Thursday, October 15, 1964 - World Series - Game 7 vs New York Yankees - At Busch Stadium I - Starting Pitchers: Bob Gibson vs Mel Stottlemeyer - Attendance: 30,346
The Cardinals' Impossible Dream became a reality - winning the seventh game of the World Series over the New York Yankees, by a score of 7-5. An exhausted Bob Gibson went the distance, despite giving up nine hits - including three home runs - while walking three. But he also struck out nine batters - including two in the ninth-inning, which were sandwiched between two solo home runs.
Afterwards, manager Johnny Keane explained his decision to keep his starter in the game until the end: "I had a commitment to his heart."
Of course, fifty years later, managers are criticized for not yanking the starter at the first sign of late-inning trouble - even if it's a guy like Clayton Kershaw on the mound. If the decision backfires, it could cost a manager his job. Johnny wasn't worried about that, since he was going to resign no matter what happened today. He'd gotten wind of a plot to replace him - possibly with Leo Durocher - when the Redbirds looked like dead birds a few months earlier. Somehow, nothing ever transpired - then lo and behold, the miracle finish to the season created the perfect storm for the Cardinals' first NL pennant since 1946.
Sure enough, after guiding the Cardinals to the world championship, Keane accepted the managerial position of the New York Yankees - replacing the deposed Yogi Berra. Berra was unfairly ousted in New York - and Keane never had a chance of winning with the aging team he inherited. His tenure with the Bronx Bombers would be short-lived, as well.
Ironically, exactly four months prior to the clubhouse champagne celebration the newly crowned Cardinals were enjoying - on June 15 - St Louis had fallen a season-worst three games under .500. Even the trade that brought Lou Brock to the Cardinals on June 16, didn't seem to pan out for the first couple of months. By August 23, St Louis had fallen a season-worst eleven games out of first. Strangely enough, forty-seven seasons later, in Tony LaRussa's final year as manager, the Cardinals were in a similar dilemma - trying to track down the Braves for the wild card slot in the National League - and just like '64, their mission was accomplished on the final day of the season.
And just like '64, the 2011 St Louis Cardinals won the World Series in seven games - clinching it at home.
Initially, it seemed the Redbirds were going to win this one with relative ease. For the first three innings, neither team could score - however, the pitchers' duel ended abruptly when St Louis took their turn at bat against Mel Stottlemeyer in the bottom of the fourth.
Ken Boyer started the rally with a lead-off single to center. After Dick Groat walked, Tim McCarver hit a potential double-play grounder to second baseman Bobby Richardson, who got the force out at second, but shortstop Phil Linz - in his haste to double up McCarver - threw wildly to first - allowing Boyer to score an unearned run. Next up - Mike Shannon singled to center, advancing the speedy McCarver to third.
With the light-hitting Dal Maxvill batting, manager Keane decided to have a little fun - calling for the old double steal. It worked perfectly, as Shannon got a great jump off first base - sliding safely into second, as McCarver's well-timed dash to the plate beat the relay throw - giving the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. Rattled by the suddenly brash maneuvering of these running Redbirds, Stottlemeyer served up a meatball to Maxvill, who stroked it into right field - scoring the galloping Shannon from second, for a 3-0 lead, after four innings of play.
The Yankees threatened in the fifth when Tom Tresh led-off with a base on balls - then one out later, pinch hitter Mike Hegan (for Stottlemeyer) also walked. However, that rally came to an abrupt halt when Phil Linz hit a looping liner to right field which Shannon tracked down, much to the dismay of Tresh, who thought the ball would drop. His base-running blunder got him doubled off second, and got a tiring Gibson off the hook - at least for now.
Al Downing was Stottlemeyer's replacement, as the Cardinals took their turn at bat in the bottom of the fifth. Lou Brock greeted him with a home run deep to right center to give the Cardinals a comfortable 4-0 lead. After Bill White singled to center, Boyer advanced him to third with a double into the gap in right center. Manager Yogi Berra had seen enough - bringing in Rollie Sheldon to face Groat - who scored White on a ground out to second, as Boyer took third. McCarver then scored Kenny on a sacrifice fly to right field - and just like that, the Cardinals had a 6-0 lead.
However, that lead was cut in half on a Mickey Mantle three-run sixth-inning home run. This would be Mantle's eighteenth and final World Series home run in what would be the Yankees' final World Series appearance during the Mantle Era. He'd suffer through four more injury-plagued seasons - diminishing his career numbers a bit, but his overall greatness - when he was in his prime - could not be overstated.
Meanwhile, with the Cardinals still leading, 6-3 - Ken Boyer capped off a terrific three-hit game with a two-out solo home run in the seventh - giving Gibson an extra insurance run to work with. This would be Boyer's last hurrah in his last great season with St Louis. His grand slam home run in Game Four turned a 3-0 deficit into what would become a 4-3 win - and of course, paved the way for St Louis to still be alive for a Game Seven.
As New York took their final turn at bat in the ninth-inning, trailing 7-3, Gibson struck out the first batter - Tom Tresh. But then Clete Boyer - an offensive liability all season long and in the World Series - up to this point - hit a Gibson fastball into the left field bleachers. Rounding third, he and brother Ken silently enjoyed the moment, while Gibson silently tried to muster up enough energy to get the final two outs.
