Tommy "Old Reliable" Henrich....1941

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Tommy Henrich earned the nickname of "Old Reliable" for being a tremendous clutch hitter for 11 seasons
with the Yankees (1937-1950).

Ironically, Tommy's most famous "clutch" at bat was "striking out" in the 4th game of the 1941 World Series
vs the Dodgers.
Dig this scenario......Tommy was at bat with 2 outs and a 3-2 count on him in the 9th inning with Brooklyn
ahead 4-3. Hugh Casey pitches a dipping curveball to Mickey Owen......Tommy swings and misses it, but so
does Owen in catching it. Tommy ends up at 1st base; subsequently, DiMaggio, Keller, and Joe Gordon rally
the Yankees to a 7-4 victory. And , go on to win this World Series.

This set the stage for, arguably, the greatest October rivalry Baseball has ever known. The NY Yankees and
Brooklyn Dodgers were to compete again for the World Championship crown in 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955,
and 1956. I have seen all 6 of these World Series; and, in my opinion, they were the greatest I've ever seen.

Tommy, at age 94, is now the oldest living Yankee. I met Tommy at BB card show 10 years ago. We had a
great conversation, reminiscing over the "good ole days". I found it quite amazing how clearly he recalled the
events of that day in October 1941. He alluded to the fact that it wasn't all Mickey Owen's fault....and, that
Owen was expecting to see a fast ball....but, Hugh Casey threw him a curve that fooled both Owen and him.








TED Z