey Rutner – his first of the season – started the barrage of runs. The Red Sox realized they were the best team in the league and took the second game easily on a three-run home run by Dom DiMaggio.

Detroit 7, 1 Cleveland 0, 12

Fred Hutchinson had a no-hitter with one out in the night before Dale Mitchell blooped a single into left field. Joe Gordon, Jim Hegan and Ken Keltner each hit two-run homers in the second game for the Indians.

St. Louis Cardinals 2, 6 Chicago Cubs 0, 4

The Cardinals maintained their half-game lead over the Dodgers for first place in the National League by sweeping the hapless Cubs. Stan Musial hit his 17^th home run of the season in the second contest and is tied with Whitey Kurowski for the team lead.

Pittsburgh 8, 3 Cincinnati 3, 16

Despite Kiner’s home run prowess, the Pirates continue to be the worst team in the league. Pittsburgh pitcher Ed Bahr gave up eight runs in four innings in the second game to drop his record to 0-6 and Norman “Babe” Young drove in eight runs on two home runs, a single and a bases-loaded walk for the Reds.

Chicago White Sox 7, 3 St. Louis Browns 4, 4

In a meaningless twinbill, the White Sox scored three runs in the 10^th inning of the first game. Backup catcher Joe Schultz hit his fifth home run. He also has nine RBIs for the year, all coming on those homers. Schultz, by the way, later gained fame by being the Seattle Pilots only coach.

By the end of the fireworks of the Fourth, the St. Louis Cardinals, with a 52-25 record, lead the Dodgers and their 52-26 record by half a game. Boston is in third with a 51-28 record and will travel to Brooklyn for two games before the All-Star break. In the American League, the Red Sox have a commanding 5.5 game lead over the Yankees. Ted Williams has wrapped up his MVP award already by batting .360 with 22 home runs and 90 RBIs. The Sox host the Senators for two games and won’t face the Yankees until a three-game set in early August.