Darth Vander Meer slays Bucs

In a rare display of ball-bashing by the ’41 Reds they were able to best the Bucs 9 – 4.  The Reds took a two run lead in the third on a single by the pitcher, Johnny Vander Meer, a double by Frey and a two run knock by Mike McCormick.  The Bucs scored in the top of the fourth, but the Reds retaliated in the bottom of the inning and put the game away with a four run 5th.  Again Vander Meer, who picked up the win led off the inning with a single, Frey then singled and after a sac Frank McCormick knocked in both runners. Harry  Craft and Goodman followed with doubles to extend the lead to 7 – 2.  Wilber Cooper took the loss for Pittsburgh, but Babe Adams who relieved in the fourth was the real victim of the Reds onslaught, surrendering 7 hits and four runs in just two and a third innings.  Ray Starr picked up a save as he pitched two innings of shutout ball, giving up only one hit to finish out the game.

Jim Clouser

24-Bombers sneak by 24-Nats

October 1 @ Yankee Stadium in New York

1924 Washington Senators (20-18)

Starting Pitcher : George Mogridge

Real Life : 16-11, 213 IP, 3.76 ERA

KOD22: 2-3, 61.2 IP, 3.94 ERA

vs

1926 New York Yankees (22-16)

Starting Pitcher : Urban Shocker

Real Life : 19-11, 258.1 IP, 3.38 ERA

KOD22: 4-1, 68.1 IP, 3.42 ERA

NEW YORK wins 4-3

WP: Walter Beall
LP: Firpo Marberry
SV; Bob Shawkey
HR: none
MVP: Urban Shocker (7 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 K)


In an incredibly tight play in game, the '26 Yankees were able to pull out a tight 4-3 win to advance in the KOD 22 playoffs.  The game saw numerous opportunities on each side to put together big innings and put the game away but neither team could come up with a key hit at the right time. 

The Sens jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with 2 sibled paired together with 2 Yankee errors but really it could have been a lot worse for the Yanks early as Washington had runners thrown out at home in each of the first 2 innings.  Earle Combs and Babe Ruth were the 2 NY outfielders to save runs by nailing Senators base runners at the plate. 

New York came back in the 5th to tie the game behind 4 singles, including an Urban Shocker single to drive in the tying run.  The game would stay tied until the 7th despite a threat by the Yankees in the 6th.  With the bases loaded and 1 out, Mark Koenig popped out to shallow RF ansd it took a perfect throw from Sam Rice to nail Babe Ruth tagging from 3rd in order to keep the game tied at 2.  In the 7th, Goose Goslin broke the tie by driving in Ealr McNelly with the go aahead run.  But despite having 2 on and only 1 out, the Sens were unable to get to Shocker for more and put some breathing room between them and the pesky Yanks. 

After pulling Mogridge (7 IP, 9H, 2R, 1 K) for a pinch hitter, the Sens turned to closer Firpo Marberry to preserve the win and end the Yankees season.  Unfortunately, Marberry was unable to stay out of trouble.  Tony Lazzeri walked to lead off the 8th, Joe Dugan followed with a double which forced Marberry to walk Bob Meusel to load the bases with nobody out.  With the infield in, Marberry got Koenig to ground to SS Roger Peckinpaugh who forced Lazzeri at home for out #1.  Then with the middle infield playing for the inning ending double play, Hank Severeid grounded to 2B Bucky Harris who decided to throw home and cur down the run instead of ending the inning with what looked like a routine double play.  Washington Manager Pete Daly had visited the mound a laid out his expectations for his infielders, but apparently Harris had his own ideas.  Harris was able to catch Dugan at the plate but the inning continued and Pat Collins came to the plate with the bases still loaded and 2 outs.  Collins was up to the task and hit a slow roller between 1st and 2nd that scored Meusel and Koenig and put the Yankees ahead 4-3.

Bob Shawkey replaced Shocker on the hill for NY and needed to face the middle of the Senators lineup in the 9th.  Doc Prothro, pinch hitting for Harris, reached to lead off the inning on an eroor by Lou Gehrig at first.  Sam Rice followed with an infield single and the Sens looked to be in business.  A ground out by Goslin with the runners moving put the tying run at 3rd and the go ahead run at 2nd with 1 out.  Joe Judge was then walked to load the bases and create a force at any base.  Muddy Ruel cmae to the plate and fouled off his attempt at a game tying suicide squeeze.  With 2 strikes, Ruel then drove a hard liner back up the middle that ws picked out the air by Shawkey for the 2nd out.  Had Shawkey been a split secong slowere reacting to the liner, it likely was headed to CF and would have scored 2 big runs.  With 2 outs and the bases still loaded it was now up to pinch hitter Nemo Leibold to tyr and extend the game and the season for the Sens.  Leibold got a hold of a Shawkey fastball but unfortunately the ball landed with a thud in first baseman Lou Gehrig's glove.  

