The Pittsburgh Press (October 6, 1943)
CARDS BEAT YANKS IN SECOND GAME, 4–3
Mort Cooper stops foe in first victory
Marion and Sanders hit home runs to help Redbird cause
New York (UP) –
Mort Cooper, his heart heavy because his father died early this morning in Independence, Missouri, pitched one of the best games of his Major League career in Yankee Stadium here today as the Cardinals defeated the Yankees, in the second game to even the World Series at 1–1.
The final score was 4–3.
It was Cooper’s first World Series victory and his first triumph against American League competition, he having failed in two attempts against the Yanks in last year’s Series and in the last two All-Star Games.
Ernie Bonham, who like Cooper is a “fork ball” specialist, gave Mort strong argument most of the way but the blows that cost him the game were home run drives by Marty Marion and Ray Sanders. Marion’s was the first hit of the game in the third inning and Sanders hit his four-baser in the fourth with one on to climax a three-run rally.
A shadow was cast over the second game, which was felt by every fan in the big stadium. This was due to the sudden death of Robert Cooper, father of the famed brother battery of the Cardinals, Mort and Walker, who were working today.
Both Bonham and Cooper were in complete control in the first inning, each setting down the batters in order. They followed a similar pattern in the second, too, when each walked a man with two out and then proceeded to get the next batter.
Marty Marion, Cards’ great shortstop, broke the hitless and runless string in the third, when he hit Bonham’s first pitch for a home run into the stands.
Sanders hits homer
In the fourth, Stan Musial dropped a solid single into right and moved to second on Walker Cooper’s sacrifice. Whitey Kurowski scored Stan with a single into center. Sanders then hit a home run over the wall in right, scoring Kurowski ahead of him. Bud Metheny went way back, got his hand on the ball but couldn’t hold it as he fell, after making a great try.
The Yanks’ first hit came in the fourth when Frankie Crosetti attempted to bunt and pushed a single into right field. He moved to third on Bill Johnson’s solid single to center. Charlie Keller flied to center and Crosetti scored after the catch.
Bonham fans three
Bonham gave a great exhibition of pitching in the top of the sixth when he struck out the side.
In the Yankees’ half, Crosetti opened up with a single. Metheny was sent to first when umpire Beans Reardon agreed with his claim that Walker Cooper had tipped his bat. It was scored as an error for Cooper. Johnson hit into a double play with Crosetti going to third. Keller flied out to end the threat.
Bonham was removed for a pinch hitter in the eighth and Johnny Murphy, the Yanks’ great relief pitcher, went to the mound in the ninth. Murphy walked the first batter and allowed one hit, but the Cards were unable to push over a run.