Tagged: Phil Rizzuto
Jeter Talks Have Gone On Way Too Long, Already
What are the Yankees doing? And what are they thinking? Sign Derek Jeter to a new contract, already. In my view, these drawn-out negotiations are starting to become an embarrassment to the whole New York Yankees organization.
No matter how anyone wants to spin these negotiations, it is very clear the next contract that Jeter signs with the Yankees has very little to do with his overall play on the field and at the plate [which is still better than most shortstops in baseball, by the way]. It’s all about the “Captain” as an all-time iconic player in the history of the Yankees franchise, standing along side the greatest of the greats in pinstripes: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Whitey Ford, Mariano Rivera, and many other All-Stars and Hall of Famers.
Of course, Jeter is near the top, right behind: Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, and Berra. And when he finally does retire, he will become the next great link to carry on the awesome Yankees history and tradition at future Old-Timers’ Days at Yankee Stadium over the next 40 or 50 years. It will be Derek Jeter who will be announced last at these events, called out onto the field from the dugout to thunderous rounds of applause from many different generations of Yankee fans. How will the Yankees Universe be altered if the these current contract talks are allowed to degenerate into any form of disrespect of the Yankees Captain?
The Yankees front office talks about staying within a certain payroll budget of around $200 million, and how these talks with Jeter are “strickly business” and “not personal”.
Well, to be perfectly honest, as a Yankees fan, I could care less about how high the payroll is. It is reported that the New York Yankees are worth $1.5 – $2 billion, and the YES Network is worth about $3 billion. So this is a $5 billion organization that just recently increased ticket prices at Yankee Stadium – ticket prices that are already outrageously way too high. Yet at the same time it seems they want to nickel-and-dime one of their best all-time players. I make this comment in context to the overall net worth of the Yankees, and the overall “value” of Derek Jeter to the Yankees franchise. And I really think this is a fair observation based on the facts that are being reported [so far] throughout the sports media.
In my view, I think it is very important for the New York Yankees to sign Derek Jeter to a contract he is totally happy with, somewhere in the range of four to five years at about $20 million per year, because this would be a very “smart” and “good” business decision.
If for some reason the “UNTHINKABLE” happens, and Derek Jeter does not re-sign with the Yanks – a truly unimaginable thought in my mind – I’m sure all Yankee fans will take this “very personally”.
So in the end, these talks with Jeter are personal, “very personal”. But it is also “good business” to give Derek what he wants!
– Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
George M. Steinbrenner III … “Passing of a Legend”
Sadness has fallen over the Bronx and throughout the whole baseball world as New York Yankees owner George M. Steinbrenner III, the greatest owner in the history of “all” sports, has passed away at age 80.
Now, within two days of the passing of legendary Yankee Stadium public address announcer Bob Sheppard (1910-2010), who passed away on July 11th at age 99, the New York Yankees Universe and Family has lost two of the most iconic figures of the past century, not just in baseball, but in all sports and parts of our society.
“An era of greatness has ended” !!!
It is a sad time for all Yankee fans. But, also, a fitting send-off for these two iconic giants, leaving this great earth on their journey into eternal life in Heaven during Baseball’s All-Star break, and just a week before the Yankees organization celebrates their annual Old-Timers Day at Yankee Stadium this upcoming Saturday, July 17th.
The Boss leaves us all as a winner [which he was his whole life], as his New York Yankees are defending their 27th World Championship this season, getting off to a great start heading into the All-Star break in first place in the AL East.
There are many wonderful memories and great things that can be said about Mr. Steinbrenner. And, I am sure we will all enjoy reading and viewing these stories and reports today, and in the days and weeks ahead.
For me, my memories began when I first started following the New York Yankees in 1967, as a young boy, during the Horace Clarke days and CBS ownership era. Mickey Mantle was at the end of his Hall of Fame career; Phil Rizzuto was in the broadcast booth always talking about the great Yankees history and tradition; and, the next “Mickey Mantle”, Bobby Murcer, my favorite Yankee player of all-time, was just beginning his great Yankee career.
The Yankees had many losing years and teams during my early days as a life-long, die-hard Yankees fan in the late 1960’s. But, it was the great New York Yankees “history” and “tradition” of “winning” with Hall of Famers: Ruth, Gehrig, Dickey, DiMaggio, Berra, Mantle, Ford, and many other great players throughout the years, that created the foundation of support by many fans [including myself] of the Yankees during those days.
