Archive of SportingNews.com's old SOM Baseball forum

I have started this thread to follow the 1953 Season in real time starting with 17 August 1953. Up to this point the New York Yankees were leading the American League with a record of 77-37, 8 games ahead of the Chicago Whitesox. While the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns were in the basement with 42-73 and 41-77 records respectively.

In the National league it is the Brooklyn Dodgers leading the way with a 77-37, 8 games ahead of the Milwaukee Braves. While the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates took up the rear with 44-70 and 38-84 records respectively.

There were only 5 games on the schedule today which included two double headers. In the American League the Philadelphia Athletics (48-67) host the New York Yankees (77-37) in a double header at Connie Mack Stadium in front of a crowd of 13,595 Athletic faithful.

The A's took a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning off of Whitey Ford when he surrendered a 2 RBI single to Pete Suder which scored Zernial and Michaels. The Yanks would come back with a Sac fly to RF by Yogi Berra scoring McDougald, A single to RF by Whitey Ford scoring Billy Martin in the top of the 5th. The Yankees then took the lead for good in the top of the 6th. After Noren hit a sacrifice fly to CF scoring Bauer, Martin knocked a double to left scoring Berra.

The Yankees went on to win this game 10-3, with the win going to Whitey Ford (15-4), with Tom Gorman getting credited with a hold (4). The losing pitcher was Marion Fricano (6-7).

-----------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:4c13372171]R H E[/b:4c13372171] ------------------------------------------------------
Yankees 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 4 [b:4c13372171]10 11 0[/b:4c13372171]
Athletics 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 [b:4c13372171] 3 10 3[/b:4c13372171]


[b:4c13372171]2B: (Yankees) B Martin (17), P Rizzuto (17): (Athletics) C Michaels (9)
HR: (Yankees) Y Berra (21)
RBI: (Yankees) P Rizzuto 3 (47), Y Berra 3 (82), W Ford (10), I Noren (38), B Martin (60): (Athletics) P Suder 2 (27), C Mauro (10)[/b:4c13372171]

The second game of this double header saw Bob Kuzava (4-3) throwing a complete game, 11 hit shutout, and a dominating perfromance by the Yankees in a 9-0 rout. The game was put away after a 5 run first by the Yanks, highlighted by a solo shot from Collins and a 2 run homer by Martin. The losing pitcher was Joe Coleman (1-2).

-----------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:4c13372171]R H E[/b:4c13372171]
-------------------------------------------------------
Yankees 5 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 [b:4c13372171]9 11 1[/b:4c13372171]
Athletics 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 [b:4c13372171]0 11 1[/b:4c13372171]

[b:4c13372171]2B: (Yankees) B Renna (3), H Bauer (16): (Athletics) J DeMaestri (10)
HR: (Yankees) J Collins 2 (11), B Martin (14)
RBI: (Yankees) B Martin 3 (63); J Collins 2 (35); B Renna 2 (11); Y Berra (83)[/b:4c13372171]

The second double header on the schedule today was played in the Polo Grounds in New York. Where the New York Giants (56-56) hosted the Philadelphia Phillies (62-53) in front of 2,885.

The Phillies broke this game open in the Top of the 8th when E. Waitkus singled to left, D. Ennis singled to center and both runners moved up on the throw, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd in a 1-0 game in the Giants favor. After an intentional walk to G. Hamner, S. Lopata singled to left scoring 2, J. Wyrostek singles to left scoring 1, and it was capped off with a T. Kazanski sac fly to center, ending a 4 run inning and putting the Phillies up 5-0.

The final score would be 5-2 with Bob Miller (6-5) getting the win and Jim Konstanty (3) being credited with the save. The losing pitcher was Dave Koslo (3-10).

