MLB: 1958 and Beyond...

[kenyan_cheena]

1959 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SEASON
FINAL STATISTICAL LEADERS AS AT
END OF REGULAR SEASON,
SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 1959


AMERICAN LEAGUE - BATTING

AVG

1ST: KEN BOYER (DETROIT TIGERS) .3473
2nd: Billy Goodman (Chicago White Sox) .3472
3rd: Al Kaline (Detroit Tigers) .3468

OBP

1ST: MICKEY MANTLE (NEW YORK YANKEES) .445
2nd: Joe Cunningham (Washington Senators) .435
3rd: Norm Siebern (New York Yankees) .433

H

1ST: KEN BOYER (DETROIT TIGERS) 199
2nd: Harvey Kuenn (Detroit Tigers) 187
3rd: Al Kaline (Detroit Tigers) 180

RBI

1ST: ROCKY COLAVITO (CLEVELAND BLUES) 118
2nd: Yogi Berra (New York Yankees) 114
3rd: Ken Boyer (Detroit Tigers) 112

HR

1ST: ROCKY COLAVITO (CLEVELAND BLUES) 48
2nd: Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees) 38
3rd: Ken Boyer (Detroit Tigers) 35

AMERICAN LEAGUE - PITCHING

ERA

1ST: DON FERRARESE (CLEVELAND BLUES) 2.44
2nd: Jim Perry (Chicago White Sox) 2.832
3rd: Herb Score (Cleveland Blues) 2.826

W

1ST: RYNE DUREN (KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS) 22
2nd: Bobby Shantz (New York Yankees) 21
2nd: Whitey Ford (New York Yankees) 21

K

1ST: RYNE DUREN (KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS) 320
2nd: Jim Bunning (Detroit Tigers) 231
3rd: Herb Score (Cleveland Blues) 207

IP

1ST: FRANK SULLIVAN (BOSTON RED SOX) 328.2
2nd: Whitey Ford (New York Yankees) 325.0
3rd: Jim Bunning (Detroit Tigers) 315.1

OAVG

1ST: HERB SCORE (CLEVELAND BLUES) .183
2nd: Ryne Duren (Kansas City Athletics) .211
3rd: Don Ferrarese (Cleveland Blues) .219


NATIONAL LEAGUE - BATTING

AVG

1ST: ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PITTSBURGH PIRATES) .361
2nd: Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs) .340
3rd: Richie Ashburn (Philadelphia Phillies) .338

OBP

1ST: RICHIE ASHBURN (PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES) .421
2nd: Ed Bouchee (Philadelphia Phillies) .419
3rd: Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs) .402

H

1ST: ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PITTSBURGH PIRATES) 215
2nd: Jerry Lynch (Cincinnati Reds) 198
3rd: Orlando Cepeda (San Francisco Giants) 192

RBI

1ST: ERNIE BANKS (CHICAGO CUBS) 144
2nd: Roy Sievers (Philadelphia Phillies) 116
3rd: Willie Jones (Philadelphia Philles) 108

HR

1ST: ERNIE BANKS (CHICAGO CUBS) 55
2nd: Frank Robinson (Cincinnati Reds) 43
3rd: Bobby Thomson (Chicago Cubs) 38

NATIONAL LEAGUE - PITCHING

ERA

1ST: BOB CONLEY (CHICAGO CUBS) 2.38
2nd: Bob Anderson (Chicago Cubs) 2.54
3rd: Curt Simmons (Philadelphia Phillies) 2.91

W

1ST: CURT SIMMONS (PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES) 26
1ST: BOB ANDERSON (CHICAGO CUBS) 26
1ST: BOB CONLEY (CHICAGO CUBS) 26

K

1ST: SAM JONES (ST. LOUIS CARDINALS) 246
2nd: George Witt (Pittsburgh Pirates) 225
3rd: Johnny Podres (Brooklyn Dodgers) 205

IP

1ST: CURT SIMMONS (PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES) 336.2
2nd: Bob Friend (Pittsburgh Pirates) 331.2
3rd: Paul Foytack (St. Louis Cardinals) 315.0

OAVG

1ST: BOB ANDERSON (CHICAGO CUBS) .225
2nd: Sam Jones (St. Louis Cardinals) .230
3rd: Juan Pizarro (Milwaukee Braves) .235

[Jeff1787]

What a great season!! The World Series should be a good one, I'll go with the Cubs.

