Details of older World Series

[RuthMayBond]

This thread is to give details about older World Series that hopefully everyone doesn't know about and might find interesting.
1943:

Game 1-Connie Mack, Calvin Griffith and George Case were in attendance. Joe Gordon's HR in the 4th inning is alleged to travel four hundred twenty feet. On Dickey's hit in the 6th, there was such a terrific outfield collision that I'm surprised no one had to be removed from the game. Marty Marion appears fairly tall, taller than I'd ever imagined him.

Game 2-Harry Walker made a basket catch Willie Mays style. Crosetti's bunt in the fourth appeared to go over 1B Sanders' head. We now know where the ball for the final out ended up originally, in catcher Walker Cooper's back pocket. It seems weird to see fans filling the field after the game was over, and doing so calmly.

Game 3-The field looked to be in poor condition (especially not a good thing in Yankee Stadium's left center which has as much room as you've heard)

Game 4-Crosetti just muffed Sanders' easy pop in the 7th.

Game 5-Art Fletcher led the singing in the victorious clubhouse

More years to come

[TRfromBR]

Legend has it that an Army Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress "buzzed the packed Yankee Stadium three times, interrupting [Game One of the 1943 World Series] play and terrifying fans" and angering Fiorello LaGuardia.

Was this evident at all in your research, RMB?

[RuthMayBond]

Legend has it that an Army Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress "buzzed the packed Yankee Stadium three times, interrupting [Game One of the 1943 World Series] play and terrifying fans" and angering Fiorello LaGuardia.

Was this evident at all in your research, RMB?Most of the WS games that I saw from around this time had aircraft flying over the stadium

[TRfromBR]

Game 5-Art Fletcher led the singing in the victorious clubhouse


Game 5 of the '43 Series - the Final Game - was particularly great for Bill Dickey. At 37 years old, he was the last Yankee left from the days of Ruth and Gehrig. He hit a two-run homer to win the game 2-0. Then it was off to war.

From what I read, Dickey joined in with McCarthy & Fletcher for the locker room victory song you mention. It was "a roaring chorus of 'East Side, West Side'," I believe. That had to be classic, and very emotional, with everyone at war.

I had forgotten about Fletcher and never knew much about him. So I looked him up on the SABR Biography Project, inter alia. Was he ever a character - one of the feistiest guys ever to play the game. (He looks, in the photo below, like he may have caught a left hook or two in his day.)

[RuthMayBond]

From what I read, Dickey joined in with McCarthy & Fletcher for the locker room victory song you mention. It was "a roaring chorus of 'East Side, West Side'," I believe. That had to be classic, and very emotional, with everyone at war.I should check the DVD to see if that's the song. Thanks for your comments but there doesn't seem to be much interest in this topic

[JamesWest]

I should check the DVD to see if that's the song. Thanks for your comments but there doesn't seem to be much interest in this topic

That's because there is no poll or numbers to crunch. Keep posting, I'm sure people are reading the thread.

[Williamsburg2599]

I should check the DVD to see if that's the song. Thanks for your comments but there doesn't seem to be much interest in this topic
I'm finding it intresting, RMB. Keep it going.

[RuthMayBond]

Legend has it that an Army Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress "buzzed the packed Yankee Stadium three times, interrupting [Game One of the 1943 World Series] play and terrifying fans" and angering Fiorello LaGuardia.

Was this evident at all in your research, RMB?I watched the DVD again. They showed a few seconds of a bomber flying over Yankee Stadium before Game 1

[RuthMayBond]

From what I read, Dickey joined in with McCarthy & Fletcher for the locker room victory song you mention. It was "a roaring chorus of 'East Side, West Side'," I believe. That had to be classic, and very emotional, with everyone at war.They only had a couple of seconds of the singing (with no audio) and I was unable to read lips

[RuthMayBond]

1944 World Series:

Game 1-Connie Mack was in attendance, nothing stood out

Game 2-Max Lanier tried to bunt in the 3rd, must have popped it up at least twenty-five feet in the air, and neither catcher nor pitcher could come up with it on the fly (Pitcher Nels Potter threw the ball away to 1st). In the 4th, Kurowski made a catlike play to pounce on Christman's bunt and fire to second to force the lead runner McQuinn. The film even showed it in slow-motion