------------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:4c13372171]R H E[/b:4c13372171]----------------------------------------------------
Phillies 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 [b:4c13372171]5 10 0[/b:4c13372171]
Giants 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 [b:4c13372171]2 9 0[/b:4c13372171]

[b:4c13372171]3B: (Phillies) G Hamner (5)
HR: (Giants) B Thomson (19), W Lockman (7)
RBI: (Phillies) S Lopata 2 (23); G Hamner (68); T Kazanski (19); J Wyrostek (37) (Giants) W Lockman (47); B Thomson (79)[/b:4c13372171]

In the second game of the double header the Giants got their revenge by defeating the Phillies by a score of 6-0. The winning run was scored in the bottom of the 5th when W. Westrum singled to center scoring B. Thomson. The Giants would go on to add another 2 in the 6th and 3 in the 8th.

Al Corwin (6-2) was credited with the win pitching a complete game 8 hit shutout. The loss went to Andy Hansen (0-2) who gave up 3 runs on 8 hits in just 5 innings.

------------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:4c13372171]R H E[/b:4c13372171]
----------------------------------------------------
Phillies 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 [b:4c13372171]0 8 1[/b:4c13372171]
Giants 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 3 X [b:4c13372171] 6 12 0[/b:4c13372171]

[b:4c13372171]2B: (Giants) B Thomson (16), D Mueller (10)
3B: (Giants) D Mueller (1)
HR: (Giants) H Thompson (23)
RBI: (Giants) W Westrum 2 (21); H Thompson (65); D Rhodes (7)[/b:4c13372171]

In the final game played today the Brooklyn Dodgers hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ebbets Field in front of 9,943 fans.

The Pirates took the lead in the first when H. Rice singled in C. Bernier. They added to the score in the 8th when D. O'Connell drove in C. Bernier with a ground ball single up the middle. It looked like the Pirates would come away with the victory, snaping the 9 game winning streak of the Dodgers, when in the bottom of the 9th Duke Snider hit a 2 run homerun driving in Billy Cox, who was pinch running for Bobby Morgan who singled. The Dodgers would finally put the game away in the bottom of the 11th when Lindell issued walks to Duke Snider and Jackie Robinson setting the stage for Gil Hodges. Hodges put one in the seats to give the Dodgers a 5-2 win, and extending their winning streak to 10 games.

Clem Labine (6-3) got the win in relief by pitching 2 scoreless innings and striking out 1. Johnny Lindell (5-14) received the loss while pitching 10 innings and striking out 7.

---------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 [b:4c13372171]R H E[/b:4c13372171]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Pirates 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 [b:4c13372171]2 9 0[/b:4c13372171]
Dodgers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 [b:4c13372171] 5 7 1[/b:4c13372171]


[b:4c13372171]2B: (Pirates) D Cole (11) (Dodgers) D Snider (31)
HR: (Dodgers) G Hodges (26), D Snider (28)
RBI: (Pirates) H Rice (30); D O'Connell (45) (Dodgers) G Hodges 3 (101); D Snider 2 (87)[/b:4c13372171]

[u:4c13372171][b:4c13372171]Standings[/b:4c13372171][/u:4c13372171]

America League Record (GB)

New York Yankees: 79 37 (--)
Chicago Whitesox: 70 46 (9)
Cleveland Indians: 64 50 (14)
Boston Redsox: 65 55 (16)
Washington Senators: 58 60 (22)
Philadelphia Athletics: 48 69 (31.5)
Detroit Tigers: 42 73 (36.5)
St. Louis Browns 41 77 (39)

National League

Brooklyn Dodgers 78 37 (--)
Milwaukee Braves 71 47 (8.5)
St. Louis Cardinals 62 52 (15.5)
Philadelphia Phillies 63 53 (15.5)
New York Giants 57 57 (20.5)
Cincinnati Reds 53 65 (26.5)
Chicago Cubs 44 70 (33.5)
Pittsburgh Pirates 38 85 (44)

Great idea!!!!!! Curious as to why you chose 1953?

1953 because that is really the furthest you can go back and get somewhat accurate play-by-play results.

Two future Mets managers (Westrum and Hodges) and one future Yankees manager (B Martin) among the highlights. The Pirates were really quite bad back then, 7 years later that would change :-). Also the last season for the St Louis Browns.