As the Senators sat in the dugout watching the Yankees celebrate on the field, manager Pete Daly was seen still kneeling on the front step of the dugout wondering how the game had gotten away from him.  Daly was trying to defend his unlikely KOD 21 Championship that he had won with the 2006 Minnesota Twins.  Apparently a repeat was not in the cards, as Michael Hopcroft was the better man and his Yankees the better team on this day.  Good luck to all teams the rest of the way.

41 Saxh sweep 37 Pale Hose

 

Game 1 - Comiskey Park
D.Newsome vs Dietrich
Red Sox 12, White Sox 5

The slumping Sahx hopped a Pulman and arrived 18 hours later in the Windy City to try and get back on track.  After ceding the Pale hose a 4-1 lead Dick Newsome and the boys were all business.  2 runs in the 7th knotted the game up at 4 all.  Then in the 6 the lumber came back to life in the form of 6 big runs all with 2 out.  An RBI triple by Dommy DiMaggio got it rolling.  RBI doubles by the Splendid Splinter and Lou Finney were key.  A homer by Joe Cronin put it out of reach.  Dick Newsome, who gave up 5 runs on 11 hits went the circuit.  Catcher Pytlak paced the Bosox with 3 hits.  Double X received 3 walks ahead of the Spliter who plated him twice.

GAME 2
Wagner vs V.Kennedy
Red Sox 7, White Sox 0

Charlie Wagner gave up just 4 hits while tossing this nifty shutout, however he did walk 5, which made for some interesting jams that he had to work out of.  Chicago was just not able to land the big hit to punish Charlie who walked the tightrope for 9 innings.  Rookie Bobby Doerr slammed the door shut on the Pale hose with a 3 for 3 day, including a solo homer and 3 RBI's.  Stan Spence and Skeeter Newsome made rare starts and held their own.  Double X was given the day off to help clear his trouble sinuses.  For the second straight day the Sahx were able to avoid using their pen, which desperately needed a rest.

 
GAME 3 - Fenway Park
Lyons vs Grove
Red Sox 15, White Sox 6
Just a few years ago this would have been a pitching matchup of aces that would have sold many tix.  By this point Lefty Grove was on his last legs and holding on to get to his 300th win.  Lyons was going through a rough patch where the gloves and bats behind him were in capable of allowing him just the slightest mistake.  Both guy got off to an inauspicious start yielding 5 runs each in the opening frame.  Both managers, not wanting to go to their respective pens this early, left their starters for for another 6 innings.  Grove, who gave up a solo run in the 2nd was then spotless for the next 5 innings before he hit the shower.  Lyons was not so lucky.  Ole' Ted gave up 13 runs (11 ER) in 7 innings.  Boston's bats were hotter than than the Hindenburg and way more explosive.  The Sahx scored a total of 15 runs in 18 innings.  Double X, returning from his much needed day off, was 4 for 5 with a double, triple and 2 HR's.  In a rarity he was just a single shy of the cycle.  His young running mate T.S. Williams (.388) was 3 for 4 with 4 runs scored and 5 RBI.  For good measure he hit 3 long balls to outpace his friend and mentor, Jimmie Foxx.  With the series sweep Boston slugged themselves back into contention.

24 Bucs stop 22 Birds

Meadows mows down birds

The 1924 Pittsburgh Pirates are providing a strong challenge to the 1936 Chicago Cubs in the National League's Uncle Robbie division. Winning two one-run games after Lee Meadows shut out the 1922 Cardinals in the series opener, the Pirates put themselves four games over .500. They will most likely need some help. The 1933 Boston Bees may have something to say about who wins, as they have series against both contenders down the stretch.

Meanwhile the '22 Cardinals were on the brink of contention, but a losing streak that has reached 5 games has knocked them out. Hitting carried the club, but has slacked off during the losing streak and the pitching is not deep enough to keep the team afloat. Even throwing their top three starters at the Pirates in this series could not keep the Redbirds from escaping the losing side of the ledger. A big reason for the offensive fall off is that star second baseman Rogers Hornsby has come back to earth. Pirate pitching held Hornsby to 2 for 11 in the series, both hits singles.

The Pirates outhit the Cardinals 37-25 in the series, and won back-to-back one run affairs after an opening 6-0 win, by scores of 5-4 and 6-5. 

Bike Mike

Tribe vs Tribe...1940 prevails in 2 of 3 contests

So good he dominated for both

Call it the clash of the Cuyahoga or Tribal Warfare. Either way, 1939 Cleveland faced 1940 Cleveland in a battle between two good, pre-war Indians squads that had similar rosters.

Speaking of which, both teams had a Feller in his prime and its showed during this series. My prognosticators predicted an epic fight between 1939 Cleveland, with dominant hitting but a shaky bullpen, and 1940 Cleveland, with deeper pitching but weaker hitting.

Here's how it went down:

Game One: The 1939 Bob Feller model pitched his best game of the year, a three hit shutout of the 1940 squad with 11 Ks. Odell Hale knocked in two and Rollie Hemsley had a key triple in the whitewash. 39 CLE 6, 40 CLE 0.