Game 3-not much except for an ad for the American League Reach baseball

Game 4-Hopp made a nice running catch going from the sun to the shadows

Game 5-both teams batters looked bad on several occasions wildly missing and striking out (maybe the pitchers were on, it was low-scoring)

Game 6-more mistakes, with Kurowski getting picked off and more batters getting really fooled near the end of the game

[johnnypapa]

but there doesn't seem to be much interest in this topic


I am very much interested in this thread RMB, I hope you keep posting. Thanks.

[RuthMayBond]

I am very much interested in this thread RMB, I hope you keep posting. Thanks.Glad you're liking it. My plan is to get fairly substantial footage on DVDs from twenty of the twenty-six World Series from 1943-1968, and I'm most of the way there. There is precious little on DVD of any major league game before 1972.

[TRfromBR]

I am very much interested in this thread RMB, I hope you keep posting. Thanks.

Ditto. This is great stuff, RMB, especially the accounts of plays and incidents that would otherwise be lost or obscured. Like who was in attendance, and the high-fly bunt, etc. We appreciate it.

The All St. Louis Series - all Seven Games in Sportsman's Park. How cool.

As Arthur Day of the New York Times put it: "This is easily the most astonishing ball club ever to reach the series. The Brownies are an ill-assorted collection of castoffs." "Cinderella was back in shabby garb after a glorious whirl." [Daly was probably still spinning from the Browns outplaying the Yanks.]

[TRfromBR]

THe Cards celebrating, with Billy Southworth and Stan the Man.

[csh19792001]

That's because there is no poll or numbers to crunch. Keep posting, I'm sure people are reading the thread.

Which makes it incredibly refreshing for an internet message board, particularly this one....

I agree. Keep it up, RMB. This is some of the best stuff you've ever put together.

[rugbyfreak]

The All St. Louis Series - all Seven Games in Sportsman's Park. How cool.

As Arthur Day of the New York Times put it: "This is easily the most astonishing ball club ever to reach the series. The Brownies are an ill-assorted collection of castoffs." "Cinderella was back in shabby garb after a glorious whirl." [Daly was probably still spinning from the Browns outplaying the Yanks.]

I've got a great one from this WS. That year (and perhaps other years), mgrs. Sewell and Southworth shared--or rather, split--an apartment in StL, since their teams shared one park and were therefore never in town at the same time. This arrangement was flawless--unless, of course, if the unthinkable happened, where both teams won their pennants and faced up in the WS.

How, then, to resolve it? Apparently they decided that the "home" team mgr. would get the crib for those games and the visitor would go elsewhere. How it actually worked in practice is a matter of conjecture.

[TRfromBR]

I've got a great one from this WS. That year (and perhaps other years), mgrs. Sewell and Southworth shared--or rather, split--an apartment in StL, since their teams shared one park and were therefore never in town at the same time. This arrangement was flawless--unless, of course, if the unthinkable happened, where both teams won their pennants and faced up in the WS.

How, then, to resolve it? Apparently they decided that the "home" team mgr. would get the crib for those games and the visitor would go elsewhere. How it actually worked in practice is a matter of conjecture.

What a great story, rugbyfreak!! The 2006 ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia calls the '44 Browns "a collection of military-deferred 4-F's, alcoholics and graybeards." (How diplomatic of them.) Whatever they were, they took four straight from the stunned Yanks at the end of the season to win the pennant. Good for them.

Below is a photo of Southworth when he was with the Boston Nationals. Isn't that great?

[RuthMayBond]

1946 All-Star Game: This was a bonus on this DVD.
Charlie Keller's home run in the first was actually "catchable". The outfielder was there in time but just ran out of room. When Verban fouled to catcher Wagner to end the game, Wagner overran the ball, reached back, fell down and barely hung onto it.

