The Golden Age Draft League

[KG Erwin]

Pittsburgh, July 1. The Cardinals visit for an unusual single game series. Spahn (13-3, 2.78) wins it and Lemon earns his 14th save as the Bucs down the Redbirds 6-4. Howie Pollet (7-9, 3.78) took the loss.

In Philadelphia, the Dodgers defeated the Phillies.

Wednesday, July 2. The Reds visit Forbes in the first of a 4-game series. Don Newcombe threw fireballs and struck out 9, but gave up 5 runs in the 6th to tie the game. The Pirates got the go-ahead run in the 7th, and Don stayed on the mound until the 8th. Ken Gables pitched the 9th, and struck out Del Ennis for the final out, earning the save in the Pirates' 6-5 victory. Newcombe is now 6-4. Ken Heintzelman took the loss. The Bucs win their 50th game, and hold a 2-game lead over the Phillies.

Thursday, July 3. The Reds' Spec Shea pitched a good game, while the Pirates' Early Wynn had a terrible outing. Wynn gave up 5 runs in the first two innings. The Bucs battled back, but the Reds won it 5-4.

[KG Erwin]

The NL All-Stars for 1947 -- position players:

[KG Erwin]

NL All-Stars for 1947 -- pitchers:

[KG Erwin]

On Friday, July 4, the Pirates travel to Cincinnati for an Independence Day double-header. In game 1, with the Bucs leading 1-0 with 2 out in the 1st, Reds' starter Johnny Klippstein suffered a toe injury and Ken Heintzelman entered in relief. Heintzelman quickly gave up 3 runs, and ended up losing his 2nd game in 3 days. The Bucs win it 8-1, with Larry Jansen getting a complete-game victory.

The Reds came back in game 2 and won it 5-3, knocking Warren Spahn out after 5 innings. Dizzy Trout went the distance, and Andy Pafko homered twice. However, RF Dom DiMaggio suffered a thumb injury and had to be removed from the game.

Afterwards, it was determined that the injury was severe enough for DiMaggio to be put on the 15-day DL.

Saturday is an off-day.

Pittsburgh, July 6. The Cubs visit Forbes for a Sunday double-header. Nothing doing for the Pirates in game 1, as Cub reliever Hank Behrman (5-0, 1.81) wins it and Johnny Gorsica saves it. Cubs win 3-1. Don Newcombe (6-5, 3.90) loses.

The Pirates come back in game 2 and get 15 hits as Early Wynn defeats Joe Beggs 7-1. Wynn added insult to injury by hitting a 2-run double in the 5th.

[KG Erwin]

The standings at the All-Star Break:

[KG Erwin]

Personnel moves: the Pirates traded OF Ralph Hodgin and 2B Eddie Stanky to the Braves in exchange for two minor-leaguers--2B Al Kozar and 3B Kermit Wahl. Kozar was promoted to the majors as the backup for Red Schoendienst.

With Duke Snider returning to the lineup, the Bucs look solid in the outfield. The pitching staff could use some shoring up, so more player moves are envisioned as the trade deadline approaches.

The blockbuster is made, as the Pirates send OF Erv Dusak, SS Granny Hamner and RP Woody Abernathy to the Reds in exchange for LF Del Ennis, P Spec Shea and SS John O'Neil. With this deal, the Bucs now have the top two batters in the majors.

[KG Erwin]

Philadelphia, Thursday July 10. In the showdown between the top two NL teams, the Phillies win this one 1-0. Joe Dobson got the victory, Clem Labine earned the save, and Larry Jansen suffered the loss. The Phils take a half-game lead.

Friday, July 11. The temperature at Shibe Park was 85 degrees. Warren Spahn was uncharacteristically wild today, giving up 7 walks. He lost the game to Jesse Flores 3-2. Mike Budnick earned his 3rd save.

Saturday, July 12. Don Newcombe prevented the sweep with a 1-0 complete-game victory. Don struck out 7 while allowing 7 hits and only 2 walks. Joe Dobson, starting on only one day of rest, took the loss.