[kenyan_cheena]

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RECORD BOOKS
ALL-TIME CAREER LEADERS AS AT
THE END OF THE 1959 REGULAR SEASON

Note: * indicates active player


BATTING LEADERS

AVG

1ST: TY COBB .366
2nd: Rogers Hornsby .358
3rd: Joe Jackson .355
4th: Lefty O'Doul .349
5th: Ed Delahanty .345
6th: Tris Speaker .344
7th: Billy Hamilton .344
8th: Ted Williams* .343
9th: Dan Brouthers .342
10th: Babe Ruth .342

RBI

1ST: BABE RUTH 2,217
2nd: Cap Anson 2,076
3rd: Lou Gehrig 1,995
4th: Ty Cobb 1,937
5th: Jimmie Foxx 1,922
6th: Mel Ott 1,860
7th: Al Simmons 1,827
8th: Stan Musial* 1,736
9th: Honus Wagner 1,732
10th: Ted Williams* 1,714

HR

1ST: BABE RUTH 714
2nd: Jimmie Foxx 534
3rd: Mel Ott 511
4th: Lou Gehrig 493
5th: Ted Williams* 475
6th: Stan Musial* 409
7th: Duke Snider* 370
8th: Ralph Kiner 369
9th: Joe DiMaggio 361
10th: Johnny Mize 359


PITCHING LEADERS

ERA

1ST: ED WALSH 1.82
2nd: Addie Joss 1.89
3rd: Jack Pfiester 2.02
4th: Joe Wood 2.03
5th: Jim Devlin 2.05
6th: Mordecai Brown 2.06
7th: John Ward 2.10
8th: Christy Mathewson 2.13
9th: Al Spalding 2.14
10th: Rube Waddell 2.16

WINS

1ST: CY YOUNG 511
2nd: Walter Johnson 417
3rd: Pete Alexander 373
3rd: Christy Mathewson 373
5th: Pud Galvin 364
6th: Kid Nichols 361
7th: Tim Keefe 342
8th: John Clarkson 328
9th: Eddie Plank 326
10th: Charley Radbourn 309

K

1ST: WALTER JOHNSON 3,509
2nd: Cy Young 2,803
3rd: Bob Feller 2,581
4th: Tim Keefe 2,562
5th: Christy Mathewson 2,502
6th: Rube Waddell 2,316
7th: Lefty Grove 2,266
8th: Eddie Plank 2,246
9th: Pete Alexander 2,198
10th: Bobo Newsom 2,082

[kenyan_cheena]

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RECORD BOOKS
CAREER LEADERS AS AT THE END OF
THE 1959 REGULAR SEASON

ACTIVE PLAYERS ONLY


BATTING LEADERS

AVG

1ST: TED WILLIAMS .343
2nd: Stan Musial .334
3rd: Hank Aaron .321
4th: Willie Mays .316
5th: Al Kaline .316
6th: Richie Ashburn .314
7th: Mickey Mantle .314
8th: Billy Goodman .308
9th: Frank Robinson .308
10th: Roberto Clemente .307

RBI

1ST: STAN MUSIAL 1,736
2nd: Ted Williams 1,714
3rd: Yogi Berra 1,324
4th: Del Ennis 1,300
5th: Gil Hodges 1,213
6th: Duke Snider 1,157
7th: Carl Furillo 1,084
8th: Bobby Thomson 1,044
9th: Vic Wertz 1,042
10th: Ted Kluszewski 1,031

HR

1ST: TED WILLIAMS 475
2nd: Stan Musial 409
3rd: Duke Snider 370
4th: Gil Hodges 358
5th: Yogi Berra 329
6th: Eddie Mathews 303
7th: Mickey Mantle 302
8th: Bobby Thomson 286
8th: Del Ennis 286
10th: Ted Kluszewski 262


PITCHING LEADERS

ERA (min. 2,000 innings pitched)

1ST WARREN SPAHN 3.06
2nd: Bob Lemon 3.24
3rd: Mike Garcia 3.25
4th: Curt Simmons 3.35
5th: Robin Roberts 3.38
6th: Virgil Trucks 3.40
7th: Billy Pierce 3.40
8th: Bob Friend 3.73
9th: Ned Garver 3.75
10th: Bob Rush 3.76

