Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Damn Yankees

Page 68

1952 World Series

The Yankee 1952 World Series was against the Brooklyn Dodgers, who by then had their stars of the 1950’s such as Gil Hodges, Duke Snider, and Roy Campanella, the virtual National League all-star team.

Joe Black had gotten the call to start for the Brooklyn Dodgers only twice during the regular season, but now he was asked to open the World Series against the Yankees. It would be the first of three starts for Black in the Series, and it initially looked like the right strategy by Dodgers manager Chuck Dressen. In Game One, Black out dueled Allie Reynolds and went the distance, supported by home runs from Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider and Pee Wee Reese to win, 4-2.

Billy Martin was the standout in Game 2 and put the Dodgers back

in their place with a three run blast and a RBI single that backed up Vic Raschi's 7-1 performance.

The Dodgers regained control in Game 3, winning 5-3 behind Preacher Roe’s gutty compete game and two runs scoring on a passed ball in the ninth inning, with Andy Pafko at bat, who hit a two out single anyway.

After the teams had split games 2 and 3, Black came back to the mound, as did Reynolds, on two days’ rest to start Game Four.