"Stars see Hutch" manage both teams...

Fred Hutchinson was happy and upset at the same time, with his teams finishing 3-3 in a series between the 1957 St. Louis Cardinals and 1961 Cincinnati Reds. “Hutch” managed both teams in real life of course, and each team had a couple of common infielders. Second baseman Don Blasingame was no doubt worn out after the series, having played all three games for both clubs. Eddie Kasko also saw considerable action in both lineups.

In fact, Kasko had quite a series, going 8 for 22 (.364), doing most of the heavy lifting as a Cardinal (6 for 13).  The series started in Crosley Field, with veteran right-hander Murry Dickson making his first start, opposed by left-hander Jim O’Toole.  Stan Musial got the Cardinals off and running in the top of the first inning, following an Al Dark double with his first home run of the year. Both pitchers dominated from there, and that 2-0 lead ended up being the final score.  The two starters struck out four and walked none, with Dickson scattering 5 hits over 8 innings, and O’Toole 7 hits over 8 2/3. Cardinal Kasko went 3 for 4 in this one.

Game two was more of the same, with Joey Jay going 8 shutout innings, and Jim Brosnan covering the ninth for a 1-0 Cincinnati victory. Larry Jackson started for St. Louis, giving up the lone run in 8 innings of work, although he was often in trouble during the contest.  He kept getting key outs, and the game was scoreless going into the bottom of the 8^th..  With one out,  Gordy Coleman doubled and Gene Freese followed with a single to score Coleman. That was all the scoring as the Reds evened the series with the 1-0 win. The Cincy ball club left 11 on base in this one, and the Cards 6.

Game three matched Bob Purkey and Lindy McDaniel on the hill, as the series shifted to Busch Stadium (aka Sportsman’s Park).  The change in venue did wonders for the hitters, as this one featured 27 combined hits and 13 runners crossing home plate. The Cardinals put 10 of those runners home, coasting to a 10-3 victory.  Wally Moon lauched a 3-run homer, while Blasingame, Dark, Musial and McDaniel chipped in with 2 hits apiece. Our man Eddie Kasko had three tallies for St. Louis, while going 1 for 5 as a Red.

Purkey dropped to 0-2, walking 4 in only 2 1/3 innings. McDaniel improved to 2-1 on the season.  Neither team looks like post season contenders in the early going. The Cardinals are 5-6 after three weeks, while the Reds are struggling along at 3-8. The Cards ability to keep stars Vada Pinson and Frank Robinson in check was a key to their series win.

Bike Mike