1949 AL Game: Opening Day in Detroit!

April 19, 1949

  It was Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers and they hosted the Chicago White Sox. It was a wet start of the season at Briggs Stadium but over 37,000 fans still turned out for the game and they didn't go home disappointed. In a well pitched game by both clubs the Tigers won it in dramatic fashion 3-2. After tying the game in the 8th inning, with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th Johnny Groth blasted a homerun into the leftfield seats for the victory. Hal Newhouser went the distance for Detroit.

BOXSCORE: 1949 Chicago White Sox At 1949 Detroit Tigers             4/19/1949
 
  White Sox          AB  R  H RBI AVG     Tigers             AB  R  H RBI AVG
  F.Baker 3B          4  1  2  0 .500     N.Berry 2B          4  1  2  1 .500  
  D.Philley CF        4  0  1  0 .250     J.Lipon SS          4  0  1  0 .250  
  L.Appling SS        4  0  0  0 .000     G.Kell 3B           4  0  1  1 .250  
  G.Zernial LF        3  0  1  0 .333     V.Wertz RF          4  0  0  0 .000  
  P.Seerey RF         3  1  1  0 .333     H.Evers LF          4  0  1  0 .250  
  C.Michaels 2B       3  0  2  0 .667     A.Robinson C        2  0  0  0 .000  
  B.Souchock 1B       3  0  0  0 .000     J.Groth CF          4  1  1  1 .250  
  J.Tipton C          3  0  0  0 .000     S.Vico 1B           3  0  0  0 .000  
  A.Gettel P          3  0  0  0 .000     H.Newhouser P       3  1  1  0 .333  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      30  2  7  0                 Totals      32  3  7  3
 
 
White Sox....... 0 0 0  1 1 0  0 0 0  -  2  7  0
Tigers.......... 0 0 1  0 0 0  0 1 1  -  3  7  0
 
White Sox (0-1)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
A.Gettel LOSS(0-1)        8 2/3   7   3   3   2   2   1   3.12
Totals                    8 2/3   7   3   3   2   2   1
 
Tigers (1-0)             IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
H.Newhouser WIN(1-0)      9       7   2   2   0   0   0   2.00
Totals                    9       7   2   2   0   0   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 37,529 DATE- Tuesday, April 19th 1949 TIME- Day WEATHER- Bad
T- 2:21
LEFT ON BASE- White Sox: 1  Tigers: 5
DOUBLE PLAYS- White Sox: 1  Tigers: 3
DOUBLES- G.Zernial(1st), H.Evers(1st)
TRIPLES- H.Newhouser
HOME RUNS- J.Groth(1st)
RBIs- N.Berry(1st), G.Kell(1st), J.Groth(1st)
WALKS- A.Robinson-2
STRIKE OUTS- V.Wertz, H.Evers
GIDP- D.Philley, L.Appling, B.Souchock, G.Kell
2-out RBI- G.Kell, J.Groth
RLISP 2-out- C.Michaels, S.Vico
TEAM RISP- White Sox: 1 for 4  Tigers: 2 for 5
WEB GEMS- Top 1st: Hoot Evers robbed Dave Philley of an extra base hit.
 
Hal Newhouser allowed Red Rolfe to rest his bullpen, tossing a complete game
and second baseman Neil Berry had 2 base hits as the Detroit Tigers won at
Briggs Stadium in dramatic fashion over the Chicago White Sox, the final
score, 3 to 2.
 
The game was won by Detroit with a run in the 9th inning. After two were out
Johnny Groth ripped a solo home run giving Detroit the victory and sending
the 37,529 home-town fans home happy.  Detroit and Chicago each finished the
afternoon with 7 hits.  
 
Newhouser(1-0) lasted until the end allowing 2 runs for the win. Al
Gettel(0-1) was the loser.  He gave up 3 runs and 7 hits in 8 and 2/3
innings.  
 

1949 AL Openining Days

April 19, 1949

  Three teams hosted Opening Day today to start off their 1949 AL seasons. The Philadelphia Athletics hosted the Boston Red Sox and the visitors whitewashed the hometown team 5-0. Joe Dobson threw a 5 hit shutout for the Red Sox. In St. Louis the Browns and the Cleveland Indians battled into extra innings with Cleveland coming out on top 10-9. Larry Doby hit 2 homeruns and had 4 RBI for the Indians. The New York Yankees dropped their home opener 5-1. Sid Hudson pitched a complete game in the Senators victory.

