Monday, October 6, 1952, is a date with destiny for the Brooklyn Dodgers. It's game six of the World Series. They are up three games to two. But (so Burt thinks), it's a must game for the Dodgers if they are to win their first ever championship. If they lose today, they lose their momentum and all will be lost tomorrow in game seven.
Young right-hander Billy Loes starts the game for Brooklyn against Vic Raschi for the visitors from the Bronx. 30,037 fans crowd into Ebbets Field to watch.
Through the first five innings, neither team can muster enough offense to score. However, in the bottom of the sixth, Duke Snider hits the second pitch over the right field wall onto Bedford Avenue below to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
Brooklyn's euphoria ends quickly when Yogi Berra ties the game with a home run of his own in the top of the seventh. The next batter, Gene Woodling, singles to center field and advances to second base on a balk. With two outs, Raschi hits a hard smash off off Loes' shin which deflects into right field allowing Woodling to score the Yankees go ahead run.
In the top of the eighth, Mickey Mantle homers to give the New York a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Snider hits his second home run of the game to narrow the difference to 3-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers last chance, they face the Yankee ace, Allie Reynolds, native of Oklahoma and half-Cherokee Indian. He strikes out the first batter, pinch hitter Rocky Nelson, on three pitches. However, Carl Furillo walks, representing the tying run. Andy Pafko pops out to shortstop Phil Rizzuto for out number two. Billy Cox ends the game by grounding out to third base.
Burt sits in front of the television as if in a fog. Officially, the World Series is now tied, 3-3. But, Burt knows it's over. The Dodgers have lost yet again. Or did they?
The television is again showing the at bat of Andy Pafko. Reynolds' first pitch is a fast ball right down the middle for strike one. His next three miss their mark putting him in a hole against the batter for pitch number five. Not wanting to walk the batter, Reynolds' pitch is over the plate. Pafko swings and the ball goes up into the air.
Shortstop Phil Rizzuto backpedals to try get under the ball. But he gives way to left fielder Gene Woodling who also moves back as the ball is being carried by a strong wind. It finally lands 350 feet from home plate, just over the left field wall for a two run home run, giving the Dodgers their first World Series championship. The crowd goes wild. Burt has a big smile.
The next day, Tuesday, October 7, the Yankees win game seven. Harvey listens to most of it on a radio at his office. He leaves work early to watch the end of the game on television at home. When Harvey arrives he's surprised Burt's not there watching as well.
After the game ends, Harvey finds Burt in his bedroom doing his home work. Harvey mentions the Yankee victory. But, Burt just smiles. It's the same smile he had the day before. Harvey doesn't understand.
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I will be travelling to the USA the next three Sundays. The next blog post will be Sunday, June 23, 2019.
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