Game Two: 1940 Cleveland brought in lefty Al Milnar to face the 1939 team, even though Milnar was not having a great year and only had a 1-3 record. But he was stout on this day, pitching a complete game six-hitter and limiting the 1939 Indians to two runs. The 1940 team broke open the game late by tagging 1939 starter Mel Harder for four runs in the eighth and ninth. 1940 Ben Chapman was the hitting star, going four for five with two RBIs, while Hal Trosky banged his fifth homer. 1940 CLE 6, 1939 CLE 2.

Game Three: 1940 Cleveland rolled out its Bob Feller, who proved to be the equal of the 1939 stud. A tight game proceeded with scant hitting, as 1939's Al Milnar was also up to the task. 1940 Cleveland scored one in the first on a Lou Boudreau single and one in the fifth as Feller laid down a perfect suicide squeeze. That was it for the scoring. Feller notched 8 Ks and only allowed five hits through nine to move to 6-1. 1940 CLE 2, 1939 CLE 0.

Regards,

Joe Pryweller

Gnats sweep Brownies

The Goose was loose

Washington got great pitching and timely hitting to take all 3 games from the Browns.  All the games were competitive right down to the last inning. Game 3 was filled with runners being thrown out at the plate by Washington, and in turn, Stl turning a line drive into a 5-4 double play in game 3.  Game three also featured a Goose Goslin inside the park home run.

Very entertaining series, and thanks to Bruce for getting it in early this week.

--Mark Nixon--

24 Bombers take 2 of 3 from 39 Bosox

HOF'er Lefty Grove

The 24 Yankees win a tough series 2-1 over a tenacious 39 Red Sox ball club.

Game 1 NYY 5-3 A 3 run 7th helped Yankees win the series opener at Fenway.

Game 2 BOS 5-4 (13) A tight ball game the whole way. Lefty Grove pitched 11.2                                          innings and holds the Yankees at bay. Ted Williams singles in the winning run to even the series.

Game 3 NYY 8-4  With the score tied at 3 after 6 and half, Yankees score 3 in the 7th                             and add 2 insurance runs in the 8th to squeek by Boston

Fun series, thanks Justin for getting the games in around my work schedule.

--Domenick Guarino--

24 Senators ride Big Train to series win vs 37 Tigers

MVP: Rudy York (2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI)

GAME 1 : September 13 at Navin Field in Detroit

1937 Detroit wins 10-9

WP: Jack Russell (2-0)
LP: Allen Russell (3-2)
HR: Sam Rice (1), Rudy York (8,9), Hank Greenberg (5)

A great back in forth game with late inning explosions from both sides kicked off this 3 game series.  With a 6-5 lead heading to the bottom of the 9th, the Tigers felt pretty good after adding 2 insurance runs off the Senator bullpen.  However, Sam Rice changed all that with a go ahead grand slam off of Detroit starter Roxie Lawson.   The Senators turned to Allen Russell to close out the game with the slim 1 run lead, but Russell was unable to record an out, walking Charlie Gehringer and then giving up a bomb to Hank Greenberg to deep left center field. 

MVP: By Speece (SV, 1.1 IP, 0 R)

GAME 2 : September 14 at Navin Field in Detroit

1924 Washington wins 5-3

WP: George Mogridge (2-2)
LP: Boots Poffenberger (1-4)
SV : By Speece (1)
HR: none

George Mogridge shutout the Tigers over the 1st 6 innings while his teammates staked him to a 5 run lead.  But the Tigers got to Mogridge for 3 in the 7th to make it a ballgame.  With Mogridge tiring, the Sens turned to closer Firpo Marberry but after retiring the 1st 2 Tigers in the 8th, Marberry felt some pain in his elbow and his night was over early.  In a pinch, seldom used By Speece was called in and recorded the last 4 outs of the game to seal the victory.  Sam Rice was the offensive leader for Washington with 2 hits, 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in.

MVP; Walter Johnson (WP, 9 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 8K)

GAME 3 : September 15 at Griffith Stadium in Washington

1924 Washington wins 7-2

WP: Walter Johnson (6-1)
LP: Elden Auker (1-4)
HR: none

Walter Johnson recorded his KOD leading 6th victory in the series finale in one of his most dominant performances of the season.  Only a Marv Owen 2 run single in the 4th kept the Big Train from notching a complete game shut out.  Joe Judge helped Johnson with 3 hits and a run batted in while also scoring 2 runs.  Johnson also helped himself by getting 2 hits in 4 at bats raising his KOD batting average to an amazing .440.  Charlie Gehringer joined Owen as the only Tiger batters to solve the mystery of the Big Train on this evening.

Double duty Hornsby finds the range, while Terry fits the Bill for Jints.

In a McGraw Division series that featured the National League's premier sluggers, Bill Terry of the Giants and Rogers Hornsby of the '22 Cardinals, both players lived up to the billing. The well balance division saw these clubs split four games, with New York taking the middle two and St. Louis the bookends.

