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TED WILLIAMS ON
DECK |
BOSTON RED
SOX ...
THE CURSE OF
THE BAMBINO, PART 3
A
SUBWAY SERIES DISAPPEARS ...
The Sox win on Ted's HR, the Yankees are out
October 2, 1948
... The Red Sox retained a slim hope of
opposing the Braves and the all Boston World Series, by eliminating
the Yankees at Fenway Park with a 5 to 1 triumph. All that was
required for Jack Kramer to eliminate New York, was one swing of Ted
Williams bat. The kid connected first 25th home run in the first
inning, with Johnny Pesky on base, to win the game. Williams' home
run was one of the most important he has ever hit. The 2 to 0 lead on
his 400 foot smash allowed Kramer to coast home.
The victory left the Sox one game behind the Cleveland Indians, who trounced
the Detroit Tigers 8 to 0. So if Cleveland beats Detroit tomorrow, it gives them
the American League pennant or if the Red Sox lose to the Yankees. A Cleveland
defeat and a Red Sox win will leave both teams deadlocked for first place, with
a playoff game set for Monday.
Kramer won his 18th game and preserved his perfect mark against the Yankees
this season. He ended Tommy Byrne's six-game winning streak, collecting his
fifth victory over New York this season. Each team collected five hits, but
Kramer was in command of the situation because of his superb control. He walked
only two men, while 11 passes were issued by four Yankee pitchers. Joe DiMaggio
deprived him of a shutout the seventh inning when he doubled and scored on an
infield hit and a fly ball. Kramer threw only 110 pitches. His eighteen wins is
the tops for him in his major league career. He won 17 in 1944 for the pennant
winning Browns.
Byrne threw four straight balls to Pesky in the first inning and then Ted
teed off on the one and one pitch. Byrne walked Pesky again in the third,
Williams doubled and an intentional walk to Bobby Doerr filled the bases. Stan
Spence came up and, with the count to two, Byrne threw him a change that Stan
rifled into right field for a single. The ball was hit so hard that only Pesky
was able to score and Ted held up at third. But Ted scored when Billy Goodman
lined a slicing fly out to Hank Bauer in left field.
The fifth run was picked up in the third against Joe Page. An infield hit by
Dom DiMaggio, a double by Pesky and a long fly by Vern Stephens, made it 5 to 0
for the Red Sox.
Ted's home run was only his second in the past six weeks. He has been
suffering from a heavy cold in his chest and been taking penicillin. He was weak
and weary after the game, but had a perfect day with two hits and three walks.
He increase his batting average to .369 to clinch the American League batting
title. The double was his 42nd of the year, one of the best in that department
of the American League.
Gene Bearden shutout the Tigers 8 to 0 in Cleveland before a Ladies Day crowd
of 56,238. Larry Doby opened the fourth inning with a terrific line drive double
to right, that eventually was followed with five Indians crossing the plate.
Doby had four hits for the day |
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