Today the Boston Redsox (65-55) hosted the Philadelphia Athletics in a pitchers duel in front of 28,024 at Fenway park. The Redsox went up for good in the bottom of the 3rd inning in which they plated two runs. T. Umphlett singled to LF, followed by an RBI double from B. Goodman and another RBI double from J. Piersall. The Atheltics tried to come back in the forth when P. Suder drove in E. Robinson with a single up the middle. These would be the only runs scored, but the Athletics threatened in the top of the sixth when G. Zernial tripled with 1 out, but they were unable to get the run across the plate.

Mickey McDermott (13-8) was the winning pitcher giving up 1 run on 7 hits. Harry Byrd (10-14) took the loss giving up 2 runs on 7 hits.

-----------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:94f180d4d9]R H E[/b:94f180d4d9]
------------------------------------------------------
Athletics 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 [b:94f180d4d9]1 7 0[/b:94f180d4d9]
Red Sox 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 X [b:94f180d4d9]2 7 0[/b:94f180d4d9]

[b:94f180d4d9]2B: (Redsox) B Goodman (26), J Piersall (19), M McDermott (7)
3B: (Athletics) G Zernial (2)
RBI: (Athletics) P Suder (28) (Redsox) B Goodman (27), J Piersall (44)[/b:94f180d4d9]

The Chicago Whitesox (69-46) Hosted the St. Louis Browns (41-76) in a double header at Comisky in front of a crowd of 32,638.

In game one the Whitesox jumped on the board first when B. Boyd hit a two run homer off L. Kretlow, and they added an insurance run in the 7th when M. Minoso singled in V. Trucks. The Browns made a run at it in the top of the 8th with RBI singles from D. Kryhoski and V. Stephens. However this would not be enough.

The winning pitcher was Virgil Trucks (16-6) who threw a complete game 7 hitter and striking out 12. Lou Kretlow (1-3) took the loss in this 6 inning outing.

------------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:94f180d4d9]R H E[/b:94f180d4d9]
------------------------------------------------------
Browns 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 [b:94f180d4d9]2 7 1[/b:94f180d4d9]
White Sox 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 X [b:94f180d4d9] 3 8 0[/b:94f180d4d9]

[b:94f180d4d9]2B: (Browns) D Kokos (12)
HR: (Whitesox) B Boyd (2)
RBI: (Browns) V Stephens (25); D Kryhoski (37) (Whitesox) B Boyd 2 (6); M Minoso (87)[/b:94f180d4d9]

Game two was much of the same with the Whitesox taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 5th when S. Lollar scored when Dick Kryhoski (1B) botted a B. Stewart grounder, and then N. Fox sacrificed B. Stewart in with a deep fly to CF. V. Wertz opened the top of the 9th for the Browns with a HR but the next three batters, D. Lenhardt (6-3), V. Stephens (K looking) and C. Courtney (4-3) could not get it done.

Sandy Consuegra (6-3) got he win pitching 6.1 scoreless innings and giving up 7 hits, and Fritz Dorish (10) recorded the save. The losing pitcher was Satchel Paige (2-9) who gave up 2 runs on 5 hits in 7 innings of work.

------------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:94f180d4d9]R H E[/b:94f180d4d9]
--------------------------------------------------------
--Browns 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 [b:94f180d4d9]1 9 1[/b:94f180d4d9]
White Sox 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 X [b:94f180d4d9] 2 5 1[/b:94f180d4d9]

[b:94f180d4d9]2B: (Whitesox) S Lollar (13)
HR: (Browns) V Wertz (14)
RBI: (Browns) V Wertz (55) (Whitesox) N Fox (56); B Stewart (10)[/b:94f180d4d9]

The Detroit Tigers (42-73) hosted the Cleveland Indians (64-50) in front of 33,848 at Briggs Stadium. The Indians took the lead in the 3rd on RBI singles by H. Simpson and A. Rosen, but this would be all they could muster in 9 innings. Detroit cut the lead in half in the 5th on a H. Kuenn single which scored D. Lund, and put the game away in the seventh with an RBI double by Lund scoring B. Nieman, and a RBI single by S. Gromek scoring Lund. Cleveland threatened in the top of the 8th when they had only 1 out with runners on 1st and 3rd. However, L. Easter popped out to 3rd and A. Rosen grounded out to short.

