1955 World Series Game 4

For Game 4 at Ebbets Field, the home team started right-hander Carl Erskine. Don Larsen took the hill for the visitors. Mickey Mantle played right field for the Yankees in this contest, but his leg injury would prevent him from starting again in this series.

Both starting pitchers were in top form and the game remained 0-0 after eight innings. Yogi Berra led off the top of the ninth with a double off Dodger reliever Don Bessent. Joe Collins executed a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner the third. Elston Howard followed with a fly ball to deep right that allowed Berra to tag up and score the go-ahead run. New York reliever Jim Kontstanty sent down the Dodgers in order in the bottom of the ninth.

The series is tied at two games apiece.

Game 4: New York 1, Brooklyn 0 

Now Available: Diamond Legacies 1955

We interrupt our coverage of the World Series for this special announcement. The fifth volume in the Diamond Legacies series is now available! Rosters are provided for all major league teams in 1955.

Diamond Legacies 1955 is available as a paperback and a Kindle e-book. 

1955 World Series Game 3

The series moved to Ebbets Field in Brooklyn for Game 3. Manager Walter Alston started southpaw Johnny Podres for the home team, while New York skipper Casey Stengel gave the ball to Bob Turley. Following the historical lineups, Mickey Mantle batted cleanup for the Yankees in this game.

The Mick wasted no time making his presence felt when he doubled home Yogi Berra in the top of the first. Roy Campanella answered in the bottom of the frame by belting a three-run homer. Two innings later, the Dodgers added three more runs, with a Carl Furillo homer and a Sandy Amoros triple providing the key hits. With his team trailing 6-1, Stengel pulled Turley after the third inning. The Yankee relievers pitched well, but so too did Podres. The young lefty held New York scoreless after the first, while tossing a complete game with six strikeouts.

The Dodgers lead the series two games to one.

Game 3: Brooklyn 6, New York 1

1955 World Series Game 2

Right-hander Billy Loes got the start for Brooklyn in Game 2. The Yankees countered with southpaw Tommy Byrne. Both starters pitched well and the game remained tied 1-1 through five innings. In the bottom of the sixth, New York centerfielder Irv Noren doubled home Hank Bauer to give the Bombers the lead.

With New York still up 2-1 heading into the ninth, Yankee reliever Bob Grim looked to close things out. After Sandy Amoros flew out, pinch hitter George Shuba doubled to put the tying run at second. Grim then retired Jim Gilliam on a tap back to the pitcher. With Brooklyn down to its last out, Pee Wee Reese doubled down the right field line to score Shuba. Duke Snider then ripped a double into the gap in left-center to plate the go-ahead run. Dodger reliever Karl Spooner came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth. Yogi Berra drew a lead-off walk, but Spooner retired the next three Yankees to pick up the save. 

The series is tied at one game apiece as the teams head to Ebbets Field.

Game 2: Brooklyn 3, New York 2

1955 World Series Game 1

Diamond Legacies 1955 is nearing the finish line and will soon be available. As the volume enters the final revision stage, I've started replaying the epic World Series from that year. Game 1 took place at Yankee Stadium with Don Newcombe starting for Brooklyn and Whitey Ford taking the hill for New York. I'm using the historical starting lineups, so the injured Mickey Mantle did not play in this first contest.

The Yankees did not need their star centerfielder as they tagged Newcombe for nine earned runs in just four innings. Gil McDougald blasted a three-run homer in the second and Joe Collins put the game out of reach with a grand slam in the fourth. Yogi Berra later added a solo shot to join in on the fun. Ford was not in top form, surrendering 12 hits, but he pitched well enough to go the distance.

The Dodgers will look to even the series as the teams return to Yankee Stadium for Game 2.

Game 1: New York 11, Brooklyn 3

Diamond Legacies Book 5

Work continues on the fifth volume of the Diamond Legacies series. It should be available sometime next month.

Which season will be featured? Let's just say it was a good year for Dem Bums.

Tournament of Champions MVPs

Sportswriters voted on two MVPs for the Tournament of Champions: one for the final round and one for the overall tournament.

There were several worthy candidates for the finals MVP. The award could have gone to Cardinals right fielder Jack Rothrock, who batted .370 with one homer, 6 RBI and 5 runs scored. Plus, he delivered the clutch hit the drove in the game-winning runs in Game 7. Another top candidate was Indians shortstop Lou Boudreau, who batted .480 and scored 6 runs. Redbird left fielder Joe Medwick tied Boudreau for the series lead with 12 hits, while batting .414.

Emerging from that crowded field to capture the finals MVP is Ken Keltner. The Cleveland third baseman batted .370 and led all players with 3 home runs and 8 RBI. He also scored 7 runs (tied with Ripper Collins for the series lead) and drew a pair of walks. Keltner's productive bat helped fuel the Indians drive that tied the series and forced a Game 7.

As for the overall Tournament of Champions MVP, the award goes to Dizzy Dean. The Cardinals ace posted a 2.00 ERA, while appearing in five games in the three rounds. He threw 11 scoreless innings in an epic Round 2 matchup against Slim Jones. Ol' Diz struck out 30 batters in 36 innings and won Game 1 of the finals with a dominant complete game effort. He furthermore kept his team in Game 7 by allowing just two earned runs in eight innings. Dean told reporters he will proudly display his Tournament of Champions trophy next to his 1934 regular season MVP award.