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Simply
put, Harold is a science teacher who loves baseball.
Actually, he is a self described "baseball fan who became a
science teacher because he couldn't hit or throw." He has
been involved with the New York City Education system in
various capacities since 1962 and he received his doctorate
in science education from NYU in 1968. He credits Casey
Stengel with being responsible for his first baseball
"degree," and in 1998, Joe Torre and Don Zimmer saw to it
that he received the advanced version. For that he says, "I
cannot thank them enough." The Yankees have won and lost more World Series than any other team. Some of the wins appeared to have been easy while some were extremely difficult, and some of the losses were more difficult to accept than others. The 1927 World Series victory seemed a foregone conclusion, the 2000 World Series could not be lost under any circumstances, the 1926 defeat to St. Louis is steeped in the legend of Grover Cleveland Alexander, and the 1976 loss hurts less than most since the Yankees were not the better team and were not expected to win. But one World Series victory seemingly is overlooked. It was a four game sweep and it is almost forgotten. It was "revenge" for a bitter defeat only two years before and it is hardly remembered. The 1928 World Series victory against the St. Louis Cardinals was as good as any of the 26. The Yankees
were at disadvantage going into the 1928 World Series. Lefty
Herb Pennock had a sore arm and future Hall of Fame
centerfielder Earle Combs had a broken finger and could only
pinch-hit. Babe Ruth had a bad ankle and Tony Lazzeri had a
sore throwing arm. It wouldn't matter.
Game 2 provided the Yankees with the opportunity to show Grover Cleveland Alexander that even the greatest of pitchers can be beaten. Gehrig gave the Yankees a three run lead when he homered with two men on base in the first inning. Ruth had a double and single as the Yankees won easily, 9-3. Gehrig, Ruth, and strong pitching were beating the Cardinals. The series moved to St. Louis, where Gehrig blasted two home runs and Tom Zachary, the pitcher who yielded Babe Ruth's sixtieth home run the year before and had won only 3 games for the Yankees, started and pitched a complete game as the Yankees won, 7-3. It was almost over and would be the next day in when Ruth hit a record three home runs and Gehrig hit one as the Yankees won, again 7-3, to complete the sweep. Ruth batted .625 and Gehrig .545. The rest of the team had a .196 batting average, but Ruth and Gehrig were enough. It was one of the greatest World Series victories of all time against a fine opponent. The 1926 World Series had a dramatic, pivotal moment when Alexander struck out Tony Lazzeri with the bases loaded and the 1927 Yankees team was the greatest team of all time. It may be that for those reasons that the '28 World Series is in the background, except for an occasional reference to Ruth's average and 3 home runs in Game 4. But for
almost any other team, the 1928 World Series sweep would be
the highlight year in the team's history. A World Series
victory is the greatest achievement in sports. It is better
than a Superbowl because to win the World Series, the
winning team must beat its opponent four times, not just
once. If the four wins are consecutive, it is a great
achievement. If the four wins are in the first four games,
it is a great achievement that must never be underrated or
forgotten. Winning the 1928 World Series was such an
achievement. |
How ya' doin? Best sites on 'da 'net! New York Yankees Mighty Yanks The Bombers Fast Facts: Betcha' didn't know "The Chairman of the Board" holds the World Series records for most wins (10) and most strikeouts (94). Yogi has won more World Championships than any other player in baseball history (10). "The Yankees don't pay me to win everyday, just 2 out of 3." Casey Stengel Trivia: Who was the last pitcher to throw a no-hitter against the Yankees and what year did it happen? Answer In Next Issue |
