Very Unusual Day
Tigers at Red Sox, May 24, 1949
Very Unusual Day
This game was an odd one in real life. It was even stranger in my replay.
You know it was a strange one when this type of article was on the front page of The Boston Globe:
No, Ted didn’t throw any bats in this game. He did contribute quite a bit, though.
The Vern Stephens Show
This game was actually The Vern Stephens Show.
After Williams doubled to lead off the game, Stephens promptly socked a home run into the right field stands, pushing the Red Sox out to an early 2-0 lead.
Detroit aren’t slouches, however. After spotting Boston 2 more in the 4th, they came back with 4 in the 6th and 1 in the 7th, taking a commanding 5-4 lead going into the late innings.
But Williams wasn’t done yet:
Williams had already hit two doubles, and was now on second base yet again due to the poor throw by Lipon.
That brought up Stephens once more:
And that’s all she wrote.
If Williams isn’t hitting, Stephens is probably hitting. If Stephens isn’t hitting, DiMaggio is probably hitting. All three men are interchangeable at the top of the lineup, all three men get on base all the time, all three men have power, and all three men are making American League pitchers quiver in their boots.
I seriously think this Red Sox team might win the pennant.
I might also add that the fact that there is no press in Diamond Mind Baseball might help things along a bit. I came across this from that same Boston Globe front page:
That’s a heck of a way to treat one of the greatest players of all time.