The Phillies come in on a high,disposing of Brooklyn on the next to last day of the season,while the Yankees basically cruised all season and clinched the flag early. Here are the breakdowns by position and prediction.(Phillies listed first)
Catcher-Andy Seminick(.280 24 HR's,68 RBI) vs Yogi Berra(.334 29HR,135 RBI)
Berra was a mainstay in the Yankees lineup and put up big numbers,an MVP canidate.
Seminick did a nice job for the Whiz Kids,really came on strong late,but was hurt at the end of the season,and reamains a little tender going into the Series.
EDGE-Yankees
First Base-Ed Waitkus(.263 81 runs,154 games) vs Johnny Mize(.303 43 HR's-led league,97 RBI's in only 274 AB's)
While Waitkus was durable and steady,Mize is a stud.His power numbers sre amazing,hits for average and is clutch
EDGE-Yankees
Second Base-Mike Goliat(.206, 12HR's ,53 RBI) vs Jerry Coleman(.262, 90 Runs,62 RBI)
Goliat struggled all year and was even benched towards the end of the season. Played again due to others injuries and came up big in pennant clinching game.Coleman also struggled ,but came back in August and September ,and outside Dimaggio was the Yankees top hitter.
EDGE-Yankees
Third Base-Willie Jones(.268 22 HR's ,95 RBI,90 runs) vs Billy Johnson(.261,10,63) and Bobby Brown(.252,7,44)
Jones was solid at 3B all year.put up good power numbers and is an excellent third sacker.Johnson and Brown were inconsistent,possibly the Yankees weakest postion,but still a threat.
EDGE-Phillies
SS-Granny Hamner(.255,12,81) vs Phil Rizzuto(.316,137 runs,84 RBI)
Hamner is sloppy in the field-43 errors and is an average hiter with some op.Rizutto was Mr. Consistency this season and is another Yankees MVP candidate. No contest here
EDGE-big to Yankees
Outfield-Del Ennis(.343, 34,121)Richie Ashburn(.313,107 runs,25 sb's,2 errors all season),Dick Sisler(.292,14,81) vs Hank Bauer(.340,17,83),Joe Dimaggio(.313,29,110),Gene Woodling(324,84 runs,70 RBI)
Argueably the Phillies strongest suit.Ennis is certainly an MVP cadidate,Ashburn can hit ,has speed and is a very good centerfielder while Sisler supplies some power,gets on base and provided many big hits over the Year,the best being his 3 run HR in the clincher vs the Dodgers.
The Yankees are equal to the task.Bauer hit far beyond Stengle's expectations,plus he hits for power,no one was better than "The Clipper" the last 2 months,and Woodling hits for average and drives in runs.
EDGE-slight to the Yankees(hey they have Dimaggio)
Pitching-Roberts,Simmons and Konstanty,after that a big drop off to MIller, Church and Heintzleman.
Yanks have Reynolds,off year Raschi,a surprising rookie in Whitey Ford,Tommy Byrne and Eddie Lopat.The pen is shaky with Tom Ferrick and Joe Page,but Joe Ostrowski was decent most of the year.
Edge-Yankees
Prediction-Doesn't look good on paper for the Phillies,but either did the NL with Brooklyn but they overcame those odds.However the Yankees appear just too strong and the final analysis is Yankees in 5.
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