1946 World Series:

Game 1-In attendance were Mel Ott, Warren Giles, Charlie Grimm, and Herb Pennock. Dom DiMaggio did a rarity by losing a ball in the sun. In the 8th, 3B Higgins obstructed Kurowski so they let his run score. Higgins' single in the 9th looked a LOT like a shortstop error.

Game 2-Brecheen had a PHENOMENAL! curve warming up before the game (no surprise he had a whitewash that day). In the 5th, Higgins did have somewhat of a poor throw to second but it didn't look like Pesky came off the bag to try to grab it.

Game 3- In attendance were Durocher, and Joe DiMaggio. I'm still surprised that Ted Williams bunted in the 3rd because of the shift (so were the Cards). The narrator said the Cards took the shift off for the rest of the Series.

Game 4-Wally Moses looked to be out in the 9th (wouldn't have mattered). It was interesting to see video of young Garagiola (with hair!)

Game 5-When they took Pollet out so quickly, they said his back had been taped. Catcher Partee made a NICE hook slide at the plate to score in the 2nd.

Game 6-Terry Moore JUST missed getting to York's tremendous drive to center in the 7th

Game 7-I noticed how much Wally Moses choked up in his at-bat in the 8th. Slaughter WAS off with the pitch in his famous dash in the 8th. I don't think Pesky held the ball an excessively long time.

[TRfromBR]

All the guys were back from the war by the '46 season.

This was the Series that was supposed to match up Musial and Williams, both MVP winners that year, against each other. (Musial hit .356 with 228 hits, including 50 doubles and 20 triples. Williams batted .342, with 38 HR and 123 RBI)

It was a heartbreaker for Williams -who hurt himself in an exhibition game just before the Series. (Whose brainstorm was that?!) As a result, he didn't figure in what turned out to be one of the classics. I guess Musial didn't figure much, either.

Harry the Cat Brecheen was the star, instead - winning two games and saving one, I think. Terry Moore said: "He's the kind of guy that when he's pitching, he wouldn't give his grandma a good ball to hit." Nor the Sox, I guess.

It came down to the famous Seventh Game, "a nail-biter that changed hands three times" - the last being on Enos Slaughter's famous "Mad Dash" home on Harry Walker's liner to left-center. when Leon Culberson (substituing for an injurered Dom DiMaggio) threw the ball to cutoff man Johnny Pesky. They say that no one, including Pesky thought Slaughter was going home. When he heard Bobby Doerr and others screaming at him, he threw it too late to get Slaughter. Pesky went down in history as the goat - though there has been unending debate on if he could have got Slaughter.

"The Red Sox were bridesmaids once more, and in the most painful possible way." And the great Ted Williams never went to another Series. !946 was his first and last.

[RuthMayBond]

1947 World Series:

Game 1-In attendance were Ed Barrow AND Babe Ruth. In the 6th, Reiser made an amazing slide at 3rd to avoid the tag (and his name was pronounced REE-zer, not RYE-zer). Props to Reese for making the most out of a single. He then stole second and scored FROM THERE on a wild pitch :clapping

Game 2-Reiser JUST missed snagging Lindell's long triple in the 3rd. Reiser did fall down on Billy Johnson's triple in the 4th. Hermanski overran and just about missed Rizzuto's pop to left in the 8th.

Game 3-In attendance were Connie Mack, Carl Hubbell and Bill Veeck.

Game 4-In the 3rd, Lindell made one of the greatest WS diving catches on Jackie's drive that I have seen :clapping

Game 5-In the 9th, pitcher Casey made an outstanding block of the plate to nail Henrich

Game 6-Lindell lost Jackie's apparently easy fly to left in the top of the 3rd, but almost redeemed himself in the bottom of the 3rd, narrowly missing Lollar's double. I'm not sure Gianfriddo's catch of DiMaggio's drive in the 6th prevented a home run. Extra bases, certainly.

Game 7-Miksis really misjudged Billy Johnson's drive to left in the 7th that was scored a triple.

Just got a DVD about 100 years of the World Series, look out tonight :clapping :dance :coffee :waving

[TRfromBR]

This was one of the greatest Series ever, right RMB? The first Subway Series since Mickey Owen dropped the third strike in '41.

