1958 World Series
Encyclopedia
The 1958 World Series was a rematch of the 1957 Series
, with the New York Yankees
beating the defending champion Milwaukee Braves
in seven games for their eighteenth title, and their seventh in ten years. With that victory, the Yankees became only the second team in Major League Baseball
history to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win a best-of-seven World Series; the first was the 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates
. (The 1903 Boston Red Sox came back from a 3–1 deficit in a best-of-nine affair.)
respectively). Both returnees to the Series had no problems repeating as league champions during the regular season. Milwaukee coasted to an eight-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates
in the National League
and the Yanks bested the Chicago White Sox
by ten games in the American. With no pennant race in either league, managers Casey Stengel
of the Yankees and Fred Haney
of the Braves could rest their aces in preparation for an exciting repeat of the 1957 World Series.
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Casey Stengel
called on 14-game winner Whitey Ford
(14–7, 2.01) to start Game 1 although teammate Bob Turley
had a better regular season record at 21–7, the experienced, perennial winning southpaw had five post-season victories under his belt. Fred Haney
countered with a lefty of his own, 22-game winner Warren Spahn
.
Bill "Moose" Skowron started the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning but the Braves came storming back with two of their own in the bottom of the frame. Hank Aaron walked and quickly took second on a Yogi Berra
passed ball. Joe Adcock
grounded out to third for the first out. Aaron held second but advanced to third on Wes Covington
's groundout to second for the second out. Then three straight singles; Del Crandall
to left scoring Aaron, Andy Pafko
to center, and Warren Spahn to left-center scoring Crandall, put the Braves up by one. Red Schoendienst
would strike out to end the inning but the Braves were up early 2–1.
In the top of the fifth, Spahn retired Tony Kubek
on a flyout to left but walked the opposing pitcher, Ford. Lead-off hitter, Hank Bauer
then deposited a Spahn fastball into the left-field bleachers to give the Yankees a slim 3–2 lead. Milwaukee would tie the game in the eighth on an Eddie Mathews
walk, an Aaron double, and a tying sac-fly by Wes Convington on a deep flyout to Mickey Mantle
in left-center.
With no runs tallied in the ninth, extra-innings were played with the Yankees going down 1-2-3 with Spahn still on the hill for the Braves. Interestingly enough, Ryne Duren
, who came into the game to pitch the eighth inning, took his turn at-bat in the tenth and politely grounded back to the pitcher, Spahn. The Braves were not going to let opportunity get away and proceeded to peck away at Duren's deliveries. Aaron started the inning by striking out and was barely thrown out at first base by Yogi Berra
on a dropped third strike. Adcock followed with a clean single to center but Covington made the second out on a flyout to left. Crandall then singled up the middle sending Adcock to second base. Bill Bruton
, who came into the game pinch-hitting for Pafko in the ninth, lined a single into right-center scoring Adcock with the game-winning run.
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Looking to go up two games in the Series, manager Fred Haney wisely sent Lew Burdette
(20–10, 2.91), who won three games in the 1957 World Series
, to the mound for the Braves while the Yankees went with righty Bob Turley
(21–7, 2.91), who won twenty games for the only time in his career during the regular season.
Burdette started shaky giving up a lead-off single to Hank Bauer
. Eddie Mathews
fielded a grounder by Gil McDougald
but threw wide to first setting up runners on second and third. Mickey Mantle
was then intentionally walked loading the bases for cleanup hitter Elston Howard
. But Howard would groundout forcing Mantle at second while Bauer came in from third scoring the game's first run. Burdette calmed down enough to get the next batter, Yogi Berra
, to ground into an inning ending 4–6–3 double-play; Red Schoendienst
, to Johnny Logan, to Frank Torre
.
A shakier Bob Turley
would last only a third of an inning as the Braves lit up the scoreboard with seven (7) first inning runs sparked by a lead-off Bill Bruton
home run who hit just three (3) in the season. The inning continued with Schoendienst doubling to right while Eddie Mathews watched a third strike go by for the first out. Hank Aaron walked and dependable Wes Covington
singled home a run to right-center. Mid-season pickup Duke Maas
relieved Turley to get Frank Torre
to fly to right for the second out. Catcher Del Crandall
walked loading the bases with Johnny Logan keeping up the onslaught with a two-run scoring single. With the score already 4–1, pitcher Burdette helped his own cause with a three-run homer that left-fielder Elston Howard thought he had a bead on only to crash into the fence. Burdette was just the sixth pitcher (to date) with a World Series
home run. Norm Siebern
was summoned to take over for Howard and Johnny Kucks
came in to pitch to try to stop the bleeding. The tenth batter of the inning, Bruton, lined to short but the damage was done as the Braves were staked to a 7–1 lead.