New York, July 13. Double-header at the Polo Grounds. First game: Bucs win 8-4. Spec Shea pitched six innings and got his first victory as a Pirate. Bob Lemon went the final three to earn his 15th save. The Bucs slammed four Giants pitchers for a total of 15 hits, including 3 HR. Bob Savage took the loss.

Second game: Larry Jansen won over Hal Newhouser with a 7-4 complete game. Buddy Kerr and Gil Hodges both homered for the Bucs.

[KG Erwin]

New York, Monday July 14. On this day, Warren Spahn (14-5, 2.83) got out of his slump and pitched a complete-game shutout. Spahn struck out 3 and walked none. George Kell and Del Ennis both homered twice, and Buddy Kerr added another for good measure. Dave Koslo suffered the 8-0 loss.

The Phillies also beat the Cardinals and still hold a half-game lead in the senior circuit.

In the AL, the Yankees lead the Athletics by 3 games.

Brooklyn, July 15. Don Newcombe wins and Clem Dreisewerd earns his 2nd save as the Bucs defeat the Bums 5-4. Al Brazle takes the loss.

However, the Phillies maintain their half-game margin as they down the Reds.

July 16. The Dodgers blow a 5-0 lead and the Bucs battle back to win it 6-5. Bob Lemon won it in relief of Spec Shea, and Early Wynn pitched the bottom of the ninth to earn the save. Brooklyn reliever Lefty Hoerst gave up the winning run in the top of the ninth and took the loss.

July 17. Ewell Blackwell pitched a 7-1 complete-game victory, and also hit a HR. Larry Jansen lost the game, and also gave up a grand-slam HR to Rube Walker.

The loss puts the Pirates and Phillies in a virtual tie. The Bucs head to Boston for a weekend series, while the Phils will face the Cubs in Shibe Park.

[KG Erwin]

Boston, July 18. Bob Lemon lost it in the bottom of the 9th by giving up a sac fly. Braves win 3-2. Ken Johnson got the victory.

In Philadelphia, the Phillies beat the Cubs to take a one-game lead over the Bucs.

Boston, July 19. Pitt manager KG Erwin continues to juggle the lineup in order to rest tired players. On this day Del Ennis and Red Schoendienst are both given the day off. Johnny Groth and Al Kozar substitute for them. The starting pitching is also shuffled, with Early Wynn getting the spot on the mound. The patched-together lineup performed brilliantly, and Wynn defeats Joe Page with a 5-1 complete-game victory.

[Frozen Stiffer]

I'm almost tempted to email you my association and have you report on it!

I think you missed your calling, KG!

[KG Erwin]

Boston, July 20. Neither starter got a decision today, but Ken Johnson got the win and Harry Gumbert earned the save as the Braves eked out a 7-6 victory. Clem Dreisewerd took the loss.

In Philadelphia, the Phillies beat the Cubs in both ends of a double-header, and now lead the Bucs by two and a half games.

Monday is an off-day.

Pittsburgh, July 22. Philly ace Jesse Flores lasted just 2/3 of an inning as he suffered an arm injury. The Pirates took a 2-0 lead, and held it until the 7th, when Don Newcombe gave up 3 runs. This knocked Don out of the game, and Bob Lemon entered in relief. In the 9th it all blew up as Lemon gave up six runs. Phillies win it 9-2, with Hugh Casey getting the victory. Steve Roser pitched two effective innings and was awarded a save.

Wednesday, July 23. Warren Spahn (15-5, 2.70) pitches his 10th complete game and defeats Joe Dobson 3-1 in a much-needed victory. Warren struck out 5 while allowing 4 hits and 3 walks.

Thursday, July 24. Larry Jansen went five innings to get the win and Early Wynn finished it to earn his 2nd save as the Pirates take it 8-4. Phillie reliever Clem Labine was tagged with the loss. This trims the Bucs' deficit to a game and a half.

