Burdette takes Branca deep to win Grapefruit League game

Burdette takes Branca deep to win Grapefruit League game

March 27, 1953 – Lew Burdette smacked a ninth-inning home run off Ralph Branca to give the Braves a 3-2 exhibition victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers. “Now I’m as famous as Bobby Thomson,” a jubilant Burdette yelled in the clubhouse after the game. [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you cool stories about the game,…

Cookie Lavagetto and Ralph Branca and  after the Shot Heard ‘Round the World, October 3, 1951.

Cookie Lavagetto and Ralph Branca and after the Shot Heard ‘Round the World, October 3, 1951.

October 3, 1951, Cookie Lavagetto and Ralph Branca and after Bobby Thompson’s the Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you cool stories about the game, players, ballparks and the people that shaped the game!”  subscribe_button=”Join us!” show_subscribers_total=”1″] Subscribe to our Podcast The Daily Rewind on Apples Podcast | Spotify  |…

Sal Maglie wins his 20th game to give the Giants a 2 – 1 win over the Dodgers’ Ralph Branca. Monte Irvin’s two-run homer in the 4th gives New York all its scoring, The Dodgers score in the 8th on a double by Duke Sniderand a triple by Jackie Robinson. But 3B Bobby Thomson snags a ground ball, tags Robby, and throws to first for a double play.

Sal Maglie wins his 20th game to give the Giants a 2 – 1 win over the Dodgers’ Ralph Branca. Monte Irvin’s two-run homer in the 4th gives New York all its scoring, The Dodgers score in the 8th on a double by Duke Sniderand a triple by Jackie Robinson. But 3B Bobby Thomson snags a ground ball, tags Robby, and throws to first for a double play.

Sal Maglie wins his 20th game to give the Giants a 2 – 1 win over the Dodgers’ Ralph Branca. Monte Irvin’s two-run homer in the 4th gives New York all its scoring, The Dodgers score in the 8th on a double by Duke Sniderand a triple by Jackie Robinson. But 3B Bobby Thomson snags a ground ball, tags Robby, and throws to first for a double play.

Ralph Branca, despite twinges in his arm, pitches the Dodgers to a 5 – 2 win over the Phillies. Gil Hodges drives home four runs on a grand slam off Ken Johnson. It is Gil’s 37th homer of year, setting a new Dodger record.

Ralph Branca, despite twinges in his arm, pitches the Dodgers to a 5 – 2 win over the Phillies. Gil Hodges drives home four runs on a grand slam off Ken Johnson. It is Gil’s 37th homer of year, setting a new Dodger record.

Don Mueller hits two more home runs, giving him five in two days, to tie a major league mark

Don Mueller hits two more home runs, giving him five in two days, to tie a major league mark

Don Mueller hits two more home runs, giving him five in two days, to tie a major league mark. His second homer, again off Phil Haugstad, comes a minute after he learns he is a new father. Bobby Thomson adds his 25th homer and Jim Hearn beats the Dodgers, 11 – 2. After Mueller’s second homer, Haugstad decks Thomson and hits Willie Mays with a pitch, evoking a warning from umpire Al Barlick. Barlick had earlier thumbed Ralph Branca and Dick Williams in the 5th inning, Don Newcombe in the 6th when he objected to a call, and Jackie Robinson and rookie Clem Labine. Chuck Dressen then clears his bench to avoid any more thumbings. The Giants move to five games behind Brooklyn.

“The two fine Italian arms of Branca and Furillo had a no-hitter running for eight innings”

“The two fine Italian arms of Branca and Furillo had a no-hitter running for eight innings”

“The two fine Italian arms of Branca and Furillo had a no-hitter running for eight innings” writes columnist Dick Young; in the 3rd inning, Ralph Branca’s no-hitter seems broken by a one-hop shot to RF by pitcher Mel Queen, but Carl Furillo guns him out at first. Branca, pitching on two days rest, finally gives up two Pirate hits in the 9th before winning, 5 – 0. In the nitecap the Pirates jump on Erv Palica for three runs in the first inning and hold on for a 5 – 3 win behind Bill Werle and Vern Law. Clyde McCullough is the “Big Un” with a two-run double and a two-run homer. The Pirates continue to be the only team with a season edge on the Dodgers.

Willie Mays makes a miraculous play in the 8th

Willie Mays makes a miraculous play in the 8th

Giants P Jim Hearn defeats the Dodgers, 3 – 1, as Willie Mays makes a miraculous play in the 8th. With the score 1 – 1 and Billy Cox on third, Mays makes a running catch of a Carl Furillo drive in deep right center field and whirls counterclockwise to throw out the astonished Cox at home. Wes Westrum’s two-run homer off Ralph Branca in the 8th provides the two-run margin. Hearn allows just six hits, all singles, as the Giants move to 10 1/2 behind Brooklyn.