WINS

1ST: WARREN SPAHN 247
2nd: Robin Roberts 215
3rd: Bob Lemon 212
4th: Virgil Trucks 176
5th: Billy Pierce 158
6th: Curt Simmons 153
7th: Don Newcombe 140
8th: Mike Garcia 138
9th: Bob Rush 135
10th: Whitey Ford 132

K

1ST: WARREN SPAHN 1,800
2nd: Robin Roberts 1,617
3rd: Billy Pierce 1,543
4th: Virgil Trucks 1,503
5th; Bob Rush 1,290
6th: Bob Lemon 1,282
7th: Curt Simmons 1,258
8th: Sam Jones 1,069
9th: Herb Score 1,060
10th: Mike Garcia 1,054

[EMSoccerCoach]

I love leaderboards Well done!

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by TribeFanInNC

I'm very happy they were able to get over the line for you, TF. Thanks for showing so much interest and enthusiasm.

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

That might have been the first time I was ever rooting for the Yankees and am happy that they won. GO BLUES take down the Cubs. Hopefully, the World Series can live up to the level of excitement the regular season produced. Man, if only half the Braves squad hadn't got injured we might be seeing a Braves/Blues series.

I must admit that I would have LOVED to see a playoff for the pennant. That would have been an incredible ending to the season. Even so, it was still a great ending. I'm hoping for a great series also although I have a feeling the Cubs are gonna be way too good for Cleveland. Then again, I didn't think the Braves would pull it off in '58 so I could be wrong. It would have been great to see the Braves go for the three-peat but I was happy that they made such a strong finish and made it to 2nd. Their matchups with the Cubs should be a real highlight of the 1960 season.

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

I love leaderboards Well done!

Thanks, EM. I'll be producing them at the end of every season so it'll be interesting to see how they change from year-by-year.

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

What a great season!! The World Series should be a good one, I'll go with the Cubs.

Thanks, Jeff. I'm glad you've been following along. It was a great season and as I said earlier, I also think the Cubs will win it.

I'll be simming the games over the next couple of days. The next post will be a Baseball Weekly preview of the matchup, then there'll be one outlining the players of the month for September and then on to the Fall Classic!

[kenyan_cheena]

BASEBALL WEEKLY

Monday 27 September 1959

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 39

CUBS' PITCHING WILL
CARRY THEM TO VICTORY

World Series preview by Howard Notts, as it appears
in the 27 September 1959 issue of BASEBALL WEEKLY

Is there any better time of the year than the eve of the World Series? This reporter doesn't think so, and after a fantastic season that featured one of the all-time great pennant races I'm hoping that 1959's version will be a classic in every sense of the word. However, the realist in me thinks that the Chicago Cubs and their ridiculously talented pitching rotation are going to be simply too good. Yes, I know. I'm 0-for-2 these last two years. I never believed in the Braves and they defied my doubts both times. But I think I'm on a pretty good thing when I say that the Chicago Cubs will end their 51-year World Championship drought this year, probably in six games but maybe even in as little as five.

Let's compare some statistics for our two combatants:

Cleveland Blues (American League Champions): 94-60 (.610)

Team Batting AVG: .268 (7th in MLB)
Team Runs scored: 743 (4th)
Team Homeruns: 174 (5th)

Team Pitching ERA: 3.55 (2nd)
Team Opponents AVG: .239 (1st)
Team Runs Allowed: 590 (2nd)
Team HR Allowed: 121 (5th)

Team Fielding %: .982
Team Fielding Errors: 108

Chicago Cubs (National League Champions): 96-58 (.623)

Team Batting AVG: .257 (10th in MLB)
Team Runs scored: 738 (T-5th)
Team Homeruns: 207 (1st)

Team Pitching ERA: 3.22 (1st)
Team Opponents AVG: .248 (2nd)
Team Runs Allowed: 550 (1st)
Team HR Allowed: 115 (2nd)

Team Fielding %: .984
Team Fielding Errors: 97

A cursory look and some might ask why I'm talking up Chicago's pitching, seeing as Cleveland's seems to be just as potent. What you have to remember is that those stats include the contributions of one Herb Score, the 26 year-old hurler who was heading for a season for the ages before injury stepped in. The Blues will miss him in this Fall Classic possibly more than any team has ever missed a player for some time. His ERA was 2.83, the rest of the team's combined is 3.62. They may have made it through the last two months of the season without him but in a seven-game series every matchup is vital and missing what would have been three starts from him hurts Cleveland in a major way.