He got the second out by striking out Johnny Blanchard on a high fastball. But then Phil Linz - who only hit five home runs in the regular season - timed a fastball perfectly, and deposited that one in the left field bleachers, as well. One more base runner, and the Yankees would have the tying run coming to the plate. But this was Gibson's game to finish - and he did - by inducing Bobby Richardson to pop out to Maxvill at second.
It was finally over - the most improbable comeback in major league history. However, the Cards' on-field celebration was brief - and by today's "in your face-over-the-top" standards - looks subdued. But thousands of fans had immediately rushed the field to join in on the celebration - so the team had a change of venue - into the clubhouse where champagne and an ample supply of Anheuser Busch products were joyously sprayed everywhere.
After an eighteen year wait, St Louis finally got its seventh World Championship. Fifty years later, that total has risen to eleven, as the 2014 edition tries for number twelve. They're considered an underdog - currently down two games to one to the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS.
But of course, whenever the Cardinals actually win a World Series - they're usually playing the role of underdog. If they can salvage at least one win in San Francisco, they'll have a fighting chance - and that's all we could hope for.
Showing posts with label johnny keane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label johnny keane. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
September 9, 1964 - Cards Score 2 in 9th to Tie + 5-Run 11th = 10-5 Win Over Phillies
Wednesday, September 9, 1964 - At Connie Mack Stadium (Curt Simmons - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Philadelphia Phillies (Jim Bunning - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 25,339
The Cardinals rallied with two runs in the top of the ninth-inning to tie - then scored five runs in the eleventh-inning to beat the first-place Phillies, 10-5.
The second-place Cardinals (78-61) were now five games out with twenty-three games left to play. Whitey Herzog probably would have had this assessment of the Cardinals' chances of overtaking the Phillies: "It don't look good on paper."
Had the Cardinals failed to score two runs in the ninth-inning to send this game into extra innings, their slim chance of overtaking the Phillies in '64 would have been reduced to zero - so yes, this was a big game to win.
Before their big eleventh-inning rally, the Cardinals only led one other time in this game - in the first-inning - when Ken Boyer's infield single scored Lou Brock from third base.
That 1-0 lead was short-lived, as Dick Allen's first-inning RBI double scored Johnny Callison from second base to tie it at one run apiece.
Cardinal starter Curt Simmons had more trouble with the Phillies in the second-inning - but with the bases loaded and nobody out, his mound opponent - Jim Bunning - rolled into a 4-6-3 double play. The run scored, but Simmons avoided further damage when he struck out Cookie Rojas to retire the side.
Philadelphia plated two more runs in the fourth on an RBI single from Rojas and an RBI double from Callison. At that point, manager Johnny Keane yanked Simmons (3.2 IP - 10 H - 4 R - 1 BB - SO) - bringing in Ron Taylor, who got the final out in the fourth.
The Cardinals got a pair of solo home runs in the top of the fifth from Brock and Boyer to reduce the Philadelphia lead to a single run - 4-3.
The bottom of the fifth began with Taylor returning to the mound to face Tony Taylor (no relation) - who lined one deep to center, for extra bases. He should have stopped at second with nobody out - but he gambled and lost when he tried to stretch it into a triple. The relay from Flood to Javier to Boyer was perfectly executed - and Taylor was nailed at third. Failing to score in that inning would ultimately cost them the game - and the National League pennant. Funny how those things work.
Meanwhile, after Bunning worked the first six innings (three runs on ten hits), reliever Jack Baldschun worked a scoreless seventh and eighth.
For the Cardinals, the veteran knuckle ball relief specialist - Barney Schultz - entered the game in the sixth-inning - and kept the Phillies at bay through the seventh. Then with two outs in the eighth, Ruben Amaro kept the inning alive with a single to left field. Rather than use a pinch hitter, manager Gene Mauch let his pitcher hit for himself. Mauch looked like a genius when Baldschun proceeded to whack a run-scoring double - padding the Philadelphia lead to a more comfortable 5-3 margin.
Needing just three more outs to nail this one down, Baldschun gave up a lead-off single to pinch hitter Charlie James (batting for Schultz). Next up - Curt Flood grounded into a force out at second. Lou Brock then lined a single to center - advancing Flood to third. But Bill White made the second out in the inning with a ground ball to second, as Flood scored on the play.
The Cardinals were down to their last out, with Ken Boyer now batting with a runner in scoring position. Boyer delivered a run-scoring single to center field - tying the game a five runs apiece.
Reliever Gordie Richardson set the Phillies down in order in the bottom of the ninth.
Baldschun was still in the game, and managed to pitch a scoreless tenth-inning.
Bob Humphreys - the fifth pitcher used in this game for St Louis - took care of the Phillies in the bottom of the tenth - in order - striking out two.
Apparently, Mauch felt Baldschun was still his best option - sending him out to start his fifth inning of work, as the Cardinals took their turn at bat in the eleventh. Consecutive singles by Flood and Brock preceded White's two-run double. The Cardinals now led, 7-5 - and they were not finished scoring - although Baldschun was finally finished pitching.
Reliever Ed Roebuck retired Boyer on a ground ball to the second baseman - but Boyer accomplished what he set out to do in this at bat - move White to third with just one out. Next up - Dick Groat - couldn't get the run in, however. His foul pop behind home plate was an easy out for the catcher.
Then with two out Mike Shannon grounded one to third - which Allen booted for an error. White trotted home with the third run in the inning, as Shannon was able to ramble all the way into second.
