Miracle Before the Jury Box

Reds at Braves, May 6, 1949

Miracle Before the Jury Box

The 1949 Boston Braves weren’t as bad as you think. They had a lot of hard luck and some clubhouse contention. However, with some good luck here and there, this is a team that could compete for the pennant.

The Braves were actually on top of the National League by this point in real life:

From The Boston Daily Globe, May 7, 1949, page 4

They haven’t been quite as lucky so far in Diamond Mind Baseball — but perhaps a miracle would help.

Miracle

Warren Spahn started this one for Boston. Spahn gave up 3 runs in 9 innings, but was outdueled by Cincinnati hurler Ken Raffensberger, who limited the Braves to only 2 hits and no runs through 8.

But I wouldn’t be writing about this game if it ended like that.

Al Dark led things off for the Braves in the bottom of the 9th:

That double got the fans to their feet in anticipation. Up came Eddie Stanky, and it looked like something big was going to happen.

Okay, well, maybe that didn’t work for Stanky. But at least Dark was on third now, and with only one out.

Next up was Earl Torgeson:

That one went back into those famous right field bleachers, the ones they used to call the “jury box.” The shot brought Boston within one run, and with only one out to boot.

Up came Connie Ryan:

Now there were two outs. Ahh, but never fear! Surely a miracle awaits.

Tommy Holmes came up next:

That brought up Phil Masi’s spot. Masi isn’t hitting even half his weight, and so I put in Pete Reiser to pinch hit. Reiser has been playing well, and I thought for sure he would provide the push that Boston needed.

Now there were runners at first and second. This brought up Spahn’s spot in the order. We pinch hit for him, of course. It was time for Jeff Heath, who hasn’t played much this season, but who did have an excellent 1949 in real life.

Now the fans were roaring. Raffensberger was clearly tiring, the Braves were on all bases, and surely something good would happen. Marv Rickert, the leadoff hitter, came up to bat with a mean look in his eyes.

Well, I’m not sure how pleased the jury were with that one.

It was a good performance by Raffensberger. Spahn should have pitched better. And the Braves are starting to fall from contention.

Some miracle.