McCarver Hits Critical Homer as Cards Take 3-2 Lead in Series

Oct. 12, 1964 - A dramatic three-run homer by Tim McCarver in the 10th inning carried the Cardinals to a 5-2 victory today over the Yankees in the fifth game of the 1964 World Series at Yankee Stadium. St. Louis now holds a 3-2 lead in the Series and can close it out in St. Louis Wednesday

McCarver’s shot salvaged today’s game for fireballing Bob Gibson. Only minutes before, Gibson had yielded a two-run, 400-foot homer to Tom Tresh after two were out in the bottom of the ninth.

Tresh’s drive tied the score at 2-2 and sent the game into extra innings, but McCarver settled the issue with his smash off Pete Mikkelsen, the third New York pitcher.

It was the third day in succession that a dramatic home run had altered the aspect of the Series.

Gibson, the 29-year-old, 6-3 righthander who was beaten by the Yankees in the second game, was superb this time. His overpowering fastball, abetted by the autumn shadows of the huge Stadium, was hard to see, let alone hit. He struck out 13 batters, a total exceeded only twice in World Series history, by Carl Erskine in 1953 (14) and Sandy Koufax last year (15).

It was revealed after the game that McCarver’s game-winning home run was actually an accident.

With one out in the Cardinal 10th, men on first and third, and the Yankee infield moved back to double-play depth, the Cardinal catcher was supposed to have bunted. That was manager Johnny Keane’s original plan. But he vetoed it when he thought the Yankee catcher, Elston Howard, was on to it.

“It was a squeeze situation, and we had a bunt in mind,” said Keane. “I thought about it but dismissed it from my mind when I saw Howard watching me intently.

“He had been watching me all game, and I figured he had guessed what I was up to. So, we let McCarver hit.”

Even after he had been ordered to swing away, though, McCarver was not swinging for the seats. All he wanted to do, he said, was to get the ball past the infield to bring home Bill White from third.

“It was the biggest hit I ever made in my life and maybe it’s a bigger thrill than winning the pennant,” said McCarver. “But how can you tell? It’s like asking what you’d rather have, $5,000 or a Cadillac.

“I didn’t think it was a home run at first. But I saw Mickey Mantle going back and I felt good because I knew at least it would get White home. I saw the ball go into the stands as I neared first, but I couldn’t believe it.

“I don’t remember touching second base on the way around the bases. By the time I got to third, I was laughing out loud. I’m always laughing, you know, even when I’m sad. The way I feel now, I’ll never be sad again.”

Keane, who has been troubled by the possibility of losing his job, said, “That homer by McCarver should help Tim’s career. It may also help my career.”

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