Next up - Javier - scored Shannon with a single to left field - prompting most of the fans who were still in attendance to offer words of encouragement for their heroes. That didn't seem to work, either - as Javier stole second - prompting an intentional walk to McCarver - which brought Humphreys up to bat. The Cardinal reliever didn't cooperate with the Phillies' strategy, however - lining a run-scoring single to center - plating the fifth run of the inning - which was the third unearned run of the inning. For the Phillies and their faithful fans, this inning was a nightmare.
For the Cardinals and Cardinal Nation, it was a dream come true.
Humphreys (2-0) struck out two more batters in the bottom of the eleventh - allowing a harmless single - before closing this one out.
The Cardinals certainly needed contributions from every player on their roster to achieve their improbable quest for the NL pennant in '64. Humphreys was instrumental - providing stellar relief work all season long. And he wasn't bad with the bat, either.
Meanwhile, the path to the pennant would still be an arduous journey. Philadelphia would win the next night to go back up by six games - and time was running out for the Redbirds to make up all that ground.
They would need a lot of help from other teams - to send Philadelphia into a downward spiral - and they got it - along with a lot of help from the Phillies' beleaguered manager, himself - Gene Mauch - who started managing every game like it was the seventh game of the World Series.
The Cardinals rallied with two runs in the top of the ninth-inning to tie - then scored five runs in the eleventh-inning to beat the first-place Phillies, 10-5.
The second-place Cardinals (78-61) were now five games out with twenty-three games left to play. Whitey Herzog probably would have had this assessment of the Cardinals' chances of overtaking the Phillies: "It don't look good on paper."
Had the Cardinals failed to score two runs in the ninth-inning to send this game into extra innings, their slim chance of overtaking the Phillies in '64 would have been reduced to zero - so yes, this was a big game to win.
Before their big eleventh-inning rally, the Cardinals only led one other time in this game - in the first-inning - when Ken Boyer's infield single scored Lou Brock from third base.
That 1-0 lead was short-lived, as Dick Allen's first-inning RBI double scored Johnny Callison from second base to tie it at one run apiece.
Cardinal starter Curt Simmons had more trouble with the Phillies in the second-inning - but with the bases loaded and nobody out, his mound opponent - Jim Bunning - rolled into a 4-6-3 double play. The run scored, but Simmons avoided further damage when he struck out Cookie Rojas to retire the side.
Philadelphia plated two more runs in the fourth on an RBI single from Rojas and an RBI double from Callison. At that point, manager Johnny Keane yanked Simmons (3.2 IP - 10 H - 4 R - 1 BB - SO) - bringing in Ron Taylor, who got the final out in the fourth.
The Cardinals got a pair of solo home runs in the top of the fifth from Brock and Boyer to reduce the Philadelphia lead to a single run - 4-3.
The bottom of the fifth began with Taylor returning to the mound to face Tony Taylor (no relation) - who lined one deep to center, for extra bases. He should have stopped at second with nobody out - but he gambled and lost when he tried to stretch it into a triple. The relay from Flood to Javier to Boyer was perfectly executed - and Taylor was nailed at third. Failing to score in that inning would ultimately cost them the game - and the National League pennant. Funny how those things work.
Meanwhile, after Bunning worked the first six innings (three runs on ten hits), reliever Jack Baldschun worked a scoreless seventh and eighth.
For the Cardinals, the veteran knuckle ball relief specialist - Barney Schultz - entered the game in the sixth-inning - and kept the Phillies at bay through the seventh. Then with two outs in the eighth, Ruben Amaro kept the inning alive with a single to left field. Rather than use a pinch hitter, manager Gene Mauch let his pitcher hit for himself. Mauch looked like a genius when Baldschun proceeded to whack a run-scoring double - padding the Philadelphia lead to a more comfortable 5-3 margin.
Needing just three more outs to nail this one down, Baldschun gave up a lead-off single to pinch hitter Charlie James (batting for Schultz). Next up - Curt Flood grounded into a force out at second. Lou Brock then lined a single to center - advancing Flood to third. But Bill White made the second out in the inning with a ground ball to second, as Flood scored on the play.
The Cardinals were down to their last out, with Ken Boyer now batting with a runner in scoring position. Boyer delivered a run-scoring single to center field - tying the game a five runs apiece.
Reliever Gordie Richardson set the Phillies down in order in the bottom of the ninth.
Baldschun was still in the game, and managed to pitch a scoreless tenth-inning.
Bob Humphreys - the fifth pitcher used in this game for St Louis - took care of the Phillies in the bottom of the tenth - in order - striking out two.
Apparently, Mauch felt Baldschun was still his best option - sending him out to start his fifth inning of work, as the Cardinals took their turn at bat in the eleventh. Consecutive singles by Flood and Brock preceded White's two-run double. The Cardinals now led, 7-5 - and they were not finished scoring - although Baldschun was finally finished pitching.
Reliever Ed Roebuck retired Boyer on a ground ball to the second baseman - but Boyer accomplished what he set out to do in this at bat - move White to third with just one out. Next up - Dick Groat - couldn't get the run in, however. His foul pop behind home plate was an easy out for the catcher.
Then with two out Mike Shannon grounded one to third - which Allen booted for an error. White trotted home with the third run in the inning, as Shannon was able to ramble all the way into second.