The Braves added to their lead in the second inning on another Covington single this time scoring Eddie Mathews. Things would quiet down a little; Mickey Mantle's solo shot, over the center-field fence, in the fourth was the only other scoring until the seventh when the Braves would score twice more and then thrice more in the eighth. The Yankees would find some life in the top of the ninth scoring three runs off a tiring Burdette. Hank Bauer led off with a home run followed by a Gil McDougald
single to left and then Mantle's second homer of the game, into the left-center field bleachers made it 13–5. Burdette showed some tenacity by retiring Berra, Bill Skowron, and Bobby Richardson
, in order, for the win and a 2–0 series lead.
Arriving at the Bronx for Games 3 through 5, the Yankees found themselves at home in hopes of their first Series win. Milwaukee should have saved some runs from Game 2 as they were shut down on a finely pitched game by Don Larsen
with a little help from reliever Ryne Duren
.
The Yankees needed this win to stay within striking distance of the semmingly run-away Braves. Hank Bauer
drove in all the Yankees' runs going 3 for 4 with four runs batted in and scoring once. Bauer singled in Norm Siebern
and Gil McDougald
in the fifth, to extend his Series hitting streak to seventeen games, and then in the seventh hit a 400 feet (121.9 m), two-run homer into the left-field stands. Larsen went seven innings on a six-hitter, striking out eight with three walks. Duren closed the game for his first save, pitching two scoreless innings with three walks and a strikeout. Bob Rush
pitched well for the Braves but his loss helped the Yanks get back into the Series.
Warren Spahn
was at his much-needed best, winning Game 4, 3–0, on a two-hit shutout over Yankee ace Whitey Ford
. Yankee left-fielder, Norm Siebern (playing for the injured Elston Howard), had trouble fielding with the afternoon sun blazing, losing fly balls in the sixth and eighth innings accounting for two Milwaukee runs.
It was a much-heralded pitching duel until the top of the sixth when Red Schoendienst
led off tripling into deep left-center the ball slicing between "The Mick"
in center and Siebern in left. Tony Kubek
, who had 28 errors during the season, let a Johnny Logan grounder slip through his legs for an error letting in the game's first run. In the seventh, Spahn blooped a single scoring Andy Pafko
who had just doubled to right. In the eighth, Johnny Logan was credited with a ground-rule double when Siebern lost a flyball in the sun. Eddie Mathews
followed with another double scoring Logan with the game's final run. Up three games to one, the Milwaukee Braves were on the cusp of back-to-back championships, but the indomitable New Yorkers will show that they had some fight left in them.
Game 2 starters, loser Bob Turley
and winner Lew Burdette
, returned with quite different results. Good-luck charm Elston Howard
also returned to take his rightful spot in left-field for ineffective Norm Siebern
.
The game did not start out very promising for the Yankees as the first six batters were retired without much fanfare. The Braves didn't fare much better as a walk and a single by Schoendienst in the third was all they could muster. Second baseman Gil McDougald
would open up the scoring in the bottom of the third with a home run into the screen next to the left-field foul pole. Turley kept cruising retiring the side in order in the fourth and fifth until his Yankee teammates opened the floodgates with a six-run sixth. Burdette could only get one out in the inning giving up five earned runs before being relieved by Juan Pizarro
.
Hank Bauer
would lead off with a single to left. After Jerry Lumpe
struck out bunting a third strike foul, Mickey Mantle
singled to left-center advancing Bauer to third. Yogi Berra
doubled into the right-field corner scoring Bauer, Mantle stopping at third. Howard was intentionally passed loading the bases but Moose Skowron kept the rally going with a short single to right scoring just Mantle. Pizzaro relieved Burdette, who was responsible for all baserunners, and was greeted with a two-run scoring double into the Milwaukee bullpen by Gil McDougald
. With runners on second and third, Tony Kubek
struck out but had to be thrown out by Del Crandall
at first. Turley stayed in the game to hit and delivered a single to left scoring the sixth run, Skowron, and the seventh, McDougald. Hank Bauer was the third strikeout victim in the inning but six runs had crossed the plate. The Braves would put runners on in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings but would fail to score giving the Yanks a 7–0 victory although they still led 3–2 in the Series.
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, back at home, still needed one win to sew up their second consecutive championship. Two future Hall-Of-Famers, Whitey Ford
, and Warren Spahn
, started for New York and Milwaukee.
Top of the first, two quick outs by Spahn, and then the man who would be the Series top hitter, Hank Bauer
, stepped to the plate. Hank who would hit .323, with four HRs and eight RBIs, would hit his fourth homer into the left-field bleachers to give the Yanks an early 1–0 lead. The Braves would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning on a Red Schoendienst
single, a sacrifice bunt by Johnny Logan, and a run-scoring single to left by Hank Aaron. Spahn settled in and retired the Yankees without a hit in the second.