Rogers Hornsby played dual roles, as he also is a big part of the Giants attack and held his own as a McGraw-man, In real life, Hornsby managed the Giants for a good stretch of 1927 when McGraw was ill and not with the club.

As a Cardinal, Hornsby went 8 for 14 in the series, boosted his home run total to 10 and RBI total to 29. Bill Terry continued his torrid pace, picking up 8 hits in 17 at bats, including home run number 9 and finished the series with 31 RBI on the season. As a Giant, Hornsby went 7 for 17.

On the pitching side, Bill "Wee Willie" Sherdel pitched a nifty opener, going the distance in a 6-1 Cardinal victory holding Terry hitless in four at bats. Burleigh Grimes, while not as sharp as Sherdel was in game one, pitched well enough to earn a 6-4 complete game Giant victory in game two. Cardinal pitching was battered for 20 hits in game three, as Dutch Henry went the distance for New York while coasting to a 13-4 win.

No one pitched particularly well in the finale. New York held a 5-2 advantage heading to the eighth with Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons in command, but the Cardinals chipped away with a run n the eighth, and then shocked the home crowd with a 5-run ninth spearheaded by young Jim Bottomley's grand slam.

Bike Mike

40 Tribe drops 41 Bosox en route to division summit

Double X marks the spot

It was a battle between the top two teams in the Mack Division that turned this week's matchup into must-see entertainment. Boston, with its high-powered offense that has scored the second most runs in the league (behind 26NYA) versus Cleveland's fine pitching staff and propensity for the clutch hit. Cleveland came into the series 9-2 at its League Park home, tops in the league.

The standings also showed a close matchup from two teams with gaudy records -- Cleveland in first place in the Mack at 13-4 and Boston a game behind at 12-5. Boston's four future hall of famers in its studly lineup -- Williams, Doerr, Foxx and Cronin -- were to face off against Cleveland's great "Rapid Robert" Feller and stellar rookie SS Lou Boudreau.

But while Boston continued its offensive tear -- scoring at least five runs in three of the four games and four in the other -- it was Cleveland that somehow managed to win three of the four games and extend its division lead to three games. Cleveland now has a league-best 16-5 record. Not as good a hitting squad as many other teams in KOD22, the Indians somehow find ways to win.

Game One: Boston starts out on the right foot, winning 11-3 and tying Cleveland for the division lead. It was a very lopsided affair on all fronts, as future Indian Joe Dobson (4-0) went eight innings and only allowed three runs. Bostons' HOF lineup also responded, with Jimmie Foxx going three-for-three with a homer and five RBIs, as he had a great series overall.

Game Two: Boston continued to pound Cleveland pitching, scoring six runs, but their

Benny Beltner ?

bullpen was a disaster, as Cleveland evened the series with a 9-6 win. The Sawks jumped out to an early 5-0 lead off Cleveland's Mel Harder, who came into the game with a 4-0 record, and appeared to be in control behind the pitching of Dickie Newsome. But Newsome faltered in the sixth and seventh, as the Tribe scored five to tie it before Boston scratched out a run in the bottom of the seventh for a 6-5 lead.

Then came Boston's bullpen for a bare-knuckle ride. Cleveland pounces on three Boston relievers for four late runs, as former Red Sox Joe Dobson keep Boston hitters at bay (or Back Bay?). Cronin went four for five with three doubles and a triple for Boston and was a very tough out all series. Ken Keltner led Cleveland's comeback, striking two doubles and driving in three.

Big Mack Attack

Game Three: Kenny Keltner and Cleveland's offense continue to roll in the Indians' 7-5 win. Cleveland jumped out to a 7-0 lead, as Boston's Mickey Harris was banged up for seven runs in six innings. Keltner again led the offense with three more hits. Oddly, Cleveland only managed two extra base hits, one by good-hitting starter Al Smith (2-1), but clutch hitting was the key. Boston attempted a late comeback, scoring five runs in the seventh and eighth, but Cleveland closer Johnny Allen shut it down after that with hitless ball over the last 1.2 innings.

Game Four: Cleveland again got out of the gate quickly,  scoring four runs in the sixth to take a 5-1 lead behind Feller (4-1). But Feller wasn't his sharpest today, walking six to balance his six strikeouts, and Boston came back with two in the eighth to narrow the lead to 5-3. Boston managed to scratch out another run in the ninth but Feller stayed in the game to get the final out in Cleveland's 5-4 win.

The big blow for the Tribe was Ray Mack's sixth inning, three-run homer, which hopefully will propel the second basemen out of his early slump. 

--submitted by Joe Pryweller--

Moore-ah, Rajah !

The 1924 Brooklyn Robins and 1922 St. Louis Cardinals swapped victories in an inter-division series that saw a couple of easy wins from each club, and finished with a tight, well-played 2-1 finale.

The Robins put together a 12 hit attack in the opener, and good pitching from Tiny Osborne to take the opener 6-3. Jack Fournier went 3 for 3 with a walk for Brooklyn, while his counter-part for St. Louis was 0 for 3 with a strikeout. 

