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RUDY YORK |
THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 2 ...
A POWERFUL RED SOX TEAM FAILS
IN THE WORLD SERIES ...
Rudy York ties a Red Sox record with two grandslams
July 27, 1946 ... Rudy York became the latest member of the Red Sox
to crash baseball's record book this season as he smashed out to grand slam home runs during a 13-6 mauling of the Browns at Sportsman's Park.
Affectionately known as "Flattop" to his teammates, York must have looked like an aircraft carrier to Tex Shirley. The lanky St. Louis right-handed pitcher was the victim of both of Rudy's jolts, which came in the second and fifth innings, to place his name alongside those of Tony Lazzeri and Jim Tabor. Tony Lazzeri hit his two
grand slams on July 4, 1939 at Shibe Park, in the same game where he set his RBI record.
Having preceded his two blasts with a double off starter Bob Muncrief, York add two more chances to tie or better Lazzeri's American League RBI record of 11 and Jim Bottomley's major league number of 12. However his 10 RBI for the evening represents the individual Red Sox record. Coupled
with the 4 RBI Rudy knocked in last night, it boosted him past Bobby Doerr into the runner up spot behind Ted Williams at 84 to Ted's 92.
From the score and the fact that men had to be on base when Rudy hit is 12th and 13th home runs, obviously the Red Sox were busy with the bat. They equalled last night's output of 15 hits and skyrocketed their total bases to 30 over the two games. Johnny Pesky chipped in with two doubles and
a single to continue his torrid clip better than .450 in the last 11 games. Ted drew two more walks to bring his total to 107, and had a perfect two for two otherwise.
In spite of a 9-0 lead after two innings and later a 13-3 margin, Charlie Wagner yielded all the Brownie runs in a counterattack of home runs. Earl Johnson came in to relieve Wagner and helped him get credit for his first decision of the year.
Mickey Harris was back in uniform tonight and shagged baseballs in the outfield. Former Red Sox outfielder Johnny Lucas, who played in 1931 and 1932 was on hand and met Ted Williams for the first time. Lucas made an instant hit with Ted by inviting him to go fishing when the Sox come back
here in September and have a couple of days off.
Without gaining much attention, Johnny Pesky has climbed back into the league lead in hits with 126. He has hit safely in his last 10 games, boosting his overall average to .320; Dom DiMaggio's wrist is really bothering him as he fell back into his slump by getting shut out in five trips to
the plate.
Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe have become the first Negro battery to play in the history of organized baseball. Both play for the Nashua Dodgers and Campanella has been one of the leading home run hitters in the league. Along with Jackie Robinson who is playing for Montréal, Dodger
president Branch Rickey is creating quite a stir in baseball. |
