1948-1949

When Boston starting outfielder Jeff Heath broke his ankle during the last week of the regular season. The Braves purchased Marv Rickert’s contract from Milwaukee and ordered him to fly east on the first available plane. He arrived in Brooklyn one hour before the start of the game and was inserted into the line-up in left field. He recorded an RBI when Ralph Branca nicked him on the leg with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, aiding in the Braves’ 3-1 victory.

The Braves petitioned Commissioner Happy Chandler to certify Marv as World Series eligible because of the late call-up necessitated by Heath’s injury. The AL Champion Cleveland Indians gave their consent, and he found himself starting in left field in five of the six ’48 World Series games ...

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