OCTOBER 5, 1941 | BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – It would have been the final out of Game-4 of the 1941 World Series and a 4-3 victory for the Brooklyn Dodgers had catcher Mickey Owen held on to strike three on this date in 1941. Instead, the ball went all the way back to the screen. The batter, New York Yankee right fielder Tommy Henrich ran safely to first instead of the dugout.
What followed was a single, double, two runs scored, a walk, another double, two more runs scored, another walk before a ground-out for the third out. The Yankees won 7-4. Instead of the series being tied 2-2, the Yankees were up 3 games to 1. They won the next day to take the Series.
What could have been had Mickey Owen held on to Hugh Casey‘s 3-2 pitch. Ironically, Owen set a record that season for the most consecutive chances without an error. He finished the season with a .995 fielding percentage, but he will always be remembered for his passed ball that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
CONTRIBUTING SOURCES:
October 5, 1941 box score/play-by-play
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