Then in 1973, a little known ship builder from Cleveland, Ohio, George Steinbrenner, purchased the New York Yankees franchise, and brought the awesome Yankees tradition back to life, which had been dormant for many years since their last World Series appearance in 1964.
And the rest is history …
“Thirty Eight” years as owner [and, still owed by the Steinbrenner family].
“Thirty Two” Winning Seasons.
“Nineteen” Playoff appearances, including …
“Sixteen” AL Division Titles and “Three” Wild Card berths.
“Eleven” American League Championships.
“Seven” World Championships.
Which all enhanced the great history of the New York Yankees …
Increasing their World Championships to 27 !!! [and, counting].
Also, Mr. Steinbrenner was a very generous and charitable person, helping and supporting many different people and causes throughout the years.
From “The House That Ruth Built” to “The House That George Built”, Yankee Stadium is “The Home of Champions” and “Home of Championships” !!!
George M. Steinbrenner III is truly one of the greatest of any Yankee in their history !!!
I look forward to the tributes that will be given in honor of Mr. Steinbrenner and Mr. Sheppard at this year’s All-Star Game and Yankees Old-Timer’s Day celebrations.
But, the greatest honor I look forward to seeing George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard receive, is when both are enshrined into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame”. This is an honor that is long overdue for both these great icons. And, the Hall of Fame will not be complete until both George M. Steinbrenner III and Bob Sheppard grace the sacred walls of the “Hall” in Cooperstown, New York.
Thank you, Mr. Steinbrenner !!!
Thank you, Mr. Sheppard !!!
May God always bless you, and reserve a very special place in Heaven in which you will both enjoy eternal life, peace, and happiness !!!
Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …”
“The Scooter” Phil Rizzuto
“Holy Cow”, was my first reaction when the mlblogs Fan “Leader’s List” was released last week with my mlblog, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”, ranked #10, on that, January 29 – February 4, 2009 list. Of course, the “Holy Cow” refers to one of the most famous expressions by the all-time great “Hall of Fame” New York Yankees shortstop, #10, “The Scooter” Phil Rizzuto, during his long distinguished 40 year broadcasting career announcing Yankee games, after he retired from playing his whole baseball career with the Yankees.
Rizzuto was also famous for calling everybody a “huckleberry” during his days announcing Yankee games, as well as, reading out birthday wishes to viewers during the games, as he awaited the arrival of the “cannolis” and other assorted pastries and cakes in the broadcast booth, gifts of appreciaion from many Yankee fans that received so much joy listening to one of the most recognizable voices in baseball broadcast history.
Phil Rizzuto was an “American Original”, and one of the most beloved players and announcers in New York Yankees history.
The “Scooter” was also one of the greatest shortstops in baseball history, playing his whole baseball career with the Yankees during the years, 1941-1956.
Rizzuto’s career was interrupted, though, when he was called to serve our Country in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1943 through 1945. During this time in the military, Rizzuto also played on the Navy baseball team, managed by the great Yankees catcher, Bill Dickey.
Rizzuto played on 10 American League Championship teams, appearing in nine World Series in which the Yankees won seven World Championships. He still holds numerous World Series records for shortstops, including: most career games played; singles; walks; times on base; stolen bases; at-bats; putouts; assists; and, turning double plays. He also won the Babe Ruth Award in 1951 as the best player in the ’51 World Series, batting .320 in the Yankees World Series victory over the New York Giants.
Throughout Rizzuto’s career in regular season play, he was regarded as one the finest fielding shortstops of his era, taking part in 1,217 double plays, the second highest total in Major League Baseball history at the time of his retirement in 1956.
To grasp the value of Phil Rizzuto on the Championship Yankee teams he played on in the 1940’s and ’50’s, the great Yankees pitcher, Vic Raschi, said: “my best pitch is anything the batter grounds, lines, or pops in the direction of Rizzuto.” Great praise, indeed.
Phil Rizzuto won the 1950 American League MVP Award with a .324 batting average, after finishing second in the MVP voting in 1949 to the great Boston Red Sox leftfielder, Ted Williams.
1950 was Phil Rizzuto’s best year with the Yankees, as he scored 125 runs, with 200 hits; 92 base-on-balls; 36 doubles; 7 triples; 7 homeruns; 66 RBI’s; while striking out only 39 times, recording a .324 batting average; and .418 on-base percentage, batting 617 times in 155 games.