Like last year, the senior circuit was stronger offensively than the AL, making Chicago's pitching exploits even more admirable. That can also be turned around, as one can see that the Blues were better at the plate than the Cubs against superior pitching to that which Chicago faced. True, but in my opinion Cleveland's offense won't be enough to overcome the brilliance of the Chicago pitching staff.

American League ERA: 4.01
National League ERA: 4.22

Let's take a look at each ballclub's leading hitters:

Cleveland Blues

Rocky Colavito: .275, 141 hits, 48 home runs, 118 RBI
Willie Mays: .333, 135 hits, 23 home runs, 63 RBI
Russ Nixon: .311, 158 hits, 9 home runs, 87 RBI
Bobby Avila: .298, 159 hits, 10 home runs, 74 RBI
Preston Ward: .270, 151 hits, 20 home runs, 76 RBI

Chicago Cubs

Ernie Banks: .340, 187 hits, 55 home runs, 144 RBI
Bobby Thomson: .324, 177 hits, 38 home runs, 94 RBI
Dale Long: .253, 134 hits, 32 home runs, 78 RBI
Lee Walls: .301, 159 hits, 20 home runs, 76 RBI
Harry Anderson: .287, 18 home runs, 54 RBI

Although they were only 10th in batting average the Cubs topped the majors in home runs and looking at those player stats we see they have some real power hitters in their lineup, including MVP favourite Ernie Banks. Another reason why the Blues will miss Score's fantastic pitching.

Looking at the scheduled pitching matchups for each game, we see that the Cubs also have an edge:

Game 1 @ Cleveland (29/09): Bob Anderson (Cubs, 26-5, 2.54) vs Don Ferrarese (Blues, 16-7, 2.44) (matchup to be repeated in game 4 and game 7 (if required))
Game 2 @ Cleveland (30/09): Bob Conley (Cubs, 26-8, 2.38) vs Don Mossi (Blues, 17-13, 3.44) (matchup to be repeated in game 5 (if required))
Game 3 @ Chicago (02/10): Bob Purkey (Cubs, 9-7, 2.96) vs Gary Bell (Blues, 12-4, 3.48) (matchup to be repeated in game 6 (if required))

While the trio of Cleveland starters are great pitchers they don't quite measure up to the brilliance of the three Bobs. I feel I can say with great certainty that MLB's World Series Championship will finally be returning to the Windy City this year...

[Romdawg88]

Blues in 5.

[kenyan_cheena]

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

TUESDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER, 1959

BANKS DOUBLES UP
ON EVE OF WORLD SERIES

Story by Brian Davison

Major League Baseball announced the winners of the final awards of the 1959 regular season yesterday with Chicago Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks not only being named the National League's Player of the Week but also it's Batter of the Month for September. It was the second time in three weeks that Banks had taken the PotW award but, surprisingly, the first time he was awarded the monthly batting title. Banks was brilliant during September, leading the Cubs to their first National League pennant since 1945. He hit .434 with fourteen home runs and a fantastic 32 RBI. It's likely that these two awards are merely a prelude to the bigger announcement scheduled for the 11th of October, when MLB will reveal its Gold Glove, MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year winners. Banks is an almost unbackable favourite to take the MVP award.

Banks' teammate Bob Conley was named the NL's Pitcher of the Month, the 25 year-old going 5-1 with an ERA of 1.58. Along with fellow starter Bob Anderson, Conley is regarded as a favourite to win the NL Cy Young award for the season's best pitcher. In the American League the Detroit Tigers also swept the monthly honors, 3rd baseman Ken Boyer taking out the batting award (.470, 7 HR, 21 RBI) and lefthander Hank Aguirre the pitching award (4-1, 1.88). Those awards probably won't ease the pain of losing out to the Cleveland Blues in the pennant race but there's no doubt that both players deserved to be recognised for their outstanding efforts.

