Full Description
The 1954 Cleveland Indians were one of the most remarkable baseball teams of all time. Their record for most wins (111) fell only when the baseball schedule expanded, and their winning percentage, an astounding .721, is still unsurpassed in the American League. Though the season ended with a heartbreaking loss to the New York Giants in the World Series, the 1954 team remains a favorite among Cleveland fans and beyond.
Pitching to the Pennant commemorates the '54 Indians with a biographical sketch of the entire team, from the "Big Three" pitching staff (Mike Garcia and future Hall of Famers Bob Lemon and Early Wynn), through notable players such as Bobby Avila, Bob Feller, Larry Doby, and Al Rosen, to manager Al Lopez, his coaches, and the Indians' broadcast team. There are also stories about Cleveland Stadium and the 1954 All-Star Game (which the team hosted), as well as a season timeline and a firsthand account of Game One of the World Series at the Polo Grounds. Pitching to the Pennant features the superb writing and research of members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), making this book a must for all Indians fans and baseball aficionados.
Contents
AcknowledgmentsIntroductionJoseph Wancho1. Hank GreenbergRalph Berger2. Al LopezMaxwell Kates3. Tony CuccinelloBarb Mantegani4. Mel HarderMark Stewart5. Red KressChris Rainey6. Bill LobeJoseph Wancho7. A Seven-Year-Old's Perspective on the 1954 IndiansDavid Bohmer8. Timeline, April 13-April 30Joseph Wancho9. Bob FellerC. Paul Rogers III10. Dave HoskinsJohn Watkins11. Don MossiMark Stewart12. Hank MajeskiMark Hodermarsky13. Dale MitchellScott Longert14. Mike GarciaWarren Corbett15. Timeline, May 1-May 16Joseph Wancho16. Larry DobyJohn McMurray17. George StricklandMel Marmer18. Cleveland Stadium (1932-96)Tom Wancho19. Jim HeganRick Balazs20. Timeline, May 17-May 31Joseph Wancho21. Dave PhilleyCort Vitty22. Bob LemonJon Barnes23. Rudy RegaladoSteve Johnson24. Ray NarleskiJoseph Wancho25. Timeline, June 1-June 15Joseph Wancho26. Sam DenteJack Morris27. 1954 Cleveland Indians by the NumbersDan Fields28. Jim DyckGreg Erion29. Bob ChakalesBill Nowlin30. Timeline, June 16-June 30Joseph Wancho31. Al RosenRalph Berger32. Wally WestlakeBob Hurte33. Dick TomanekThomas Ayers34. Dave PopeTom Heinlein35. Timeline, July 1-July 13Joseph Wancho36. Luke EasterJustin Murphy37. Early WynnDavid L. Fleitz38. Hal NaragonTracy J. R. Collins39. 1954 All-Star GameRick Huhn40. Timeline, July 15-July 31Joseph Wancho41. Al SmithGary Livacari42. Vic WertzMark Armour43. Hal NewhouserMark Stewart44. Bill GlynnRichard Marsh45. Timeline, August 1-August 15Joseph Wancho46. JosÉ G. Santiago GuzmÁnEdwin FernÁndez47. Bob KennedyPhilip A. Cola48. Mickey GrassoCort Vitty49. Bobby AvilaJohn Stahl50. Joe GinsbergMel Marmer51. Timeline, August 17-August 31Joseph Wancho52. Cleveland Indians World Championships, 1920 and 1948Joseph Wancho53. Rocky NelsonDavid L. Fleitz54. Art HouttemanWarren Corbett55. Bob HooperJoseph Wancho56. Timeline, September 1-September 14Joseph Wancho57. Ken ColemanCurt Smith58. Jim BrittMort Bloomberg59. Jimmy DudleyJoseph Wancho60. Timeline, September 17-September 26Joseph Wancho61. 1954 World SeriesJeanne M. Mallett62. A Day in the GrandstandMatthew SilvermanNotes and ReferencesContributors