Next up - Javier - scored Shannon with a single to left field - prompting most of the fans who were still in attendance to offer words of encouragement for their heroes. That didn't seem to work, either - as Javier stole second - prompting an intentional walk to McCarver - which brought Humphreys up to bat. The Cardinal reliever didn't cooperate with the Phillies' strategy, however - lining a run-scoring single to center - plating the fifth run of the inning - which was the third unearned run of the inning. For the Phillies and their faithful fans, this inning was a nightmare.
For the Cardinals and Cardinal Nation, it was a dream come true.
Humphreys (2-0) struck out two more batters in the bottom of the eleventh - allowing a harmless single - before closing this one out.
The Cardinals certainly needed contributions from every player on their roster to achieve their improbable quest for the NL pennant in '64. Humphreys was instrumental - providing stellar relief work all season long. And he wasn't bad with the bat, either.
Meanwhile, the path to the pennant would still be an arduous journey. Philadelphia would win the next night to go back up by six games - and time was running out for the Redbirds to make up all that ground.
They would need a lot of help from other teams - to send Philadelphia into a downward spiral - and they got it - along with a lot of help from the Phillies' beleaguered manager, himself - Gene Mauch - who started managing every game like it was the seventh game of the World Series.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
September 7, 1964 - Cards Walk-Off Both Ends of Labor Day Doubleheader Over Reds
Monday, September 6, 1964 - At Busch Stadium I (Game One Starting Pitcher - Bob Gibson) - Opponent: Cincinnati Reds (Jim O'Toole - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 22,187
The Cardinals completed an improbable 12-3 home-stand with a doubleheader sweep of the Cincinnati Reds by identical 3-2 walk-off scores - to move into a second-place tie with Cincinnati. Both teams have identical 77-61 records - and trail the Philadelphia Phillies - who split their doubleheader with the Dodgers - by 6.5 games.
Although I suspect this is the first time in franchise history the Cardinals had swept a doubleheader in walk-off fashion by identical scores - I have no data to support that theory. It's just an educated guess. I also suspect this is the first 12-3 home-stand in franchise history that ended in six walk-off wins - including the last three in a row. Again, just pure speculation.
Of course, lots of unusual events occurred during the course of the '64 season. It just so happened that most of these strange occurrences took place in September - especially after September 17.
In the meantime, the first game of this doubleheader was expected to be a pitchers' duel - and it was. The Cardinals grabbed a 2-0 third-inning lead off Reds starter Jim O'Toole - who really only made one mistake during his six-inning stint - a pitch to Ken Boyer with two out and Curt Flood on second - which Boyer belted into the left field bleachers - his 20th home run of the season.
Cardinal starter Bob Gibson then gave up a fourth-inning lead-off home run to Deron Johnson to cut the lead in half - and that's where the score remained through eight innings. Cincinnati threatened to score in their half of the eighth - when Vada Pinson opened the inning with a double - but was nailed trying to advance to third on Frank Robinson's grounder to second baseman Javier. When Hoolie fired a strike to third baseman Boyer, Pinson put on the brakes and retreated back towards second. Boyer's throw to shortstop Groat had Pinson reapplying the brakes and changing directions once again. By this time, an alert Bob Gibson got in the act - taking the throw from Groat - then chasing down Pinson, who was again heading back towards second - just about the time the batter - Robinson - had safely arrived at second. With no place to escape, Gibson applied the tag on the elusive Pinson.
Gibson retired the next two batters to strand Robinson at second - but the relentless Reds tied the game in the ninth - although they missed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Back-to-back doubles by Edwards and Cardenas not only tied the game, 2-2 - the Reds now had a runner in scoring position with nobody out.
Manager Johnny Keane had no thought of removing his starter. This was Gibson's game to win or lose. With pinch hitter Marty Keough now batting, Gibson blew a two-strike fastball by him to record the first out. Another pinch hitter - Don Pavletich - was retired on a fly ball to left field - then Gibson got Ruiz on a pop fly to short to retire the side. One run on two hits - but as far as the Cardinals were concerned, that was a bargain.
As reliever Bill Henry entered the game to start the bottom of the ninth, Pavletich became the new catcher, as second baseman Chico Ruiz moved over to third base. This new defensive alignment would immediately determine the game's outcome - in one of the most bizarre series of plays ever witnessed in a major league game.
Henry - who was nearly flawless all season long, with an ERA well below 1.00 - walked Boyer to start the fun. With Bill White batting, the new catcher - Pavletich - had trouble "catching" two consecutive pitches. On each passed ball, Boyer moved up a base. By the time White drew a base on balls, Boyer was perched on third base - representing the winning run.
Manager Dick Sisler removed Henry for the eccentric Ryne Duren - who retired pinch hitter Bob Skinner on a foul popup to the new third baseman - Ruiz.
Time for another new reliever - Billy McCool - to face pinch hitter Tim McCarver - who also hit a little pop fly to the same spot - but this time, Ruiz managed to drop the ball. The error proved costly, as McCarver lined the next pitch to center - a walk-off single - scoring Boyer with the winning run - which of course, was an unearned run. But it was a 3-2 win, nonetheless.
GAME TWO (Roger Craig vs John Tsitouris)
After the bizarre ending to the first game, it only seemed logical that the second game would be decided in the Cardinals' final turn at bat - resulting in another 3-2 win.
This time, Cincinnati scored first - with one run on three hits in the first-inning off spot-starter/long-reliever Roger Craig.
