The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell

[Big Six]

56 Claremont Park
Boston, Massachusetts

Mr. George DiNapoli
47 Colchester Street
Springfield, Massachusetts

January 22, 1939

Dear George,

Happy New Year! It was great to hear from you the other week, and I'm sorry I haven't had time to write to you sooner. I thought the end of the football season would mean more time to relax for me, but I was sure wrong!

I've been spending a lot of time in New York lately. When the Lions were there in December to play Brooklyn for the NFL championship, we were the guests of honor at a banquet. That night I was introduced to an actress named Gisele Greene. That's actually her stage name, but she'd rather I referred to her that way, rather than using her real name (she's not really fond of it). We hit it off well, and managed to find ways to spend more time together that weekend.

Since then, I've been visiting her in New York as often as I can. She's introduced me to quite a few of her "show business" friends, who surprise me by seeming to be as excited to meet me as I am to meet them. I haven't met any big stars yet, because Gisele is just starting out in the business and hasn't made those kinds of contacts yet. The people I have met know how to have a good time; I'll vouch for that! They're constantly giving us tickets to shows and inviting us to dinner.

Gisele's agent has talked to me about some opportunities in show business, too. He thinks I could make some decent money, because I already have some name recognition from baseball and football. I'm definitely interested in talking further with him. Who isn't interested in making a little extra dough?

I confess that I'm not exactly looking forward to the start of spring training. I get a lot of bumps and bruises playing football, but I also stay in good shape. Florida is nice, but I'll be spending most of the time on the baseball field, not on the beach. Gisele is thinking about coming down to visit, which would make the drudgery a whole lot easier to endure!

Again, please accept my apologies for not getting back to you sooner. Next time you're in Boston, make sure to give me a call. Better yet, come up to New York with me some time. I'll guarantee you a good time!

Your pal,
Mike

[Big Six]

119 Bleddyn Road
Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Miss Mary Catherine O'Farrell '39
204 Safford Hall
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts

February 12, 1939

Dear Mary Kate,

I'm sorry I had to end our conversation so abruptly last night. Little Sarah was particularly fussy, and John couldn't seem to soothe her.

I'm just as concerned as you are about Mike. He never answers the phone at his apartment, no matter what time I call. He's even worse about replying to a card or a letter; two or three weeks after I write to him, he'll jot a few words on a card about being busy and send it on its way.

He is particularly evasive whenever I try to talk to him about his new girlfriend. He told me "Gisele" is an actress. When I asked him if I might have seen one of her films, he couldn't name a single movie in which she has appeared. I naturally asked him if she was a stage actress instead, and his reply was "Well, not exactly." I have a feeling "Gisele" is nothing but a showgirl who would like very much to be an actress.

Whatever "Gisele" may be, I don't think she's very good for Mike at all. He's spending a tremendous amount of time in New York, in the company of "Gisele's" show business pals. A fellow John knows from our country club was in New York two weeks ago with his wife, celebrating their anniversary, and they saw Mike in a nightclub. The man recognized Mike from the newspaper and approached him for an autograph. Mike, being Mike, was perfectly charming and gracious, but he apparently had a very hard time standing up straight.

I have a feeling that a lot of Mike's visits to New York resemble this one, where he travels with "Gisele" and her clique to one night club to another, meeting plenty of people who are more than happy to buy a famous athlete a drink.

I wish there were some way to speak to Mike about this. I wonder how much Dad knows about the situation; for Dad, the matter is professional as well as personal! Do you think Nile would feel comfortable talking about such a subject with Mike? I know Mike thinks highly of Nile and respects his opinions greatly.

Speaking of Nile, I'm glad to hear that the two of you are getting along so nicely. It must be difficult, with him in Iowa and you in Massachusetts, but from what you told me last night, Nile is filling your mailbox with plenty of letters on a regular basis! I hope you'll feel comfortable inviting him to visit sometime soon, and that I'll get a chance to meet him. He sounds like a wonderful fellow, Sis.

I need to run a few errands this afternoon, so I'll close this letter so I can post it while I'm out. John sends his love, and so does Sarah. Please send mine to Johnny and Bill, and save lots for yourself.

And don't study too hard!