The Robin version of Fournier stretched his on base streak to nine straight, going 4 for 4 with a walk in game two. However, Rogers Hornsby put on a display of offense that left the home crown in awe striking a grand slam home run and a two run double amount 3 hits, driving in seven and scoring two to lead the Cardinals to a 12-5 rout. Austin McHenry also chipped in 3 hits to benefit Spittin' Bill Doak, who evened his record at 1-1 despite a 9.12 ERA.

Game three saw Dazzy Vance dazzle the Cardinals, with a crisp 3 hitter striking out 8 in a sterling 2-1 win. The Dazzler is now 5-0 on the season, with a 1.17 ERA. Former Robin Jeff Pfeffer was the hard luck loser. The top two Robins in the order were his undoing, with Johnny Mitchell and Zach Wheat each getting 3 hits, Mitchell scoring both runs and Wheat driving him home both times.

The incomparable Hornsby drove his 8th homer of the year in the 6th, for the only Redbird tally off of Vance.

Bike Mike

'40 Tribe Sweeps Pale Hose

The 40 Indians and 37 White Sox played a hard fought series, with two games going to extra innings. Although the White Sox outhit the Indians in two of the games and knocked around Bob Feller a bit, the Indians managed some late heroics to sweep the series and move to 13-4 on the season. Each game was a pitching gem:

Game One:  Cleveland's Mel Harder and Chicago's Vern Kennedy dueled at Comiskey, with Cleveland leading 1-0 going into the eighth on a Ben Chapman RBI triple. The Indians scraped together three more runs in the eighth to knock out Kennedy, all on singles and a key sac fly from Harder. Harder maintained the complete game shutout, moving to 4-0 on the season. Cleveland 4, White Sox 0.
Game Two: This go-round, it was Chicago's John Whitehead and Cleveland's Al Smith doing the dueling. Cleveland broke a scoreless tie with solitary runs in the seventh and eighth, but the White Sox mounted a comeback in the ninth, scoring two to tie it, the big blow a home run from Dixie Walker.  Chicago had a chance to go ahead in the top of the 11th, but Luke Appling was gunned down at the plate on a perfect throw from Chapman. Then, in the bottom of that inning,the Indians' all-or-nothing bopper Jeff Heath ended it with his third homer of the year. Cleveland 4, White Sox 2.
Game Three: Yet another scoreless duel as aces Bob Feller and Monty Stratton hurled zeros through nine. Stratton was particularly good, striking out nine Indians, while Feller allowed eight hits and only K'd four. Cleveland took the game in the bottom of the 11th again, as pitcher Al Smith, pinch hitting with men on first and second, stroked a single to center to score the only run. Cleveland 1, White Sox 0.

Regards,

Joe Pryweller

'41 Sox scalp '39 Tribe

GAME 1 - League Park
Newsome vs Feller
Indians 3, Red Sox 2

Rapid Robert Feller didn't have his "A" game, but he was pretty darn good going the distance and allowing just 2.  He "only" fanned 5 and walked 5, but the Red Sox lineup that he faced had 5 HOF'ers batting 1-5 in the order, so Mr. Feller had no margin for error.  Ben "the antagonist" Chapman went 3 for 3 (with a HR) at the top of Cleveland's order.  Boston managed just 2 hits.

 

GAME 2 - Fenway Park
Harder vs M.Harris
Red Sox 2, Indians 0

Mickey Harris tossed a complete game 5 hit shutout to defeat Mel Harder and the Tribe.  The bottom of the Sox order:  Jim Tabor (2-3), Frankie Pytlak (2-3) and Harris (1-2) did all the damage while the big guns were pitched around.

GAME 3
J.Allen vs C.Wagner
Red Sox 10, Indians 8
After 2 pitcher's duels the series final turned into a slugfest.  Both teams combined for 18 runs on 25 hits.  Once again the bottom of the Sox order did the damage.  Jim Tabor (2-4), who hit two long balls had 4 RBI's.  Hal Trosky had 2 homers in a losing effort.  The injury bug hit the Sox hard as All-Star centerfielder Dom DiMaggio went down with a sprained ankle.  Stan Spence replaced "the Little Professor" in the 4th inning and went 1 for 2 with a walk and a double.

Gas House Gang take 2 of 3 from Dem Bums

Game 1...Very tight game as the lead changed hands several times late in the game.  The Dodgers took a 5 - 4 lead in the eighth as they plated 3 runs on Dolph Camili's first homerun of the year. However the Dodger bullpen was unable to hold the lead.  St. Louis tied the game in the bottom half of the inning. The game went into extras. Brooklyn scored 2 runs in the top half of the eleventh but "the big Cat" Johnny Mize crushed the first of three homeruns in the series for a walk off 3 run blast. The victim of Mize's hefty clout was Hugh Carlton (0-2)...Cardinals 8 - Dodgers 7 in 11 innings.
Game 2...Another tight match that was settled late. Paul Dean suffered an injury in the second inning and had to exit the game.  Jim Winford and Si Johnson pitched strong in relief and got support from Johnny Mize and Joe "don't call me Ducky" Medwick who both clubbed homeruns and drove in four of the the five Cardinal runs.  Luke Hamlin got the loss and Si Johnson earned the win.....Cardinals 5 - Dodgers 4.
Game 3...The story of this game was "Fat" Freddie Fitzsimmons who went the distance for the Bums allowing only one run on 5 hits.  Fitzsimmons was masterful as he improved his record to 2-1.  Mize hit another homerun for the Cardinals but it was not enough to offset the Dodgers offense. Joe Vosmik drove in two runs for Brooklyn. Dodgers 4...Cardinals 1.

