Editor’s note: The 1940s Diamond Gems Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation using the best lineups available.
A three-run homer by Ken Keltner provided a boost as the 1948 Cleveland Indians defeated the 1941 New York Yankees in the semifinals of the 1940s Diamond Gems Tournament.
With the victory, the Indians will visit the 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers for the championship affair at Ebbets Field.
Singles by Joe Gordon and Larry Doby with one out in the top of the second set the stage for Keltner, who smacked a delivery from New York starter Lefty Gomez that gave the Indians a 3-0 advantage.
In the top of the fourth, Keltner blasted a double to drive in Doby from first after the outfielder’s two-out single.
The Yankees finally got on the scoreboard against Cleveland starter Gene Bearden in the fifth on Johnny Sturm‘s sacrifice fly.
Both teams scored for the final time in the seventh. Eddie Robinson‘s RBI single in the top of the frame for Cleveland made it 5-1.
Buddy Rosar‘s pinch-hit two-run triple with one out ended the day for Bearden, who allowed three runs on seven hits with seven walks and two strikeouts. Satchel Paige got the final two outs of the seventh to end the threat.
Paige gave up a lead-off double to Joe DiMaggio in the eighth before he retired the next three batters. Cleveland closer Russ Christopher walked a pair of batters in the ninth, but he worked out of the jam to pick up the save.
Gomez tossed seven innings surrendering five runs with four walks and three strikeouts. Johnny Murphy finished the contest for the Yankees over the last two innings with two walks and a pair of strikeouts.
1940s Diamond Gems Tournament
Championship
1948 Cleveland Indians at 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers
Semifinals
1941 Brooklyn Dodgers 3, 1940 Cincinnati Reds 2
1948 Cleveland Indians 5, 1941 New York Yankees 3
First Round Schedule
1940 Cincinnati Reds 5, 1948 Boston Braves 2
1941 Brooklyn Dodgers 2, 1946 St. Louis Cardinals 0
1948 Cleveland Indians 4, 1940 Detroit Tigers 3 (12)
1941 New York Yankees 6, 1946 Boston Red Sox 5