[kenyan_cheena]

***

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
1959 WORLD SERIES
GAME ONE

WEDNESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER, 1959
CLEVELAND STADIUM, CLEVELAND, OHIO

CHICAGO CUBS
(96-58, NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS)

vs

CLEVELAND BLUES
(94-60, AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS)

***

Tonight, what was an exciting, incredible regular season makes way for the moment every baseball fan in the nation has been waiting for: the commencement of the World Series! The paths that each team traveled on the way to the Fall Classic could not have been more different: the National League Champion Cubs rode a fantastic form streak through July and August to a convincing 1st place finish, their first in fourteen years. Meanwhile Cleveland had to fend off the New York Yankees and then the Detroit Tigers during the season's final weeks in one of the all-time classic pennant races. The general consensus amongst experts has been that the ballclub from the Windy City will prove to be too strong, that their fantastic pitching rotation negates the brilliance of Cleveland's lineup.

A near capacity crowd have made their way to the 78,000-seat Cleveland Stadium for the series opener, their Blues making a third World Series appearance in the space of twelve years. Confidence is high as they file through the entrance gates and to their seats. After the singing of the Star Spangled Banner the Blues starting lineup is introduced onto the field one player at a time in batting order, looking smart in their white home uniforms:

1. LF Minnie Minoso
2. 1B Preston Ward
3. CF Willie Mays
4. RF Rocky Colavito
5. C Russ Nixon
6. 2B Bobby Avila
7. SS Chico Carrasquel
8. 3B Billy Harrell
9. P Don Ferrarese

Soon after, everything is in readiness for the opening pitch, Ferrarese looking edgy on the mound as veteran Cubs centrefielder Bobby Thomson steps up to the plate...

(to be continued)

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

(Following is an at-bat-by-at-bat summary of the game)

TOP OF THE 1ST - CHICAGO CUBS

* As Ferrarese prepares to deliver the opening pitch the Cleveland Stadium crowd is on the edge of their seats with excitement. They let out a loud cheer as the umpire shouts "strike!" on a fastball that catches the inside of the plate.
The man known mainly for 1951's "Shot Heard 'Round the World", 35 year-old Thomson hit a remarkable .324 for the Cubs this year, the best mark of his fourteen-year career.

After taking a pair of balls outside of the plate he fouls off a high fastball before Ferrarese gets him swinging at a slider, eliciting a roar from the crowd.

* Ferrarese tries to tempt 2nd baseman Bobby Adams but the wiley veteran doesn't take the bait, a slider down and away on the fifth pitch of the at-bat sending him to 1st.

* As the man expected to be named the National League's season MVP in a couple of weeks you'd think Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks would be feeling a deal of pressure to perform in the series, but he spoke with nothing but confidence when asked about it yesterday. Banks said he's never experienced so much anticipation and excitement about anything in his life, that he felt like a child again.

With Adams on 1st Banks steps up to the plate, the Cleveland crowd cheering encouragement for Ferrarese. They are ecstatic when, after going up 2-1 in the count Banks flies out to Colavito near the rightfield foul line.

* Cubs rightfielder Lee Walls unloads on a 1-1 fastball but doesn't quite connect cleanly, flying out to Willie Mays in centrefield for the third out of the inning.

END OF INNING: no runs, no hits, no errors
Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 0

BOTTOM OF THE 1ST - CLEVELAND BLUES

* As if the task of facing young Chicago phenom Bob Anderson wasn't already daunting enough for the Blues, today is his 24th birthday. No doubt the occasion will make him even more determined to succeed. Anderson literally came out of nowhere to win 26 games for Chicago this year (tied for 1st in MLB) with an ERA of 2.54 (3rd in MLB) and opponent's batting average of .225 (1st in the NL).

The crowd applauds leftfielder Minnie Minoso as he takes up his stance at the plate. The 33 year-old fouls off the first two pitches he sees, takes a ball and then strikes out swinging on a curveball that breaks late.

* Up next is 1st baseman Preston Ward, the Missouri-born lefthander who hit twenty home runs and batted .270 during the regular season. Down 1-2 he slaps a change up over the infield, the ball falling safely in shallow right-centre for a base hit! The Blues have their first man on board and the crowd loves it.

* Cleveland's big off-season signing Willie Mays receives a huge ovation as he makes his way to the plate, the former National League MVP wearing a determined countenance. He takes the first two pitches and then smokes Anderson's 1-1 fastball into the gap in left-centre! It lands closer to Thomson in centre and races him to the wall!

The crowd is going nuts as Minoso hustles to 2nd and doesn't stop as he rounds 3rd, making for home. Thomson's throw arrives there a good couple of seconds after the Cuban steps on the plate, scoring standing up. The Blues have themselves an early 1-0 lead and Willie Mays is in scoring position at 2nd, starting his World Series campaign in fantastic fashion with an RBI-double.

