Billy Martin's Great 1953 World Series

Billy Martin picked up where he had left off the year before.

In the seventh inning of the seventh game of the 1952 World Series, Martin had made a spectacular catch of a wind-blown Jackie Robinson pop-up with the bases loaded and two outs to save the game and World Series.

The Yankees and Dodgers repeated as pennant winners in 1953, and Billy Martin again was instrumental in the Yankees winning the World Series.

Three Hits in the First Game

In the first game, the Yankees loaded the bases in the first inning against the pride of Flatbush, Carl Erskine. Martin cleared them with a triple.

He had a bunt single in the fourth inning, and he singled, stole second, and scored in eighth. The Yankees won a slugfest, 9-5.

Roy Campanella Refuses X-Rays

There was a fascinating sidelight to the game that illustrates how things have changed.

Allie Reynolds hit Roy Campanella on the right hand in the second inning.

Brooklyn's team physician, Dr. Eugene Zorn, thought that Campy had a small fracture on the little finger knuckle, but the burly Brooklyn catcher refused to have his hand X-rayed.

"Nobody's gonna X-ray this hand. I don't care if there's 14 joints busted. It'll be all right if I don't know it."

Billy Martin's Home Run Ties Game Two

Campanella was behind the plate in the second game, which the Yankees won on home runs from Billy Martin and his friend, Mickey Mantle.

With the Yankees trailing, 2-1, Billy, who had singled earlier, led off the seventh with a drive near the left field foul pole, just beyond the reach of Jackie Robinson to tie the game.

Mantle's two-run home run the next inning was too much for Brooklyn to overcome. The Yankees won, 4-2.

Brooklyn and Campy Were Depressed

Brooklyn and Campanella were depressed. Campy was not pleased when asked if his hand had affected his swing.

"You saw me out there. You saw I couldn't swing right. If I can't grip a bat I can't swing and I can't hit."

There was speculation that Rube Walker would replace Campanella behind the plate when the series switched to Brooklyn the next day. The speculators were wrong.

Campanella insisted that he play, and his performance showed that Martin didn't have a monopoly on heroics.

Martin Wasn't the Only Hero

With the game tied, 2-2 in the eighth inning, Campanella hit a one-out home run, which was all Carl Erskine needed. Yes, "Oisk" started on one day's rest since he didn't pitch much in Game One.

On this day, Erskine struck out 14 Yankees, including Mickey Mantle four times, to a set a new World Series single-game strikeout record.

Martin almost ruined Erskine's day.

Billy Excelled, But the Yankees Lost

Billy walked in the second, singled in the fifth for his sixth hit of the series, and almost turned the game around the next inning.

With the game tied at 1-1, Yogi Berra led off with a single. After both Mantle and Woodling struck out, Billy hit a drive to deep right center field.

Center fielder Duke Snider and right fielder Carl Furillo converged, and it appeared that both outfield greats had lost the ball in the afternoon sun, but at the last possible moment, Furillo made a lunging catch of Martin's bid for an extra base hit.

Brooklyn hung on to win, 3-2, as Erskine went the route.

Martin Tripled But Was the Game's Last Out

The fourth game was played on a beautiful Indian summer afternoon.

Brooklyn greeted Whitey Ford with three runs in the first inning and were never behind. With the Yankees trailing by four runs in the fifth inning, Billy Martin tripled and Gil McDougald hit a home run, but it was not enough.

Trailing by five runs in the ninth inning, Gene Woodling and Martin singled, and Gil McDougald walked with no outs.

Clem Labine relieved Billy Loes to face Phi Rizzuto. Labine struck out Phil and got pinch-hitter Johnny Mize on a short fly ball to center field, bringing up Mickey Mantle.

Billy's best friend singled to left, scoring Woodling, but Martin foolishly tried to score. Defensive replacement Don Thompson fired a strike to Roy Campanella, and the game was over.

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