With the most obscure members of the Yankees - Johnny Lindell and Spec Shea - ending up the stars. With Jackie "getting his first national stage ... [and] leaving his calling card for future years by stealing two bases." And with one of the most famous plays of all time - "Lavagetto's Double" - the ninth-inning pinch-hit to the right field fence that caused Big Bill Blevin to lose what otherwise would have been the first Series no-hitter. (I think.)

Thanks for these great posts. I wish I could see these games.

[RuthMayBond]

This was one of the greatest Series ever, right RMB? I've only got about twelve better

<Thanks for these great posts. I wish I could see these games.>

You can buy the Vintage World Series DVDs

[THE OX]

Please continue with these anecdotes, RMB! I'm enjoying the living heck out of these World Series from a decade before my time. The players you've been mentioning are guys who were some of my first baseball "heroes!"

[RuthMayBond]

Just got a DVD about 100 years of the World Series, look out tonight :clapping :dance :coffee :wavingOh my gosh, they have the ENTIRE play of Stengel's in-the-park HR in game 1 of the '23 World Series. If you get this DVD set you better wear Depends, because I am gonna WET myself :clapping :clapping :clapping

[TRfromBR]

Oh my gosh, they have the ENTIRE play of Stengel's in-the-park HR in game 1 of the '23 World Series. If you get this DVD set you better wear Depends, because I am gonna WET myself :clapping :clapping :clapping

Tell the 'Young Professor' to tighten his shoe laces, and to make sure McGraw doesn't get all cocky and think he can whiff Ruth in Game Two.

I've got to get these DVD's, too!

Thanks RMB, this is great.

P.S. The shot below is the debonair young Stengel - shortly before he suited up in one of Little Napolean's uniforms, and long before he suited up in Depends.

[JamesWest]

Tell the 'Young Professor' to tighten his shoe laces, and to make sure McGraw doesn't get all cocky and think he can whiff Ruth in Game Two.

I've got to get these DVD's, too!

Thanks RMB, this is great.

P.S. The shot below is the debonair young Stengel - shortly before he suited up in one of Little Napolean's uniforms, and long before he suited up in Depends.

It looks like he is guarding the RF wall at Ebbets Field.

[RuthMayBond]

1949 World Series:

Game 1-In attendance - Ty Cobb! not much noteworthy from the highlights

Game 2-In the 2nd, Lindell made a fairly brutal error to move Hodges to 2B. Joe Dimaggio even made a play that could have been called an error. In the 4th Coleman made a NICE quick release to nail Hermanski at the plate.

Game 3-In the 1st, poor Reese got nailed trying to steal on a third strike to Miksis, what a rally killer. In the 4th, Henrich made a great catch leaning into the seats.

Game 4-Yanks got off to a bad start in the 1st as Rizzuto AND Henrich were caught in rundowns on the SAME play! In the 5th, Miksis' untimely error let Henrich AND Berra advance. In the 9th, Campy made a lightning-quick snap to pick Rizzuto off 3rd!

Game 5-Snider did what he could, especially to DiMaggio, but it wasn't enough. In the 1st, he went way back to pull in a tremendous drive by Joe. In the 3rd, Duke came barrelling in to make a shoestring grab of Joe's scorching liner. Duke finished off his gems in the 8th by running down Henrich's liner. It was the first World Series game where the lights were turned on

[RuthMayBond]

HOLY CRAP, this DVD has Ruth thrown out in 1926 G 7, Ruth pointing towards LEFT in the "called shot" game, Medwick spiking 3B and debris being thrown at him, the 34 Cards playing awesome shadowball, the game-winner in the '35 WS :clapping :dance :eek: :coffee :D :cool:

[Mariano_Rivera]

Great thread I don`t know anythig so I can`t add anything but this is really interesting

[RuthMayBond]

Great thread I don`t know anythig so I can`t add anything but this is really interestingShowing your interest adds to the thread :clapping

[TRfromBR]

1949 World Series:

Game 1-In attendance - Ty Cobb! not much noteworthy from the highlights

Game 2-In the 2nd, Lindell made a fairly brutal error to move Hodges to 2B. Joe Dimaggio even made a play that could have been called an error. In the 4th Coleman made a NICE quick release to nail Hermanski at the plate.

