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The Cardinals Record Historic Comeback Against the Giants!
Did you ever wonder what was the greatest comeback in National League History? I discovered that it happened 72 years ago today, Sunday, June 15, 1952. In the first game of a doubleheader played at the Polo Grounds between the Cardinals and the Giants, the Cardinals overcame an 11-run deficit to win the game 14-12. The Redbirds scored seven runs in the top of the fifth and another seven in the last three innings on their way to their historic victory.
Suffice it to say that Giants’ starter, ace Sal “the Barber” Maglie — one of the most dominant pitchers of the era — did not have a good day. Early on, it appeared the Giants were cruising to a win, in what we used to call a “rocking chair” game, with an 11-run lead entering the fifth. But it was not to be. In that fateful inning, Sal gave up seven earned runs before being sent to the showers by the Giants’ irascible manager, Leo Durocher. This started a parade of Giant relievers in Leo’s desperate attempt to put out the fire. I’m sure the “Lip” had more than a few choice words aimed at Maglie after this one. With a combined six errors, we can also conclude it was a rather sloppy game, taking 3:22 to play, which was usually long for a game back then.
In the featured photo, we see an excited Sal Maglie embracing teammate Johnny Antonelli as they celebrate the Giants’ victory in the 1954 World Series. Below, we see a forlorn Maglie on the bench probably after being yanked from another game by Durocher.
However, the Giants were able to salvage some degree of self-respect after this historic loss by winning the nightcap, 3-0. The umpires that day also included some names familiar to us “senior” baseball fans: Tom Gorman, Augie Donatelli, Lee Ballanfant, and Al Barlick.
It’s always fun to look back at the box score of memorable games like this to put the game in some historical perspective. The Cardinals lineup included such notable players as Red Schoendienst, Stan Musial, Enos Slaughter, Dick Sisler, and Solly Hemus; while seeing action for the Giants that day were Bobby Thomson — a year after his famous “Shot Heard “Round the World” — Al Dark, Bill Rigney, Hoyt Wilhelm, and Whitey Lockman. Under manager Eddie Stanky, the Cards went on to finish third in the National League (88-66), 8.5 games behind the pennant-winning Dodgers. Leo Durocher’s Giants finished second, 4.5 games back.
I also learned that this was not the greatest comeback in major league history. That was a 12-run comeback by the Indians in a game against the Mariners on August 5, 2001. Trailing 14-2 after six, the Indians rallied with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, four in the eighth, and tying the game with five more in the ninth after two outs. The Indians won the game in the tenth.
There have been two other 12-run comebacks in American League history: the Philadelphia Athletics defeating the Indians 17-15 on June 15, 1925; and the Tigers beating the White Sox 16-15 on June 18, 1911.
All of which goes to prove that in the great game of baseball, the game is not over until the last man is out! Or to quote the great Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over!”
Gary Livacari
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Information: Box score of June 15, 1952, found in Baseball Reference.com
Yes, Gary, as you know that amazing game at the Polo Grounds in June was excruciating for me and my dad. I was in my glory lapping up ice cream and chiding a Cardinal fan sitting right next to me. (The book, “Some Catch,” I think, described that nightmare in detail.)
Sal Maglie was breezing actually when the blazing 97-degree heat got to him in the 5th inning. Then Hall-of-Famer Hoyt Wilhelm came in and his knuckle ball refused to knuckle.
I wanted to go to a movie on 42nd street but my dad said, “I never walked out on a ballgame in my life!” As you point out, the Giants won the second game of the twin bill. But the sting of that first one never left.
The Giants fought hard that year but couldn’t overcome the loss of Willie Mays to the army, Monte Irvin’s broken ankle in spring training and spark plug Eddie Stanky’s departure to the Cards to become their manager.
Thanks for forcing me to relive that agony…how can such a nice man be so cruel?
Sorry Bill! How could I forget! I totally spaced out that you were at that game with your dad, as you described so brilliantly in “Some Catch”!
Yes! I remember Bill Schaefer, many years ago, telling me he was there and the agony he suffered.
And here I thought you put that in, Gary, just to torment me…glad you snapped out of it. You’ve reclaimed your position as our beloved leader!
Funny thing, Monte, the Cardinal fan who was such a good sport when I kidded him unmercifully didn’t seem to exist after the Cardinals rallied–just disappeared.
Could he have bailed after 11-0 and gone to an air-conditioned movie on 42nd St.?
By the way, that’s the best picture of Leo I ever saw. And a classic of the animated Al Barlick. Loved him behind the plate with those animated strike calls!