NEWSPAPER GAME STORIES FOR 1949 American League                Date: 4/20/1949
 
BOSTON AT PHILADELPHIA
Red Sox......... 0 2 0  0 1 1  1 0 0  -  5  6  1
Athletics....... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0  5  0
Win:Dobson(1-0) Loss:Brissie(0-1)
 
Joe Dobson had a strong outing as the Boston Red Sox bested the Philadelphia
Athletics 5 to 0 at Shibe Park.
 
Boston scored 2 runs in the top of the 2nd inning.  After an out was recorded,
Bobby Doerr kicked off the action when he drew a walk.  One out later, Walt
Dropo stepped up to the plate and he ripped a base-knock.  Birdie Tebbetts
then doubled knocking home two runners.  That scoring would be all that was
needed.  Boston had just 6 hits for the afternoon.  
 
Dobson(1-0) was credited with the shutout. Lou Brissie(0-1) suffered the loss.
He surrendered 5 runs and 5 hits in 8 innings.  
 
'Dobson took our guys to school' Connie Mack said. 'Too bad he doesn't pitch
for us - it would make my job a whole lot easier!'
 
CLEVELAND AT ST. LOUIS
Indians......... 1 1 0  1 0 1  3 0 0  2 1 - 10 16  1
Browns.......... 2 1 0  0 0 1  1 2 0  2 0 -  9 10  3
Win:Paige(1-0) Loss:Ferrick(0-1)
Homeruns- L.Doby-2(2nd), M.Vernon(1st), J.Graham(1st), D.Kokos(1st),
           S.Lollar(1st)
 
Larry Doby launched 2 homeruns and had 4 RBI at Sportsman's Park as the
Cleveland Indians beat the St. Louis Browns in 11 innings 10 to 9.
 
The score was tied at 7 after nine.  Finally, Cleveland prevailed in the 11th
inning.  After two outs Doby smashed a solo-shot out of the park.  This was a
game of many highs and lows for the home town fans, as the lead kept changing
- 7 times in all.  
 
Satchel Paige(1-0) went 2 innings allowing 2 runs for the victory. Tom
Ferrick(0-1) was tagged with the loss in relief.
 
WASHINGTON AT NEW YORK
Senators........ 2 0 0  0 0 1  1 1 0  -  5 14  0
Yankees......... 1 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  5  0
Win:Hudson(1-0) Loss:Lopat(0-1)
 
Sid Hudson pitched 9 strong innings as the Washington Senators defeated the
New York Yankees 5 to 1 at Yankee Stadium.
 
Washington set the tone of the game in the first inning as they scored 2 runs
on 3 base hits.  That was all the runs Hudson(1-0) needed.  Washington
finished with 14 hits in the victory.  
 
Eddie Lopat(0-1) was charged with the loss.  He pitched 7 and 1/3 innings and
surrendered 12 hits and 1 walk.
 

1949 NL Opening Days

April 19, 1949

  Day 2 of the 1949 NL MLB Season saw 3 games played that were the Opening Days for those home teams. For some reason(?) the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Braves played a doubleheader on this day. Those 2 teams had the 1 and only game to start the season yesterday, so it wasn't Opening Day for them. Anyway, after losing on Opening Day, the Braves took 2 from the Phillies today thanks to some fine pitching by Warren Spahn and Vern Bickford.
  In Opening day games today: Larry Jansen and the New York Giants spoiled the day for the Brooklyn Dodgers by spanking the hometown team 7-1. The Chicago Cubs delighted their fans by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 in a hard fought contest. The St. Louis Cardinals beat the hometown Cincinnati Reds 3-2 in a very tight game. The game was scoreless until the 8th inning when the Pirates put 3 runs on the board. The Red scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th but weren't able to get any more.

NEWSPAPER GAME STORIES FOR 1949 National League                Date: 4/19/1949
 
PHILADELPHIA AT BOSTON
Phillies........ 0 1 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  4  0
Braves.......... 1 0 0  0 0 0  2 0    -  3  6  0
Win:Spahn(1-0) Loss:Simmons(0-1)
Homeruns- E.Miller(2nd)
 
Warren Spahn completed the game without help from the bullpen as the Boston
Braves bested the Philadelphia Phillies 3 to 1 at Braves Field.
 
In the 7th inning Boston scored 2 runs.  Boston finished with just 6 hits in
the victory.  Spahn(1-0) got the victory, allowing 1 run for the game. Curt
Simmons(0-1) was tagged with the loss.  
 