--submitted by Joey "I'm back" Scigliano--

Dem Bums of 1940 fire manager Weiss and hire Joey Scigliano

In an unprecedented mid season move the 5-9 last place 1940 Brooklyn Dodgers decided to part company with manager Marc Weiss.  In a related move, KOD charter member Joey Scigliano was brought on to take the helm of the slumping Brooks.  With friction in the clubhouse and dem Bums underachieving the team from Flatbush looked to bring on board a more calming influence to change their team's course.  Scigliano, who's been with KOD, since the early days returns to the bench after a half season absence.  Normally the pilot of the San Diego Padres, Scigliano found himself in the PCL this season due to the fact that the Padres weren't going to be a major league squad for at least another 3 decades.  Not to be kept out of the mix he is getting a mid season call up back to the show.  Welcome back Joey !!!

Dixie Walker Clubs 3 HRs as Pale Hose Take Rubber Game from A's

Aug. 29 at Philadelphia – Pinky Higgins (3-4) doubled twice and Jimmie Foxx (2-4) drove on 2 runs to lead the hometown A’s to a 4-2 win George Earnshaw (1-0) stared and went 6 innings for the win Jim Peterson (1) garnered the 3-inning save.

’33 Athletics 4, ’37 White Sox 2

Aug. 30 at Philadelphia – Thornton Lee (1-1) hurled 8 scoreless innings, then surrendered 3 in the 9^th, but hung on for the complete-game 5-3 victory. Zeke Bonura (2) and Boze Berger (1) each left the yard to power the ChiSox offense.

’37 White Sox 5, ’33 Athletics 3

Aug. 31 at Chicago – Dixie Walker (4-3-3-4) found Sugar Cain’s (0-3) offerings as sweet as southern iced tea. Walker took Cain over the RF wall in each of his first 3 ABs to send the Sox to a 7-4 win in the game and also a series victory. Bonura added 3 more hits to the assault. Ted Lyons (2-2) tossed 6 IP for the win, with Clint Brown (1) going the final 3 frames.

’37 White Sox 7, ’33 Athletics 4

Home Cookin' for Birds and the Bee's

Home cooking was the story in an inter-division series between the 1933 Boston Braves, aka Bees, and the 1922 St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals were fortunate to be the home team for two of the games, thus taking the series 2 to 1. Hitting was also the story as each game featured over 20 hits combined. But in a somewhat ironic twist, the road team actually out hit the home team in game. Thus it was the timeliness of the home team's hitting that made the difference.

Not known for his power, shortstop Specs Toporcer's three-run homer, his first of the season, was the key blow in a 6-4 Cardinal win in the opener.

The Cards broke open a close second game with a 6 run seventh inning, getting five of their nine total hits in that inning including a pinch-hit two-run double from promising rookie Jim Bottomley. 

The Bees came back, playing in the comfortable yet spacious combines of Braves field, to take the finale as Hal Lee went 3 for 4 and is hitting a whopping .462 on the season. Pitcher Ed Brandt had a couple of hits and two RBI to help the cause.

Bike Mike

1941 Reds take 2 of 3 from '36 Cubbies

Game 1: French vs Riddle

The Cubs jumped out to a one run lead as Stan Hack doubled to lead off the game and scored on a double by Ken O’Dea.  Augie Galan hit a solo homer in the fourth to extend the lead to 2 – 0. The Cubs added to their lead in the fifth on a single by Charlie Grim and a double by Billy Herman.  Cubs starter Larry French was working on a one-hitter through the first five innings, but in the sixth Billy Werber lead off the sixth with a walk and pitcher Elmer Riddle followed with a double and both runners scored on ground outs to cut the lead to 3 – 2.  In the 7^th Eddie Joost doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a deep fly to right off the bat of Ernie Lomabardi and scored on Harry Craft’s sacrifice fly to knot the game at three all.  Clay Bryant relieved French with two outs in the 10^th to preserve the tie, but walked the first two Red’s batters in the 11^th.  After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners up, Frank McCormick singled to drive in the winning run and give the Reds a 4 – 3 win.  Elmer Riddle went the distance for the Reds to pick up the win to go 3 – 0  and Clay Bryant took the loss to even his record at 1 – 1.