Probably the greatest praise of how valuable Phil Rizzuto was to the New York Yankees, came many years later from Ted Williams. While a member of the “Veterans Committee”, stating the case for Rizzuto’s induction into Baseball’s Hall of Fame, Williams argued, “Rizzuto was the main difference between the Yankees and Red Sox. If we had Rizzuto in Boston we would have won all those pennants [during that era] instead of the Yankees.”
Phil Rizzuto played on seven World Series winning teams; appeared in five All-Star games; had his #10 retired by the Yankees in 1985; and, was enshrined in Baseball’s “Hall of Fame” in 1994.
In addition to the praise given by Ted Williams, much praise in honor of the greatness of Phil Rizzuto through the years was given by many who watched Rizzuto play, including, Ty Cobb, who said, “Phil Rizzuto and Stan Musial were two of the few modern players [at the time] who could hold their own among the old-timers.”
The great Yankees Manager, Casey Stengel, said, “Rizzuto is the greatest shortstop I have ever seen in my entire baseball career, and I have watched some beauties.”
And, Joe DiMaggio, decades after his retirement, said, “People loved watching me play baseball. Scooter, they just loved.”
Well, that final quote by the great Joe DiMaggio, kind of sums up how all Yankee fans, and many throughout baseball felt about Phil Rizzuto, including myself, as I credit “The Scooter” for helping me become a life-long/die-hard Yankees fan, listening to Phil talk about the great Yankee players, teams, and tradition, in the broadcast booth, from my first days following baseball and the New York Yankees.
Scooter, you are missed; and, will always be loved by all Yankee and baseball fans.
Thank You, for all the memories.
To view Phil Rizzuto’s lifetime stats, click on …
http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/rizzuph01.shtml
To view Phil Rizzuto’s biography, click on …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Rizzuto
Thank You, to all who have visited my mlblog !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
And, Don’t Forget Joe Gordon And Tony Kubek
The Hall of Fame selections were announced the other day, and as expected, Rickey Henderson easily slid into the Hall on a first ballot vote of 95% of the baseball writers who have the great honor of voting for which players are enshrined into baseball’s “Hall of Fame”.
Rickey received 511 of the 539 votes cast, and one has to wonder what the other 28 baseball writers were thinking when they didn’t include Henderson on their ballots. It’s not like each writer could vote for only “one” player on their ballot. Each voter can choose up to “ten” players out of the ones on the list. Even if all of the 28 voters thought nine players were more deserving then Henderson being enshrined this year, surely Rickey earned, at least, a 10th place vote by these select-few, honored, baseball writers. Puzzling ???
Of course, Rickey Henderson was very excited when he heard the news that he had been voted into the Hall of Fame, but he had only one person on his mind when thinking about who he would thank in his acceptance speech. Billy Martin.
In Kevin Kernan’s, January 13, 2009, New York Post article, Rickey said, “I wish he [Billy Martin] was here because I think most of all he believed in me more than anybody believed in me. He was like a father figure to me. I know, in his burial that he’s turning over and he’s jumping for joy. I can feel that he’ll say that he knew that this day would come, and I wish he was here.”
Billyball was fun to watch, in all those years Rickey played for the Oakland A’s, breaking just about every stolen base record in baseball history for manager Billy Martin. As Martin’s son, Billy Martin, Jr., said, “I think my father understood Rickey better than some other guys. They trusted one another.”
Henderson played for many teams, and, I remember him most as one of the greatest leadoff hitters in baseball history, during the time that he played for the New York Yankees.
Congratulations, to Rickey Henderson. His “Hall of Fame” acceptance speech should be a “classic”.
Also, selected for enshrinement into the Hall of Fame, was the great Boston Red Sox player, Jim Rice.
This was Rice’s last year of eligibility to be selected by the Baseball Writers; and, after a long 15 year wait he finally earned a well deserved trip to Cooperstown. He played his whole career with the Red Sox, and was one of the most dominant players of his era during the years, 1974-1989, in which, he won the MVP in 1978 and played in 8 All-Star games.
Congratulations, to Jim Rice, whose next honor should be his #14 being retired by the Boston Red Sox.
Along with Rickey Henderson, who will enter the Hall of Fame in an Oakland A’s cap, two other former Yankee players will also be enshrined in Baseball’s “Hall of Fame” this year on July 26th. Joe Gordon and Tony Kubek.