 
PHILADELPHIA AT BOSTON
Phillies........ 0 1 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  5  0
Braves.......... 0 2 0  0 0 0  0 0    -  2  7  1
Win:Bickford(1-0) Loss:Meyer(0-1)
Homeruns- B.Nicholson(2nd)
 
Vern Bickford pitched a complete game as the Boston Braves topped the
Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 2 to 1 at Braves Field.
 
Boston came up with 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning.  That early run
support was all that Bickford(1-0) required.  After the 2nd inning, neither
team was able to score.  
 
Russ Meyer(0-1) took the loss.  He gave up 2 runs and 6 hits in 7 innings.
 
NEW YORK AT BROOKLYN
Giants.......... 0 4 0  2 1 0  0 0 0  -  7 15  0
Dodgers......... 0 1 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  3  0
Win:Jansen(1-0) Loss:Hatten(0-1)
Homeruns- S.Gordon(1st), W.Cooper(1st), J.Robinson(1st)
 
Larry Jansen tossed a fine 3 hitter and Sid Gordon touched them all and had 3
RBI at Ebbets Field as the New York Giants beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 7 to
1.
 
Jansen(1-0) pitched a solid game.  He allowed only 3 hits and 3 walks in 9
innings.  New York finished with 15 hits in the victory.  
 
Joe Hatten(0-1) was the loser.  He got hammered, allowing 14 hits and 3 walks
in 8 innings.  'Jansen just dominated us' losing pitcher Hatten said.
'Hopefully we can get to him the next time around'
 
PITTSBURGH AT CHICAGO
Pirates......... 0 1 0  0 0 2  0 0 1  -  4 10  0
Cubs............ 1 1 0  1 0 2  0 0    -  5 10  1
Win:Leonard(1-0) Loss:Sewell(0-1)
Homeruns- W.Westlake(1st)
 
Dutch Leonard was able to finish what he started and was credited with a
complete game at Wrigley Field where the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh
Pirates 5 to 4.
 
Leonard(1-0) delivered a fine performance for Chicago.  He was reached for 10
hits and 3 walks in 9 innings.  Pittsburgh tried unsuccessfully to come back
in the 9th.  
 
Rip Sewell(0-1) was charged with the loss.  'This was a tough loss,' said
Billy Meyer, 'the kind that sticks with you for awhile.'
 
ST. LOUIS AT CINCINNATI
Cardinals....... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 3 0  -  3 11  0
Reds............ 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 2  -  2  9  0
Win:Brecheen(1-0) Loss:Raffensberger(0-1) Save:Staley(1st)
Homeruns- S.Musial(1st)
 
Nippy Jones had 3 base hits as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati
Reds by a score of 3 to 2.
 
Harry Brecheen(1-0) earned his pay with a solid performance for St. Louis.  He
went 8 and 1/3 innings allowing 9 hits and 2 walks.  Neither team was able to
score until the 8th inning.  
 
Brecheen got relief help from Gerry Staley who gained credit for his 1st save.
Ken Raffensberger(0-1) absorbed the loss.  'I always am most impressed when
a pitcher finds a way to win even without his best stuff,' Eddie Dyer said
after the game.  'Brecheen did not have command of his pitches most of the
afternoon, but he proved he really knew how to pitch!'
 

1949 AL Game

April 18, 1949

  It was Opening Day for the 1949 AL season. The Washington Senators hosted the Philadelphia Phillies and the hometown fans got to leave the ballpark in a joyful mood as the Senators defeated the Phillies 6-1. Pitcher Ray Scarborough only allowed 3 hits and 3rd baseman Eddie Yost hit a 3-run homer to lead Washington to victory.

BOXSCORE: 1949 Philadelphia Athletics At 1949 Washington Senators   4/18/1949
 
  Athletics          AB  R  H RBI AVG     Senators           AB  R  H RBI AVG
  E.Joost SS          4  1  1  1 .250     G.Coan LF           4  0  0  0 .000  
  E.Valo LF           3  0  1  0 .333     S.Dente SS          4  0  0  0 .000  
  F.Fain 1B           4  0  0  0 .000     B.Lewis RF          3  1  1  0 .333  
  T.Wright RF         3  0  0  0 .000     C.Vollmer CF        4  1  2  0 .500  
  H.Majeski 3B        3  0  1  0 .333     E.Yost 3B           3  2  1  3 .333  
  S.Chapman CF        3  0  0  0 .000     E.Robinson 1B       2  1  0  0 .000  
  B.Rosar C           3  0  0  0 .000     A.Kozar 2B          3  1  1  1 .333  
  P.Suder 2B          3  0  0  0 .000     A.Evans C           3  0  0  1 .000  
  D.Fowler P          1  0  0  0 .000     R.Scarborough P     3  0  1  1 .333  
A-T.Davis PH          1  0  0  0 .000                                          
  A.Kellner P         0  0  0  0 ----                                          
B-M.Guerra PH         1  0  0  0 .000                                          
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      29  1  3  1                 Totals      29  6  6  6
 