The winning pitcher was Steve Gromek (4-6) who gave up 2 runs on 6 hits and struck out 4 in a complete game effort. The losing pitcher was Mike Garcia (14-7) who gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings.

---------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:94f180d4d9]R H E[/b:94f180d4d9]
----------------------------------------------------
Indians 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 [b:94f180d4d9]2 6 1[/b:94f180d4d9]
Tigers 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 X [b:94f180d4d9]3 6 1[/b:94f180d4d9]

[b:94f180d4d9]2B: (Tigers) D Lund (19)
RBI: (Indians) A Rosen (102); H Simpson (17) (Tigers) S Gromek (2); D Lund (44); H Kuenn (32)[/b:94f180d4d9]

The New York Yankees (79-37) hosted the Washington Senators (58-60) in a wild matchup.The Yankees went into the top of the 8th inning up by a score of 8-1 when the Senators scored 2 runs on solo shots by M. Vernon and C. Vollmer making the score 8-3. The top of the 9th was a wild one with E. Fitz Gerald singling to left and moves over to second on a wild pitch, G. Coan walked to put runners on first and second, A. Reynolds strikes out B. Porterfield for the first out of the inning, E. Yost singles to left driving in Gerald and moving Coan to second, M. Hoderlein walks to load the bases, M. Vernon triples in all base runners making it an 8-7 contest, J. Jensen walks, C. Vollmer singles to left tying the game and putting runners on first and second, J. Busby triples to CF clearing the bases again and putting the Senators up for good 10-8. C. Marrero retired M. Mantle, Y. Berra, and H. Bauer to put the Yanks down in order to end the game.

The winning pitcher was Jerry Lane (1-3) in 2 relief innings giving up 0 runs on 1 hit, with Connie Marrero (1)getting credited with his first save of the season. Getting credited with his first blown save of the season, and the loss was Tom Gorman (4-5) who did not record and out and gave up 2 runs on 1 hit.

-----------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:94f180d4d9]R H E[/b:94f180d4d9]
-------------------------------------------------------
Senators 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 7 [b:94f180d4d9]10 14 3[/b:94f180d4d9]
Yankees 2 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 [b:94f180d4d9]8 11 0[/b:94f180d4d9]

[b:94f180d4d9]2B: (Yankees) P Rizzuto (18); Y Berra (14)
3B: (Senators) M Vernon (8); Busby (6)
HR: (Sanators) M Vernon (11) (Yankees) H Bauer (8),; Y Berra (22)
RBI: (Senators) M Vernon 4 (83); C Vollmer 3 (67); J Busby 2 (63); E Yost (31) (Yankees) Y Berra 3 (86); H Bauer 3 (42); G Triandos (6); B Renna (12)[/b:94f180d4d9]

The Brooklyn Dodgers (79-37) hosted the New York Giants (57-57) in a 13 inning extravaganza. The Dodgers opened the scoring in the 2nd when G. Hodges singled to left scoring J. Robinson and R. Campanella. This was followed by an RBI single by B. Cox scoring Hodges. But the Giants would even it up in the top of the 3rd with an RBI single by W. Lockman, A. Dark the scored on a ground ball out by H. Thompson, and the final run was scored on an RBI single by D. Rhodes. The game would remain knoted at 3 until the bottom of the 13th when, with the bases loaded and one out, G. Hodges drove one deep enough to score Pee Wee Reece who pinch ran for B. Morgan. The crowd was electrified.

Clem Labine (7-3) was credited with the win pitching 5 innings and giving up no hits or runs and striking out 4. The loss went to Jim Hearn (7-8) who pitched 2.2 innings giving up 3 hits, 1 walk and the deciding run.

