Checking In
Plus Day In Review, May 25, 1949
Checking In
The 1949 Washington Senators are not a good team.
I don’t think I need to explain why. This was a last place team that really didn’t have much of a chance.
They were up against the defending American League champions in this one. And, as fate would have it, it was a close game.
Starting pitcher Paul Calvert kept the Indians in check, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings. He was relieved by Forrest Thompson in the 8th inning. Thompson isn’t exactly my choice for the best relief pitcher in the world, but somebody had to do the job, and he wound up doing quite well.
Bob Feller, meanwhile, struggled a little bit for the Indians, giving up numerous hits and 2 runs of his own.
We went into the bottom of the 9th tied. Eddie Robinson, who I’ve controversially been hitting in the leadoff spot for Washington, came up with nobody on and one out:
And that’s all she wrote. Sure, the Indians would have won that game 9 times out of 10. But that one exception to the rule is why we play them!
One look at that Senators lineup will make you wonder how they ever win anything. Eddie Yost might have to come out of the lineup completely if he can’t turn it around soon.
Other Action
Browns 6, Red Sox 0: At Boston, Bill Kennedy throws a 3-hit shutout for the Browns as the first place Red Sox are brushed aside far too easily. Watch the game here.
White Sox 10, Athletics 2: At Philadelphia, the White Sox crush the Athletics.
Senators 3, Indians 2: At Washington, see above.
Yankees 2, Tigers 0: At New York, the Tigers load the bases in two separate innings but are unable to drive a single run home. Bob Porterfield gets the complete game shutout for the Yankees. Watch the game here.
Pirates 12, Dodgers 8: At Pittsburgh, the Pirates win a wild one. Pittsburgh scored 8 runs in the top of the 1st, the big blow being Ralph Kiner’s second at bat of the inning:
Brooklyn came back slowly, and then came up with a 6 run bulge in the top of the 9th. Pee Wee Reese came up with two out and the bases loaded:
As close as it was, the Dodgers lost again and the Pirates won again. Brooklyn did recover from being no-hit the day before, but still wound up just short.
Cardinals 3, Braves 1: At St. Louis, Al Brazle tames the Braves with a complete game win, and the Cardinals easily defeat the National League champions.
Cubs 5, Giants 2: At Chicago, Dutch Leonard’s knuckleball keeps the Giants at bay, as the Cubs win this one easily. Watch the game here.
Phillies 4, Reds 3: At Cincinnati, the Phillies got out to an early lead and held on for another win.
Standings
The Pirates are slowly coming back. The Dodgers, meanwhile, are sinking like a rock. And that American League pennant race looks like a work of art!