With love,
Your "big sis,"
Beth

[Big Six]

I'm inserting a note here to let you know that, for the first time, I'm playing Great Baseball Deity and altering the ratings of a member of the O'Farrell family.

Mike's off-season activities--playing football and, more importantly, carousing with Gisele and his new cronies in New York--has taken a toll on his ability. I've dropped his ratings somewhat to reflect this fact. We'll have to see if Mike will be able to get big league hitters out...and you'll have to see if Mike's potential will be restored.

[Big Six]

Boston Herald, May 12, 1939

O'FARRELL: ARE TWO SPORTS ONE TOO MANY?

BOSTON--The 1939 season is just over a month old, and the American League pennant race is showing every sign of being a hard-fought struggle. Four teams currently find themselves within a game of the lead, which is currently held by the Boston Red Sox. In a tight race like this one, the contributions of every player are essential. That's why the performance of righthander Mike O'Farrell has been keeping Sox manager Bill Carrigan up at night.

O'Farrell, 24, is one of the American League's most talented young hurlers. On any given afternoon, O'Farrell can be absolutely dazzling, as he was on April 17 when he fired eight shutout innings at the hard-hitting New York Yankees. O'Farrell can also be maddeningly ineffective, as he demonstrated a week later by allowing the Detroit Tigers to score ten runs against him in eight innings.

O'Farrell spends each fall playing pro football, winning an NFL championship with the Detroit Lions last December. Are the demands of playing professional sports nearly year-round taking too heavy a toll on him? O'Farrell missed most of two Lions games with an injury to his shoulder. Football is a hard-hitting, physical game. Has the constant pounding quarterback O'Farrell must endure begun to affect pitcher O'Farrell's performance?

O'Farrell is quick to claim this is not the case. "I've always played both sports, throughout high school and then at Notre Dame. I can rest between the end of the football season and the beginning of spring training. I'm still young (O'Farrell is 24 years old), and my body heals quickly. I probably won't be doing this when I'm 30, but for now, I can handle it. I enjoy both sports. Why not keep playing both of them?"

The Red Sox have to hope that O'Farrell, who currently possesses a solid 4-2 record despite an ERA of nearly five a game, is right, and that he continues to develop into the kind of pitcher who can help a team win a pennant. As long as he keeps playing football, however, that outcome is far from a sure thing.

[Big Six]

56 Claremont Park
Boston, Massachusetts

Mr. Nile Kinnick
1114 S. 79th Street
Omaha, Nebraska

June 24, 1939

Dear Nile,

It was great to get your letter last week. It sounds like you're really enjoying your summer vacation, although I can understand how that job with the grocery can be tedious. Between you and me, as "glamorous" as the life of a professional athlete might seem, there are also a lot of long, boring hours riding trains and lounging in hotel lobbies. Don't get me wrong; I enjoy my life, and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but there are times I wish I were back in school like you are.

You're right, it is very exciting to be part of a tight pennant race. It's been very frustrating for me at the same time, however, because I haven't been pitching very well. If all you look at is my record, it looks like I'm having a great year. I'm 8-4, and I think there are only twelve pitchers in the league who have more. It's a very deceptive statistic, the result of the fact that the guys are hitting the ball well every time I start. When you have guys like Lou Gehrig, Josh Gibson, and Ted Williams on your team, you'll win lots of games by accident.

Bill Carrigan seems to have lost some confidence in me lately, and I don't blame him. I'm now the fourth pitcher in the rotation, which means I'm the one whose turn gets skipped when we have a day off. There's been some discussion about sending me back to Minneapolis so I can work some of my problems out. My dad has assured me he'll handle me the way he'd handle any pitcher, and I'm glad of that. I'm already starting to hear some of the fans taunting me from the stands. The other day, I was getting roughed up pretty badly, and one loudmouth shouted "Hey, O'Farrell...if your dad wasn't your boss, you'd be back in the bush leagues by now!"

To make things worse, it seems that when I'm pitching badly, my girl Gisele doesn't seem nearly as interested in me as she is when I'm pitching well. She's living in New York, of course, which makes seeing her somewhat of a challenge sometimes. We spend time together every time we go up to play the Yankees, and if we have a day off, I'll take the train up to visit her.