Pitching on only two-days rest, Ford quickly withered in the bottom of the second. After striking out Del Crandall
, Wes Covington
singled to center on a trap by center fielder Mickey Mantle
. Andy Pafko
singled to right advancing Covington to third. Spahn singled to right-center scoring Covington for a 2–1 lead. An exhausted Ford walked Schoendienst loading the bases and Casey Stengel
had seen enough motioning to the bullpen for reliever Art Ditmar
. Ditmar faced one batter, Logan, who flied out to Elston Howard
who in turn threw home with a perfect throw to Yogi Berra
, doubling up Pafko trying to score on the sac-fly.
Milwaukee held on to the lead until the top of the sixth inning when the Yankees tied the score on a defensive replacement miscue. Bill Bruton
had entered the game to play center for Pafko. After Mantle singled just over the reach of shortstop Johnny Logan's glove; Elston Howard
followed with single to center but Bruton fumbled the ball allowing Mantle to reach third on the error. The great bad-ball hitting Berra hit a sacrifice fly to center, Mantle scoring after the catch, to tie the game at two apiece.
Warren Spahn
was still on the mound for the Braves going into the tenth despite throwing 290 regular season innings and another 19 in the post-season. Gil McDougald
, who was having a fine series himself, led off the tenth hitting a probably less-than-average Spahn fastball, over the left-field fence. Bauer almost went back-to-back but Bruton made the catch in deep center. Mantle grounded to second for the second out but Howard and Berra followed with singles setting up runners on first and third. Haney called on Don McMahon
to replace Spahn but may have waited a bit too long to change pitchers. Moose Skowron struck a single to right scoring Howard and a two-run lead. Pitcher Ryne Duren
stayed in the game to hit but struck out to end the inning.
The Braves made some noise in the bottom of the tenth but it wasn't enough to overcome the Yankee lead. With Logan on first after a walk and with two outs went to second on the defensive team's indifference (not a stolen base). The ever-dependable Aaron singled to left and the Braves were within one run of tying the game. Joe Adcock
then singled sending Aaron to third. Bob Turley
came in to relieve Duren and Felix Mantilla
pinch-ran for Adcock. Two outs, two on, Frank Torre
pinch-hitting for Del Crandall, lined-out to McDougald at the very edge of the outfield grass to end the game and Milwaukee's chance to win the game and the Series.
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Trying to beat fantastic odds and come back from a 3–1 deficit, Yankee manager Casey Stengel
again chose Don Larsen
to start Game 7. Larsen had only lasted innings starting Game 7 in the 1957 World Series
and once again lasted innings in 1958. Lew Burdette
, who pitched a complete game win in Game 2 but gave up six runs in a Game 5 loss, would start for Milwaukee.
The Yankees failed to score in the first while the Braves tallied a single run on some lack of control by Larsen. Red Schoendienst
led off with a single to left, Bill Bruton
walked and Frank Torre
sacrificed up both runners, Jerry Lumpe
to Gil McDougald
, who was covering first base. Hank Aaron walked loading the bases; things looking pretty good for the Braves thus far. Wes Covington
grounded out to first but Schoendienst scored on the play. Eddie Mathews
took an intentional pass but Del Crandall
struck out ending the threat.
The Yankees had a wake-up call and came out "swinging" in the second inning. Clean-up hitter Yogi Berra
led off with a walk. Slow-footed but hustling Elston Howard
laid down a sacrifice and, incredibly, was called safe on a poorly tossed throw by Torre to pitcher Burdette. Jerry Lumpe
grounded again to Torre, who again threw too high to Burdette for another error, loading the bases. The left-handed hitting Torre got the start in place of veteran right-hander Joe Adcock who may have been more sure-handed in the field. The next batter, Bill Skowron, forced Lumpe at second, scoring Berra and moving Howard to third. Tony Kubek
lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Howard giving the Yankees a 2–1 lead which would hold up until the bottom of the sixth.
Two singles in the bottom of the third brought Stengel out to replace Larsen with a short-rested Bob Turley
. The stocky right-hander would escape a bases-loaded situation and pitch superb ball the rest of the way. As it was in Game 6, the score was tied 2–2 after six innings of play when, with two outs, Del Crandall homered into the left-field stands giving the Braves fans a reason to cheer and promise of another championship.
But that hope would fade as the Yankees came to bat in the top of the eighth inning. With tiring Lew Burdette looking for another complete-game victory, the "Bronx Bombers" started an improbable two-out rally. After a Gil McDougald
flyout and Mickey Mantle
looking at a third called strike, Yogi Berra
stepped to the plate and doubled off the wall in the right-field corner. Howard followed with a run-scoring single to center. Andy Carey
singled past the glove of Eddie Mathews
. William Joseph (Moose) Skowron would then deliver the crushing blow with a three-run homer into the left-field bleachers and cap an incredible, storybook comeback. The Milwaukee Braves would not, could not recover, giving the New York Yankees their eighteenth World Championship.
