1948 World Series Game 1

The 1948 World Series between Cleveland and Boston opened at Braves Field. Bob Feller (19-15, 3.56 ERA) started for the AL champions while Johnny Sain (24-15, 2.60 ERA) took the hill for the NL champs. My lineups will follow the historical precedent, so Boston cannot play its injured outfielders Jim Russell and Jeff Heath.

Cleveland right fielder Wally Judnich opened the scoring in the top of the second with a solo home run over the right field wall. Boston answered in the bottom of the fourth when Bob Elliott led off the frame by drawing a walk. Marv Rickert followed with a single and both runners later advanced on a groundout. Braves second baseman Eddie Stanky then singled to tie the game. Two innings later, Rickert doubled and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Bill Salkeld. Feller then threw a wild pitch to allow Rickert to score.

Boston held a 2-1 lead heading into the ninth. Judnich opened the frame for Cleveland with a single. After Eddie Robinson flew out, player-manager Lou Boudreau summoned Hal Peck to bat for catcher Jim Hegan. The move paid off when Peck delivered a hit to put runners on the corners with one out. Braves manager Billy Southworth called on reliever Nels Potter to take over for Sain. With the pitcher's spot due up, Boudreau sent Hank Edwards to the plate. The Cleveland pinch hitter laid down a beautiful squeeze bunt to tie the game at two apiece.

Satchel Paige came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth. After the veteran retired the first two batters it appeared the game was heading for extra innings. But then Braves pinch hitter Clint Conatser sliced a fly ball to right that Judnich dropped to put the winning run on base. Leadoff hitter Tommy Holmes followed by grounding to second. The normally surehanded Joe Gordon rushed his throw to first into the dirt. The ball caromed away from Robinson, allowing Conatser to come around and score the winning run. After playing error-free ball for 8 2/3 innings, back-to-back miscues give Cleveland a tough-luck loss.

Game 1: Boston 3, Cleveland 2