* Batting clean-up, Cleveland's home run hero Rocky Colavito is greeted by applause every bit as loud as that given to Mays. This next week or so is sure to be the defining period of his young career to date and the 26 year-old has been quoted as saying he'd gladly trade his home run record for a Cleveland Blues World Championship.

After holding off on the first four pitches he sees Colavito smacks a hard grounder back at Anderson, the Cubs starter making the throw to 1st for the out to the crowd's disappointment.

* Born and raised in Cleves, Ohio, catcher Russ Nixon is intensely proud to be suiting up for the Blues in the Fall Classic, saying on more than one occasion during the year that it's been a dream of his since he was a young boy. It's something he never thought would happen in just his 3rd season in the majors, but it's a reality for him this afternoon.

Nixon grounds a 2-1 slider to Dale Long at 1st to end the inning, throwing back his head in frustration before quickly returning to the dugout to prepare for the 2nd inning.

END OF INNING: one run, two hits, no errors
Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1

----------
END OF THE 1ST INNING - Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1
----------

(to be continued)

[Jeff1787]

I like the way you are writing up the series. Just like listening to it on the radio....Thanks!!!

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

I like the way you are writing up the series. Just like listening to it on the radio....Thanks!!!

You're welcome, Jeff. I'll admit right now that I won't be doing it like this for every game but I'm sure you'll all enjoy following the Fall Classic as I present it to you.

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

TOP OF THE 2ND - CHICAGO CUBS

* Leading off the inning Cubs leftfielder Harry Anderson is walked on five pitches, Ferrarese showing his annoyance after issuing his second free pass of the game.

* After running the count full 1st baseman Dale Long cracks a ground ball to Bobby Avila at 2nd. He flicks it to shortstop Chico Carrasquel who tags the bag and delivers a bullet to Ward at 1st for the double play! Some great work from the Blues infield and the Cubs are suddenly two down with no one on.

* The crowd cheers when Sammy Taylor swings at the first pitch he sees and hits a blooper to short centrefield where Mays makes the easy out to end the inning.

END OF INNING: no runs, no hits, no errors
Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1

BOTTOM OF THE 2ND - CLEVELAND BLUES

* The Blues have their lead-off man on board when Bobby Avila smacks Anderson's 1-1 fastball into right, the ball landing safely some ten yards in front of Walls. Surprisingly, that's already the third hit of the game for the home team, a great start for them.

* Just as Dale Long did for the Cubs in the top of the frame, Blues shortstop Chico Carrasquel grounds into a double play, but this time the shot goes to the left side of the mound. Shortstop Ernie Banks is quick to deliver the ball to 2nd baseman Bobby Adams, who's throw to 1st beats Carrasquel by a step. The crowd's disappointment is evident, resonating around the stadium.

* 3rd baseman Billy Harrell takes a big cut at a 1-2 slider and finds nothing but air, Anderson getting his second strikeout of the game.

END OF INNING: no runs, one hit, no errors
Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1

----------
END OF THE 2ND INNING - Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1
----------

TOP OF THE 3RD - CHICAGO CUBS

* Ferrarese joins Anderson with two strikeouts as he fans Cubs 3rd baseman Johnny Goryl on four pitches, Goryl almost throwing himself off his feet on strike three.

* The Blues starter gets his opposite number grounding out to Avila, Anderson swinging on the second pitch of the at-bat.

* A good quick inning for the Blues as Thomson pops out to 2nd, Ferrarese throwing just eight pitches in the frame. Thomson is 0-for-2 after his second trip to the plate.

END OF INNING: no runs, no hits, no errors
Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1

BOTTOM OF THE 3RD - CLEVELAND BLUES

* In his first at-bat of the game Ferrarese strikes out looking at a slider that catches the outside of the plate, the Blues starter seemingly mesmerised by Anderson's variety.

* Back to the top of the order and Minnie Minoso, who reaches to the delight of the crowd on the game's first error. Cubs 3rd baseman Johnny Goryl bobbles a hard hit grounder in the dirt, the ball to his left and clipping the outside of his glove.

* Having singled and then scored in the 1st, Preston Ward pops out to shortstop swinging at a 1-2 change-up. That's two down for the Blues with Minoso still at 1st.

