[Big Six]

Boston Globe, September 15, 1939

BACK TO THE SERIES!
Red Sox Clinch American League Pennant

WASHINGTON--Since the Boston Red Sox began their remarkable run of winning seasons thirty years ago, only once have they endured as many as six seasons without winning the American League pennant.

Yesterday here in Washington, the Sox clinched their first league championship since 1933 with a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Senators. An eleventh-inning single by Moose Solters scored Fumio Fujimura from second and put the Sox in front. Fujimura, the young Japanese infielder who has hit a steady .285 since arriving from Minneapolis in June, doubled to lead off the inning; he also drove in a run with a single in the fifth.

Woody Rich, who entered the game in the ninth inning after Red Sox manager Bill Carrigan pinch-hit for starter Ray Brown, worked three solid innings to secure the win. Rich retired the side in the eleventh, striking out hard-hitting Nats catcher John Kinsella to end the game.

A joyful Carrigan praised the efforts of his players, who lead the major leagues with 93 victories. "We've played very good ball all year long, especially after the All-Star break," Carrigan said as he wiped champagne from his eyes. "Clinching the pennant now will allow us to make sure everyone is rested and ready for the World Series."

Don't expect Lou Gehrig to take many days off, however. If the slugging first baseman hits three more home runs this season, he will become the second player in major league history to reach 500 for his career. Babe Ruth, the player for whom Gehrig was traded to Boston, is the all-time leader with 616 lifetime home runs.

The happy Red Sox traveled back to Boston last night, and will take on the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park today. Mike O'Farrell, who has pitched well since his recall from Minneapolis two weeks ago, will start for the Sox; his opponent will be 16-game-winner Bob Cooney.