A Look Back: Game 3 of the 1950 World Series
On a crisp October evening in 1950, over 64,000 fans packed Yankee Stadium I to witness Game 3 of the World Series. The matchup pitted the Philadelphia Phillies against the formidable New York Yankees, who were vying for their 14th World Series title.
The legendary voices of Mel Allen and Gene Kelly brought the action to listeners across the nation.
Both teams fielded strong lineups. The Phillies, led by manager Eddie Sawyer, boasted a potent offense featuring sluggers like Del Ennis and Dick Sisler. Their starting pitcher, Ken Heintzelman, faced a daunting task against the powerful Yankees lineup.
The Yankees, managed by Casey Stengel, countered with a lineup that included Hall of Famers Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Phil Rizzuto. Their starting pitcher, Eddie Lopat, was a seasoned veteran known for his crafty pitching style.This clash of titans promised to be a thrilling contest, with both teams eager to gain an advantage in the series.
Stepping Back in Time: A Conversation with hall of Famer Bob Feller on the 1950 World Series
Today we’re taking a trip down memory lane with baseball legend Bob Feller, the fireballer and Cleveland Indians icon, to discuss the instantly captivating Game 3 of the 1950 World Series.
Moderator: Bob, thanks for joining us. You were a dominant force on the mound yourself. What were your thoughts on that Phillies-Yankees matchup?
Bob Feller: Well, it was a classic clash of styles. The Yankees, they were a machine, year in and year out. You had Berra, DiMaggio – names that struck fear into every pitcher.But the phillies,they were hungry,they had some real thumpers in their lineup. They weren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with the Bronx Bombers.
Moderator: Absolutely. Eddie Sawyer had built a fantastic Philadelphia team. Did you see anything in particular that stood out about that Game 3?
Bob Feller: You always gotta respect a good pitching duel, and that’s what we got with Heintzelman against Lopat. Both these guys were crafty, knew how to change speeds, keep hitters guessing. It was a tense game, that’s for sure.
Moderator: It certainly was! for our readers who might not know, Lopat ended up winning that game 6-4. Do you think Eddie Lopat’s experience played a big role in that victory?
Bob Feller: Experience counts for a lot. Lopat had been there before, knew what it took to win big games. He didn’t get rattled, even when the Phillies started to put some runs on the board.
Moderator: We have a comment here from a reader named Joe, who says, “I remember listening to that game on the radio. Mel Allen’s voice was electric! It felt like I was right there at Yankee Stadium.”
Bob Feller: mel Allen was the best. He could paint a picture with his words, make you feel like you were in the ballpark, even if you were miles away.
Moderator: It’s amazing how radio can do that, isn’t it?
Let’s talk about the Yankees’ dynasty. They were chasing their 14th World Series title in 1950. Was there any team that could’ve truly challenged them during that era?
Bob Feller: The Yankees were tough, no doubt about it.But there were other great teams back then – the Cleveland Indians, the St. Louis cards, even the Dodgers. It was a golden age for baseball.
Moderator: I agree. And fans were treated to some incredible talent. Bob, thanks so much for sharing your insights. Your viewpoint on this classic game is invaluable.
Bob Feller: It was my pleasure.Always happy to talk baseball.
Moderator: And we want to hear from you, our readers! What are your memories of the 1950 World Series? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s keep this conversation going.