Game 2;  Warneke vs Turner

Lon Warneke went the distance as the Cubs defeated the Reds 7 – 2.  The Reds struck first on a double from Phil Cavarretta following an error by Joost to take a one nothing lead.  In the third a triple by Demaree drove in Hack who had walked to increase the lead to 2 – 0, but Demaree was thrown out at home trying to score on a short fly ball to right.  The Reds tied the score in the bottom of the frame on singles by Ival Goodman  Lonnie Frey and Frank McCormick with a stolen base by Frey and a sacrifice bunt.  The Cubs went ahead for good in the fifth on a Stan Hack double and Billy Herman triple.  They increased their lead to 5 – 2 on singles by Billy Jurges and Stan Hack with a passed ball, error and sacrifice fly.  Solo homers by Hack and Cavarretta in the ninth concluded the scoring as the Cubs won 7 – 2.  Leon Warneke W (2 – 1) got the complete game victory and Jim Turner L (1 – 3) took the loss.  Stan Hack went three for three to increase his average to .396

Game 3: Walters vs Carleton

The series moved to Wrigley Field and both pitchers shut out the opposition through the first six innings, but an Ival Goodman single, a walk and an error loaded the bases with two out and a two run single by Franck McCormick gave the Reds a two run lead.  Both runs were unearned.  An Ival Goodman double plated a run in the eighth and a two-run homer by Frank McCormick in the ninth salted away the win for the Reds.  Bucky Walters went the distance for the five-hit shutout to pick up his first win of the year against two losses.

Jim Clouser

"Prince Hal, gets royally..." 41-BOS takes 2 of 3 from 40-DET

GAME 1 - Fenway Park
Bridges vs Wagner
Tigers 1, Red Sox 0

Tommy Bridges got to within two outs of going the distance and shutting out the Bosox beefy lineup.  Bridges scattered 5 hits and then let McKain and Benton get the final two outs.  Bridges was in the process of dueling Charlie Wagner, but the latter took a liner off the coconut and had to leave the game.  Old War horse Lefty Grove came in to dazzle them with his chicanery, as his speed ball long since left his golden left wing.  Grove went 3+ innings, but gave up the one and only run of the game in the top of the 7th when Benny McCloskey led off the frame with a solo blast.

GAME 2
Hughson vs Trout
Red Sox 8, Tigers 7

After a 1-0 pitcher's duel the day before both of these vaunted offense got the wake up call and did not disappoint.  Four lead changes and a whole lot of action later the Sahx left Fenway with a tenuous one run lead.  Neither starter was much to write home about, as both exited the game after 6 dreadful innings on the bump.  Lefty reliever Bill Fleming and bullpen specialist Mike Ryba combined to allow just 1 run over the final 3 innings to pace Boston who took the lead for good with a three spot in the bottom of the 7th.  The inning started with Dom DiMaggio taking one in the back and getting ejected for charging the mound.  After both benches exchanged fisticuffs the boys got back to playing good old fashioned country hardball.  A two run double by Jim Tabor put Boston up by 1.  A sac fly by Joe Cronin gave them an insurance run that they needed to bank.

GAME 3 - Briggs Stadium
Dobson vs Newhouser
Red Sox 11, Tigers 4

Prince Hal was royally screwed as his defense made 4 errors behind him enabling the floodgates to fly right open.  Boston's shark-like lineup smelled blood in the water and basically unloaded.  Teddy ballgame (.415), who had been pitched around all day, launched a 3 run bomb.  Thirdsacker Jim "Rawhide" Tabor (3-4) knocked in 2 and scored 2.  Boston's fielding (3 errors) was not exactly gold glove caliber either.  Defensive specialist Skeeter Newsome, who replaced an injured Bobby Doerr, booted two.  Joe Dobson earned his 3rd win of the season by giving up 4 runs (3 earned) over 7.  Ernie Johnson held down the fort for the final 2.  McCosky (3-5) remained hot for Motown.

Editor's Note:  Special thanks to Jim Clouser for stepping in and subbing for Detroit.  Marvin and I spent a couple of hours on Monday trying to play h2h.  Apparently we both have trouble staying connected and transferring data when we attempt to play each other.  Neither of us has this issue vs any other league members.  We tried playing via direct IP and Tunngle, with the same result.  Thankfully Jim came to the rescue by subbing for DET.

24 Yanks take 2 of 3 from 24 Senators

In a battle of 2 of the best teams of 1924, it was the Yankees that got the better of this set avenging a 2nd place real-life AL finish to the same Senators team. 

GAME 1 in New York.  Bush vs Mogridge

YANKEES win 7-4

WP: Bullet Joe Bush (3-0)
LP: George Mogridge (0-2)
GAME MVP: Babe Ruth (4-4, 1 2b, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 Run)

Despite falling behind early 2-0, the series opener was dominated by the Yankee bats.  The Yanks pounded out 14 hits, paced by Ruth and Everett Scott (3-5, 2 RBI).  Joe Bush was strong thru 8, allowing just 5 hits and 3 runs. 