A-Pinch Hit For Fowler In 6th Inning
B-Pinch Hit For Kellner In 9th Inning
 
Athletics....... 0 0 0  0 0 1  0 0 0  -  1  3  0
Senators........ 0 2 0  1 0 3  0 0    -  6  6  0
 
Athletics (0-1)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
D.Fowler LOSS(0-1)        5       4   3   3   1   0   1   5.40
A.Kellner                 3       2   3   3   2   1   1   9.00
Totals                    8       6   6   6   3   1   2
 
Senators (1-0)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
R.Scarboroug WIN(1-0)     9       3   1   1   1   2   1   1.00
Totals                    9       3   1   1   1   2   1
 
ATTENDANCE- 12,846 DATE- Monday, April 18th 1949 TIME- Day WEATHER- Average
UMPIRES- Bill Summers, Bill Grieve, Johnny Stevens, Jim Honochick
T- 2:00
LEFT ON BASE- Athletics: 2  Senators: 3
DOUBLE PLAYS- Athletics: 0  Senators: 1
HOME RUNS- E.Joost(1st), E.Yost(1st), A.Kozar(1st)
RBIs- E.Joost(1st), E.Yost-3(3rd), A.Kozar(1st), A.Evans(1st), R.Scarborough
CAUGHT STEALING- C.Vollmer
WALKS- E.Valo, B.Lewis, E.Yost, E.Robinson
HIT BY PITCH- E.Robinson
STRIKE OUTS- E.Joost, T.Davis, R.Scarborough
GIDP- S.Chapman
2-out RBI- R.Scarborough, A.Kozar, E.Joost
TEAM RISP- Athletics: 0 for 0  Senators: 2 for 4
 
Ray Scarborough threw a 3 hitter as the Washington Senators topped the
Philadelphia Athletics by a score of 6 to 1 at Griffith
Stadium.
 
Scarborough(1-0) came through with a virtuoso performance against the
Philadelphia hitters.  He was stingy on the mound, allowing just 3 hits and 1
walk in 9 innings.  Washington had just 6 hits for the afternoon.  
 
Dick Fowler(0-1) was the loser.  Scarborough was obviously very pleased with
his performance in the aftermath of the game, 'It was just one of those games
where everything worked.  My arm felt great, heck, I could have pitched
another two or three innings.  I only hope that I can do it again next time
out!'

1949 NL Game

April 18, 1949

  It was Opening Day for the 1949 NL season! The Philadelphia Phillies sent the Boston Braves fans home on an unhappy note by defeating the hometown team 9-5. The Braves struck first by getting a run in the bottom of the 1st inning and had a 3-1 lead by the 5th. In the 5th the Phillies put 5 runs on the scoreboard highlighted by a 2-run homer from Bill Nicholson off of Johnny Sain. Ken Heintzelman went 8 2/3 innings for the Win.

BOXSCORE: 1949 Philadelphia Phillies At 1949 Boston Braves          4/18/1949
 
  Phillies           AB  R  H RBI AVG     Braves             AB  R  H RBI AVG
  R.Ashburn CF        4  1  1  0 .250     E.Stanky 2B         4  1  0  0 .000  
  G.Hamner SS         4  0  1  0 .250     A.Dark SS           3  0  0  0 .000  
  E.Waitkus 1B        5  2  2  1 .400     E.Torgeson 1B       3  2  1  1 .333  
  D.Ennis LF          5  2  2  2 .400     B.Elliott 3B        5  1  2  3 .400  
  B.Nicholson RF      4  2  3  3 .750     J.Russell CF        3  0  0  0 .000  
  W.Jones 3B          4  0  0  1 .000     P.Reiser LF         3  1  2  0 .667  
  E.Miller 2B         3  1  1  2 .333     T.Holmes RF         3  0  0  0 .000  
  S.Lopata C          4  0  1  0 .250     P.Masi C            3  0  2  1 .667  
  K.Heintzelman P     3  1  1  0 .333     J.Sain P            2  0  0  0 .000  
  R.Roberts P         0  0  0  0 ----     R.Barrett P         0  0  0  0 ----  
                                        A-M.Rickert PH        1  0  0  0 .000  
                                          B.Hall P            0  0  0  0 ----  
                                        B-J.Heath PH          1  0  0  0 .000  
                                          J.Antonelli P       0  0  0  0 ----  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      36  9 12  9                 Totals      31  5  7  5
 
