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THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 2 ...
A POWERFUL RED SOX TEAM FAILS
IN THE WORLD SERIES ...
Rudy York comes up big in an 8-8 stalemate
June 5, 1946 ... In by far one of the most exciting games the Red Sox have produced this year, the league leaders struggled for 12 innings with the St. Louis Browns in a game that ended with an 8-8 tie, terminated by
darkness at frenzied Fenway Park. A more fair result could not have been scripted in the affair that racked the nerves of the fans and onlookers who saw 35 players participate in this game.
The Sox trailed in the early innings by 2-0 and 6-2 margins. Then they touched off a bomb for five runs in the sixth and took a 7 to 6 lead. The Browns shuffled their lineup with Vern Stephens belting a two run homer on his first trip and then came back after an hours rain delay to take an 8
to 7 lead in the ninth inning.
One guy above all others The Sox alive was Rudy York, who had his day of days as a member of the Red Sox. He moved into third place in the American League RBI race by belting four hits, including his fifth home run of the year and a three run double to center field bleacher wall in the sixth
inning. Equally impressive was the ball that Rudy had to dive for, to grab a Bobby Doerr's peg in the dirt that ended in a doubleplay during the eighth-inning.
Rain showers restricted the Sox to 25 minutes of batting practice and the Browns to none at all, just making the grade at 3 PM with Bill Butland getting his, twice postponed, first start of the year. A walk to Bob Dillinger preceded Vern Stephens home run in the first inning to give the
Browns a quick 2-0 advantage. The Sox got one back in their half of the first on Tom McBride's double past first and Bobby Doerr's base hit that curved around third and caromed off the grandstand wall.
Rudy York's six the home run tied it in the fourth, but the Browns ripped off a big inning with four runs in the fifth to wrestle the lead back 6 to 2. McBride opened the sixth with a single and Pesky dropped a bloop pitch into right field. York cleared the bases with his timely two bagger
to make it 6 to 4. DiMaggio and Mike Higgins both walked before Hal Wagner laced a clean one into right center field, that brought the Sox back with a 7 to 6 lead.
York's lifesaver came in the eighth inning. With one out and two on, Red McQuillen slapped a grounder to Johnny Pesky, who shuffled over the Bobby Doerr. Doerr's throw skidded in the dirt to the right of York, but Rudy dove on it and kept his foot on the bag for the twin killing.
In the ninth inning a walk to Dillinger and Grace's single started things off the Browns. Mace Brown entered the game and walked Vern Stephens to load the bases. At this point the rains came and the game was halted. An hour later Earl Johnson took over and Walt Judnich hit a fly ball deep
enough to score Dillinger. Chet Laabs followed with a double to left-center to account for Grace and make the score 8 to 7 with the Browns now retaking the lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, and now down a run, Metkovich and Pesky both bombed singles into right field. Ted Williams walked on four pitches and Bobby Doerr's fly ball scored the Cat with the tying run.
Vern Stephens made the big difference in the game for the Browns, appearing for the first time since he hurt his shoulder on May 6th. In spite of a no decision, there will only be one game played tomorrow. |
Attendance - 10,672