Kubek received the 2009 Ford C. Frick Award, which honors outstanding broadcasters with enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.
Tony Kubek played for the Yankees in the late 1950’s and early ’60’s; but, I never had the pleasure of watching him play during his Yankees days, which was limited because of an injury in the 1960 World Series, when a groundball took a bad hop that bounced into his throat.
But, it was a pleasue to listen to Kubek as an “expert” baseball analyst, on the NBC “Game of the Week”, with Curt Gowdy and Joe Garagiola, during the ’70’s and 80’s; as well as, when he was an analyst on Yankees games with announcer, DeWayne Staats in the early 1990’s.
Very simply, in my view, Tony Kubek was one of the best baseball analyst’s in broadcasting history; and, I truly missed him when he no longer was a broadcaster on Yankee games.
So, Congratulations, to Mr. Kubek, on receiving this awesome award and honor.
And, finally, but not forgotten, on December 7, 2008, the baseball Veteran’s Committee, by a vote of 83.3% [10 of 12 voters], selected the great second baseman, Joe Gordon, for induction into the “Hall of Fame”.
Joe Gordon played for the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, from 1938-1950. He was a great fielding, power hitting second baseman, who played on five World Championship teams, and was a nine-time All-Star.
In 1938, his rookie year with the Yankees, Gordon replaced Hall of Famer, Tony Lazzeri, and hit 25 homeruns that year, which was the first time an American League second baseman hit 20 homers in a season; and, also, was an AL record for second basemen until 2006.
In 1939, Joe Gordon hit 28 homeruns, including, three homers in a game on June 28th, and finished the season, second in homers on the Yankees, behind the great Joe DiMaggio.
And, the best example of his value to the New York Yankees, was in 1942, when Gordon hit .322 with 18 homeruns and 103 RBI’s; and, also, led the league in turning double plays with Hall of Fame shortstop, Phil Rizzuto. Gordon won the American League MVP Award in 1942, beating out Ted Williams of the Red Sox, who hit for the “Triple Crown” that year.
At the time it was announced that Gordon had been voted into the Hall of Fame, another Yankee great, Jerry Coleman, had this to say about Joe Gordon, “He was one of the greats of the game; a truly brilliant defensive player; and, the perfect second baseman with his ability to turn the double play and hit for power in such a difficult hitter’s park as Yankee Stadium. He made Phil Rizzuto and Lou Boudreau better, as Gordon wasn’t just good, he was great”.
Joe Gordon played on four World Series winning teams with the New York Yankees, and served our Country for two years [1944-’45] in the military; but, was traded to the Cleveland Indians, at the end of the 1946 season, for Allie Reynolds. He helped the Indians win the 1948 World Championship by leading the team with 32 homeruns and 124 RBI’s.
Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, who is originally from Cleveland, remembers Joe Gordon as a player, and released the following statement after it was announced that Gordon had been voted into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame”.
Mr. Steinbrenner said, “Joe Gordon was a great second baseman, a great Yankee, and an inspiration to millions of American’s for many years. The Yankees are proud of his election.”
Congratulations to Joe Gordon on being enshrined into the Hall of Fame.
To view the lifetime stats of these “Hall of Famers”, on Baseball-Reference.com, click on …
* Joe Gordon
http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gordojo01.shtml
* Rickey Henderson
http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/henderi01.shtml
* Jim Rice
http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/riceji01.shtml
* Tony Kubek
Yanks Sweep Phillies To Win 1950 World Series
Saturday, October 7, 1950 — Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York — In “Game 4” of the 1950 World Series, the Yankees scored two runs in the first inning, and three runs in the sixth inning; and, that’s all the runs they would need, to beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-2, sweeping the first four games of this best of seven series, to win the 1950 World Championship.
The Yankees jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead off Phillies starting pitcher, Bob Miller (11-6; 3.57 ERA), in the bottom of the first, when Gene Woodling led off the inning by reaching first on an error; advanced to second on a Phil Rizzuto ground out; and, scored the first run on a RBI single by Yogi Berra. Berra then scored the Bombers second run on a RBI double by Joe DiMaggio.
After the second run scored, Phillies manager, Eddie Sawyer, replaced Miller with the National League’s MVP, Jim Konstanty, who retired the next two batters, Johnny Mize and Bobby Brown, to close out the first inning without any further damage.