A-Pinch Hit For Barrett In 6th Inning
B-Pinch Hit For Hall In 8th Inning
 
Phillies........ 0 1 0  0 5 0  3 0 0  -  9 12  2
Braves.......... 1 1 1  0 0 0  0 0 2  -  5  7  0
 
Phillies (1-0)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
K.Heintzelma WIN(1-0)     8 2/3   7   5   4   9   2   1   4.15
R.Roberts                 0 1/3   0   0   0   0   0   0   0.00
Totals                    9       7   5   4   9   2   1
 
Braves (0-1)             IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
J.Sain LOSS(0-1)          5       7   6   6   4   1   1  10.80
R.Barrett                 1       1   0   0   0   1   0   0.00
B.Hall                    2       4   3   3   0   0   1  13.50
J.Antonelli               1       0   0   0   0   0   0   0.00
Totals                    9      12   9   9   4   2   2
 
ATTENDANCE- 26,036 DATE- Monday, April 18th 1949 TIME- Day WEATHER- Good
UMPIRES- Bill Stewart, Jocko Conlan, Lon Warneke, 
T- 2:33
LEFT ON BASE- Phillies: 6  Braves:11
DOUBLE PLAYS- Phillies: 2  Braves: 1
ERRORS- W.Jones, S.Lopata
DOUBLES- E.Waitkus(1st), B.Nicholson(1st), B.Elliott(1st)
TRIPLES- D.Ennis(1st)
HOME RUNS- B.Nicholson(1st), E.Miller(1st), B.Elliott(1st)
RBIs- E.Waitkus(1st), D.Ennis-2(2nd), B.Nicholson-3(3rd), W.Jones(1st),
      E.Miller-2(2nd), E.Torgeson(1st), B.Elliott-3(3rd), P.Masi(1st)
STOLEN BASES- P.Masi(1st)
CAUGHT STEALING- P.Masi
SACRIFICE HITS- G.Hamner, A.Dark, T.Holmes
SACRIFICE FLIES- W.Jones
WALKS- R.Ashburn, B.Nicholson, E.Miller, K.Heintzelman, E.Stanky, A.Dark,
       E.Torgeson-2, J.Russell, P.Reiser-2, T.Holmes, P.Masi
HIT BY PITCH- J.Russell
STRIKE OUTS- G.Hamner, E.Waitkus, J.Russell, J.Heath
GIDP- P.Reiser
2-out RBI- B.Elliott, E.Miller-2
RLISP 2-out- J.Russell-3, S.Lopata-2, E.Stanky-2, T.Holmes-2, A.Dark
TEAM RISP- Phillies: 4 for 11  Braves: 1 for 16
 
Right fielder Bill Nicholson slammed a homerun and had 3 RBI at Braves Field
where the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Boston Braves 9 to 5.
 
Nicholson provided the offensive punch.  He doubled scoring a run in the 2nd
inning, blasted a two-run home run in the 5th inning and ripped a one-base
hit in the 7th inning.  Philadelphia finished with 12 hits while Boston ended
up with 7.  
 
The winning pitcher was Ken Heintzelman(1-0) who allowed 5 runs in 8 and 2/3
innings. The losing pitcher was Johnny Sain(0-1).  Philadelphia scored big
getting 6 runs off him in 5 innings.  
 

The 1949 MLB Season

  Sunday April 17, 1949

  It's the day before the start of the 1949 MLB season. There are 2 games scheduled for opening day, one in each league. The actual 1949 season saw the pennant races in both the AL and NL decided on the final day of the regular season. The Brooklyn Dodgers won the NL pennant  by 1 game over the St. Louis Cardinals. In the AL, the New York Yankees won by 1 game over the Boston Red Sox.
  I'll be managing the Detroit Tigers as usual in this replay. Detroit finished in 4th place in the AL, 10 games behind New York, but had a strong team as evidenced by their 87-67 record. I'll be trying to manage the Detroit Tigers to an AL pennant.