The Key West citizen., 1954-09-17
Giants Virtually
CIinch National
League Pennant
By JOE REICHLER
Associated Press Sports Writer

ASSoCtoIeo EtSso SpVttS "tuWT
Beaming with pride over his
pennant-bound New York Giants,
Leo Durocher today called his 1854
league leaders a greater club than
his 1851 miracle team that came
from way behind to defeat the
Brooklyn Dodgers with the never
to-be forgotten finish.
The voluble little manager, gush-
ing with good will and in a bless
'em-all attitude, lauded his Giants
as the "gamest team that ever
walked out on a field" following
what probably was their happiest
day of the season.
Combining brilliant pitching, a
tight defense and timely hitting,
the Giants twice whipped the MI
waukee Braves by 6-2 scores yes
terday to sweep three-game Sc
ries and stretch their first-place
lead over Brooklyn to 41a games.
A 9-3 defeat inflicted by Cincinnati
upon the Dodgers helped the
Giants pick UP a game and a half
Ibid you ever see such club
as this one?" doomed Leo in 4
voice loud enough to drown out
the clubhouse din. '"This is the
gamest club l ever managed. And
one of the best. Certainly better
than the 81 Giants. It has more
pitching, a deeper bench and an
improved Willie Mays.
MAYBE my 1941 Dodgers were
better. But I'm not even sure of
that. Anyway, these guys of mine
are great. Simply great. ALI of
them"
Durocher had good reason to be
proud of his team. Once again
when the chips were down they
came through like champions. The
more precarious their position, the
harder they have played. Four
times during the last four weeks,
the Giants lead shrunk to three or
fewer games and each time they
have come through with resound-
ing victories.
AS result of yesterdays activi-
ties, the Giants can count their
pennant chances on the fingers OF
one hand. The magic number is
now three. Any combination Of five
Giant victories and-or Dodger de-
featS would clinch the flag for New
York.
The game but hard-luck Braves,
now ia lengths off the pace, are
virtually eliminated. The combina-
ton there is three. In justice to
the Braves, they played the entire
series without the services of slug
ging Joe Adcock, their injured
first baseman. In addition, Eddie
Mathews was handicapped by q
lame left leg, Bobby Thomson
missed yesterdays win bill be.
cause of his ailing ankle and Henry
Aaron was out with a busted leg.
Only one other major league
game was played. In that one, the
New York Yankees prolonged theil
agony, defeating the Detroit Tigers
4-2 to keep their faint pennant
hopes barely alive. They still trai
the pace-setting Cleveland Indian:
by eight games with only nine Il
go. Cleveland also has nine game.
left.
Despite the Giants big bulge
Durocher refused to make any
brash pennant statements. .,
"We play one game at a time, ~
he said. We've got to win again
today" (The Giants play Philadel.
phia tonight). "But those two were
good ones. My guys played like
champions. You can't give them
enough credit. Gomez -. Girls
som +. Wilhelm Mays
Irwin Dark Williams
all of them Everybody took part.
I'm proud of all of them"
Ruben, Gomez and Monte Irwin
were the first-game heroes.
Gomez, the Puerto Rican right
handler, turned in an eight-hitter
for his 18th triumph and fourth in
row. Monte Irwin drove In four
runs with double, single and sac
rifice fly as the Giants knocked