1941 Hall of Fame Game

It was a fitting Friday the 13th as rain poured down on Doubleday Field while 5,000 fans awaited their chance to see a major league ballgame in Cooperstown.

And that’s exactly what they were given, albeit an abbreviated one due to the weather.

The Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds squared off in the second Hall of Fame Game on June 13, 1941. The game ended early – in the sixth inning on account of rain – with the American League’s Indians defeating the National League’s Reds 2-1.

Runs were at a premium with hurlers Cal Dorsett and Monte Pearson on the hill for their respective teams. Dorsett pitched a complete-game, surrendering only one run to the Reds on five hits.

The Reds’ only run of the game came as they were able to put three consecutive hits together against Dorsett in the bottom of the second inning.

The Indians struck first against Pearson, scoring a run right away in the top of the first inning. The run scored on a double play grounder following two singles to start the afternoon.

Cleveland’s second and game-deciding run came in the top of the third, also off Pearson when third baseman Ken Keltner hit a tapper up the third base line that Pearson overthrew to first, scoring a run.

Pearson and reliever Jim Turner split the pitching duties for Cincinnati on this day, each going three innings, with Turner shutting out the Indians.

The AL win would even the series up 1-1 after the Cubs won the inaugural game for the NL.