The Phillies had a couple of chances to score off Yankees starting pitcher, Whitey Ford (9-1; 2.81 ERA), in the first and fourth innings, when they had two runners on base in each inning, but did not score; with the 4th inning ending in a 3-3-2 double play.
In the bottom of the 6th, Yogi Berra hit a lead off homeun; then, DiMaggio reached first on a hit by pitch, and scored on a triple by Bobby Brown. Hank Bauer was up next, and drove home Brown on a sac-fly to leftfield, increasing the Yankees lead to 5-0.
In the meantime, Whitey Ford was cruising along with a shutout going into the top of the 9th inning when he pitched himself into a little trouble.
Ford walked lead off batter Willie Jones; hit the next batter, Del Ennis; and, then, got Dick Sisler to hit into a force play at second, setting up a first and third situation, with one out. Ford then struck out Granny Hamner for the second out of the inning.
So, with two outs, Andy Seminick was the last chance up at the plate to keep the game going for the Phillies. Seminick hit a fly ball to leftfield that looked like it was going to be the final out of the game, but Gene Woodling made an error that allowed two unearned runs to score, cutting the Yanks lead to 5-2.
The next batter, Mike Goliat, singled, bringing Casey Stengel out of the dugout to replace Ford with Allie Reynolds to get the final out of the game.
The Yankee fans booed this move by Stengel; but, Reynolds struck out pinch-hitter, Stan Lopata, for the final out of the Bronx Bombers 5-2 World Series victory, giving the Yanks the crown of “1950 World Champions”, the New York Yankees 13th World Championship at the time.
This was a great World Series that was dominated by awesome pitching by both teams.
The Yankee pitchers allowed only three earned runs over 37 innings in the series, for a 0.73 ERA.
And, the Phillies also delivered solid pitching efforts, with a 2.27 ERA throughout the series.
Finally, The “Babe Ruth Award”, MVP of the 1950 World Series was awarded to the Yankees second baseman, Jerry Coleman.
To read more about this final Game; and, the 1950 World Series, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA195010070.shtml
1950 World Series, Game Three … Yankees 3, Phillies 2
Friday, October 6, 1950 — Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York — With the Yankees leading this Series, 2-0, Game Three moved to Yankee Stadium in New York.
The pitching matchup featured, Ken Heintzelman (3-9; 4.09 ERA) for the Philadelphia Phillies; vs. Ed Lopat (18-8; 3.47 ERA) starting for the Yankees.
The Yankees scored first in this game in the bottom of the third inning, when after two outs, Phil Rizzuto walked; stole second; advanced to third on a bad throw by catcher, Andy Seminick; and, was driven home on a RBI single by Jerry Coleman, for the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the 6th, the Phillies tied the score, 1-1, on a double to leftfield by Del Ennis, who scored on a RBI single by Dick Sisler.
The Phillies then went ahead in the game in the top of the 7th inning, on a lead off single by Granny Hamner, who advanced to second on a sac-bunt by Seminick; and, scored on a RBI single by Mike Goliat that gave Philadelphia a 2-1 lead.
This back-and-forth game became tied again in the bottom of the 8th. After two outs, the Yankees loaded the bases on three straight walks, that knocked Heintzelman out of the game. Jim Konstanty was brought in from the Phillies bullpen, by manager, Eddie Sawyer, to try to get out of this jam without any runs scoring.
Konstanty did his job, getting Bobby Brown [pinch-hitting for Hank Bauer] to hit a groundball to short. But, the ball was misplayed by shortstop Hamner for an error that allowed Coleman to score the tying run.
Johnny Mize was the next batter up, and Konstanty got him to pop out to third, leaving the bases loaded, and the game in a 2-2 deadlock.
Ed Lopat was pinch hit for in the bottom of the 8th, so his work was finished in this game, after pitching a solid eight innings, allowing two runs, on nine hits, no walks, and five strikeouts.
Yankees manager, Casey Stengel, called in reliever, Tom Ferrick, to pitch the 9th inning; and, even though Ferrick allowed two runners to get on base, the Phillies did not score a run, sending this game into the bottom of the 9th still tied, 2-2.
Russ Meyers was now pitching for the Phillies, and quickly retired the first two Yankee batters, making it look like the game might go into extra innings.