-----------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 [b:94f180d4d9] R H E[/b:94f180d4d9]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--Giants 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 [b:94f180d4d9]3 7 1[/b:94f180d4d9]
Dodgers 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 [b:94f180d4d9] 4 9 2[/b:94f180d4d9]

[b:94f180d4d9]Giants[/b:94f180d4d9]
SH: D Mueller (2, off J Hughes).
IBB: B Thomson (6, by J Hughes).
TB: W Lockman 2; B Thomson; H Thompson; D Rhodes; D Mueller; T Gilbert.
RBI: D Rhodes (8); H Thompson (66); W Lockman (48).
Team LOB: 8.
With RISP: 2 for 7.
Fielding
DP: 1. A Dark-W Lockman.
E: D Spencer (24).

[b:94f180d4d9]Dodgers[/b:94f180d4d9]
2B: B Morgan 2 (6, 1 off L Jansen, 1 off J Hearn); R Campanella (22, off A Worthington).
IBB: D Snider 2 (10, by L Jansen, by J Hearn).
TB: B Morgan 5; R Campanella 3; J Robinson 2; B Cox; G Hodges.
RBI: G Hodges 3 (104); B Cox (34).
Team LOB: 9.
With RISP: 3 for 7.
Fielding
E: B Morgan (7); J Gilliam (13).
Baserunning
CS: J Gilliam (13, 2nd base by L Jansen/W Westrum).

The Milwaukee Braves (71-47) traveled to the home ballpark of the Cinncinnati Reds (53-65). The Braves opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd with a 3 run blast by J. Dittmer. They went on to add another 3 runs in the 4th on RBI singles by B. Bruton, J. Logan and E. Mathews putting the Braves up 6-0. The Reds got one back in the bottom of the 4th with an RBI single from J. Greengrass. The Braves scored their final two runs in the 6th with a two run homer by E. Mathews. The Reds would score the final run of the game when T. Kluszewski scored on a ground ball out by A. Seminick.

The winning pitcher was Johnny Antonelli (10-8) who threw a complete game allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. The loss went to Fred Baczewski (7-3) who lasted only 3.2 innings giving up 6 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks.

---------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:94f180d4d9]R H E[/b:94f180d4d9]
-----------------------------------------------------
Braves 0 3 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 [b:94f180d4d9] 8 12 2[/b:94f180d4d9]-
-Reds 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 [b:94f180d4d9]2 6 0[/b:94f180d4d9]

[b:94f180d4d9]Braves[/b:94f180d4d9]
2B: J Dittmer (16, off B Kelly); J Logan (22, off B Kelly); J Adcock (24, off F Baczewski).
HR: J Dittmer (6, off F Baczewski; 2nd inn, 2 on, 1 out to RF); E Mathews (38, off B Kelly; 6th inn, 1 on, 2 outs to RF).
TB: J Dittmer 7; E Mathews 5; J Logan 3; J Adcock 2; A Pafko 2; S Gordon; B Bruton.
RBI: E Mathews 3 (108); J Dittmer 3 (41); J Logan (55); B Bruton (37).
2-out RBI: E Mathews 3; B Bruton; J Logan.
Team LOB: 7.
With RISP: 5 for 9.
Fielding
E: J Adcock (10); J Logan (12).

[b:94f180d4d9]Reds[/b:94f180d4d9]
2B: B Borkowski (10, off J Antonelli).
TB: B Borkowski 2; B Adams 2; R McMillan; G Bell; J Greengrass.
RBI: A Seminick (46); J Greengrass (76).
Team LOB: 8.
With RISP: 1 for 6.

The cross state rivals were locked in an absolute pitchers duel, as the Philadelphia Phillies (63-53) hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates (38-85) at Connie Mack stadium in front of a modest crowd of 3,945. The only run was scored when E. Waitkus smacked a single past Dick Cole at short, and then S. Lopata drove him in with a double to CF.

The winning pitcher was Steve Ridzik (8-5) who worked 6.2 innings giving up 0 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. Robin Roberts (1) was credited with the save working 2.1 scoreless innings and giving up 1 hit and 1 walk. Paul LaPalme (6-14) was given the loss by allowing 1 run on 6 hits and 4 Base on balls.