I had a nasty confrontation with Ted Williams the other day over that issue. He told me I'd pitch a whole lot better if I wasn't out carousing in New York so much. I told him to mind his own business, and he started after me. I was ready for him, but Josh and Lou stepped between us before we could get at each other. Ted might have busted my nose, but I wasn't about to let him get away with a wisecrack like that.

I'm heading out to the ballpark a little early today so Carrigan can watch me throw. He thinks there might be something mechanically wrong with my delivery that he can straighten out. As great a catcher as he was, he'll spot it if it's there. All I know is that if I don't start getting more guys out, I'll be back in the Midwest with you before long.

Either way, I hope I see you soon. It would be great to visit with you when we're in Chicago or St. Louis. In the meantime, enjoy the life of a grocer!

Your pal,
Mike

[Big Six]

Miss Erma Brown
224 W. 144th Street
New York, New York

Mr. Johnny LaPrade
Regal Agency
322 W. 43rd Street
New York, New York

May 28, 1939

Dear Erma,

I tried to call you last night, but you didn't answer your phone. I stopped trying at 11:00, figuring you were out for the evening again. I saw in the paper that the Red Sox had a game in Boston, so I knew Mr. O'Farrell wasn't with you.

I got several replies from some of my theater friends yesterday. Two of them are casting shows this week, but neither of them seem interested in bringing you in for auditions. One said "She's a good-looking girl, but we don't have a part for her this time." I'm sorry, but for now it seems like you'll have to stay with the show at the Imperial for now. Both of us know you have too much talent to remain a showgirl for long; it's just a matter of getting your break--and putting ourselves in a position where the breaks will come our way.

Part of that process involves creating the proper image for you, making sure you're seen with the right people in the right places. If O'Farrell doesn't start pitching better, you're going to have to stop seeing him, at least publicly. It goes without saying that if he's sent to the minor leagues, you need to end it with him right away. Gisele Greene can't have a boyfriend in some hick town in the Midwest, after all.

I'll give you a call if anything changes. Until then, keep smiling.

Johnny

[Big Six]

Boston Globe, July 14, 1939

O'FARRELL SENT TO MINORS
Righthander Will Work On Control, Consistency

BOSTON--The Red Sox announced today that they have sent righthanded pitcher Mike O'Farrell to Minneapolis of the American Association. The 24-year-old two-sport star has struggled with his control all season long. The Red Sox hope that a change of scenery will allow him to regain his touch.

Manager Bill Carrigan's club is currently one game behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League standings, and the skipper can't afford to allow O'Farrell to work out his problems in the thick of a pennant fight.

A quick look at O'Farrell's record--ten wins and five losses--would seem to indicate that things are going well for him. Under closer scrutiny, however, O'Farrell's statistics reflect the depth of his recent travails.

"I'm having problems throwing strikes early in the count," O'Farrell explained. "There are days when the only pitch I can command is my fastball. Batters figure that out, and they wait until I have to throw my fastball over the plate. Then they hit it hard."

O'Farrell has walked only 45 batters in 156 innings, but he has allowed 176 hits. Even more ominously, opposing batters have hit 21 home runs against him; only one pitcher in either league has allowed more.

Red Sox general manager Pat O'Farrell expressed confidence in the young pitcher. "Mike is still a big part of our plans," the elder O'Farrell said. "I think Mike will be able to concentrate better on the things he must improve without the added pressure of a pennant race. If he goes down to Minneapolis and pitches well, we won't hesitate to bring him back to Boston."

Mike O'Farrell insists that playing NFL football during the fall has not had a negative effect on his pitching. "I hurt my shoulder playing football this past year, but it was my left shoulder, not my right," he explained. "I had a chance to rest over the winter, and I felt great when I arrived in Sarasota for spring training. Whatever the problem is, it's not anything to do with playing football."

To take O'Farrell's spot on the roster, the Red Sox have called up Bob Kline, who posted an 8-4 record with Minneapolis. Bucky Walters will take O'Farrell's place in the Red Sox rotation.

O'Farrell is sure Red Sox fans haven't seen the last of him this year. "I need to work a few things out, and when I do, I'll be back," he assured them.