Game 3-In the 1st, poor Reese got nailed trying to steal on a third strike to Miksis, what a rally killer. In the 4th, Henrich made a great catch leaning into the seats.

Game 4-Yanks got off to a bad start in the 1st as Rizzuto AND Henrich were caught in rundowns on the SAME play! In the 5th, Miksis' untimely error let Henrich AND Berra advance. In the 9th, Campy made a lightning-quick snap to pick Rizzuto off 3rd!

Game 5-Snider did what he could, especially to DiMaggio, but it wasn't enough. In the 1st, he went way back to pull in a tremendous drive by Joe. In the 3rd, Duke came barrelling in to make a shoestring grab of Joe's scorching liner. Duke finished off his gems in the 8th by running down Henrich's liner. It was the first World Series game where the lights were turned on

Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, RMB, this was the beginning of Stengel's great Yankee dynasty. Despite a less-than-stellar managing career up to that date, Casey the "sage, wit, and raconteur", took over from Bucky Harris. Originally, though, it was rumored that the job would go to DiMaggio - but he didn't want it.

At the beginning of the year, things weren't looking so good, with DiMaggio hurting and Heinrich aging. And Yogi didn't look so hot in '49, either, with his fast sinking batting average. But, with super solid pitching in Reynolds, Raschi, Lopat & Byrne, they beat out the Sox for the pennant, and again by only a game.

This was yet another sad Series for the Dodgers.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

HOLY CRAP, this DVD has Ruth thrown out in 1926 G 7, Ruth pointing towards LEFT in the "called shot" game, Medwick spiking 3B and debris being thrown at him, the 34 Cards playing awesome shadowball, the game-winner in the '35 WS :clapping :dance :eek: :coffee :D :cool:

Don't know how much of Ruth's at bat is shown on that DVD. I do have a tape I recorded from a special shown on FOX TV from the 1990's, which shows a good deal of the at bat.

There are two times when Ruth points, Both times after the Cubs step up the verbal attack on Ruth, he is clearly angered. It was after the called strikes that the Cub bench really got on Ruth and he angrily responds with pointing gestures at the Cub bench. He is clearly pointing at the Cub's bench who was riding him. If you look close enough it it not really a point, it's dagger like thrusts directed at the Cub bench.

Guy Bush was leading the Cub bench, so far out of the Cub dugout hurling insults at Ruth that the ump ordered him to get back to the bench. In the very next game Bush is the starting pitcher and hits Ruth on the arm in his first at bat.

I would assume your DVD is the same as the tape that I have. As far as I know there was only one recording of that at bat. That was from a home movie taken by Matt Kandle of Chicago.

[RuthMayBond]

Don't know how much of Ruth's at bat is shown on that DVD. I do have a tape I recorded from a special shown on FOX TV from the 1990's, which shows a good deal of the at bat.

There are two times when Ruth points, Both times after the Cubs step up the verbal attack on Ruth, he is clearly angered. It was after the called strikes that the Cub bench really got on Ruth and he angrily responds with pointing gestures at the Cub bench. He is clearly pointing at the Cub's bench who was riding him. If you look close enough it it not really a point, it's dagger like thrusts directed at the Cub bench.

Guy Bush was leading the Cub bench, so far out of the Cub dugout hurling insults at Ruth that the ump ordered him to get back to the bench. In the very next game Bush is the starting pitcher and hits Ruth on the arm in his first at bat.

I would assume your DVD is the same as the tape that I have. As far as I know there was only one recording of that at bat. That was from a home movie taken by Matt Kandle of Chicago.I bet it's the same recording. My point is, we can finally put the "called shot" crap to rest if a lefty batter is pointing way to the left side.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

I bet it's the same recording. My point is, we can finally put the "called shot" crap to rest if a lefty batter is pointing way to the left side.