* Centrefielder Willie Mays smoked an RBI-double in the 1st inning and the crowd erupts with thunderous applause as he gets his second hit, a single down the right field line that moves Minoso to 3rd! What a great start to the game for Mays!

* Rocky Colavito finds himself in a situation he's been longing for, a chance to extend his team's lead and contribute to their quest for the World Championship. But with two men out and two on Colavito can't deliver, Anderson blowing him away with a high, full-count fastball for his third strikeout of the game. Colavito is 0-for-2 after grounding out to Anderson in the 1st.

END OF INNING: no runs, one hit, one error
Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1

----------
END OF THE 3RD INNING - Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1
----------

TOP OF THE 4TH - CHICAGO CUBS

* After walking in the 1st Bobby Adams is on base again as he singles to right. The Cubs have their lead-off man on for the first time in the game.

* Banks flies out for the second time today, a harmless flare to Minoso in shallow-left bringing relieved applause from the crowd.

* Rightfielder Lee Walls makes nice contact on Ferrarese's 0-1 offering but Carrasquel is like a panther at shortstop, collecting the ball on the half volley and getting Adams at 2nd. Walls is safe at 1st.

* Ferrarese stays on pace with his adversary, striking out leftfielder Harry Anderson on three pitches. Anderson took the first, fouled off the second and swung over the top of the third.

END OF INNING: no runs, one hit, no errors
Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1

BOTTOM OF THE 4TH - CLEVELAND BLUES

* Blues catcher Russ Nixon records his first hit of the game, a single to short centre that has the audience cheering. Nixon is 1-for-2 after grounding out to end the 1st.

* Anderson collects his fourth strikeout, Blues 2nd baseman Bobby Avila his latest victim.

* Having grounded into a double play in the 2nd Chico Carrasquel grounds into a fielder's choice this time, Ernie Banks making the play at 2nd base to claim Nixon. Banks decides against making a throw to 1st, where Carrasquel is safe.

* 3rd baseman Billy Harrell grinds out a walk, fouling off three pitches before Anderson's full count delivery is just inside of the plate. The Blues have runners at 1st and 2nd, but Ferrarese is walking to the plate...

* ...and the Blues pitcher strikes out looking at a 1-2 slider soon after.

The Blues have now had two on with two out in the last two innings and failed to convert on each occasion.

END OF INNING: no runs, one hit, no errors
Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1

----------
END OF THE 4TH INNING - Chicago Cubs 0, CLEVELAND BLUES 1
----------

(to be continued)

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

TOP OF THE 5TH - CHICAGO CUBS

* Ferrarese has done a good job of keeping the Chicago lineup quiet to date, allowing just one hit and walking two. But his team has failed to capitalise, especially in those last two innings.

That failure is magnified when Cubs 1st baseman Dale Long crushes a 2-1 fastball over the wall and into the stands in right-centre. Just like that, the game is tied at 1-1. The hometown fans fall silent, Ferrarese cursing as he takes a walk off the mound.

* Catcher Sammy Taylor grounds out to short and is 0-for-2 after flying out in the 2nd.

* Goryl takes the first three pitches he faces and then flies out to Mays in centrefield.

* Anderson tries to duplicate Long's feet but his shot into right-centre is tracked down by Mays about ten yards from the wall.

The inning ends and while Long brought his team level Ferrarese answered back nicely to finish the frame in quick time.

END OF INNING: one run, one hit, no errors
Chicago Cubs 1, CLEVELAND BLUES 1

BOTTOM OF THE 5TH - CLEVELAND BLUES

* The crowd's dampened mood improves immediately when Minoso cracks a line drive to the gap in left-centre, the lead-off man making it to 2nd standing up.

* Preston Ward slaps Anderson's full count offering over the infield and into left for a base hit! Minoso rounds 3rd and makes for home, reaching easily as Ward pulls up at 1st. Just as quickly as the Cubs tied it up, Cleveland is back in the lead and the crowd love it!

* Anderson composes himself and strikes out Mays on four pitches, the Blues outfielder taking a big cut at strike three and finding nothing but air.

* A huge moment for Anderson as he then strikes out Colavito, paralysing him with a slider that the big hitter looks at helplessly for strike three. Colavito is now 0-for-3, striking out for the second time in a row.

