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Gene Bearden and the 1948 World Series Photo Gallery
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When You Survive a Torpedo Attack, I Guess Everything Else Is Easy!
Tribute to War Hero and Major League Pitcher Gene Bearden
“I was just another gob, luckier than most” –Gene Bearden, modestly speaking of his war-time experiences.
“Bearden was my best pitcher in 1948, better than Feller or Lemon. I had absolute confidence in him.” – Cleveland Indians Manager Lou Boudreau
“You watch, Bearden won’t win 20 games the rest of his career.” – Ted Williams, commenting after Bearden’s great 1948 rookie season
The title of this piece could serve as Gene Bearden’s epitaph. A low-level minor leaguer in the Phillies’ organization before the war, he was seriously injured while serving aboard the USS Helena during World War II. While he was working in the engine room, the ship was struck by three Japanese torpedoes on July 6, 1943. When the crew was forced to abandon ship, Machinist’s Mate Bearden sustained a fractured skull and a crushed kneecap. Out of a crew of 900, 168 were lost in the attack. Hospitalized until early 1945, Bearden underwent surgeries that inserted metal plates in his head and knee. His war injuries would plague him for the rest of his life.
Amazingly, in 1945, just months after his release from the hospital, the wounded World War II survivor miraculously returned to baseball in the Yankee organization, winning 15 games at Class A Binghamton. The following year, at Class AAA Oakland, manager Casey Stengel taught him the knuckleball and he posted another 15-victory season. The pitch became his ticket to the majors.
Following a five-player trade to the Indians, the 6′ 3″ 198 lb. 26-year old rookie finally landed a spot on the Indians’ 1948 major league roster, just five years removed from major war-time injuries. And what a rookie year it was. Although not debuting until May 6, the Lexa, Arkansas native won six of his first seven starts, with four complete games and two shutouts. By September, he was 13–6 with a 2.74 ERA. And then he went on another tear. After losing his first September starts, he won seven in a row.
Here’s what happened next:
“With Bearden pitching complete-game shutouts on September 28 and October 2, the Indians and Red Sox finished in a tie. For the one-game playoff, at Fenway Park, manager Lou Boudreau went with Bearden. On only one day of rest, Bearden pitched another complete game, shutting down the powerful Red Sox on five hits. Cleveland won, 8–3, behind Boudreau’s four hits and two home runs. Rookie Bearden finished the year at 20-7 (.741), and won the 1948 American League ERA title (2.47).”1
But Bearden wasn’t finished. In Game Three of the 1948 World Series against the Braves, he threw a complete game 2-0 shutout. In Game Six, he saved the World Series-clinching game for starter Bob Lemon with a scoreless ninth inning. Within a brief five-year span, the war hero had also become a World Series hero.
In his sensational rookie year, Bearden finished among the top five in victories, shutouts, winning percentage, fewest hits per innings, and walks plus hits per inning pitched. He was seventh in innings pitched and eighth in complete games.
In the featured photo above, we see Gene Bearden being carried off the field on the shoulders of his jubilant Indians’ teammates after winning the one-game playoff for the American League pennant.
Unfortunately, just as Ted Williams predicted, Bearden turned into a “one year wonder.” Control problems plagued him in 1949, as he led the league in wild pitches and walks. After a continued decline in 1950, he was picked up off waivers by the Senators, followed by stops with the Tigers, Browns, and White Sox from 1951-53. Suddenly, his major league career was over. He finished with a 45–38 record, with a 3.96 ERA.
With Hollywood good looks, Bearden later worked as an actor in the motion picture industry and had a role in the Monty Stratton Story starring Jimmy Stewart. He also was involved in a number of business ventures and was a youth baseball coach. Decorated war hero and World Series hero Gene Bearden passed away in 2004, at age 83.
Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: All from Google search
Information: 1:Excerpts and quote edited from the Gene Bearden Wikipedia page
Gary Livacari
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Had no idea Beardon was a war hero, Gary. Enjoyed the essay and remember the terrific year he had in ’48.
It was Casey Stengel who figured out all of Gene’s knucklers were breaking low out of the strike zone. In 1949, he instructed the Yankees to lay off the pitch. Beardon consequently had to throw strikes with a much easier to hit fastball. His effectiveness was a thing of the past.
Maybe Ted Williams had reached the same conclusion.
Thanks!
Thanks Bill for adding this tidbit. You’re probably right about the Williams remark.
Gary I love your website, but I believe the photo is that of Lou Boudreaux being carried off the field. The unmistakable photo shows clearly the left field corner of Fenway Park which would make this completion of the playoff game against the Red Sox as the National League games were played at Braves Field.
Thanks Al, I think you’re correct about this being the one-game playoff at Fenway, but that’s definitely not Boudreau being carried off. I think it is Bearden. I know Lou Boudreau’s facial appearance very well from his many years here in Chicago as the Cubs’ color announcer. Anyway, I updated the text. Thanks!
Finished “Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men & the World Series that Changed Baseball” by Luke Epplin over the summer. A great read-the four men were Larry Doby, Bill Veeck, Satchel Paige and Bob Feller.
There’s a few pages devoted to Bearden’s heroics and the struggle to make it back with the Indians.
It is unfortunate that Bearden fabricated the entire story about his service aboard the USS Helena. Bearden’s only sea service was for a few months aboard the USS SC-1330 in U.S. territorial waters from May – October, 1943. Bearden was never injured or wounded in any enemy action though he did have surgery in the winter of 1943 to address his knee locking up. He played baseball for the U.S. Navy Section Base, Mayport, Florida baseball team in 1943 and 1944 seasons.
He was discharged following a December Navy medical board review of his continued knee pain which Bearden told the doctors was related to his high school football playing. The Navy classified his injury as “not service connected” and he was discharged and disqualified for subsequent military service.
Bearden first made his fabricated story public in September 1945 and retold it again in the spring of 1948.
Bear
Wow! If what you say is true, that’s very distressing. I’m a 25-year Navy veteran myself and to lie about your service to that extent is really terrible and says a lot about the person’s character. Sounds like you know what you’re talking about so I’ll take your word for it. Very upsetting to hear.
Gary,
I made the initial discovering in 2021 and published a few articles as I uncovered more. I have been tasked with re-writing Bearden’s SABR bio as the long-awaiting and most authoritative source of research material for the pitcher’s naval service has finally arrived: his service record. Bearden’s new SABR bio is currently being written and should be published in the coming weeks.
Unfortunately and much to my own dismay being a 10-year Navy veteran myself, there are additional details that reveal a trend within Bearden’s character. That is not to suggest that I am perfect. In my years of researching and writing about ballplayers who also wore the uniform of their nation, Bearden’s tale has been the most-disappointing discovery.