USO National League Stars vs Base-30 Manila Dodgers (Game 2)
In the winter of 1945-46, the National League dispatched a collection of players to tour the Pacific to play GI ball teams and to lift the spirits of occupation troops who awaited discharge and return to the United States. Following stops on the Hawaiian Islands and the Marianas, the United Service Organization (USO)-sponsored National Leaguers were led by Brooklyn manager, Charley Dressen. In January 1946, the USO team arrived on the island of Luzon and faced the reigning 1945 Philippines service champions, the Manila Dodgers for a five-game series played at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
| Player | Position | Prior Baseball Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Vernon Bickford | P | Welch (MTNS) |
| Wally Borden | CF | LSU |
| Hal “Zig” Emery | 2B | (Property of Phillies) |
| Joe Garagiola | C | Columbus (AA) |
| Joe Ginsberg | C | Jamestown (PONY) |
| Jim Hearn | P | Columbus (SALL) |
| Kirby Higbe | P/Mgr | Dodgers |
| Joe Janet | 3B | Tulsa (TL) |
| Frank LaManna | P/CF | Braves |
| Max Macon | 1B | Braves |
| Newman | RF | |
| Kent “Lefty” Peterson | P | Reds |
| Minor Scott | 3B | Chattanooga (SOUA) |
| Gerry Staley | P | Boise (PION) |
| John Stowe | LF | Knoxville/Mobile (SOUA) |
| Early Wynn | SS | Senators |
Printed for the second game of the series, this scorecard is dated for Thursday, January 3. Kirby Higbe, a 22-game winner for the 1941 National League Champion Brooklyn Dodgers built and managed the Army club from Base-30 whose roster included Joe Garagiola, Early Wynn and Frank “Hank” LaManna.
The series opener saw the USO All-Stars’ Frank McCormick clout a game-winning homerun in the 9th inning as the Manila Dodgers fell to a 5-4 defeat. Manager Higbe inserted himself as the Dodgers starting pitcher in the series opener. Higbe fanned 11 National Leaguers as he kept his club in a tie until the top of the ninth when he surrendered the go ahead solo shot in front of 25,000 GIs at Rizal.
In Game Two, the Dodgers were once again locked in a tight game as former Cardinals prospect Jim Hearn held the USO to a single run through 13 innings. USO starter, Brooklyn hurler Tom Seats paced Hearn into the ninth inning when he was spelled by Brooklyn reliever Clyde King. Manila’s Hal “Zig” Emery’s game-winning RBI-single in the bottom of the 14th secured the 2-1 victory.
This bi-folded single sheet scorecard is mimeographed on lightweight paper and features a combination of hand-drawn cartoon graphics, typed and hand-written details. As the paper oxidized during the past 7.5 decades, it has yellowed and become brittle. Much of the printing has bled through and there is some paper loss.
Following the second of two tours, the men were dispersed throughout the Pacific to serve at various Navy commands until they were eligible for discharge following the Japanese surrender.
| Player | Position | National League Club |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Seats | P/LF | Dodgers |
| Mike Sandlock | 2B | Dodgers |
| Tommy Brown | SS | Dodgers |
| Al Gerheauser | RF | Pirates |
| Frank McCormick | 1B | Reds |
| Whitey Kurowski | 3B | Cardinals |
| Al Lakeman | CF | Reds |
| Mike Ulicny | C | Braves |
| Clyde King | LF | Dodgers |
| Red Barrett | LF | Cardinals |
| Bill Voiselle | P/2B | Giants |
| Ralph Branca | P | Dodgers |
| Charley Dressen | Mgr | Dodgers |
This scorecard was acquired from an online auction listing in 2020.
Chevrons and Diamonds 