[Big Six]

Office of the General Manager
Boston American League Baseball Club
Fenway Park
Boston, Massachusetts

Mr. Mike O'Farrell
287 10th Avenue, S.E.
Minneapolis, Minnesota

July 28, 1939

Dear Mike,

I just received a telegram from Donie Bush, informing me about the outstanding game you pitched this afternoon. Congratulations on your three-hit shutout, Son. Bush says you got ahead in the count against almost every batter you faced, and that your pitches had lots of movement. He also says that if you'd been facing big league hitters today, they wouldn't have done much with you, either.

I wanted to take the opportunity to explain to you more fully why we decided to send you back to Minneapolis. All of us--Bill Carrigan, myself, Moe Berg--were concerned about the fact that your mind didn't seem to be entirely on baseball. You told me yourself that you're "running with a different crowd," as you put it, and I would be failing you--as your general manager and, even more importantly--as your father if I didn't do anything in my power to help you see how these changes have affected you.

Mike, you have always been the kind of young man to whom people are naturally drawn. You have always had many friends who enjoy your company a great deal, and you enjoy them every bit as much.

In all honesty, I must also point out that you also have a history of allowing your desire for a good time to cloud your judgement. It happened occasionally when you were in college, and even before then. We both believed that tendency was a thing of the past, and I was sorry to see that it has resurfaced over the past few months. I know it must be difficult to be young and single, with well-wishers offering you a drink every time you turn around. However, if you truly wish for continued success as an athlete, you simply have to find a way to turn them down.

I am fully aware that there are bars and night clubs in Minneapolis, and I am sure some of your "fans" there will be more than happy to trade the price of a drink for an opportunity to spend time with you. I am also aware, however, that as the general manager of the Boston Red Sox, I cannot allow my parental feelings for you to stand in the way of what is best for the ball club. Right now, that means you'll pitch in Minneapolis until you demonstrate that you're ready to make the proper commitment to your baseball career.

That does not mean giving up football, Mike. It means giving up the night life.

Good luck, Son. I hope we'll see you back in Boston soon.

Love,
Dad

[Big Six]

Minneapolis Tribune, August 18, 1939

O'FARRELL, MILLERS DEFEAT LOUISVILLE

LOUISVILLE--The Minneapolis Millers evened their record yesterday with a 3-1 victory over the Cardinals here in Louisville.

The star for the Millers was righthander Mike O'Farrell, who pitched eight strong innings and helped his own cause with two hits, including an RBI double.

O'Farrell threw his fifth consecutive good game for the Millers. His fastball had life, and his curve kept the Cardinals' hitters off balance all afternoon long. "He had a rough time of it his first couple games here," said manager Donie Bush, "but since then, he's been improving steadily."

With the Red Sox now holding a comfortable five-game lead in the American League race, they are in no hurry to recall O'Farrell. Bush said that O'Farrell will remain in Minneapolis until August 30, when he will be recalled to Boston. That way, the Red Sox will be allowed to place O'Farrell on their World Series roster, if they so desire.

If O'Farrell continues to pitch as well as he has lately, he will undoubtedly help the Red Sox recapture the American League pennant and the World Series crown.

[Big Six]

287 E. 10th Avenue, S.E.
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Miss Eleanor Flaherty
303 East University Street
Wooster, Ohio

August 30, 1939

Dear Ellie,

It was wonderful to get your letter this afternoon. I hurried back home after the game so I could pack my bags and catch the night train to Boston. I've enjoyed my time back here in Minneapolis, but at the same time, I'm very anxious to show the Red Sox what I can do.

I realize now what a good decision the club made when they sent me back to the minor leagues. I was too caught up in my own "celebrity" for my own good, and I allowed myself to be distracted by a lot of so-called "fans" who, as it turned out, didn't care one bit about me unless I was making headlines. It's a funny thing; when I got sent back to the minor leagues, I found out who my true friends really are.

People like Johnny Kelly, Joe Kuharich, Nile Kinnick, and Don, of course, have done nothing but encourage me and support me. Meanwhile, the people who wanted to be around me while I was playing quarterback for an NFL championship team and pitching in the big leagues have all disappeared.

