Monday, December 30, 2013

World Series: Did You Know?

Chief Bender was the first Native American to play in the World Series.

Following in the footsteps of Louis Sockalexis, Bender faced descrimiation and other taunts from the crowd.

But, Albert (his real first name) silenced that with a masterful performance in game 2 of the 1905 World Series.

Pitching for the Philadelphia Athletics against the New York Giants, all Bender did was go the distance, pitch a shutout and K 9 men.

He was also in command in game 5 of the that Series, allowing just 5 hits and just 2 runs. The problem was, the A's couldn't touch Christy Mathewson. The majestic Giant also gave up 5 hits, but not a man scored! The Giants lost the game and the Series.

In 1910, Bender and the A's were back against Chicago Cubs, who were becoming a dynasty. But as things turned out, the Cubs have yet to win another World Series after 1908. Bender made sure they didn't win this one.

In game 1, Bender fired a fine 3-hitter and fanned 8. While he did give up a run, it was unearned.

Bender was to meet his match again in his second outing of the 1910 Fall Classic!

Locked in a pitcher's duel (despite each starter giving up 10 hits) with King Cole in game 4, Bender was two outs away from another W in the World Series.

But Frank Chance of the famed Tinker-Evers-Chance trio, lashed a triple to tie it. Then in the 10th, Jerry Archer hit a double. Then with two outs, Jimmy Sheckard hit a walk-off single!

Bender and his old friend Mathewson hooked up in a jewel of a duel in game one of the 1911 World Series. But once again, Ole Matty was just two good for The Chief. A 1-0 win for the Giants.

But in game 4, Bender got his revenge, as he topped Christy, 4-2. Then a lopsided 13-2 win by The Chief in game 6 brought the World Series to Philly!

In game 1 of the 1913 World Series, Bender was bending over in some discomfort from all the runs that were scoring against him. The Giants were his opposition again. And they scored 4 times.

But the Athletics scored 6. Chalk up another World Series W for Bender!

Mathewson, for those wondering, did not start that game. He won game 2 with a complete game shutout. This was Christy's 4th and final World Series shutout.

Bender seemed to have not fazed the Giants anymore, as they touched him up for 5 more runs in game 4. The A's scored 6, and Bender got the win!

Philadelphia then took the Series in game 5 as Eddie Plank won a narrow 3-1 win over Matty. Plank tossed a 2-hitter!

Chief Bender would make one last start, game 1 of the 1916 World Series. It wasn't much to talk about. The Boston Braves (how ironic that this was the last team he faced in the World Series, eh?)

The Chief gave up 7 runs and 11 hits in a 7-1 shellacking. The Braves ended up winning the Series in a sweep.

Over the course of 5 World Series, Bender had a 6-4 record with a 2.44 ERA in 10 starts. His WHIP was an impressive 1.012.

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