Editor’s note: The 27 * 61 Yankees Replay games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will not be used for any games. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.
The 1927 New York Yankees are one of the greatest teams of all-time with a 110-44 record. New York’s win total established an American League standard until the 1954 Cleveland Indians won 11 games.
The Yankees would go on to sweep all four contests from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series to claim their second of three titles in the decade.
Known for Murderers’ Row, Hall of Fame legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were the cornerstones of the squad. However, there are five more who are enshrined in Cooperstown. Earle Combs, Tony Lazzeri, Herb Pennock and Waite Hoyt along with manager Miller Huggins are all members.
Perhaps the biggest challenge during this replay will be the home run chase for Ruth. In real life, Ruth hit 60 long balls to break his record of 59 from the 1921 season. Can he repeat that performance? What about Gehrig and 1961 heroes Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.
Unfortunately for Ruth, there was a clause in the voting for the Most Valuable Player Award. Gehrig was the winner of that honor with a very deserving 47 homers and league best 173 RBI.
Primary Batting Order
Earle Combs cf (6 HR, 64 RBI, .356, 15 SB)
Mark Koenig ss (3 HR, 62 RBI)
Babe Ruth rf (60 HR, 165 RBI, .356)
Lou Gehrig 1b (47 HR, 173 RBI, .373)
Bob Meusel lf (8 HR, 103 RBI, .337, 24 SB)
Tony Lazzeri 2b (18 HR, 102 RBI, .309, 22 SB)
Joe Dugan 3b (2 HR, 43 RBI)
Pat Collins c (7 HR, 36 RBI)
Primary Starting Pitchers
Waite Hoyt (22-7, 2.63 ERA)
Herb Pennock (19-8, 3.00 ERA)
Urban Shocker (18-6, 2.84 ERA)
Wilcy Moore (19-7, 2.28 ERA)
George Pipgras (10-3, 4.11 ERA)