Slaughter in the 1956 World Series
Enos Got the Key Hit That Led to the Yankees' Championship
Aug 21, 2007
On August 25, 1956, the New York Yankees obtained the services of forty year old Enos "Country" Slaughter from the Kansas City Athletics. When he learned that he was to join the Yankees, Slaughter told reporters that he was "sick all over."
Slaughter Wept When Informed He Was Leaving St. Louis
It was the second time that the Yankees got Slaughter. In 1954, they had sent Bill Virdon and two other minor leaguers to the Cardinals in exchange for Enos, who had spent his entire career with the Redbirds. When informed that he was leaving the Cardinals, Slaughter wept. Appearing in only 69 games for the Yankees, Slaughter hit .248 with one home run, and in May, 1955, he was sent to Kansas City, returning to form with a .322 batting average. The fans selected him the most popular Kansas City player.
The Yankees Lost the First Two Games of the World Series
The 1956 World Series was another death match between Brooklyn and the Bronx., and Slaughter played a key role in bringing the championship back to the Bronx. In Game 1 at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, behind Sal Maglie, defeated Whitey Ford and the Yankees, 6-3. The next day, the Yankees jumped on Don Newcombe early, taking a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the second inning, but Brooklyn tied the score with six unearned runs off Don Larsen in the second and went on to a 13-8 win. The Yankees had to win Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.
Enos Slaughter's Three Run Home Run
Whitey Ford, who had lasted only three innings in Game 1, started on two days rest against Roger Craig. Slaughter, who had three hits in Game 1 and two hits in Game 2, was again playing left field. With Brooklyn leading 2-1 in the sixth inning, Hank Bauer was on third and Yogi Berra was on first with two outs. Slaughter ran the count to 3-1 and then hit the next pitch into the right field seats for a three run home run. Ford hung on as the Yankees won, 5-3. After the game, Yankees' manager Casey Stengel said about Slaughter, "He has been my best hitter. Like Ted Williams, if he likes a pitch, he swings, if he doesn't, he looks."
Slaughter Replaced Rizzuto on the Roster
Slaughter had taken Phil Rizzuto's spot on the roster in August. Stengel had no regrets about the move. "I wanted Slaughter back. Sure, I was thinking World Series, but I was also thinking about winning the pennant at the time. We were in bad shape then. He's been great for me. All I know is that he's an old pro." Stengel and general manager George Weiss did what was best for team.
Turley Dueled Labine
The Yankees won the next two games to take a 3-2 lead in the Series. In Game 6, Bob Turley dueled Brooklyn's Clem Labine. After nine innings, the game was scoreless. Turley allowed only 4 hits, walked 8, and struck out 11 (pitch count?), while Labine gave up 7 hits, walked 2 and struck out five. Turley was scheduled to lead off the Yankees tenth and HE DID and of course was easily retired as Labine retired the Yankees in order .
The Yankees Would Not Have Won Without Slaughter
Labine was scheduled to lead off for Brooklyn in the tenth, and he did. Would that happen today? Labine popped out but Turley walked Gilliam, who was sacrificed to second by Reese (how different it was). Jackie Robinson ended the game when Slaughter misplayed his line drive to left. Slaughter's defense was criticized, but even if he had made the play, it would have ensured only a tie, not a win. And without his Game 3 home run, the Yankees would have been down, three games to none. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in games to win the World Series.
References:
- “Yanks Drop Rizzuto and Get Slaughter.” New York Times. 26 August 1956, p.S1.
- Drebinger, John. “Ford Goes Route; Tops Brooks for Yanks as Slaughter Stars with 3-Run Homer.” New York Times. 7 October 1956, p.201.
- Effratt, Louis. “Ford Says He Pitched Well Enough to Win in Stadium, but not at Ebbets Field.” New York Times. 7 October 1956, p.202.
