1955 World Series Replay (Game 1)

I have been meaning to get around to doing this World Series Replay since I acquired the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers and 1955 New York Yankees APBA teams from APBA in my last purchase. When I saw my friend Kevin Weber's challenge on The APBA Blog, I decided not to wait any longer at delaying this classic. I thought it was a clever and creative idea by Kevin to have everyone celebrate Jackie Robinson Day (April 15th, 2020) in the best way that we know, and in doing so we are paying respect to the legend that broke the color barrier.

Plus with no Baseball on television, we don't have anything better to do right now, right?

For those that may not know, the 1955 World Series was the sixth time the Yankees and Dodgers faced each other, but it would be the first time that the Dodgers would finally break through, no more "Wait Until Next Year!" 

I will be playing with real starting lineups & starting pitchers. I will then substitute in whatever way I see fit, but will try to stick closely with the way the managers used the bench and pen. 

I will be playing basic game, plus optional fielding, APBA Baseball Error Card & Unusual Play Card (from the APBA Journal). If injuries occur, player will be out for remainder of the game. Keep in mind that Mickey Mantle played limited action, Duke Snider got hurt during the series, while Yankees reliever Jim Konstanty (Grade A*-RZ) regained his form in 1955, but was hurt for the entire series.

Game 1

Wednesday, September 28th

Yankee Stadium I

Attendance: 63,869

Day game

BRO: Billy Loes - Grade B-X

NYY: Whitey Ford - Grade A-Y

Both lineups would be overall quiet on this one, as hitters had a hard time moving the runners up and getting them across the plate. In fact, Game 1 would be decided on two defensive plays, and one clutch hit that would lead to the game's only run.

Dodgers starting pitcher Don Newcombe would lead off the top of the 3rd, with a double off of the Yankees' Whitey Ford. Newcombe had an amazing year at the plate, batting .359 with 7 HR, 23 RBI & a ridiculous 1.028 OPS. Junior Gilliam would ground out to deep short, while Newcombe would advance to third base with one out. On the next play, Pee Wee Reese would fly out to center fielder Irv Noren, Newcombe tags up, but he would get nailed at the plate on Noren's throw -- double play, end of the inning!

The Dodgers would once again threaten during the top of the 5th, with a lead-off double by first baseman Gil Hodges, followed by Jackie Robinson drawing his 2nd bases on balls. The unfortunate thing is that the Dodgers couldn't capitalize on the opportunity as Whitey retired Don Zimmer, Newcombe & Gilliam in order, all on fly balls.

Bottom of the 6th, two outs, with Hank Bauer at second (reached on a single), the Yankees' skipper Casey Stengel calls on Bob Cerv to pinch-hit for Irv Noren. The move would payoff as Cerv smacked a single to right [44-7] to give New York the lead.

Top of the 7th, Whitey Ford walks Carl Furillo, while two batters later, he would walk Jackie Robinson for the 3rd time in the game. With runners on 1st & 2nd, Brooklyn's skipper decides to pinch-hit for Don Zimmer by calling on Frank Kellert, which appeared to be a great move once Kellert made contact with the ball... but Carl Furillo ran through the third base coach's stop sign, tried for home, and got thrown out by Elston Howard's excellent throw from left.

The Dodgers would threaten again in the 9th, with runners on 1st & 2nd, but Sandy Amoros would hit into a game-ending, 6-4-1 double play.

Yankees take Game 1, 1-0.