GAME 2 in New York.  Shawkey vs Ogden
YANKEES win 5-2
WP: Bob Shawkey (2-0)
LP: Curley Ogden (0-2)
GAME MVP: Shawkey (WIN, 9 IP, 9 H, 2 R)

The Yankees jumped out early and rode the strong arm of Bob Shawkey to a win in game 2 of the 3 game set.  Offensively, Bob Meusel (2-3, 3 rbi) and Whitey Witt (2-5, 1 RBI, 2 Run, 2b,3b) were the catalysts for the 11 hit, 5 run attack. 

GAME 3 in Washington. Johnson vs Jones
SENATORS win 14-8
WP: Walter Johnson (2-0)
LP: Sam Jones (1-1)
GAME MVP: Goose Goslin (3-5, 4 RBI, 2 RUN, 1 3B)

The Senators, as they have done this whole KOD season, saved all their offense for 1 game of the series.  The pounded 4 Yankee pitchers for 18 hits and 14 runs en route to a 14-7 victory.  Despite holding a 10 run lead after 6, the Sens never really felt comfortable until Firpo Marberry retired the final 2 batters.  Walter Johnson (6 IP,8H, 4 ER, 5 K), picked up his 2nd win of the season helping his cause with his bat by picking up 2 doubles and driving in 2 runs.  The middle of the Washington order came up big with 3 hit games by Bucky Harris, Sam Rice and Goslin.  Those 3 also combined for 7 runs scored while driving in 5. 

37-Pale Hose stuns 24-Bombers

Week 3 of the KOD 22 tournament, matched up the 7-1 (24)NYY vs 1-7 (37)CWS.

First two games of the series were played in Chicago's Comiskey Park.

Game 1 The Yankees brought the bats out and won 14-5. Wally Schang the Yankees catcher went

             4-6 with 3 RBI's

Game 2 The Yankees must have tied one on after the first game as the

bats were silent for game 2. The White Sox came out

             swinging as they scored 8 runs in the 3rd inning to cruise to an 11-3 rout.

             Luke Sewell and Tony Piet each had 3 RBI's for the home team.

Game 3 The series moved east to the Bronx and for 7 innings it was more of the same from the White Sox as they built up an 8-2 lead.

             Not known at the time, but the 2 out  2 run HR in the 7th, by Mike Kreevich would be the difference in the game.

             The Yanks would narrow the lead to 8-4 in their 7th. to set up the somewhat dramatic 9th inning finish.

             

             The score 8-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Pipp and Scott both single to start the inning and that would bring up Ruth.

             The Babe cranks a 3 run homer and send the Yankee faithful into a frenzy.

             But the comeback falls short as White Sox pitcher Clint Brown retires the next three batters to give the Sox the 2-1 series victory.

My thanks to Bruce for playing a little later on Poland time. 

Fun tournament with these older rosters so far. 

I even purchased a few older seasons when Action had their sale on.

--submitted by Dom Guarino---

Rip it ! Collins goes 5 for 5 as Redbirds sweep pitching challenged Phightins

The 1936 Cardinals swept the 1932 Phillies in a bit of a wacky series that saw a lot of offense, a close game and a blow-out sandwiched around a pretty good one.

Dizzy Dean had to leave after throwing only 2 1/3 innings in the opener, but the Cardinals survived a wild late game back and forth leads to win 7-6.

Bill Walker had one bad inning and 6 good ones to lead the Cardinals to a 6-3 win in game two.

Game three saw the Cardinals pound out 21 hits and score 16 runs to the benefit of Paul Dean. 

A bit of a story is developing for Ripper Collins, who went 5 for 5 with 5 RBI in game three. He's now started KOD22 with a perfect 7 for 7. 

Bike Mike

Babe's blasts bomb Tribe

Sultan of Swat did not disappoint

The power-stroking 26 Yankees club bludgeoned its way to victory in the first two, wild and woolly games of this series, with lots of offense and scores of 14-9 and 12-5. Cleveland managed to finally get great pitching in game three, as Mel Harder twirled eight innings of one run ball (no small feat against this Murderers Row lineup) to move to 3-0.

Notably, Bob Feller of the Indians, who was so good in his first two outings, gave up nine runs and three homers in game one in the FIRST INNING and hit the early showers.  Behind 9-0 and then then 14-3, Cleveland did make a valiant comeback but couldn't surmount the Yankees' early fireworks.

In the second game, the Yankees' Urban Shocker was staked to an early, 5-0 lead, as Cleveland's Al Milnar was hit hard, but Shocker was gone in the fourth. Reliever Bob Shawkey came in to fan six over the next four innings as the Yankees rolled.

Game Three was all Mel Harder, along with a three RBI day from Hal Trosky. Harder and the Injuns were only ahead 2-1 going into the bottom of the eighth but erupted for five more runs off a tiring Waite Hoyt for the 7-1 win.

The Yanks are clubbing their way to wins and are now 8-3. The team has 18 homers in 11 games, led by Babe Ruth's six.  Lou Gehrig also hit for the cycle in game two as part of the offensive dance party hosted by New York.

Regards,

Joe Pryweller