Enos Slaughter and the Mad Dash
March 6, 1985 – Enos Slaughter and Arky Vaughan are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Slaughter, known for his hustling style of play, gained fame for his celebrated “Mad Dash” home during the 1946 World Series. Vaughan batted .318 over a 14-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers.
Slaughter was A southern gentleman outside the lines, Enos Slaughter was a fierce competitor on the ball field. His intensity was often mistaken for brashness, cockiness or hatred. For many years the legend was that Slaughter was behind the racial tension in the Cardinals clubhouse that was directed toward Jackie Robinson. Truth was, Slaughter didn’t like anyone on the opposing team when the game was on. Slaughter’s habit of running to first when he drew a base on balls was copied by Pete Rose. His hustling style earned him 10 All-Star nods, and he was part of four World Championship teams, twice each in the AL and NL.
Many know him for the mad dash in the 1946 world series, but it wasn’t his first, On July 19, 1942, Slaughter’s fly ball was dropped by Dodgers’ center fielder Pete Reiser as Reiser crashed into the wall. Slaughter circled the bases for a homer, giving the Cards a 7-6 triumph and cutting Brooklyn’s lead over St. Louis to three games. The Cards eventually overtook the Dodgers to win the flag.
Best season? He nearly missed the MVP in 1942, Slaughter had many seasons of similarity, we’ll trust the MVP voters who selected him 2nd in 1942 to teammate Mort Cooper. That would make him the most valuable everyday player in the NL in ’42 on the strength of his .318 mark, 100 runs scored, 31 doubles, 17 triples, 13 homers, 98 RBI, 88 walks, and .412 OBP.
Quotes From Enos Slaughter
“To be a big league ball player, you have to love the game. This is a pretty good game and a pretty swell way to make a living. The conditions in the majors are fine and the money is good. So I say keep yelling and hustling every minute you’re in uniform.”
“I learned early on to never walk while I was on the ball field. I ran everywhere I went.”
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1938
Enos Slaughter
Lou Boudreau
Joe Gordon
Sam Chapman
Roy Cullenbine
Preacher Roe
Max Lanier
Mort Cooper
Taffy Wright
The Enos Slaughter
Teammate Team
C: Yogi Berra
1B: Johnny Mize
2B: Red Schoendienst
3B: Eddie Mathews
SS: Marty Marion
LF: Stan Musial
CF: Mickey Mantle
RF: Hank Aaron
SP: Mort Cooper
SP: Harry Brecheen
SP: Whitey Ford
SP: Don Larsen
SP: Warren Spahn
RP: Johnny Sain
M: Billy Southworth
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Show Notes & Featured Audio
- 1942 World Series
- HOF Speech
- Murdock Interview
- Enos Slaughter Page