'48 Tribe sweeps '61 Yanks

wins game 1 w/3 run HR in extras

The 1948 Indians used clutch pitching and some timely offense to take 3 straight from the 1961 Yankees. It was a brutal series for New York, as not only did the Tribe beat them in the Stadium, but they did it without using their top two starters while the Yankees went with their top three. Neither Bob Lemon nor Bob Feller started for Cleveland, while Ford, Terry, and Stafford, who should be the Yankees big 3, tried to get a win. And for the most part the Yankee starters did their job. It was the poor performance from the Yankee bullpen, and the tough Cleveland pitching that held the vaunted Yankee offense in check that made the difference. Both teams played solid defense in the series.

In a somewhat ironic twist, two of the games went extra innings, but Cleveland on those by 5-2 and 6-2 scores. The middle game went nine, and was a 5-4 Tribe victory.

Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle were held in check and then some by the Indian hurlers, going a combined 4 for 25 with no RBI while leaving 16 on base. Not once did either guy come through when it could have turned a game around.

Cleveland has taken a solid grip on first place in the Classic AL Continental division with a  10-5 record. The Yankees drop to a game below .500 at 7-8. After starting 6-2, New York has lost 6 of their last 7.

--submitted by Bike Mike--