Hank Bauer
(a nine-Series veteran) led with most runs scored (six), most hits (ten), most home runs (four) and most runs batted in (eight). He also topped the Yankees sluggers with a .323 average. Despite less-than-stellar stats in his first four Classics (seven for fifty-seven with a .123 avg.), he combined for eighteen hits, six home runs, fourteen RBIs and a .290 average against the Braves in '57 and '58.
(Neft and Cohen 270–273)
(A.L.) over Milwaukee Braves
(N.L.)
1957 World Series
The 1957 World Series featured the defending champions, the New York Yankees , playing against the Milwaukee Braves . After finishing just one game behind the N.L. Champion Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, the Braves came back in 1957 to win their first pennant since moving from Boston in 1953...
, with the New York Yankees
1958 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 56th season for the team in New York, and its 58th season overall. The team finished with a record of 92-62, winning their 24th pennant, finishing 10 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. In the World Series, they defeated the Milwaukee Braves in 7 games. New...
beating the defending champion Milwaukee Braves
1958 Milwaukee Braves season
The Milwaukee Braves season was a season in American baseball. The Braves finished first in the National League with a 92-62 record and returned to the World Series for the second consecutive year, losing to the New York Yankees in seven games.-Offseason:...
in seven games for their eighteenth title, and their seventh in ten years. With that victory, the Yankees became only the second team in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
history to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win a best-of-seven World Series; the first was the 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates
1925 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates finished first in the National League with a record of 95-58. They defeated the Washington Senators in the World Series.The Pirates had three future Hall of Famers in their starting lineup: Max Carey, Kiki Cuyler, and Pie Traynor....
. (The 1903 Boston Red Sox came back from a 3–1 deficit in a best-of-nine affair.)
Background
This was the first year New Yorkers had only one local team to root for; both the Giants and the Dodgers were now playing their home games more than 3000 miles (4,828 km) away (in San Francisco and Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
respectively). Both returnees to the Series had no problems repeating as league champions during the regular season. Milwaukee coasted to an eight-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
and the Yanks bested the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
by ten games in the American. With no pennant race in either league, managers Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
of the Yankees and Fred Haney
Fred Haney
Fred Girard Haney was an American third baseman, manager, coach and executive in Major League Baseball. As a manager, he won two pennants and a world championship with the Milwaukee Braves and, as an executive, he was the first general manager of the expansion Los Angeles Angels of the American...
of the Braves could rest their aces in preparation for an exciting repeat of the 1957 World Series.
Summary
Game 1
Wednesday, October 1, 1958 at County StadiumMilwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
called on 14-game winner Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
(14–7, 2.01) to start Game 1 although teammate Bob Turley
Bob Turley
Robert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
had a better regular season record at 21–7, the experienced, perennial winning southpaw had five post-season victories under his belt. Fred Haney
Fred Haney
Fred Girard Haney was an American third baseman, manager, coach and executive in Major League Baseball. As a manager, he won two pennants and a world championship with the Milwaukee Braves and, as an executive, he was the first general manager of the expansion Los Angeles Angels of the American...
countered with a lefty of his own, 22-game winner Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
.
Bill "Moose" Skowron started the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning but the Braves came storming back with two of their own in the bottom of the frame. Hank Aaron walked and quickly took second on a Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
passed ball. Joe Adcock
Joe Adcock
Joseph Wilbur "Billy Joe" Adcock was an American first baseman and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the powerful Milwaukee Braves teams of the 1950s, whose career included numerous home run feats...
grounded out to third for the first out. Aaron held second but advanced to third on Wes Covington
Wes Covington
John Wesley Covington , was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
's groundout to second for the second out. Then three straight singles; Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
to left scoring Aaron, Andy Pafko
Andy Pafko
Andrew Pafko is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1943 through 1959, Pafko played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves . He batted and threw right-handed...
to center, and Warren Spahn to left-center scoring Crandall, put the Braves up by one. Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
would strike out to end the inning but the Braves were up early 2–1.
In the top of the fifth, Spahn retired Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
on a flyout to left but walked the opposing pitcher, Ford. Lead-off hitter, Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
then deposited a Spahn fastball into the left-field bleachers to give the Yankees a slim 3–2 lead. Milwaukee would tie the game in the eighth on an Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
walk, an Aaron double, and a tying sac-fly by Wes Convington on a deep flyout to Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
in left-center.
With no runs tallied in the ninth, extra-innings were played with the Yankees going down 1-2-3 with Spahn still on the hill for the Braves. Interestingly enough, Ryne Duren
Ryne Duren
Rinold George "Ryne" Duren was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.He was known for the combination of his blazing fastball and his very poor vision. With his thick coke bottle glasses, few batters dared to dig in against Duren...