And nobody has been as consistently supportive as you have, Ellie. I smile every time I look in my mailbox and see a letter from you. I know the Red Sox will play a series in Cleveland in three weeks, and I would love it if you can come up to watch one of the games. Hopefully I'll have a chance to pitch there. I'll see to it that you have a ticket waiting for you at any rate.

Thank you again for your letters, Ellie. I hope I see you in Cleveland next month,

Fondly,
Mike

[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.

[myasu]

Big Six,

I just had to stop by and say that this report is very inspiring, and simply a great story to read.

I have enjoyed the whole thing so far very much, and hope this will continue in a way so that you will be 100% satisfied when done.

I bought this game last year, and was only interested in THE REAL ROSTERS, like 2006, 2007, or maybe little bit of historical sim, until I read this story.

Now I am more curious in creating my own baseball world, fictional or historical, became more creative with the game. (AND IT IS FUN THAT WAY!)

Thanks to you, and Pat!

[Big Six]

Thanks very much for your kind words, myasu. When I began the Pat O'Farrell dynasty four years ago, I never imagined I'd enjoy it for so long. I admit I've taken some breaks from the story, either because I've been too busy to play much OOTP or because I've felt like I needed to take some time away from the dynasty to let it become fresh again. I've always come back, however, because I simply enjoy Pat's world that much.

In fact, I'll be updating again very soon. Thanks again for reading and commenting, myasu. I hope you enjoy your dynasties as much as I have enjoyed mine.

[myasu]

Originally Posted by Big Six

Thanks very much for your kind words, myasu. When I began the Pat O'Farrell dynasty four years ago, I never imagined I'd enjoy it for so long. I admit I've taken some breaks from the story, either because I've been too busy to play much OOTP or because I've felt like I needed to take some time away from the dynasty to let it become fresh again. I've always come back, however, because I simply enjoy Pat's world that much.

In fact, I'll be updating again very soon. Thanks again for reading and commenting, myasu. I hope you enjoy your dynasties as much as I have enjoyed mine.

Well, take your time please Big Six (^^)
You should do it at your own pace, hopefully for a long time!

[Big Six]

56 Claremont Park
Boston, Massachusetts

Mr. Joe Kuharich
Vincentian Institute
Madison Avenue
Albany, New York

September 25, 1939

Dear Joe,

Thank you very much for the telegram you sent me after we clinched the pennant. I’m sorry it has taken me so long to write you back. I was flattered to hear from so many of my “old” pals, and I’ve been trying to reply to a few of you every time I have a chance. You can look at it this way: because I didn’t have time to write to you until now, I get a chance to tell you about the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me on a baseball field! And, while I’m sure you have already read all about it in the papers, I hope you’ll still enjoy a first-hand account.

Yesterday, we played the Yankees, and it was my turn to pitch. All season long, Lou Gehrig, who is as fine a fellow as you would ever want to meet, has been coming closer and closer to a truly remarkable achievement: becoming only the second player in baseball history to hit 500 home runs in his career.

Well, Lou hit #499 on Saturday, which also happened to be the last time I pitched. Today he came over to my locker while I was dressing with a big grin on his face. “I have a good feeling about today, Mike,” he said. “I’m gonna hit that homer today, and I’ll help you win a ballgame. How about that?” I grinned too, and told him I hoped he was right.

Spud Chandler pitched for the Yankees, and boy, was he tough. I, on the other hand, was not, at least for the first three innings. The second man I faced, Buck O’Neil, singled, and then Joe DiMaggio hit one so far I think it’s still flying out there somewhere. I know O’Neil is going to win the batting title, and DiMaggio has 40 homers, so they’re both outstanding hitters, but if I’m ever going to be regarded as anything more than an average pitcher, I have to get even the best hitters out most of the time!

Dixie Walker hit another two-run homer off me in the third, so we were behind 5-0. But Carrigan is trying to rest our bullpen so they’re ready for the Series, and that meant I needed to keep throwing as long as I could. Fortunately, I began to settle down and didn't let the Yankees score again, and by the bottom of the eighth, we’d scored three runs and made it 5-3.

