Every Dog Has His Day - Gene Alley

Gene Alley's career day came on September 8, 1967 when his 0.618 Win Percentage Added led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-3 win over the visiting St Louis Cardinals.  His game started off poorly, fouling out to the Cards first baseman Orlando Cepeda leading off the bottom of the second. He came to the plate again in the fourth and popped out, again to Cepeda.  Things got only marginally better in the bottom of the sixth, when he singled but was caught stealing to end the frame.

So, how did he get such a high WPA? In the eighth, with the Bucs behind 3-2, he doubled in Roberto Clemente with two outs to tie the game.  After regulation ended with the score knotted at 3, Alley led of the tenth with a triple off Ron Willis.  After St Louis intentionally walked both Bill Mazeroski and Jerry May, and struck out pinch hitter Al Luplow, Gene scored the winning run on a walk off single by Maury Wills.

While it is off lesser import, Alley had 4 putouts and 5 assists in the field, including initiating two double plays.


What I am listening to:  Copenhagen by Lucinda Williams




Yeah, it is melancholy but, holy hell, is it a beautiful song.  Lucinda Williams is an absolute gem.  The video is a bit odd, given that the song was about her hearing of the sudden death of her long time manager and friend while she was on tour in Copenhagen, but I think it works anyways.