Bucky Harris took over the job as manager of the Yankees, with splendid results. The Yankees won their first pennant since 1943, then beat the Dodgers in seven games to win an exciting World Series. This was Harris' 21st year as a manager, though he had not worked in four years. Harris' managerial career began in 1924, when he led the Washington Senators to their only World Series; in the twenty ensuing years, Harris had endured some dark times in both Washington and Detroit. But now, he was back on top in New York.
        The success didn't last long. The Yankees didn't win in 1948, and Harris was replaced by Casey Stengel. A year later, Harris was back managing in Washington. Harris eventually managed for 29 years, 18 of them in Washington, plus 2 with the Yankees. His teams won 2157 games for him — but they also lost 2218. Despite the losing record, Harris is in the Hall Of Fame.

         Harris turned a struggling starter named Joe Page into a full-time reliever, and the results were outstanding. A lefty with good stuff but lousy control, Page responded with one of the first great seasons by a closer. He led all pitchers in the MVP vote this year, and was given the nickname "Fireman". Page slumped in 1948, and Harris was replaced; Page then had another great season in 1949 before injuries ended his career.
        The Yankees had the best pitching staff in the league, though it was in a transition stage. Allie Reynolds was acquired from Cleveland, and had his first of several big seasons in New York. Spud Chandler retired after the season, while Ed Lopat was acquired from the White Sox. The Yankees also had a pitcher named Bill Bevens, who came within an out of throwing a no-hitter in the World Series. That was the famous Game Four, when Bevens walked ten batters but gave up no hits till the ninth. With two outs, and two walks on base, pinch-hitter Cookie Lavagetto smacked a double that drove in both runs, and Bevens lost the game. His near no-hitter was the last start that Bevens ever made in the majors.
        Once again, I think that Bob Feller was clearly the best pitcher in the league. Feller, one of the greatest power pitchers in baseball history, was in his prime with the Indians. Other good pitchers included Joe Dobson, a consistent starter for the Red Sox who had his best year (and who was also nicknamed "Burrhead"). Fred Hutchinson and Hal Newhouser both had fine years for Detroit, though I think Hutchinson was a little better.