Friday, September 16, 2016

Snapshots from the 1955 World Series

It's been awhile since I've trolled around the eBay marketplace, so when I took a gander the other day I was happy to find a few items that struck my fancy.  As you may know, I'm a big proponent of fan-taken photos from yesteryear.  These little pictures are often one-of-kind and provide a brief look at moments in history that have since been long forgotten... and, I don't mean moments that are particularly noteworthy either.  Instead, these pics are very candid and they can provide a brief glimpse at normal everyday activities that we didn't see back then.  Featured below are photos of three Brooklyn Dodger legends being hounded by adoring fans as they enter Yankee Stadium before Game 6 of the 1955 World Series.

In the photo on the above left we see Roy Campanella, in a rather dapper hat, being surrounded by onlookers (Auction Link).  It seems like he is in a bit of a rush and wanting to get inside the stadium.  To its right is Duke Snider (Auction Link), and he too looks quite serious.  Below, Gil Hodges is seen signing for a fan (Auction Link). 

No doubt the weight of that days event is on each of their minds.  It is several hours before they have to get on the field and it's obvious they already have their game-faces on.

Unfortunately, the Brooklyn Dodgers were unable to finish the job that day.  The Yankees, behind the brilliant pitching of Whitey Ford, defeated the Dodgers 5-1 to force a Game 7 match at Ebbets Field.  As you know, the Dodgers would eventually take home the crown and be named World Champions for the first time in their history the very next day.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Alvarez, Buehler, Jansen and Rich Hill


Things got a little overheated at yesterdays Dodger game. 

Ageless wonder Rich Hill, who had pitched 19 scoreless inning since becoming a Dodger, had finally given up a couple of runs to the lowly Diamondbacks, and apparently he didn't like that one bit.  He was in full-on game mode and made sure everyone in the stadium knew he wouldn't take an inside pitch, which he claims nicked his index finger, lightly.  He chirped and they chirped, the benches cleared, and then things went back to normal.  Per Jake Rill at MLB.com:
"It was just being competitive, just wanted him to get the ball over the plate and really that was the end of it," Hill said. "There was no ill will or anything like that. Just got excited. I saw the pitch, it was supposed to be inside and he just missed. I guess being a pitcher, I just got excited."
Opposing pitcher Archie Bradley said this, per Kevin Zimmerman at Arizona Sports.com:
“It’s just two guys playing the game hard, nothing more than that,” Bradley told the media after the game. “I was going in before he squared to bunt. Maybe the pitch was more in than it should have been.
Unfortunately, the Dodgers were unable to capitalize on the emotion of the evening and lost the first game of the series, 7-3.  

Pic above via ESPN LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1957 the Los Angeles City Council approved the sale of Chavez Ravine to the Dodgers.  In 1988 Reds pitcher Tom Browning throws a Perfect Game, 1-0, against the Dodgers in Cincinnati.  Browning is the second pitcher to throw a perfect game against the Dodgers - Don Larson threw his perfecto during the 1956 World Series.
  • Happy Birthday, Orel Hershiser!