[KG Erwin]

Friday, July 25. The Dodgers took a 4-0 lead going into the 7th, but the Pirates scored 2 in the 7th and two more in the 8th. In the bottom of the 10th, Red Schoendienst doubled, bringing in Buddy Kerr from second and pulling out the 5-4 win. Early Wynn got the victory, and Dutch Leonard took the loss.

The joy of the comeback win was tempered, though, by a serious quadricep injury suffered by LHP Clem Dreisewerd. After the game, Clem was put on the 60-day DL. This leaves the Pirate bullpen without a quality left-handed reliever. Pirate manager/GM KG Erwin started making phone calls that night.

The GM of the White Sox was willing to talk, so the Pirates end up sending 23-year-old prospect Turk Lown (1-2, 5.90 in AAA) to Chicago in exchange for 28-year-old LHP Earl Johnson (2-2, 6.23, 2 saves in 24 appearances).

Saturday, July 26. Don Newcombe and Dick Fowler both rendered outstanding performances, but neither could finish the game. With the score tied at 1 in the bottom of the ninth, Fowler lasted 2/3 of an inning but was pulled when he loaded up the bases. In comes Lefty Hoerst to face Red Schoendienst. Red hits a single up the middle, scoring Duke Snider. Bucs win it 2-1. Ken Gables got the win, and Fowler took the loss.

Sunday, July 27. In game one of the double-header, Warren Spahn struck out pinch-hitter Eddie Miller to seal his 16th victory and 11th complete game. The Bucs win handily, 9-2. Spahn struck out 4, walked 4 and allowed 4 hits. Al Brazle suffered the loss.

In game two, Pittsburgh set a team runs scored record in a 19-2 massacre of the Dodgers. Allie Reynolds was the loser while Larry Jansen (11-9, 3.02) pitched the complete game. Larry struck out 6, walked 2 and allowed 8 hits. The Bucs got a total of 20 hits, including 8 doubles (3 by Gil Hodges) and a triple.

In Cincinnati, the Phillies completed a 4-game sweep of the Reds and still hold a one-and-a-half game lead over the Bucs.

Monday is an off day.

[KG Erwin]

Pittsburgh, Tuesday, July 29. An extra-inning heartbreaker that saw new Pirate pitcher Earl Johnson give up the winning run in the top of the 12th. The Braves take it 2-1. Carl Erskine earned the victory.

Meanwhile, the Phillies beat the Cubs and take a 2.5 game lead. In The AL, another dramatic race is going on, with the Yankees just one game ahead of the Athletics.

Wednesday, July 30. Once again the Pirates show no mercy as they drub the Braves 15-2. Don Newcombe completed the game, and Joe Page suffered the loss. After the game, Pitt manager KG Erwin was asked about the battering of a defeated foe: "It's like this -- we're the Pirates -- we ask no quarter, and we give no quarter. Any more questions?"

In Chicago, the Cubs defeated the Phillies 5-1.

Thursday, July 31. KG's psychological ploy played perfectly as the Braves, in their anger, became distracted, which led to their undoing. Warren Spahn defeated Alex Kellner in a 9-1 complete game victory. KG chuckled in the after-game press conference : "Last year, Yogi Berra said to me, '50 percent of this game is half-mental'. I now understand what he meant."


The standings as of August 1:

[KG Erwin]

Team notes: as of August 1, Del Ennis leads the majors in BA (.345) and doubles (32). Five of the top ten base stealers are Pirates, with Richie Ashburn leading them all (30). George Kell leads in runs scored with 73. Warren Spahn leads in wins (17), innings pitched (205), complete games (12) and shutouts (5).

[KG Erwin]

Pittsburgh, Friday August 1. The Giants visit Forbes for the first of a four game weekend series. Larry Jansen had a shutout going into the 9th, but tired and allowed a run to score. Nevertheless he completed the game, winning 4-1 over Orval Grove.