Lou Brock quickly tied the game with a solo home run off John Tsitouris in the bottom of the first.
Cincinnati regained the lead in the third-inning when Vada Pinson hit a one-out double, then came in to score on Frank Robinson's RBI single.
Tim McCarver - the walk-off hero from game one - tied this game in the seventh with a home run.
Meanwhile, knuckle ball reliever Barney Schultz entered the game in the sixth-inning, and became the pitcher of record after McCarver's game-tying home run. In his four innings of work, Barney would yield just two hits - and no runs - waiting for his teammates to score a run in the bottom of the ninth to give him his first win of the season (1-2).
Joe Nuxhall - who entered the game after McCarver's seventh-inning home run, was still on the mound to start the ninth. Nuxhall had a fascinating career - which began on June 18, 1944 - at the tender age of fifteen. In a game against the Cardinals at Crosley Field, Nuxhall was summoned in from the World War II-depleted Reds' bullpen to start the ninth inning - with the Reds down by a 13-0 score. By the time the nervous kid was relieved of his duties, his pitching line read: 0.2 IP - 2 H - 5 R - 5 BB
Strangely enough, the first hit Nuxhall surrendered in a major league game came off the bat of a twenty-three year-old Stan Musial. Nuxhall's major league career would be put on hold - with a career ERA of 67.50 - until 1952 - when at the age of twenty-three, he was actually ready for The Show.
Now, twenty years after making that inauspicious debut, the crusty veteran was facing Tim McCarver to start the ninth-inning. Single to center field. Next up - Julian Javier - hit a ground ball to first baseman Johnson - who forced the runner at second, as Javier beat the relay throw back to first.
With pinch hitter Charlie James (for Schultz) batting, Javier stole second - prompting manager Dick Sisler to order an intentional walk to Charlie. I'll never understand that strategy. Curt Flood - a notorious .300 hitter - was the next batter. After that, Lou Brock would be due up next.
The final call to the bullpen was made, with Sammy Ellis now pitching to Flood. Like McCarver had done in the first game, Flood lined a game-winning single to center - scoring Javier for the second straight 3-2 walk-off win. It was deja vu all over again.
The Cardinals were on their way to the National League pennant (93-69). The Reds and Phillies were on their way to a second-place tie (92-70).
Needless to say, it's a good thing the Cards swept this doubleheader. A split would have put them in the second-place tie with the Phillies. Yikes.
The Cardinals completed an improbable 12-3 home-stand with a doubleheader sweep of the Cincinnati Reds by identical 3-2 walk-off scores - to move into a second-place tie with Cincinnati. Both teams have identical 77-61 records - and trail the Philadelphia Phillies - who split their doubleheader with the Dodgers - by 6.5 games.
Although I suspect this is the first time in franchise history the Cardinals had swept a doubleheader in walk-off fashion by identical scores - I have no data to support that theory. It's just an educated guess. I also suspect this is the first 12-3 home-stand in franchise history that ended in six walk-off wins - including the last three in a row. Again, just pure speculation.
Of course, lots of unusual events occurred during the course of the '64 season. It just so happened that most of these strange occurrences took place in September - especially after September 17.
In the meantime, the first game of this doubleheader was expected to be a pitchers' duel - and it was. The Cardinals grabbed a 2-0 third-inning lead off Reds starter Jim O'Toole - who really only made one mistake during his six-inning stint - a pitch to Ken Boyer with two out and Curt Flood on second - which Boyer belted into the left field bleachers - his 20th home run of the season.
Cardinal starter Bob Gibson then gave up a fourth-inning lead-off home run to Deron Johnson to cut the lead in half - and that's where the score remained through eight innings. Cincinnati threatened to score in their half of the eighth - when Vada Pinson opened the inning with a double - but was nailed trying to advance to third on Frank Robinson's grounder to second baseman Javier. When Hoolie fired a strike to third baseman Boyer, Pinson put on the brakes and retreated back towards second. Boyer's throw to shortstop Groat had Pinson reapplying the brakes and changing directions once again. By this time, an alert Bob Gibson got in the act - taking the throw from Groat - then chasing down Pinson, who was again heading back towards second - just about the time the batter - Robinson - had safely arrived at second. With no place to escape, Gibson applied the tag on the elusive Pinson.
Gibson retired the next two batters to strand Robinson at second - but the relentless Reds tied the game in the ninth - although they missed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Back-to-back doubles by Edwards and Cardenas not only tied the game, 2-2 - the Reds now had a runner in scoring position with nobody out.
Manager Johnny Keane had no thought of removing his starter. This was Gibson's game to win or lose. With pinch hitter Marty Keough now batting, Gibson blew a two-strike fastball by him to record the first out. Another pinch hitter - Don Pavletich - was retired on a fly ball to left field - then Gibson got Ruiz on a pop fly to short to retire the side. One run on two hits - but as far as the Cardinals were concerned, that was a bargain.
As reliever Bill Henry entered the game to start the bottom of the ninth, Pavletich became the new catcher, as second baseman Chico Ruiz moved over to third base. This new defensive alignment would immediately determine the game's outcome - in one of the most bizarre series of plays ever witnessed in a major league game.
Henry - who was nearly flawless all season long, with an ERA well below 1.00 - walked Boyer to start the fun. With Bill White batting, the new catcher - Pavletich - had trouble "catching" two consecutive pitches. On each passed ball, Boyer moved up a base. By the time White drew a base on balls, Boyer was perched on third base - representing the winning run.