Tommy Winslett led off with a single, and Ted Williams walked. That brought up Gehrig, and as he left the on-deck circle, he called back to me. “I guess it’s time now, huh?” He grinned and winked, and I gave him the high sign.

What do you know? Reynolds threw one right down the pipe, and Lou crushed it to dead center field! DiMaggio just turned around and watched it fly. Later on, one of the reporters figured it went 420 feet. It wasn’t as long as DiMaggio’s homer off me, but who cared? It gave us a 6-5 lead, and even more importantly, it gave Lou that big 500.

The fans gave Lou a standing ovation that lasted for several minutes. He came out of the dugout and tipped his cap twice before the cheering finally stopped. It reminded me of a few of the ovations the fans gave my Dad when he was playing.

Bucky Walters had been warming up while we were at bat, and I figured Carrigan would bring Bucky in to save the game for me. I was a little surprised when Carrigan said, “It’s your game, Mike. Let’s see if you can close it out yourself.”

Then again, I hadn’t given up a hit since the fifth, and I didn’t walk anybody all day, so I guess Carrigan thought I could hold the Yankees off for one more inning. I’m happy to say I put them down 1-2-3, and the fans gave me an ovation of my own that really felt good.

I guess you remember that girl I told you I was seeing, the actress from New York? Well, she called me last night and told me that she wanted to see me again, hopefully before the World Series began. I asked her why she hadn’t been so eager to see me after the Red Sox sent me back down to Minneapolis in July. She didn’t say a word, and then she hung up the phone. I had to laugh; I suppose a member of the American League champion Boston Red Sox is a whole lot more attractive to her than a Minneapolis Miller.

I don’t miss her at all. Sure, she’s good looking, and because she knows people who know people, she got me into a few swell parties up in New York. For a while, it was fun acting like a celebrity, and I suppose the fun blinded me to the fact that she only cared about the fact I’m an athlete whose picture is in the paper.

It was great to hear how excited you are about your coaching job. I’m sure you will enjoy it very much, and I’m just as sure you’ll be very successful. Good luck with your season! It looks like my football season will start later this year than usual, and in fact I am thinking seriously about sitting this one out. A few months of rest might do me more good than a few months of getting knocked around by those NFL fellows.

Take care of yourself, and I’ll hopefully hear from you soon.

Your pal,
Mike

[TwinsFan86]

What!!! No football for Mike this year?...

[Tyke]

Personally, I think he'll be better off without it - just like he'll be better off without that New York showgirl! Great stuff, as ever, Big Six

[Big Six]

Thanks for the comments, TwinsFan86 and Tyke.

Mike hasn't completely made up his mind; in fact, neither has his creator. I think I'll see how the World Series goes, and go from there.

[Big Six]

St. Louis Post, September 27, 1939

REDBIRDS WIN PENNANT PLAYOFF!!

Diz Is Sharp; Cards Pound Lucas

ST. LOUIS--The revelry continued until nearly dawn, as ecstatic Cardinals fans celebrated their team's capture of the National League pennant at Sportsman's Park yesterday. The Cards defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a one-game playoff, 10-3, and have earned the right to face the American League champion Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

The Pirates threw the best they have at the Cardinals in an effort to keep their season alive and earn the chance to defend their World Series crown. Red Lucas, the splendid veteran who has won over 300 ballgames and six National League Most Outstanding Pitcher awards in his storied career, told reporters before the game that he felt strong and ready. However, after retiring leadoff man Enos Slaughter, Lucas encountered trouble right away. Pepper Martin and Johnny Mize hit home runs on two consecutive pitches from the 37-year-old Tennessean.

Mize belted another home run in the fifth, a two-run job this time, giving the Cards a 5-1 run. Redbirds starter Dizzy Dean was in fine form, dispatching one Pirate after another with a potent combination of fast balls and breaking stuff. Only catcher Earl Grace, who singled in the second and drove in the Bucco run with a ringing double in the fifth, appeared able to solve Dean's slants.

The Cardinals put the game on ice by scoring four runs in the sixth inning. Willard Brown applied the exclamation point to the sentence, smashing a Lucas curve over the left-field barrier for three runs. The homer, which sent the Cardinals faithful into happy hysterics, was Willard's forty-fourth of the season.