August 2. With 2 outs and 2 on in the 9th, Early Wynn comes in and saves it for Spec Shea, who got the 4-3 win over Hal Newhouser. The concept of bringing in a reliever to finish the game is becoming a strategy that Pitt manager KG Erwin is increasingly relying upon.

In St. Louis, the Cardinals defeated the Phillies 9-2, cutting the Phils' lead to a half game.

The Phils and Cards face each other again on Sunday, while we have a doubleheader vs the Giants.

August 3. In the first game, Don Newcombe bests Dave Koslo. Pirates win 8-3.

In the second game, Warren Spahn held a 1-0 lead going into the 8th, but was pulled for Bob Lemon. Lemon was fine until the 9th, when he gave up six runs. The save was blown, and so was the game. Giants win 6-1, with Denny Galehouse earning the victory.

In St. Louis, the Phillies beat the Redbirds 4-3. The Phils still hold a one-game lead over the Bucs.

[KG Erwin]

After Sunday's games, KG Erwin went back to his office and placed a few calls. The result was a trade with the AL-leading NY Yankees. Bob Lemon and Clem Dreisewerd were sent to NY in exchange for RP Mickey Harris and minor-league prospect Woody Main. 30-year-old Harris (11-6, 2.88 in 28 starts) provides the Pirates with another proven left-hander as a reliever/spot-starter in the bullpen, while Main was assigned to AAA.

It was difficult to part with Lemon, but it had to be done for the good of the team. However, in the back of his mind, the Pirate manager had a feeling that a day would come when Bob would appear at Forbes Field again, this time in pinstripes.

[KG Erwin]

Monday, August 4. The Pirates host the Reds. Larry Jansen had a shutout going into the 9th, but he loaded up the bases and allowed two runs. No matter, as he got the last out, completed the game, and the Pirates win it 8-2. Claude Passeau took the loss.

Pitt manager KG Erwin, in the daily press briefing: "We've made our moves in the trade market and are set to challenge our adversaries. I think that winning the National League pennant will be a battle of attrition, and I believe we have the tools to recapture the lead...we have good depth in the roster."

August 5. Spec Shea defeats Dizzy Trout 3-2. Early Wynn earns his 4th save.

At the Polo Grounds, the Giants beat the Phillies.

The Pirates recapture first place, leading by a half game.

Chicago, August 6. Mickey Harris, in his first game as a Pirate, was given the start and pitched a 2-1 CG victory over the Cubs. Kirby Higbe took the loss.

The Phillies were idle, so this gives the Bucs a one game lead in the NL.

In the AL, the A's now hold a half game lead over the Yankees.

[KG Erwin]

Chicago, August 7. The wind was blowing out at Wrigley today, and Warren Spahn gave up 3 HR. This game turned out to be a laugher, though, as the Pirates responded with 20 hits, including 2 HR by Gil Hodges, and HRs by Stan Musial and Del Ennis.

The final was 18-4, with Spahn (18-5, 2.48) completing the win and Clint Hartung (5-12, 5.37) taking the loss.

At the Polo Grounds, the Phillies beat the Giants 9-3. The Bucs maintain a one game edge. The Dodgers are in a distant third, at 13.5 out.

In the AL, the A's hold a half game lead over the Yankees, with the Tigers five games back.

[KG Erwin]

St. Louis, Friday August 8. First of a three-game series. Larry Jansen (14-9, 2.89) completed a 9-4 win, and Howie Pollet (8-16, 4.17) took the loss. Red Schoendienst also got his first HR of the season.

At Ebbets Field, the Dodgers defeated the Phillies 5-3. The Pirates now hold a two-game lead.

August 9. Bobby Shantz defeated Don Newcombe. Cards win 5-3.

In Brooklyn, the Phillies shut out the Dodgers 4-0. The Pirates' lead is trimmed to one game.

[KG Erwin]

Individual stat update: Del Ennis of the Pirates leads in batting, with a .349 avg. Warren Spahn still leads in wins (18) and complete games (13).