Bubba Church Essentials Positions: Bats: R Throws: R Height: 72 Weight: 180 Born: Friday, September 12, 1924 in Birmingham, AL USA Died: 9 17 2001 in Birmingham, AL USA Debut: 4/30/1950 Last Game: 5/1/1955 Full Name: Emory Nicholas Church
Against the Phillies, Cubs player-manager Phil Cavarretta earns his money by driving home three runs in a first-game win, 5 – 4, snapping the Cubs’ 10-game home losing streak. His triple in the 6th off Robin Roberts ends the Cubs’ scoreless inning skein of 31 innings, and the consecutive scoreless innings by Phils pitchers at 41. Cavarretta takes the bench in the second game but inserts himself as a pinch-hitter in the 7th when Roberts relieves, and hits a grand slam home run as the Cubs sweep, winning the nitecap, 8 – 6. The nitecap loss goes to Bubba Church, who put two runners on before giving way to Roberts. It is Church’s first and only career loss to Chicago after nine straight wins.
At Shibe Park, the much-heralded Giant rookie Willie Mays makes his major league debut against the Phillies. The 20 year-old outfielder, who hit .477 in 35 games with the Minneapolis Millers before being called up, goes hitless in five trips to the plate, but makes two outstanding defensive plays to contribute to New York’s 8-5 victory.