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.
The 1950 Philadelphia Phillies will have an opportunity to play for the championship of the 1950s Diamond Gems Tournament.
Thanks to a 5-3 victory over the 1956 New York Yankees, the Phillies will entertain the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers in the title affair in Shibe Park.
Philadelphia manager Eddie Sawyer announced during the post-game celebration in Yankee Stadium that Jim Konstanty would get the ball for the Phillies as the Dodgers counter with Preacher Roe.
After four scoreless frames, Philadelphia’s Eddie Waitkus broke the tie with a three-run homer off New York starter Johnny Kucks in the fifth inning. The Phillies added two more runs on a single by Granny Hamner in the eighth.
New York finally got on the scoreboard in the eighth against Philadelphia’s Curt Simmons. Pinch-hitter Jerry Coleman‘s RBI single made it 5-1.
Mickey Mantle led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo homer before Simmons walked Yogi Berra and Bill Skowron. After Simmons retired Hank Bauer, his day was finished when Billy Martin singled to load the bases.
Bubba Church replaced Simmons and gave up a RBI single to Elston Howard before he was able to get the final two outs to earn a save.
1950s Diamond Gems Tournament
Championship
1953 Brooklyn Dodgers at 1950 Philadelphia Phillies
Semifinals
1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 3, 1954 Cleveland Indians 2
1950 Philadelphia Phillies 5, 1956 New York Yankees 3
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