---------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:94f180d4d9]R H E[/b:94f180d4d9]
------------------------------------------------------
Pirates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 [b:94f180d4d9]0 4 1[/b:94f180d4d9]
Phillies 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 X [b:94f180d4d9]1 7 1[/b:94f180d4d9]

[b:94f180d4d9]Pirates[/b:94f180d4d9]
SH: P LaPalme (3, off S Ridzik).
TB: H Rice 2; P Ward; D O'Connell.
GIDP: E Pellagrini (1).
Team LOB: 6.
With RISP: 1 for 5.
Fielding
E: T Atwell (13).
Outfield Assists: F Thomas (G Hamner at 3rd base); F Thomas (S Lopata at 3rd base).

[b:94f180d4d9]Phillies[/b:94f180d4d9]
2B: G Hamner (23, off P LaPalme); S Lopata (11, off P LaPalme).
TB: E Waitkus 2; S Lopata 2; G Hamner 2; S Ridzik; R Ashburn; T Kazanski.
RBI: S Lopata (24).
2-out RBI: S Lopata.
Team LOB: 8.
With RISP: 2 for 6.
Fielding
DP: 1. W Jones-T Kazanski-E Waitkus.
E: T Kazanski (12).
Outfield Assists: J Wyrostek (F Thomas at home plate).
Baserunning
SB: R Ashburn (11, 2nd base off P LaPalme/T Atwell).

In the final recap of the day the St. Louis Cardinals (62-52) were at home in Busch Stadium to host the Chicago Cubs (44-70) in front of 9,946 fans. The Cubbies opened up the scoring in the top of the 5th with a solo shot from E. Miksis, unfortunately for them this would be their only run of the game. The final 5 runs would be scored by the Cards. R. Repulski would score on a sacrifice fly to right by R. Jablonski, and S. Musial would score on a H. Elliott double to right-center field in the bottom of the 5th; G. Staley would score on a fielders choice in the 6th; and finally, after walking and being moved up by R. Schoendienst and S. Musial, R. Repulski scored on a T. Lown wild pitch, making the final score 5-1 Cards.

The win was credited to Gerry Staley (15-6) who pitched a complete game 6 hitter, giving up 1 run and 4 walks while striking out 3. In a losing effort Howie Pollet (4-6) went 6 innings giving up 4 runs on 7 hits and 6 walks.

-----------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [b:94f180d4d9]R H E[/b:94f180d4d9]
-----------------------------------------------------------
-----Cubs 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 [b:94f180d4d9]1 6 3[/b:94f180d4d9]
Cardinals 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 X [b:94f180d4d9] 5 8 1[/b:94f180d4d9]


[b:94f180d4d9]American League[/b:94f180d4d9]
NYY 79 38 .675 (--)
CHW 72 46 .610 (7.5)
CLE 64 51 .557 (14.0)
BOS 66 55 .545 (15.0)
WSH 59 60 .496 (21.0)
PHA 48 70 .407 (31.5)
DET 43 73 .371 (35.5)
SLB 41 79 .342 (39.5)

[b:94f180d4d9]National League [/b:94f180d4d9]
BRO 79 37 .681 (--)
MLN 72 47 .605 (8.5)
STL 63 52 .548 (15.5)
PHI 64 53 .547 (15.5)
NYG 57 58 .496 (21.5)
CIN 53 66 .445 (27.5)
CHC 44 71 .383 (34.5)
PIT 38 86 .306 (45.0)

Fascinating stuff! I remember the year well. As a Senators' fan, it was perhaps my most exciting season as a kid. Eddie Yost, Gil Coan, Gabby Vollmer, Jim Busby, Jackie Jensen (an All-American halfback at Cal) were all heroes to me, and when the Senators picked up Vernon in mid-season from the Indians, I honestly thought they had a shot at the pennant. Nut I was cruelly disillusioned qickly.

I have moved this blog to an ealier format to work with. Please follow the 1953 season on http://pirhala.blogspot.com/. August 19th has just been posted.

1953 season continues. I have got a little behind this weekend, but 20 August is now posted. Check out the new format. http://pirhala.blogspot.com/