I've done years of research on the "called shot" and posted in detail on this board, that at bat from start to finish. I agree I saw no point to CF and have stated the point was not to left field but at the raging Cub bench.

One thing is clear, they were riding him and it was the battle of the wills and in the end Ruth knocked the Cub bench back to the seated position. You can see as he rounds third base the entire Cub bench was now sitting down.

He acknowledged the first and second called strikes with his fingers. He than held up one finger and shouted" it only takes one" this was also the account of Cub catcher Gabby Hartnett.

No point, no called shot but I would have loved to have been at Wrigley on that day,what a show.

[RuthMayBond]

I picked up a couple more things from the DVD:

Though McCovey's shot was quick in '62 WS G 7 and the camera man was a little behind, it didn't look like Richardson had to jump, as has been reported.

I seem to remember seeing footage that Reggie jutted his hip into the throw from 2B to 1B in that late 70's WS vs. Dodgers. The camera angle on this DVD didn't show that :eek:

[SHOELESSJOE3]

I picked up a couple more things from the DVD:

Though McCovey's shot was quick in '62 WS G 7 and the camera man was a little behind, it didn't look like Richardson had to jump, as has been reported.

I seem to remember seeing footage that Reggie jutted his hip into the throw from 2B to 1B in that late 70's WS vs. Dodgers. The camera angle on this DVD didn't show that :eek:

RMB, Maybe you can help on this one since you viewed it recently and I go from memory seeing it years ago. There was a debate on that McCovey hit ball a while back on this board. If I recall it was hit hard, some on the board said it was a soft liner, I thought it was a hard line drive. I don't recall Richardson jumping, if memory serves me right it was right at him.

BTW what is the name of this DVD, sounds like a good one.

[RuthMayBond]

RMB, Maybe you can help on this one since you viewed it recently and I go from memory seeing it years ago. There was a debate on that McCovey hit ball a while back on this board. If I recall it was hit hard, some on the board said it was a soft liner, I thought it was a hard line drive. I don't recall Richardson jumping, if memory serves me right it was right at him.

BTW what is the name of this DVD, sounds like a good one.As I said, the cameraman didn't follow it real well. They didn't show the flight of the ball, barely Richardson catching it. This particular DVD is "100 Years of the World Series". I haven't got to the second DVD of the Collectors Edition yet but I assume it's worth it. The best price I found is at Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation website, I think it's

http://www.arf.net/

You get to help a charity AND get an awesome double DVD. I think I have other footage of the '62 WS so I'll check that out.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

As I said, the cameraman didn't follow it real well. They didn't show the flight of the ball, barely Richardson catching it. This particular DVD is "100 Years of the World Series". I haven't got to the second DVD of the Collectors Edition yet but I assume it's worth it. The best price I found is at Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation website, I think it's

http://www.arf.net/

You get to help a charity AND get an awesome double DVD. I think I have other footage of the '62 WS so I'll check that out.
OK, thanks for the info.

[RuthMayBond]

RMB, Maybe you can help on this one since you viewed it recently and I go from memory seeing it years ago. There was a debate on that McCovey hit ball a while back on this board. If I recall it was hit hard, some on the board said it was a soft liner, I thought it was a hard line drive. I don't recall Richardson jumping, if memory serves me right it was right at him.The other DVD only had a few more milliseconds coverage, but there was no evidence Richardson jumped at all. The camera mostly focused on Richardson so there wasn't enough time to tell how hard the ball was hit, but the announcer said it was a bullet and that it moved Richardson's hands. It may have a little but maybe he was just nervous and cradling the ball extra carefully

[JamesWest]

Everything that I've read about Richardson's catch has him catching McCovey's liner at chest level, without having to move, and going down to one knee. I've also read that Richardson told McCovey that was the hardest hit line drive he ever caught.