Manager Dick Sisler removed Henry for the eccentric Ryne Duren - who retired pinch hitter Bob Skinner on a foul popup to the new third baseman - Ruiz.
Time for another new reliever - Billy McCool - to face pinch hitter Tim McCarver - who also hit a little pop fly to the same spot - but this time, Ruiz managed to drop the ball. The error proved costly, as McCarver lined the next pitch to center - a walk-off single - scoring Boyer with the winning run - which of course, was an unearned run. But it was a 3-2 win, nonetheless.
GAME TWO (Roger Craig vs John Tsitouris)
After the bizarre ending to the first game, it only seemed logical that the second game would be decided in the Cardinals' final turn at bat - resulting in another 3-2 win.
This time, Cincinnati scored first - with one run on three hits in the first-inning off spot-starter/long-reliever Roger Craig.
Lou Brock quickly tied the game with a solo home run off John Tsitouris in the bottom of the first.
Cincinnati regained the lead in the third-inning when Vada Pinson hit a one-out double, then came in to score on Frank Robinson's RBI single.
Tim McCarver - the walk-off hero from game one - tied this game in the seventh with a home run.
Meanwhile, knuckle ball reliever Barney Schultz entered the game in the sixth-inning, and became the pitcher of record after McCarver's game-tying home run. In his four innings of work, Barney would yield just two hits - and no runs - waiting for his teammates to score a run in the bottom of the ninth to give him his first win of the season (1-2).
Joe Nuxhall - who entered the game after McCarver's seventh-inning home run, was still on the mound to start the ninth. Nuxhall had a fascinating career - which began on June 18, 1944 - at the tender age of fifteen. In a game against the Cardinals at Crosley Field, Nuxhall was summoned in from the World War II-depleted Reds' bullpen to start the ninth inning - with the Reds down by a 13-0 score. By the time the nervous kid was relieved of his duties, his pitching line read: 0.2 IP - 2 H - 5 R - 5 BB
Strangely enough, the first hit Nuxhall surrendered in a major league game came off the bat of a twenty-three year-old Stan Musial. Nuxhall's major league career would be put on hold - with a career ERA of 67.50 - until 1952 - when at the age of twenty-three, he was actually ready for The Show.
Now, twenty years after making that inauspicious debut, the crusty veteran was facing Tim McCarver to start the ninth-inning. Single to center field. Next up - Julian Javier - hit a ground ball to first baseman Johnson - who forced the runner at second, as Javier beat the relay throw back to first.
With pinch hitter Charlie James (for Schultz) batting, Javier stole second - prompting manager Dick Sisler to order an intentional walk to Charlie. I'll never understand that strategy. Curt Flood - a notorious .300 hitter - was the next batter. After that, Lou Brock would be due up next.
The final call to the bullpen was made, with Sammy Ellis now pitching to Flood. Like McCarver had done in the first game, Flood lined a game-winning single to center - scoring Javier for the second straight 3-2 walk-off win. It was deja vu all over again.
The Cardinals were on their way to the National League pennant (93-69). The Reds and Phillies were on their way to a second-place tie (92-70).
Needless to say, it's a good thing the Cards swept this doubleheader. A split would have put them in the second-place tie with the Phillies. Yikes.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
June 17, 1964 - Brock's First Cardinal RBI is Game Winner in Houston
When the Cardinals acquired 24-year old outfielder Lou Brock (who would turn 25 on June 18) from the Chicago Cubs on June 15, 1964 - in exchange for pitcher Ernie Broglio - several St Louis players - including the outspoken Bob Gibson - felt the trade was a bad one. Broglio was proven starter - Brock an unproven outfielder with poor defensive skills, very little power - who strikes out too much.
Brock's arrival with his new club coincided with its low-water mark on the season - falling to three games under .500 after a brutal loss to the Colts in miserably humid Houston. Manager Johnny Keane stuck his nervous new outfielder late in the game, as a pinch hitter - he struck out.
The following night would go much better for Brock - and the Redbirds. In an easy 7-1 win over Houston, Brock tripled, scored a run and stole base - all new milestones as a member of the Cardinals.
The following night, Brock would add another new milestone to the list.
Wednesday, June 17, 1964 - At Colt Stadium: The Cardinals' Ray Washburn and the Colts' Ken Johnson engaged in a classic pitchers' duel while 10,777 Texans sweltered in the stands.
The first two batters Washburn faced in this game - Bob Lillis and Nellie Fox - both singled. Lillis was able to advance to third on Nellie's base hit and scored on Al Spangler's sacrifice fly. That would be the lone run for the Colts tonight. In fact, those were the only hits allowed by Washburn in his 7.1 inning stint.
In the meantime, Johnson kept the Cardinals scoreless until Ken Boyer's one-out solo home run (11) in the fourth, tied the game - 1-1. That's where the score remained until the Cardinals came to bat in the eighth-inning.
The first scheduled hitter for St Louis - pitcher Washburn - normally not much of a hitter (career .105 BA) - fooled everybody by whacking a lead-off double. After Curt Flood grounded out to second, Washburn advanced to third on the play. Brock, up next, delivered his first Cardinal RBI with a base hit to center, giving St Louis a 2-1 lead.
