The Sommer Frieze

In 1951, Larry Jansen won 23 games for the NY Giants. The most famous was #23, for that was the “Bobby Thomson ‘Shot Heard ’round the World’ Game”. As Russ Hodges would call it, ”The Giants win the pennant.” That 23rd win enabled Jansen to co-lead the majors (along with teammate Sal “The Barber” Maglie) in that category.

Jansen died a few days ago at the age of 89. Besides 1951, he also was a 20 game winner in his rookie year of 1947, when he was a 27 year old rookie (thank WWII for that). He won 18 in 1948, 19 in 1950. Due to the late start, his career was 122-89, 3.58. An ERA+ of 112. He was a member of the 1954 WS Champion Giants but was just 2-2, 5.98 that year.

After being the winning pitcher (in relief) of that 157th game which gave the Giants the 1951 pennant, Jansen pitched and lost two games in the 1951 WS. Games 2 and 5. Mickey Mantle’s first WS hit was a drag bunt off Jansen in the bottom of the 1st in Game 2 (later in that game Mickey injured his knee on that drainage cover).

In game 5, Jansen gave up the 1st grand slam by a rookie in a WS game… that being the one hit by Gil McDougald.

Jansen finished 2nd in ROY in 1947 (to Jackie Robinson, the first recipient of the award) and was 7th in the MVP voting that year. (No CYA when Jansen pitched, except for his last year, 1956—the first year of the award). Jansen also got MVP consideration in 1948, 1950 and 1951. He was an All-Star in 1950 and 1951.

As a hitter he hit .150 with 1 MLB HR.