But, then, the Yankees stroked three straight singles — a single to centerfield by Gene Woodling; a Phil Rizzuto (1-for-3; 1 Run), single, also to centerfield, that advanced Woodling to second base; and, then, finally, a game-winning, RBI single by Jerry Coleman (3-for-4; 1 Run; 2 RBI’s), driving home Woodling with the winning run in the Yankees 3-2 victory.
This win gave the New York Yankees a “three games to none” lead against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1950 World Series.
For more about Game Three in this series, and, also, the 1950 World Series, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA195010060.shtml
In the 2008 World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies took a 3-1 lead in this series against the Tampa Bay Rays, over the weekend.
Game 3 — Saturday, October 25, 2008 — Phillies 5, Rays 4
Game 4 — Sunday, October 26, 2008 — Phillies 10, Rays 2
Game 5 — is scheduled to be played, Monday, October 27th, in Philadelphia.
1950 World Series, Game One … Yankees 1, Phillies 0
On Wednesday, October 4, 1950, at Shibe Park, in Philadelphia, the New York Yankees (98-56) played the Philadelphia Phillies (91-63) in Game One of the 1950 World Series.
If the Yankees were the American League representative in the 2008 World Series against the Phillies, there would be many stories about the 1950 Series because it was the only time that the Yankees and Phillies met in Baseball’s Fall Classic.
Game 1 of the 1950 Series was a classic pitching matchup, as Yankees righthander starter, Vic Raschi, (21-8; 4.00 ERA; 1 SV), out-pitched the National League MVP, Phillies righthander, Jim Konstanty, (16-7; 2.66 ERA; 22 SV), leading the Yankees to victory.
Vic Raschi pitched one of the greatest games in World Series history, tossing a complete game, two-hit, 1-0 shutout, allowing only one walk while striking out five, in a game that took 2 hours and 17 minutes to play.
Raschi retired the first 13 batters he faced, before allowing a one-out, 5th inning hit to Willie Jones. Andy Seminick also singled in this inning, setting up a first and second situaton with two outs. But, Raschi struck out Mike Goliat to end the only threat the Phillies made, to score in the game.
The Phillies drew a one out walk in the top of the 6th, but that was it, as far as the Phillies getting any more runners on base. Raschi finished the game as strong as he started by retiring the final 11 batters he faced, to earn the 1-0 shutout that gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead in this series.
The Yankees scored their only run in this game in the top of the 4th, when Bobby Brown led off the inning with a double; advanced to third on a long fly ball to centerfield by Hank Bauer; and, scored on a RBI sac-fly to leftfield by Jerry Coleman [a little small-ball by the 1950 Yankees].
Phillies starter, Jim Konstanty, also had a great game, pitching 8 solid innings, allowing the one run, on four hits, four walks, and no strikeouts. Russ Meyer came in from the bullpen to pitch a scoreless 9th inning for the Phillies, giving up only one hit.
It is also interesting to note: 1950 was the year the great Yankees shortstop, Phil Rizzuto, (.324 BA), won the American League MVP award. And, it was also the first year the great Whitey Ford pitched for the Yankees. Ford had a record of 9-1, with a 2.81 ERA.
Check out more about this game, and the 1950 World Series by clicking on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI195010040.shtml
In the last 87 years, since 1921, the New York Yankees have appeared in 47 Post-Seasons; winning 39 American League Championships; and, 26 World Championships !!!
Check out the “Yankees Post-Season Results” by clicking on:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/history/postseason_results.jsp
And, yes, there was a World Series “Game One”, on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, in Tampa Bay.
In the first game of the 2008 World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies, led by a solid pitching performance by their starter, Cole Hamels, beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-2.
The Phillies jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, off Rays starter Scott Kazmir, in the top of the first inning, when Jayson Werth walked, and scored on a two-run homerun by Chase Utley, (2-for-4; 1 run; 2 RBI).
In the top of the second, the Phillies had a chance to open up an even bigger lead, by loading the bases with one out. But, on a fly out to centerfield, Shane Victorino, trying to score from third, was thrown out at the plate by B.J. Upton, ending the inning without any runs scoring.
The Phillies did score their final run in the top of the 4th, when Victorino, (2-for-4), who led off the inning with a single, scored on a ground out to short that increased the Phillies lead to 3-0 at the time.
Tampa Bay got on the board in the bottom of the 4th, on a Carl Crawford homerun, desreasing the Phillies lead to 3-1.
