In front of a cheering crowd of 33,977 attending the Indians’ final home game, Charley Lupica, after spending 113 days in the air waiting for the Tribe to take first place or be eliminated from the pennant race, climbs down from his flagpole perch, which was recently shifted five miles from his confectionery store to the ballpark on a hydraulic lift. After the wobbly loyal fan kisses the Municipal Stadium’s home plate, he receives a new automobile from team owner Bill Veeck, in addition to receiving a 50-foot flagpole as a souvenir.

ByTom

In front of a cheering crowd of 33,977 attending the Indians’ final home game, Charley Lupica, after spending 113 days in the air waiting for the Tribe to take first place or be eliminated from the pennant race, climbs down from his flagpole perch, which was recently shifted five miles from his confectionery store to the ballpark on a hydraulic lift. After the wobbly loyal fan kisses the Municipal Stadium’s home plate, he receives a new automobile from team owner Bill Veeck, in addition to receiving a 50-foot flagpole as a souvenir.

Despite 71 injuries that kept players out of games, Casey Stengel and his Yankees have been in first place all season. But today the Red Sox move into a tie for first place with a 4 – 1 victory over Allie Reynolds. Ted Williams hits his 43rd homer, and Mel Parnell wins his 25th game of the season. The lefty is 16-3 at Fenway Park this year. Joe DiMaggio listens to the game from a hospital, bedridden with pneumonia. The Yankees return to New York and are greeted at Grand Central Station by a huge crowd of fans, including Mrs. Babe Ruth, who predicts, “Whoever wins tomorrow should go all the way.”

ByThis Day in Baseball

Despite 71 injuries that kept players out of games, Casey Stengel and his Yankees have been in first place all season. But today the Red Sox move into a tie for first place with a 4 – 1 victory over Allie Reynolds. Ted Williams hits his 43rd homer, and Mel Parnell wins his 25th game of the season. The lefty is 16-3 at Fenway Park this year. Joe DiMaggio listens to the game from a hospital, bedridden with pneumonia. The Yankees return to New York and are greeted at Grand Central Station by a huge crowd of fans, including Mrs. Babe Ruth, who predicts, “Whoever wins tomorrow should go all the way.”

The Cardinals, in first place for two months, win their final home game, and the Dodgers lose to Philadelphia, maintaining the Cards’ 1 1/2-game lead.

ByBaseball

The Cardinals, in first place for two months, win their final home game, and the Dodgers lose to Philadelphia, maintaining the Cards’ 1 1/2-game lead.

Ellis Kinder (15-1 at Fenway Park) pitches a six-hitter, and Ted Williams lines his 42nd homer to beat the Yankees, 2 – 0, and pull the Red Sox one game behind the Yankees.

ByBaseball

Ellis Kinder (15-1 at Fenway Park) pitches a six-hitter, and Ted Williams lines his 42nd homer to beat the Yankees, 2 – 0, and pull the Red Sox one game behind the Yankees.

Before the game, Cleveland owner Bill Veeck and a few players hold funeral services to bury the 1948 pennant in center field. Yesterday, the Tribe was mathematically eliminated from the American League pennant race.

ByBaseball

Before the game, Cleveland owner Bill Veeck and a few players hold funeral services to bury the 1948 pennant in center field. Yesterday, the Tribe was mathematically eliminated from the American League pennant race.

At Wrigley Field, the Phillies beat Chicago, 3-1, for their 78th victory of the season. The win guarantees the club its first winning season since 1932, snapping a 16-year streak of futility.

ByBaseball

At Wrigley Field, the Phillies beat Chicago, 3-1, for their 78th victory of the season. The win guarantees the club its first winning season since 1932, snapping a 16-year streak of futility.

With their 77th victory of the year, a 4-3 win in St. Louis, the Phillies will not have a losing season for the first time since 1932. Philadelphia’s record 16-year skid of playing under .500 will be surpassed by the Pirates in 2009, who haven’t won more than they’ve lost since 1993.

ByBaseball

With their 77th victory of the year, a 4-3 win in St. Louis, the Phillies will not have a losing season for the first time since 1932. Philadelphia’s record 16-year skid of playing under .500 will be surpassed by the Pirates in 2009, who haven’t won more than they’ve lost since 1993.

Pirates slugger Ralph Kiner hits his 50th home run of the year, taking Kirby Higbe deep in a 6-4 loss to the Giants at Forbes Field. The 26 year-old All-Star outfielder, having hit 54 round-trippers in his sophomore season of 1947, becomes the first National League player to accomplish the feat in two different seasons.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Pirates slugger Ralph Kiner hits his 50th home run of the year, taking Kirby Higbe deep in a 6-4 loss to the Giants at Forbes Field. The 26 year-old All-Star outfielder, having hit 54 round-trippers in his sophomore season of 1947, becomes the first National League player to accomplish the feat in two different seasons.

|

9/16/1949 – The New York Giants were at Wrigley Field to play the Cubs. In the bottom of the tenth inning, the Cubs batted out of turn and, when the Giants did not realize the mistake, the Cubs scored the winning run! The Cubs had runners on first and third with two outs when relief pitcher Bob Rush, in the eighth spot in the order, should have come to the plate. There was a “double switch” after Emil Verban pinch ran for Smoky Burgess in the ninth and remained in the game at second base and in the ninth place in the order. Verban came to the plate to hit ahead of Rush and walked to load the bases. The Giants failed to speak up. Mickey Owen then pinch hit and singled in the winning run. Once a pitch was made to Owen, the Giants lost the ability to speak up about Verban. Due to not complaining about Verban, the #9 hitter, the correct next batter was the #1 hitter, Bob Ramazzotti, so Owen was hitting in the lead off slot. The cellar-dwelling Cubs won, 5-4.

ByTom

9/16/1949 – The New York Giants were at Wrigley Field to play the Cubs. In the bottom of the tenth inning, the Cubs batted out of turn and, when the Giants did not realize the mistake, the Cubs scored the winning run! The Cubs had runners on first and third with two outs when relief pitcher Bob Rush, in the eighth spot in the order, should have come to the plate. There was a “double switch” after Emil Verban pinch ran for Smoky Burgess in the ninth and remained in the game at second base and in the ninth place in the order. Verban came to the plate to hit ahead of Rush and walked to load the bases. The Giants failed to speak up. Mickey Owen then pinch hit and singled in the winning run. Once a pitch was made to Owen, the Giants lost the ability to speak up about Verban. Due to not complaining about Verban, the #9 hitter, the correct next batter was the #1 hitter, Bob Ramazzotti, so Owen was hitting in the lead off slot. The cellar-dwelling Cubs won, 5-4.