International Relations

Dodgers vs. All-Japan at Chunichi Stadium, Nagoya - November 7, 1956

Gil's Double, Wild Pitch Give Dodgers 3-2 Win

Dodgers 3, All-Japan 2

Dodgers 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 2
All-Japan 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 1

WP — Roger Craig. LP — Hiroomi Oyane.

Dodger Record 10-3-1.

GAME NOTES: The Dodgers traveled to Nagoya where they edged the All-Japan stars, 3-2. Right-hander Roger Craig went the distance for the Dodgers, giving up five hits and striking out eight batters. All three Dodger runs scored in the fourth inning, as Duke Snider walked, Roy Campanella singled and Jim Gentile walked. Gil Hodges hit a double to drive in Snider and Campanella and Gentile scored on a wild pitch by All-Japan starter Hiroomo Oyane. Three of All-Japan’s five hits came in the first inning, but Craig settled down and got the side in order the rest of the way, with the lone exception of the sixth inning when Pee Wee Reese kicked a grounder for an error and Craig allowed a single before a double play ended Japan’s chances. Hodges was the star of the show as he wowed the crowd of 25,000 with a “clown act,” pantomiming the action on almost every play from his left field position, as rookie Gentile played first base. In his new act, Hodges made thousands of friends in Japan who read his sketch in the program to learn more about him. “Hodges, the mimic, pantomimed the action of the pitcher, the catcher and the umpire. When a Dodger made an error, Hodges glowered and pointed his finger. At various times, he made his legs quiver, shook his fist, stamped on the ground, swung his arms, frowned and smiled. This strange, new routine, never seen by Ebbets Field fans, started during the Dodgers’ first trip out of Tokyo during their 20 game exhibition series. Hodges has been doing his act in the smaller towns but played it straight during a three game series in Osaka, Japan’s No. 2 city. When he left the game in the eighth inning, Hodges was called back to take a bow amidst cheers. ‘You’d have thought Babe Ruth was leaving a game in the old days,’ said a Dodger official.”Associated Press story, Chicago Daily Tribune, November 8, 1956

Back to top