Then, in the bottom of the 5th, the Rays scored what turned out to be the final run of the game when Jason Bartlett was driven home on a RBI double by Akinori Iwamura, who was (3-for-4) on the night, cutting the score to 3-2.
Scott Kazmir lasted only six innings in this game, allowing three runs, on six hits, four walks, and four strikeouts. But, four relievers out of the Rays bullpen shut down the Phillies the rest of the way, throwing three scoreless innings, that held Philadelphia to the three runs they scored off Kazmir, giving Tampa Bay a chance to comeback in this game.
The Phillies pitching was just a little better on this night, as Cole Hamels delivered an awesome effort, throwing seven strong innings, allowing two runs, on five hits, and two walks, while striking out five.
And, the Phillies bullpen was just as good as the Rays pen, closing the deal in this game.
Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless 8th; and, Brad Lidge, closed it out by striking out two, while throwing a scoreless 9th inning, to save the Phillies 3-2 victory.
So, the Phillies have the advantage leading this Series 1-0, as “Game 2” will be played on Thursday night, October 23th.
My prediction before this World Series began, was: the Tampa Bay Rays over the Philadelphia Phillies in 7 Games. There is a long way to go in this series, and I still think, when the final out of this World Series is recorded, the Tampa Bay Rays will be the 2008 World Champions.
“Hello there, everybody” !!!
…The title quotes the famous opening line that the great Yankee broadcaster, Mel Allen, would use at the start of each Yankee game that he announced. I think this is a good way to start the first post on my new mlb.com / mlblog: …”Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”…
Hi, my name is Jimmy Curran; and, Baseball is my passion!
I’m a life-long Yankees fan, born, raised, and still living in the beautiful Bronx, New York. My passion for Baseball and the Yankees started during the Horace Clarke days of the late 1960’s, [1967, ’68, ’69, etc.]. During those days, listening to Phil Rizzuto talk about the great Yankee players and teams of the past, began my learning experience of the great “Yankees Tradition”, which led me to become a life-long, die-hard, Yankees fan!
The link to the past is so important, even to this present day. That’s why the passing of Phil Rizzuto this year was very sad for many reasons. But, regarding the Yankees and Yankee Tradition, his death is so profound because it ends a very vital link to the past that traveled back to the 1930’s…
It’s great that my all-time favorite Yankee player, Bobby Murcer, is still part of the Yankee family and in the broadcast booth. He continues the connection to the past with the same class and grace that Phil Rizzuto always did. But, Bobby’s reach only goes back to the late 1960’s…which shortens that link to “Yankee Tradition”, and history, just a little bit more. The only true great Yankee icons of the past, (before 1960), that still provide a link to the earlier days of Baseball, are: Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford…I don’t know if he said this, but if Yogi Berra contemplated all of this, he might say: the past is further away than it used to be!; or, the past is not as close as it once was!
For all the enjoyment we received through the years, (from: Phil Rizzuto, and Bobby Murcer), may we keep the memory of Phil Rizzuto alive in our hearts by including him in our prayers; and, also, may we pray that Bobby Murcer continues on the road to a full recovery in his battle against cancer. May Our Lord always bless them both!
So, as I begin my Blog, this starts a new and interesting journey for myself. I look forward to all the fun ahead…discussing, and exchanging comments, ideas, thoughts, and opinions about “Baseball”, the “Yankees” and other interesting observations of everyday “Life”…
“Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”…
Yes, they all are very good!!!
Take care, for now – as our attention shifts to Nashville, TN, and all the excitement of the Baseball Winter Meetings!
Is there really an off-season in Baseball anymore?
May we all find our own “Field of Dreams”!
— Jimmy
Special Edit: After a long and courageous battle against brain cancer, New York Yankees, “legend”, Bobby Murcer, 62, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Oklahoma City Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Kay; son, Todd; daughter, Tori; and, five grandchildren.
Bobby Murcer is my all-time favorite Yankees player; and, truly a favorite player of many Yankee fans. Like the title of his book states, Bobby was, “A Yankee For Life” !!!
He was part of the Yankees Organization for 40 years, as a player and broadcaster, and a major part of the great New York Yankees “History” and “Tradition”. Bobby will be truly missed, but will always be alive in our hearts and memories.
Bobby Murcer, “Thank You”, for the many great moments of enjoyment you have given to baseball, and to all Yankee fans; May God reserve a very special place for you in Heaven; and, May you always, “Rest in Peace” !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 