Lucas was at that point removed from the contest, and he trudged from the mound with his head hung low. The fans applauded him warmly, with not a touch of derision; they recognize Lucas as one of the finest moundsmen the game has ever known.

The Pirates scored twice off Dean in the seventh, as Grace lofted a sacrifice fly and pinch hitter Earl Browne knocked a pinch single. "It's a good thing they don't have any more fellas on their team named Earl," Dean joked after the game. "I couldn't get nobody named that out today."

Dean could afford to be jovial, with the Cardinals advancing to the Series. "My brother Paul's pitching the first game now, and them Red Sox ain't seen nothin' like him this year. That's because they haven't had to hit against me either," Dizzy proclaimed.

For the Pirates, a club which has relied for years on a solid core of players, the playoff loss might have represented a final chance for glory. Paul Waner is 36 years old and showed signs of age this season. His brother Lloyd is 33; Grace and shortstop Joe Cronin are 32; first sacker Gus Suhr and keystoner Tony Cuccinello are 31. Will this crew of Pirates remain hale and healthy enough to challenge for another flag?

Now the Cardinals face the formidable Red Sox, whom they last faced in the Series back in 1920. Then, current Sox general manager Pat O'Farrell was the team's star, and its field general, Bill Carrigan, was behind the plate. Now, a new generation of Sox with names every bit as famous--men like Gehrig and Gibson, Dihigo and Weaver--carry on the winning tradition their "bosses" forged.

What's more, the savvy combination of O'Farrell and Carrigan have discovered and nurtured a host of talented young players. Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr are as fine a pair of young stars as there are in the game today. And, while he didn't have to look very far, O'Farrell discovered a fine right arm in his own family, that of his son Mike. O'Farrell has also, at the very least, convinced his son to continue his pursuit of a baseball career while quarterbacking the NFL champion Detroit Lions...

[Big Six]

Deerfield Academy
South Deerfield, Massachusetts

Miss Mary Catherine O'Farrell
12 Lowell Road
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts

September 27, 1939

Dear Mary Kate,

Thanks for the phone call the other night. I'm sorry I couldn't talk longer, but I really needed to study more for that English test I had today. I think it went pretty well; most of the questions were fairly easy, and I guessed right about what the essay question was going to be.

I know we had just started to talk about the reasons why I'm not playing football this year. I've always enjoyed just about everything about playing football, but the one thing I don't enjoy became more of a problem, I suppose. You see, I'm a fairly good football player, but I'm not nearly as good as Mike was. When I first went out for the team I tried out as an end, because it wouldn't be possible for anybody to directly compare me to Mike. Last season, the coach moved me to tailback--Mike's position--the one I didn't want to play.

Then, to make matters that much worse, the Eagle printed the story about "another O'Farrell at tailback for the Green." And it wasn't enough to mention that I was playing the same position as my All-State brother; they had to remind everyone that Pat O'Farrell, class of ought-six, was a "crackerjack ballcarrier," too!

The guys are starting to come to terms with the fact that I'm not playing my senior season. I told a couple of them, the ones who are my closest friends, the reason why, and I think they've found a way to get the others to lay off without revealing my "secret."

Before you ask, I won't be playing baseball this year, either. If you think the comparisons are bad now, they're even worse during baseball season. Basketball, however, is another story. It's the sport I like best, and the one I'm best at. I'm a lot better basketball player than any of my brothers, maybe because I'm the tallest.

Now I'll have more time to write for the school paper. I honestly believe I enjoy writing about football and baseball more than I enjoy playing them, and the guys get a "kick" out of reading the stories I write about them. Perhaps that's truly my niche, my way to continue the O'Farrell athletic tradition.

I'm sorry that I've gone on and on about me, Sis. I'm really glad you're taking a year to decide what it is you really want to do, and you're lucky that Mom and Dad don't have a problem with that. They would rather see you make a good choice rather than a quick one.

And I was only teasing when I said I won two dollars off a guy who told me you really weren't seeing Nile Kinnick.

Write to me soon, ok?

Your brother,
Bill

Note: I haven't forgotten the O'Farrell's second son, John. He figures prominently in an upcoming storyline, too.