[yanks0714]

If ya read in another thread about WS game 7's, you'll see where I and another poster describe that entire bottom half of the 9th inning of the '62 WS.
McCovey hit a screaming line drive right Richardson. He didn't have to jump or move in either direction, it was right at him. It was hit so hard that the camera man nearly missed the play. Richardson did say later it was the hardest hit ball he ever caught. He also was quoted as saying that if it had been more than 1 step either left or righthe never would have caught it because it was hit so hard.
Richardson actually moved about 3 steps to his left for McCovey, a very young dead pull hitter. He usually moved about 5 steps left for McCovey but this because Ralph Terry was pitching him outside trying to get him to 'go fishing'.
It was the greatest half inning of baseball I have ever watched from a myriad of strategic standpoints.
McCovey may have made the last out of the '62 WS with the potential tying run on 3rd and the potential winning run on 2nd but he far from choked.

[RuthMayBond]

1950 World Series

Game 1-In attendance, Connie Mack. Bauer made a nice grab of a drive by Hamner.

Game 2-In attendance, Frankie Frisch. Waitkus made a nice grab near the seats on Dimaggio's foul pop in the 7th. In the 8th, Ashburn might not have been forced at 2B, looked like pitcher's high throw pulled SS off the bag

Game 3-In the 6th, catcher Berra fired a bullet to pick off Sisler at 1B. Bloodworth had trouble handling two of the Yankee "singles" in the 9th.

Game 4-Maybe Berra wasn't that slow, he was heads up in the 1st, going first to third on a wild pitch. Woodling just lost Seminick's fly in the 9th

[SHOELESSJOE3]

If ya read in another thread about WS game 7's, you'll see where I and another poster describe that entire bottom half of the 9th inning of the '62 WS.
McCovey hit a screaming line drive right Richardson. He didn't have to jump or move in either direction, it was right at him. It was hit so hard that the camera man nearly missed the play. Richardson did say later it was the hardest hit ball he ever caught. He also was quoted as saying that if it had been more than 1 step either left or righthe never would have caught it because it was hit so hard.
Richardson actually moved about 3 steps to his left for McCovey, a very young dead pull hitter. He usually moved about 5 steps left for McCovey but this because Ralph Terry was pitching him outside trying to get him to 'go fishing'.
It was the greatest half inning of baseball I have ever watched from a myriad of strategic standpoints.
McCovey may have made the last out of the '62 WS with the potential tying run on 3rd and the potential winning run on 2nd but he far from choked.

Yanks I could understand how some could see it the way you describe it, It appeared about the same way to me, it happened so fast, looked like it was hit right to Richardson but it was not. When slowed down, frame by frame one will see it was not right at Bobby. Not far from where he was positioned but hit some to his left, he had to move in order to catch that ball.



I have looked that one over a dozen or more times, just minutes ago. On a DVD using the step by step feature or as some call it frame by frame..

This is exactly what took place. Anyone who can view this step by step, the best way to view it will see what I saw, what actually took place.

The ball is lined but not right at Richardson. It is hit to his left side.

Richardson takes one step to his left and is going into a second step when he catches the ball.

He catches the ball at about shoulder high. That is the height of the ball when it lands in his glove.

If Richardson does not move to his left, no way does he catch that ball. He is at the least 3 feet away from where he was positioned when the ball lands in his glove.

If you look at it normal speed it appears that he catches the ball lower because he brings down his glove after he catches the ball.

The only way it can be accurately determined, step by step, you will see the same thing.

Not a spectacular catch, no lunging, just a step to his left.

Agreed McCovey did not choke, don't know who ever suggested that. He hit a bullet.

[TRfromBR]

Thanks you guys. I've always wondered about how hard McCovey's drive was to play, and now I know. What a heartbreaker for that powerhouse Giant team - with Mays, McCovey, Cepeda, Marichal, and the Alou's. One of the greatest teams that never made it, with all those great Black and Latin superstars.

As Jack Murphy put it for the San Diego Union:

"A baseball had been struck violently and the man who threw it watched with sinking heart as it sped toward the emerald turf of right-field of Candlestick Park. The the scream died in the throats of 44,948 as the ball smashed into the glove of Bobby Richardson and stuck there. Suddenly Ralph Terry [who retired the first seventeen batters in order and gave up only two hits through the eighth] was able to breathe again."