The 1936 Yankees won the AL pennant by 19 1/2 games. THe 1915 Red Sox managed to split the first 68 games of the schedule, and were able to climb to within four as late as the 140th game. So the 1915 World Champions should take some pride and some solace in what they have accomplished.
"We let them get away from us in mid-season," Manager Bill 'Rough' Carrigan. "They adapted well to the 'dead-ball' 1915 style baseball we played back then. They adapted way better than I thought they would. I thought all those long fly-ball outs they were hitting might frustrated them. They were able to change their game plan on the fly... against the finest pitching staff - ours - I've ever seen. I give them a lot of credit. And of course, I am proud of our boys as well."
Indeed, Bill Carrigan's assessment is spot on. Only one Yankee cracked double figures in home runs... Lou Gehrig with 13. Only two drove in 100... Gehrig (114) and DiMaggio (105) against the 1915 Sox, while five had done so against the American League in 1936. And Carrigan was justifiably proud of 'his boys'. Duffy Lewis managed to hang onto his overall RBI title, edging the great Gehrig with 115 RBI. Tris Speaker led all the Boston regulars with a .326 average against an underrated Yankee pitching staff. We say 'regulars' because Speaker's .326 average trails the .333 compiled by the rookie wonderkind from Baltimore, George Herman Ruth, Jr.
"Beaten out by a rookie pitcher!" Tris grins. It is pointed out that Ruth wouldn't be eligible for any batting titles because of his limited plate appearances. "Yeah, but he also led us in home runs (Ruth had five, with 19 RBI)! Heck, he'd be third on the Yankees! And those boys can hit some long ones!"
"You talking about that big sonofagun again?"
"Hello Lefty!" Speaker and Lefty Gomez shake hands. "It hurts like hell, Lefty. But congratulations. And yeah, we were talking about that kid Ruth... although Carrigan is right. He ain't a kid no more. He grew up a lot in 1915. And he showed it plenty here."
"Sure did, Tex! He may act kinda goofy once in a while... but he's got fire. He wants to win, and he's got the goods to do something about it."
Finally the young southpaw everyone is talking about happens by.
"Babe!" yells Lefty Gomez. "Get over here!" George Ruth turns and approaches. "Helluva year, Babe!" The two lefties shake hands.
"My sentiments exactly..." agrees Tris Speaker. "You're a heckuva pitcher and a heckuva hitter, young fellow! You're gonna leave a mark in this game."
"Yeah... black-and-blue marks!" pipes Lefty Gomez. "All over American League pitchers. Can you play the outfield?" Ruth shrugs.
"I guess I could play anywhere. Except center when Tris is around."
"You can play the outfield with me any time, Babe. I'd rather watch your drives from the dugout than chase them!" The Babe, still disappointed with the way the season ends, manages a grin.
"Thanks, Tris. One thing I like about pitching with the Sox is looking around and seeing you backing me up in the outfield. Always feel like I got a shot at winning when I see you in center... and Lewis and Hooper on either side."
"I'm getting that way with DiMaggio," nods Lefty Gomez.
"He's a heck of a rookie." Speaker agrees. "Doesn't play like one. Not scared one bit."
"Hard to pitch to." adds young George Ruth. "But fun to pitch to. I like pitching to the tough ones... the ones that swing like they wan to kill you."
"You handled us really good, Babe!" says Lefty. You got nothing to hang your head about."
"Thanks, Lefty. I wouldn't mind doing it again."
Me too, son. Like I said all year long, you're a good pitcher. And you're only gonna get better. But I gotta warn you. If you play us again, some of our guys will get better too."
"Like Joe?"
"Like Joe." nods Lefty.
154 Games. 1936 New York Yankees - 82-72. 1915 Boston Red Sox - 72-82.
New York:
George Selkirk - 8 HR 82 RBI .250 BA, .327 SA
Lou Gehrig - 13 HR 114 RBI .296 BA, .428 SA
Joe DiMaggio - 7 HR 105 RBI .312 BA, .426 SA
Bill Dickey - 8 HR 94 RBI .339 BA, .441 SA
Boston:
Tris Speaker - 24 2B 83 RBI .327 BA, .399 SA
Babe Ruth - 5 HR 19 RBI .333 BA, .639 SA
Babe Ruth - 15-12, 2.81 ERA, 221 innings.
Duffy Lewis 114 RBI.
No comments:
Post a Comment