, who came into the game to pitch the eighth inning, took his turn at-bat in the tenth and politely grounded back to the pitcher, Spahn. The Braves were not going to let opportunity get away and proceeded to peck away at Duren's deliveries. Aaron started the inning by striking out and was barely thrown out at first base by Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
on a dropped third strike. Adcock followed with a clean single to center but Covington made the second out on a flyout to left. Crandall then singled up the middle sending Adcock to second base. Bill Bruton
Bill Bruton
William Havon Bruton was a Major League Baseball center fielder who played for the Milwaukee Braves in 1953 through 1960, and for the Detroit Tigers in 1961 through 64. Bruton batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, who came into the game pinch-hitting for Pafko in the ninth, lined a single into right-center scoring Adcock with the game-winning run.
Game 2
Thursday, October 2, 1958 at County StadiumMilwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
Looking to go up two games in the Series, manager Fred Haney wisely sent Lew Burdette
Lew Burdette
Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves...
(20–10, 2.91), who won three games in the 1957 World Series
1957 World Series
The 1957 World Series featured the defending champions, the New York Yankees , playing against the Milwaukee Braves . After finishing just one game behind the N.L. Champion Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, the Braves came back in 1957 to win their first pennant since moving from Boston in 1953...
, to the mound for the Braves while the Yankees went with righty Bob Turley
Bob Turley
Robert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
(21–7, 2.91), who won twenty games for the only time in his career during the regular season.
Burdette started shaky giving up a lead-off single to Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
. Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
fielded a grounder by Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
but threw wide to first setting up runners on second and third. Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
was then intentionally walked loading the bases for cleanup hitter Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
. But Howard would groundout forcing Mantle at second while Bauer came in from third scoring the game's first run. Burdette calmed down enough to get the next batter, Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, to ground into an inning ending 4–6–3 double-play; Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
, to Johnny Logan, to Frank Torre
Frank Torre
Frank Joseph Torre is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. Torre, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies...
.
A shakier Bob Turley
Bob Turley
Robert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
would last only a third of an inning as the Braves lit up the scoreboard with seven (7) first inning runs sparked by a lead-off Bill Bruton
Bill Bruton
William Havon Bruton was a Major League Baseball center fielder who played for the Milwaukee Braves in 1953 through 1960, and for the Detroit Tigers in 1961 through 64. Bruton batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
home run who hit just three (3) in the season. The inning continued with Schoendienst doubling to right while Eddie Mathews watched a third strike go by for the first out. Hank Aaron walked and dependable Wes Covington
Wes Covington
John Wesley Covington , was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
singled home a run to right-center. Mid-season pickup Duke Maas
Duke Maas
Duane Fredrick Maas is a former professional baseball player. He was a pitcher over parts of 7 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees He was chosen by the Los Angeles Angels in the American League expansion draft prior to the 1961 season, but never played for...
relieved Turley to get Frank Torre
Frank Torre
Frank Joseph Torre is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. Torre, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies...
to fly to right for the second out. Catcher Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
walked loading the bases with Johnny Logan keeping up the onslaught with a two-run scoring single. With the score already 4–1, pitcher Burdette helped his own cause with a three-run homer that left-fielder Elston Howard thought he had a bead on only to crash into the fence. Burdette was just the sixth pitcher (to date) with a World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
home run. Norm Siebern
Norm Siebern
Norman Leroy Siebern was a Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox from to . His best season came in with the A's, when he hit 25 home runs, had 117 runs batted in and a .308...
was summoned to take over for Howard and Johnny Kucks
Johnny Kucks
John Charles Kucks was a pitcher for the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics in Major League Baseball. In 1952, he was signed as an amateur free agent...
came in to pitch to try to stop the bleeding. The tenth batter of the inning, Bruton, lined to short but the damage was done as the Braves were staked to a 7–1 lead.
The Braves added to their lead in the second inning on another Covington single this time scoring Eddie Mathews. Things would quiet down a little; Mickey Mantle's solo shot, over the center-field fence, in the fourth was the only other scoring until the seventh when the Braves would score twice more and then thrice more in the eighth. The Yankees would find some life in the top of the ninth scoring three runs off a tiring Burdette. Hank Bauer led off with a home run followed by a Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
single to left and then Mantle's second homer of the game, into the left-center field bleachers made it 13–5. Burdette showed some tenacity by retiring Berra, Bill Skowron, and Bobby Richardson
Bobby Richardson
Robert Clinton "Bobby" Richardson is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees from through . Batting and throwing right-handed, he was a superb defensive infielder, as well as something of a clutch hitter, who played no small role in the Yankee baseball...
, in order, for the win and a 2–0 series lead.
