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THE RED SOX LEAVING FOR ST. LOUIS |
THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 2 ...
A POWERFUL RED SOX TEAM FAILS
IN THE WORLD SERIES ...
October 3, 1946 ... Receiving the double benefit of a break in the weather, stiff competition from the opposition, the Red Sox defeated the American League
All-Stars, 4 to 1, in front of 2740 onlookers at Fenway Park, prior to departing for St. Louis.
With Dom DiMaggio back in the lineup and facing the speedy pitching of Hal Newhouser, who bore down against the Sox as though he was in midseason competition, the team enjoyed a fine prep for the long-delayed extravaganza. Against the combined mound efforts of Newhouser and the Athletics'
Phil Marchildon, the Sox knocked out eight blows, while Earl Johnson, Jim Bagby and Bill Zuber pitched great ball over nine innings. Coach Del Baker, acting as manager in place of Joe Cronin, played his regulars for the major portion of the game, in order to keep them sharp for the real
thing.
The All-Stars scored in the first inning on singles by Snuffy Stirnweiss and Luke Appling, with the Yankees second baseman scoring when Joe Grace grounded in a doubleplay. Earl Johnson, pitching at the time walked Hank Greenberg, then got Joe DiMaggio and retired six straight batters through
the next two innings, leaving for Jim Bagby to take over in the fourth inning.
The Sox tied things up in the second inning, as Bobby Doerr singled to left, took third on Mike Higgins' single, and scored on Roy Partee's fly out to Joe D. McBride singled in the fourth set up Rudy York's home run that would win the ballgame.
Newhouser received a fine hand as he left the game after pitching five innings, allowing five hits and striking out five batters. Bagby pitched three scoreless innings for the Sox, through a six, allowing a hit each inning. He struck out Greenberg in the fourth and did not walk a man.
Marchildon took over for Newhouser in the Sox sixth inning and was touched for the games final run in the seventh. Hits by York and Higgins, helped by Appling's throwing error, allowed the Red Sox the score in unearned run.
Bill Zuber worked through the final three innings, walked two and struck out one. The Red Sox gathered around the radio after the game, to listen to the closing innings of the Cardinals-Dodgers game. Following the game they left to board their 6 o'clock flight to St. Louis for Sunday's start
of the World Series.
Ninety two people were in the Red Sox party as they headed off. Several hundred fans and well-wishers were at the Trinity Place station to see the team off. Ted Williams was the one who was besieged by fans, everyone wanting to wish him well, asking how his elbow was, and wanting autographs.
Eleven members of the Red Sox are taking their wives to St. Louis.
Before leaving, Ted was advised by Hank Greenberg to take batting practice on Saturday. He told Ted that by working out Saturday, he would not feel so much pain on Sunday when the series opens. Leaving Boston, will force Williams to miss the benefits he has derived from the special whirlpool
baths at Fenway Park. There is nothing of this sort in the visiting clubhouse at Sportsman's Park.
Bob Quinn, who is president of both the Red Sox and the Braves, was with the party tonight. He felt glad to be with the team, even know it was in his own. |
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