Washburn - perhaps a bit winded after his rare base running exercise - retired the first batter in the eighth, but a one out walk prompted Keane to make the call to the pen. Roger Craig preserved the lead, working one inning - allowing only the third hit of the game for the Colts, before a young Mike Cuellar relieved Craig with one out in the ninth, to record the second out. Dramatically, Ron Taylor came in for the one-out save - finishing the game in style - with a strikeout.
Winning pitcher Washburn's record improved to 3-4, while Houston starter Johnson pitched well enough to win on most nights - but not tonight, falling to 5-6 on the season.
The Cardinals were still one game under .500 (30-31), but on the rise - thanks in large part to the spark provided by the newest member of the team. Lou Brock had arrived - and very quickly his new teammates felt this trade wasn't such a bad one for the Cardinals, after all.
Brock's arrival with his new club coincided with its low-water mark on the season - falling to three games under .500 after a brutal loss to the Colts in miserably humid Houston. Manager Johnny Keane stuck his nervous new outfielder late in the game, as a pinch hitter - he struck out.
The following night would go much better for Brock - and the Redbirds. In an easy 7-1 win over Houston, Brock tripled, scored a run and stole base - all new milestones as a member of the Cardinals.
The following night, Brock would add another new milestone to the list.
Wednesday, June 17, 1964 - At Colt Stadium: The Cardinals' Ray Washburn and the Colts' Ken Johnson engaged in a classic pitchers' duel while 10,777 Texans sweltered in the stands.
The first two batters Washburn faced in this game - Bob Lillis and Nellie Fox - both singled. Lillis was able to advance to third on Nellie's base hit and scored on Al Spangler's sacrifice fly. That would be the lone run for the Colts tonight. In fact, those were the only hits allowed by Washburn in his 7.1 inning stint.
In the meantime, Johnson kept the Cardinals scoreless until Ken Boyer's one-out solo home run (11) in the fourth, tied the game - 1-1. That's where the score remained until the Cardinals came to bat in the eighth-inning.
The first scheduled hitter for St Louis - pitcher Washburn - normally not much of a hitter (career .105 BA) - fooled everybody by whacking a lead-off double. After Curt Flood grounded out to second, Washburn advanced to third on the play. Brock, up next, delivered his first Cardinal RBI with a base hit to center, giving St Louis a 2-1 lead.
Washburn - perhaps a bit winded after his rare base running exercise - retired the first batter in the eighth, but a one out walk prompted Keane to make the call to the pen. Roger Craig preserved the lead, working one inning - allowing only the third hit of the game for the Colts, before a young Mike Cuellar relieved Craig with one out in the ninth, to record the second out. Dramatically, Ron Taylor came in for the one-out save - finishing the game in style - with a strikeout.
Winning pitcher Washburn's record improved to 3-4, while Houston starter Johnson pitched well enough to win on most nights - but not tonight, falling to 5-6 on the season.
The Cardinals were still one game under .500 (30-31), but on the rise - thanks in large part to the spark provided by the newest member of the team. Lou Brock had arrived - and very quickly his new teammates felt this trade wasn't such a bad one for the Cardinals, after all.
Monday, April 29, 2013
April 29, 1964: This Date in St Louis Cardinals Championship History
April 29, 1964: When a team wins a pennant by just a single game - as the Cardinals did in 1964 - it's fascinating to check the box scores of some early-season, long-forgotten games that the Redbirds pulled out of the fire in remarkable fashion.
Such was the case in this late April contest with the New York Mets at Busch Stadium (formerly known as Sportsman's Park). The Mets were still quite amazin' in those days - the worst team in baseball, by far. Only 3,844 fans decided to attend this contest, even with Cards ace Bob Gibson on the mound.
Unfortunately for Gibby, he had difficulty finding the strike zone in the early going; walking the first two batters, then grooving one to Mets first baseman Tim Harkness, who promptly deposited the pitch onto the pavilion roof in right field for a three-run dinger. Harkness only appeared in 39 games for the Mets in '64, and only hit two home runs in 117 AB; but this was one of them. A seething Gibson settled down to retire the side, but the damage had been done.
The Redbirds responded in their half of the first-inning with a clutch two-out single by Ken Boyer which scored Dick Groat from second base. While Gibson continued holding the Mets in check, Bill White hammered a sixth-inning solo home run to cut the deficit to a single run.
The Cardinals tied the score in the seventh-inning, as Curt Flood's one-out single to left field scored Julian Javier from second base; with Flood taking second base on the throw to the plate. With Dick Groat batting, Flood tried to steal third base but was nailed. Naturally, Groat doubled down the left field line on the next pitch, but was stranded on second to end the threat. However, the score was now tied at three runs apiece.
Gibson, who had been nearly perfect (a couple of hits and a walk allowed) after yielding the three-run first-inning bomb to Harkness, walked the pesky Ron Hunt, leading off the eighth-inning for New York. Cards manager Johnny Keane brought young lefty Ray Sadecki in to relieve Gibson and quickly recorded two outs compliments of a well-turned double play. Veteran right-hander Ron Taylor was then brought in to get the last out of the inning, and returned to the mound to pitch an uneventful ninth-inning.
After the Redbirds failed to score in their half of the ninth-inning, Keane called on the ancient southpaw, Bobby Shantz to keep the Mets at bay for as long as he could. Twelve years earlier, Shantz led the American League with 24 wins as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics, but his career had been relegated to spot starts and long relief after that big season - when he not only won all those games, he completed 27 out of the 33 games he started. Shantz was approaching his 39th birthday and would later be dealt to the Chicago Cubs in the package that included Ernie Broglio-for Lou Brock, but on this late April day, he was able to hold the Mets hitless for two innings, waiting for the St Louis offense to finally restore order.