Game 3
Saturday, October 4, 1958 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkArriving at the Bronx for Games 3 through 5, the Yankees found themselves at home in hopes of their first Series win. Milwaukee should have saved some runs from Game 2 as they were shut down on a finely pitched game by Don Larsen
Don Larsen
Donald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series...
with a little help from reliever Ryne Duren
Ryne Duren
Rinold George "Ryne" Duren was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.He was known for the combination of his blazing fastball and his very poor vision. With his thick coke bottle glasses, few batters dared to dig in against Duren...
.
The Yankees needed this win to stay within striking distance of the semmingly run-away Braves. Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
drove in all the Yankees' runs going 3 for 4 with four runs batted in and scoring once. Bauer singled in Norm Siebern
Norm Siebern
Norman Leroy Siebern was a Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox from to . His best season came in with the A's, when he hit 25 home runs, had 117 runs batted in and a .308...
and Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
in the fifth, to extend his Series hitting streak to seventeen games, and then in the seventh hit a 400 feet (121.9 m), two-run homer into the left-field stands. Larsen went seven innings on a six-hitter, striking out eight with three walks. Duren closed the game for his first save, pitching two scoreless innings with three walks and a strikeout. Bob Rush
Bob Rush (baseball)
Robert Ransom Rush was a professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball from 1948-60.Rush played for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago White Sox....
pitched well for the Braves but his loss helped the Yanks get back into the Series.
Game 4
Sunday, October 5, 1958 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkWarren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
was at his much-needed best, winning Game 4, 3–0, on a two-hit shutout over Yankee ace Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
. Yankee left-fielder, Norm Siebern (playing for the injured Elston Howard), had trouble fielding with the afternoon sun blazing, losing fly balls in the sixth and eighth innings accounting for two Milwaukee runs.
It was a much-heralded pitching duel until the top of the sixth when Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
led off tripling into deep left-center the ball slicing between "The Mick"
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
in center and Siebern in left. Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
, who had 28 errors during the season, let a Johnny Logan grounder slip through his legs for an error letting in the game's first run. In the seventh, Spahn blooped a single scoring Andy Pafko
Andy Pafko
Andrew Pafko is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1943 through 1959, Pafko played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves . He batted and threw right-handed...
who had just doubled to right. In the eighth, Johnny Logan was credited with a ground-rule double when Siebern lost a flyball in the sun. Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
followed with another double scoring Logan with the game's final run. Up three games to one, the Milwaukee Braves were on the cusp of back-to-back championships, but the indomitable New Yorkers will show that they had some fight left in them.
Game 5
Monday, October 6, 1958 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkGame 2 starters, loser Bob Turley
Bob Turley
Robert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
and winner Lew Burdette
Lew Burdette
Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves...
, returned with quite different results. Good-luck charm Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
also returned to take his rightful spot in left-field for ineffective Norm Siebern
Norm Siebern
Norman Leroy Siebern was a Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox from to . His best season came in with the A's, when he hit 25 home runs, had 117 runs batted in and a .308...
.
The game did not start out very promising for the Yankees as the first six batters were retired without much fanfare. The Braves didn't fare much better as a walk and a single by Schoendienst in the third was all they could muster. Second baseman Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
would open up the scoring in the bottom of the third with a home run into the screen next to the left-field foul pole. Turley kept cruising retiring the side in order in the fourth and fifth until his Yankee teammates opened the floodgates with a six-run sixth. Burdette could only get one out in the inning giving up five earned runs before being relieved by Juan Pizarro
Juan Pizarro
Juan Ramon Pizarro Cordova is a former major league baseball pitcher.-Milwaukee Braves:Juan Pizarro signed with the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1956. After going 27-6 with a 2.06 earned run average in the minors, he made his major league debut on May 4, 1957 against the Pittsburgh...
.
Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
would lead off with a single to left. After Jerry Lumpe
Jerry Lumpe
Jerry Dean Lumpe is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers ....
struck out bunting a third strike foul, Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
singled to left-center advancing Bauer to third. Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
doubled into the right-field corner scoring Bauer, Mantle stopping at third. Howard was intentionally passed loading the bases but Moose Skowron kept the rally going with a short single to right scoring just Mantle. Pizzaro relieved Burdette, who was responsible for all baserunners, and was greeted with a two-run scoring double into the Milwaukee bullpen by Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
. With runners on second and third, Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
struck out but had to be thrown out by Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
at first. Turley stayed in the game to hit and delivered a single to left scoring the sixth run, Skowron, and the seventh, McDougald. Hank Bauer was the third strikeout victim in the inning but six runs had crossed the plate. The Braves would put runners on in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings but would fail to score giving the Yanks a 7–0 victory although they still led 3–2 in the Series.
