Editor’s note: The 1950 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.
Home runs provided the excitement as the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies edged the 1954 New York Giants 2-1 in the final contest of the opening round of the 1950s Diamond Gems Tournament at the Polo Grounds.
The biggest swing was by Philadelphia’s Del Ennis in the top of the ninth. Johnny Antonelli walked Richie Ashburn to begin the frame. After Antonelli fanned Dick Sisler, Ennis smacked his long ball to make it 2-0.
Willie Mays provided some drama as he drilled a solo homer off Robin Roberts that cut the Philadelphia advantage to a run in the bottom of the ninth. Roberts silenced the hometown crowd as he easily retired Bobby Thomson and Monte Irvin to claim the victory.
Roberts earned the complete game win as he allowed six hits with a walk and five strikeouts. The righthander worked out of jams in the first, fifth and seventh as the Giants left two runners on base in each inning.
Antonelli was the hard-luck loser as he limited the Giants to three hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.
1950s Diamond Gems Tournament
Semifinals
1954 Cleveland Indians at 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers
1950 Philadelphia Phillies at 1956 New York Yankees
First Round Results
1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 8, 1950 New York Yankees 2
1954 Cleveland Indians 3, 1957 Milwaukee Braves 2
1956 New York Yankees 8, 1959 Chicago White Sox 3
1950 Philadelphia Phillies 2, 1954 New York Giants 1