The eleventh-inning game winning rally began with Ken Boyer's lead-off single to left field. Tim McCarver then drew a base on balls, and Mike Shannon executed a successful sacrifice bunt, moving the runners up a base. After an intentional walk to Julian Javier loaded the bases, Keane then called on a rarely-used power-hitting 22-year old kid from Covington, Kentucky - Jeoff Long - to pinch hit. Mets reliever Larry Bearnarth was kind enough to miss the strike zone on four pitches which enabled Jeoff to tell his grandkids that he drove in the winning run in a game that ultimately helped his team win a World Championship.
Well, his former team, that is; after just twenty-eight games with the Cardinals, as a part-time first baseman, right fielder, and pinch hitter, Long's contract was sold to the Chicago White Sox in early July. He was going to get a shot at becoming a regular outfielder with the Sox but suffered a severe knee injury when he slipped on a wet field at Fenway Park just eight days after joining his new team. Limited to pinch hitting duty, Jeoff was only able to muster a .143 BA over the balance of the '64 season. Attempts to rehabiliate the knee were unsuccessful, and after 46 games in the minors in 1965, he was forced to retire before his career even had a chance to take off.
For Cardinals fans who never heard of Jeoff Long, he actually played a vital role in helping the Redbirds win a game few people will remember; but without that April win against the hapless Mets, chances are the Cardinals would've come up a little short in their quest for another pennant and World Championship.
Such was the case in this late April contest with the New York Mets at Busch Stadium (formerly known as Sportsman's Park). The Mets were still quite amazin' in those days - the worst team in baseball, by far. Only 3,844 fans decided to attend this contest, even with Cards ace Bob Gibson on the mound.
Unfortunately for Gibby, he had difficulty finding the strike zone in the early going; walking the first two batters, then grooving one to Mets first baseman Tim Harkness, who promptly deposited the pitch onto the pavilion roof in right field for a three-run dinger. Harkness only appeared in 39 games for the Mets in '64, and only hit two home runs in 117 AB; but this was one of them. A seething Gibson settled down to retire the side, but the damage had been done.
The Redbirds responded in their half of the first-inning with a clutch two-out single by Ken Boyer which scored Dick Groat from second base. While Gibson continued holding the Mets in check, Bill White hammered a sixth-inning solo home run to cut the deficit to a single run.
The Cardinals tied the score in the seventh-inning, as Curt Flood's one-out single to left field scored Julian Javier from second base; with Flood taking second base on the throw to the plate. With Dick Groat batting, Flood tried to steal third base but was nailed. Naturally, Groat doubled down the left field line on the next pitch, but was stranded on second to end the threat. However, the score was now tied at three runs apiece.
Gibson, who had been nearly perfect (a couple of hits and a walk allowed) after yielding the three-run first-inning bomb to Harkness, walked the pesky Ron Hunt, leading off the eighth-inning for New York. Cards manager Johnny Keane brought young lefty Ray Sadecki in to relieve Gibson and quickly recorded two outs compliments of a well-turned double play. Veteran right-hander Ron Taylor was then brought in to get the last out of the inning, and returned to the mound to pitch an uneventful ninth-inning.
After the Redbirds failed to score in their half of the ninth-inning, Keane called on the ancient southpaw, Bobby Shantz to keep the Mets at bay for as long as he could. Twelve years earlier, Shantz led the American League with 24 wins as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics, but his career had been relegated to spot starts and long relief after that big season - when he not only won all those games, he completed 27 out of the 33 games he started. Shantz was approaching his 39th birthday and would later be dealt to the Chicago Cubs in the package that included Ernie Broglio-for Lou Brock, but on this late April day, he was able to hold the Mets hitless for two innings, waiting for the St Louis offense to finally restore order.
The eleventh-inning game winning rally began with Ken Boyer's lead-off single to left field. Tim McCarver then drew a base on balls, and Mike Shannon executed a successful sacrifice bunt, moving the runners up a base. After an intentional walk to Julian Javier loaded the bases, Keane then called on a rarely-used power-hitting 22-year old kid from Covington, Kentucky - Jeoff Long - to pinch hit. Mets reliever Larry Bearnarth was kind enough to miss the strike zone on four pitches which enabled Jeoff to tell his grandkids that he drove in the winning run in a game that ultimately helped his team win a World Championship.
Well, his former team, that is; after just twenty-eight games with the Cardinals, as a part-time first baseman, right fielder, and pinch hitter, Long's contract was sold to the Chicago White Sox in early July. He was going to get a shot at becoming a regular outfielder with the Sox but suffered a severe knee injury when he slipped on a wet field at Fenway Park just eight days after joining his new team. Limited to pinch hitting duty, Jeoff was only able to muster a .143 BA over the balance of the '64 season. Attempts to rehabiliate the knee were unsuccessful, and after 46 games in the minors in 1965, he was forced to retire before his career even had a chance to take off.
For Cardinals fans who never heard of Jeoff Long, he actually played a vital role in helping the Redbirds win a game few people will remember; but without that April win against the hapless Mets, chances are the Cardinals would've come up a little short in their quest for another pennant and World Championship.
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