Game 6
Wednesday, October 8, 1958 at County StadiumMilwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
Milwaukee, back at home, still needed one win to sew up their second consecutive championship. Two future Hall-Of-Famers, Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
, and Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
, started for New York and Milwaukee.
Top of the first, two quick outs by Spahn, and then the man who would be the Series top hitter, Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
, stepped to the plate. Hank who would hit .323, with four HRs and eight RBIs, would hit his fourth homer into the left-field bleachers to give the Yanks an early 1–0 lead. The Braves would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning on a Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
single, a sacrifice bunt by Johnny Logan, and a run-scoring single to left by Hank Aaron. Spahn settled in and retired the Yankees without a hit in the second.
Pitching on only two-days rest, Ford quickly withered in the bottom of the second. After striking out Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
, Wes Covington
Wes Covington
John Wesley Covington , was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
singled to center on a trap by center fielder Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
. Andy Pafko
Andy Pafko
Andrew Pafko is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1943 through 1959, Pafko played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves . He batted and threw right-handed...
singled to right advancing Covington to third. Spahn singled to right-center scoring Covington for a 2–1 lead. An exhausted Ford walked Schoendienst loading the bases and Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
had seen enough motioning to the bullpen for reliever Art Ditmar
Art Ditmar
Arthur John Ditmar is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Athletics and the New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed.A finesse control pitcher, Ditmar divided his career between the Athletics and Yankees...
. Ditmar faced one batter, Logan, who flied out to Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
who in turn threw home with a perfect throw to Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, doubling up Pafko trying to score on the sac-fly.
Milwaukee held on to the lead until the top of the sixth inning when the Yankees tied the score on a defensive replacement miscue. Bill Bruton
Bill Bruton
William Havon Bruton was a Major League Baseball center fielder who played for the Milwaukee Braves in 1953 through 1960, and for the Detroit Tigers in 1961 through 64. Bruton batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
had entered the game to play center for Pafko. After Mantle singled just over the reach of shortstop Johnny Logan's glove; Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
followed with single to center but Bruton fumbled the ball allowing Mantle to reach third on the error. The great bad-ball hitting Berra hit a sacrifice fly to center, Mantle scoring after the catch, to tie the game at two apiece.
Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
was still on the mound for the Braves going into the tenth despite throwing 290 regular season innings and another 19 in the post-season. Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
, who was having a fine series himself, led off the tenth hitting a probably less-than-average Spahn fastball, over the left-field fence. Bauer almost went back-to-back but Bruton made the catch in deep center. Mantle grounded to second for the second out but Howard and Berra followed with singles setting up runners on first and third. Haney called on Don McMahon
Don McMahon
Donald John McMahon was a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was signed by the Boston Braves before the 1950 season...
to replace Spahn but may have waited a bit too long to change pitchers. Moose Skowron struck a single to right scoring Howard and a two-run lead. Pitcher Ryne Duren
Ryne Duren
Rinold George "Ryne" Duren was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.He was known for the combination of his blazing fastball and his very poor vision. With his thick coke bottle glasses, few batters dared to dig in against Duren...
stayed in the game to hit but struck out to end the inning.
The Braves made some noise in the bottom of the tenth but it wasn't enough to overcome the Yankee lead. With Logan on first after a walk and with two outs went to second on the defensive team's indifference (not a stolen base). The ever-dependable Aaron singled to left and the Braves were within one run of tying the game. Joe Adcock
Joe Adcock
Joseph Wilbur "Billy Joe" Adcock was an American first baseman and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the powerful Milwaukee Braves teams of the 1950s, whose career included numerous home run feats...
then singled sending Aaron to third. Bob Turley
Bob Turley
Robert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
came in to relieve Duren and Felix Mantilla
Felix Mantilla Lamela
Félix Mantilla Lamela is a former Major League Baseball player. In his 11-year career, Mantilla played for the Milwaukee Braves , New York Mets , Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros . An infielder/outfielder, he played second base the majority of his career...
pinch-ran for Adcock. Two outs, two on, Frank Torre
Frank Torre
Frank Joseph Torre is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. Torre, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies...
pinch-hitting for Del Crandall, lined-out to McDougald at the very edge of the outfield grass to end the game and Milwaukee's chance to win the game and the Series.
Game 7
Thursday, October 9, 1958 at County StadiumMilwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
Trying to beat fantastic odds and come back from a 3–1 deficit, Yankee manager Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
again chose Don Larsen
Don Larsen
Donald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series...
to start Game 7. Larsen had only lasted innings starting Game 7 in the 1957 World Series
1957 World Series
The 1957 World Series featured the defending champions, the New York Yankees , playing against the Milwaukee Braves . After finishing just one game behind the N.L. Champion Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, the Braves came back in 1957 to win their first pennant since moving from Boston in 1953...
and once again lasted innings in 1958. Lew Burdette
Lew Burdette
Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves...
