Ralph Branca
On October 3, 1951, in the bottom of the ninth inning, Brooklyn pitcher Ralph Branca entered the game from the bullpen at the Polo Grounds and surrendered a home run to the Giants' Bobby Thomson. That homer remains the most legendary in baseball history as it completed the Dodgers collapse and loss of the pennant in the final game of a three-game playoff with their crosstown rivals. Branca was a fine pitcher who unfortunately became known more for that home run than his solid career. The tall right-hander won 21 games in 1947 and captured 88 victories in his 12-year career.
Played For
Brooklyn Dodgers (1944-1953)
Detroit Tigers (1953-1954)
New York Yankees (1954)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1956)
Factoids
Ralph Branca was signed to his first contract by the Brooklyn Dodgers on D-Day: June 6, 1944.
Description
"Ralph himself is a quiet type. He's gradually outgrowing the shyness that engulfed him when he first came up. But he's still a strong, silent man with a strong sense of humor and an affable smile." — Arch Murray, 1947
Born
Ralph Theodore Joseph Branca was born on January 6, 1926, in Mount Vernon, NY.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: BRO
Major League Debut
June 12, 1944
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1944
Eddie Yost
Eddie Lopat
Joe Nuxhall
Granny Hamner
Gene Mauch
Emil Verban
Jim Konstanty
Cal McLish
Ralph Branca
Nicknames
Hawk
Family Tree
Branca was the 15th of 17 children born into his family.
Post-Season Appearances
1947 World Series
1949 World Series
Notes
As a spare pitcher on the Dodger bench in 1946, Branca got into few games until late in the season. Facing the Cardinals in a series in St. Louis, manager Leo Durocher decided to use Branca as a decoy. "The Lip's" plan was to announce Branca as his starter, let him face on batter, and then bring in a southpaw. But Branca looked so impressive warming up and against the first batter, that Durocher left him in. The big right-hander hurled a shutout against the Redbirds, and followed ti with another shutout in his next start. His scoreless-innings streak eventually reached 20.
All-Star Selections
1947 NL
1948 NL
1949 NL
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