I don't usually write about members of the opposing New York team, but I'll make an exception as we approach a 70th anniversary of note (the famous speech at Yankee Stadium) to reference the three walk-off home runs hit by Lou Gehrig.
August 25, 1932 vs Indians
One of the fun things about reading old-time newspaper game stories is that you get writings such as this from John Drebinger of the New York Times.
"As every good hunter knows, there is nothing like a trusty double-barreled gun to bring down big game, and it took all of two shots, right on the mark, for the Yankees to overcome the Indians in the second game of the current series at the Stadium yesterday."
Drebinger was referring to the home runs of both Msrs Ruth and Gehrig, the latter of which ended a contest that, amazingly enough, was played to nine-inning conclusion in 92 minutes.
June 20, 1934 vs Indians
Walk-off home runs were celebrated a little bit differently in Gehrig's playing days. A photo with the game story, which details how the Yankees swept the Walter Johnson-managed Indians, shows Gehrig crossing the plate after hitting his walk-off home run. There is no throng awaiting to do the celebratory bunny hop, but merely one person (the batboy perhaps?) who holds out his palm for a greeting.
September 8, 1937 vs Red Sox
But then again, maybe the pictures don't tell the whole story. It was quite the doubleheader sweep for Gehrig and the Yankees against the Red Sox on this date.
In the opener, The Iron Horse scored the winning run on Myril Hoag's single.
In the nightcap, the Yankees staged the kind of epic comeback for which they are known well. Trailing 6-1 in the ninth inning, they scored eight times, all with two outs, to win. Joe Cronin's two errors on the same potential game-ending play opened the door and the Yankees took advantage big-time.
Joe Dimaggio singled in the tying run and then Gehrig followed with a three-run blast on a 3-2 pitch.
As the story notes: "He had to fight his way around the bases through a happy swarm of fans."
August 25, 1932 vs Indians
One of the fun things about reading old-time newspaper game stories is that you get writings such as this from John Drebinger of the New York Times.
"As every good hunter knows, there is nothing like a trusty double-barreled gun to bring down big game, and it took all of two shots, right on the mark, for the Yankees to overcome the Indians in the second game of the current series at the Stadium yesterday."
Drebinger was referring to the home runs of both Msrs Ruth and Gehrig, the latter of which ended a contest that, amazingly enough, was played to nine-inning conclusion in 92 minutes.
June 20, 1934 vs Indians
Walk-off home runs were celebrated a little bit differently in Gehrig's playing days. A photo with the game story, which details how the Yankees swept the Walter Johnson-managed Indians, shows Gehrig crossing the plate after hitting his walk-off home run. There is no throng awaiting to do the celebratory bunny hop, but merely one person (the batboy perhaps?) who holds out his palm for a greeting.
September 8, 1937 vs Red Sox
But then again, maybe the pictures don't tell the whole story. It was quite the doubleheader sweep for Gehrig and the Yankees against the Red Sox on this date.
In the opener, The Iron Horse scored the winning run on Myril Hoag's single.
In the nightcap, the Yankees staged the kind of epic comeback for which they are known well. Trailing 6-1 in the ninth inning, they scored eight times, all with two outs, to win. Joe Cronin's two errors on the same potential game-ending play opened the door and the Yankees took advantage big-time.
Joe Dimaggio singled in the tying run and then Gehrig followed with a three-run blast on a 3-2 pitch.
As the story notes: "He had to fight his way around the bases through a happy swarm of fans."
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