Our Blog: 1951 NL Pennant Race

The 1951 National League pennant race was perhaps the most famous one of all, and culminated with the Shot Heard 'Round the World, the Bobby Thomson home run that wins the pennant for the New York Giants. We are posting a daily blog, exactly one year to the day, on what is now the 60th anniversary of each game.

Friday, September 21st:

With the Dodger win and Giants loss yesterday, the Dodgers picked up a game in the standings. The lead is now 4 1/2 games before plays begins.

The Phillies score 4 in the 1st inning and 3 in the 2nd to beat the first-place Dodgers before 23,753 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. The 4 runs in the 1st are courtesy of a grand slam home run by Willie Jones, who has a total of 5 RBI's in the game. Robin Roberts wins his 21st of the year, as he goes the complete 9 innings, giving up 6 runs, 5 earned, on 8 hits. He record is now 21 and 12. The Dodgers use 5 pitchers. Clem Labine, who starts, lasts only 1 1/3 innings, getting charged with 7 runs, 6 earned, on 7 hits. He suffers the loss, moving his record to 4 and 1. Bud Podbielan (2.2 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit), Ralph Branca (3 innings, 1 run, 2 hits), Johnny Schmitz (1 inning, 0 runs, 0 hits), and Clyde King (1 inning, 1 run, 2 hits) all relieve for Labine. In addition to Jones' grand slam, his 21st homer of the year, Dick Young doubles for Philadelphia, his 4th of the season. The Dodgers have no extra base hits in the game. However, Billy Cox and Carl Furillo are both 2 for 4, and Cox and Duke Snider each have 2 RBI's. The Phillies have 12 hits, 1 error, and leave 8 on base. The Dodgers have 8 hits, 2 errors, and leave 6. See Game

As a result of today's play, the Dodgers lose 1/2 game to the idle Giants, decreasing their lead to 4 games. The Dodgers have 9 games left to play and the Giants 7.

Tomorrow: Dodgers/Phillies. Giants/Braves.