* Just when it looks like the Cubs ace will escape the inning without any further damage Blues catcher Russ Nixon pierces the gap between 3rd and shortstop with a sweetly-timed grounder, the ball bouncing out into left where Harry Anderson tracks it down - but not before Ward makes it all the way home from 1st! The Blues are up 3-1 and the crowd's applause is deafening. Nixon is on 1st.

* Now the birthday boy seems a bit rattled and he walks Bobby Avila on five pitches. Nixon moves up to 2nd, giving the Blues a chance to add to their lead...

* ...but they fail to do that as Carrasquel pops out to shortstop. Like Colavito, he's now 0-for-3.

But the crowd can hardly complain. If they had been told their club would be enjoying a 3-1 lead after the 5th I'm sure they'd have gladly taken it. Anderson has now given up eight hits and three earned runs, despite striking out eight batters (including Colavito on two occasions).

END OF INNING: two runs, three hits, no errors
Chicago Cubs 1, CLEVELAND BLUES 3

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END OF THE 5TH INNING - Chicago Cubs 1, CLEVELAND BLUES 3
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(to be continued)

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

TOP OF THE 6TH - CHICAGO CUBS

* Cleveland's fans are full of enthusiasm as the 6th inning starts but it's slightly blunted when Bobby Thomson singles to centrefield, his first hit of the game after striking out and popping out in his first two at-bats.

* Ferrarese gets ahead of Adams 0-2 but the 2nd baseman works the count full, including fouling off twice before cracking a liner down the rightfield line for a base hit! Thomson turns the corner at 2nd and makes for 3rd, sliding in and beating Colavito's throw by a second. Bobby Adams is safe at 1st and the Cubs have runners on the corners with no one out.

* Ernie Banks steps up and delivers, smacking an RBI-single to centrefield. Thomson scores to make it 3-2 and Adams is at 3rd. This is an impressive retort from the Cubs and Cleveland manager Joe Gordon has sent the order to the bullpen. Cal McLish and Tom Acker are up and throwing.

The crowd is imploring Ferrarese to hang in there.

* Rightfielder Lee Walls is walked on five pitches, Ferrarese shaking his head as he leaves the mound and paces out towards 3rd base. The Cubs have the bases loaded with no one out and only a one-run deficit.

* Base hit! Harry Anderson threads the needle between Ward and the bag at 1st, the ball staying fair and rolling rapidly all the way out to Colavito. Anderson pulls up at 1st, Adams ambling home from 3rd to make it 3-3. Banks rounds 3rd and is hustling for home, Colavito's throw to the plate and Banks is ... SAFE! The Cubs lead 4-3! Walls is at 3rd and Anderson 2nd on Colavito's throw to home. Still no one out.

This Cleveland Stadium crowd has fallen into a shocked, stunned silence. Chicago has responded to a 3-1 deficit with three runs on four hits and a walk to take a 4-3 lead, and there's still no one out with two men on.

* 1st baseman Dale Long is walked, loading the bases once again. Gordon is keeping Ferrarese out there but he looks to be really struggling.

* Cubs catcher Sammy Taylor flies out to Mays in centrefield, who gets the ball back in so quickly that Walls stays at 3rd. One down with the bases still loaded.

* Johnny Goryl flies out to Minoso in left and this time Walls is going! Minoso unloads for home but the throw is off target and into the dugout! Oh, my! Walls scores to make it 5-3, Anderson moving to 3rd and Long to 2nd.

* Cubs pitcher Bob Anderson is the 9th man to come to the plate in the inning and makes the situation even more dire for the Blues when he singles to left! Incredible! A two-RBI single from the Chicago pitcher, Harry Anderson and Dale Long both scoring! It's 7-3 Chicago!

What is Gordon waiting for?!? Ferrarese has given up six runs on five hits and two walks in this inning. He may have been great through the first five but he's come apart here in the 6th.

* Batting for the second time in the inning Bobby Thomson is walked, Anderson moving to 2nd.

* Finally, the most disasterous innings of Cleveland's season ends when Bobby Adams pops out to Nixon, the Blues catcher making the catch on the right side of home plate.

In twenty-five catastrophic minutes the Cubs have turned this game on its head and Cleveland are now in huge trouble of losing the opening game of this World Series in their own stadium.

END OF INNING: six runs, five hits, one error
Chicago Cubs 7, CLEVELAND BLUES 3

(to be continued)