, who pitched a complete game win in Game 2 but gave up six runs in a Game 5 loss, would start for Milwaukee.
The Yankees failed to score in the first while the Braves tallied a single run on some lack of control by Larsen. Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
led off with a single to left, Bill Bruton
Bill Bruton
William Havon Bruton was a Major League Baseball center fielder who played for the Milwaukee Braves in 1953 through 1960, and for the Detroit Tigers in 1961 through 64. Bruton batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
walked and Frank Torre
Frank Torre
Frank Joseph Torre is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. Torre, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies...
sacrificed up both runners, Jerry Lumpe
Jerry Lumpe
Jerry Dean Lumpe is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers ....
to Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
, who was covering first base. Hank Aaron walked loading the bases; things looking pretty good for the Braves thus far. Wes Covington
Wes Covington
John Wesley Covington , was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
grounded out to first but Schoendienst scored on the play. Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
took an intentional pass but Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
struck out ending the threat.
The Yankees had a wake-up call and came out "swinging" in the second inning. Clean-up hitter Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
led off with a walk. Slow-footed but hustling Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
laid down a sacrifice and, incredibly, was called safe on a poorly tossed throw by Torre to pitcher Burdette. Jerry Lumpe
Jerry Lumpe
Jerry Dean Lumpe is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers ....
grounded again to Torre, who again threw too high to Burdette for another error, loading the bases. The left-handed hitting Torre got the start in place of veteran right-hander Joe Adcock who may have been more sure-handed in the field. The next batter, Bill Skowron, forced Lumpe at second, scoring Berra and moving Howard to third. Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Howard giving the Yankees a 2–1 lead which would hold up until the bottom of the sixth.
Two singles in the bottom of the third brought Stengel out to replace Larsen with a short-rested Bob Turley
Bob Turley
Robert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
. The stocky right-hander would escape a bases-loaded situation and pitch superb ball the rest of the way. As it was in Game 6, the score was tied 2–2 after six innings of play when, with two outs, Del Crandall homered into the left-field stands giving the Braves fans a reason to cheer and promise of another championship.
But that hope would fade as the Yankees came to bat in the top of the eighth inning. With tiring Lew Burdette looking for another complete-game victory, the "Bronx Bombers" started an improbable two-out rally. After a Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
flyout and Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
looking at a third called strike, Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
stepped to the plate and doubled off the wall in the right-field corner. Howard followed with a run-scoring single to center. Andy Carey
Andy Carey
Andrew Arthur Carey is a former major league third baseman for the New York Yankees , and three other major league teams from 1960 to 1962...
singled past the glove of Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
. William Joseph (Moose) Skowron would then deliver the crushing blow with a three-run homer into the left-field bleachers and cap an incredible, storybook comeback. The Milwaukee Braves would not, could not recover, giving the New York Yankees their eighteenth World Championship.
Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
(a nine-Series veteran) led with most runs scored (six), most hits (ten), most home runs (four) and most runs batted in (eight). He also topped the Yankees sluggers with a .323 average. Despite less-than-stellar stats in his first four Classics (seven for fifty-seven with a .123 avg.), he combined for eighteen hits, six home runs, fourteen RBIs and a .290 average against the Braves in '57 and '58.
(Neft and Cohen 270–273)
Composite box
1958 World Series (4–3): New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(A.L.) over Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(N.L.)
Records
- Eddie MathewsEddie MathewsEdwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
struck out eleven times, a World Series record that Wayne GarrettWayne GarrettRonald Wayne Garrett was the New York Mets starting third baseman from 1972 through 1975. Garrett also saw occasional duty as a second baseman and as a shortstop....
would tie in the 1973 World Series1973 World SeriesThe 1973 World Series matched the defending champion Oakland Athletics against the New York Mets, with the A's winning in seven games to repeat as World Champions....
. The co-records would stand until the 1980 World Series1980 World Series-Game 1:Tuesday, October 14, 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe Royals jumped on Philly rookie starter Bob Walk early with a pair of two run bombs—one by Amos Otis in the second and another by Willie Aikens in the third...
, when Willie Wilson of the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
struck out twelve times. - The Braves, as a team, struckout 53 times, a new World SeriesWorld SeriesThe World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
record. - This was Casey StengelCasey StengelCharles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
's seventh world championship, which tied him with Joe McCarthy for the most World Series won. It would also be Stengel's last. - The 3–1 deficit overcome by the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
was the first ever in a best-of-seven by an American LeagueAmerican LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
team. The only other instance occurred during the 1925 World Series1925 World SeriesIn the 1925 World Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the defending champion Washington Senators in seven games.In a reversal of fortune on all counts from the previous 1924 World Series, when Washington's Walter Johnson had come back from two losses to win the seventh and deciding game, Johnson...
by the National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
's Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.