The first ever save recorded in the Autumn Classic, was recorded by Doc White in game 5 of the 1906 Word Series.
Now, it is extremely unlikely that Doc knew about this, as saves did not become an official stat until 1969. Coincidentally, White died that year. Some baseball execs did award saves prior to this, but even then, it only went back to 1952.
Saves have since been "awarded" to earlier games, thanks to wonderful research.
Anyways, Doc didn't have a save in the 1906 regular season, and as it turns out, he got only 5 his entire career.
What White did in 1906 is lead the AL in ERA, 1.52. And he had a pretty good record: 18-6
For most of his career, he was a win one, lose one pitcher. Indeed, take away his 1906 and 1907 (27-13, leading the American League in wins), his lifetime record was just 144-137.
But in any event, he took the hill for the Chicago White Sox in game 5 of the 1906 World Series on, he was in for a first.
It was October 13th, 1906.
Having lost game 2 to Ed Reulbach (who tossed a 1 hitter), White was out for a little redemption. The White Sox were actually playing Chicago in this Series. My how times have changed. The White Sox, after their 1917 World Series win, never won another World Series until 2005. The Cubs, who won the Series back-to-back in 1907 and 1908, haven't won a World Series since. In fact, the Cubs have yet to make it back to the World Series since 1945!
But this was one tough Cubs team!
Cubs record in 1906: 116-36
The White Sox were in front 8-6 in the bottom of the 7th, when suddenly, Harry Seinfeldt lashed a leadoff double off Sox starter Ed Walsh. Tying run at the plate and nobody out.
In comes White.
Joe Tinker popped up to Jiggs Donahue at first. Johnny Evers (Yes, he was involved a double play in this game, but it was not with Evers and Chance) grounded out to shortstop George Davis. Catcher Johnny King grounded out to the hot corner, George Rohe.
Double O, Orval Overall, who was tossing some nice relief of his own on that afternoon (5.2IP, 4H, 1(E)R, 1BB, 5K) grounded out to second basemen Frank Isbell (I'm really lovin' these old player names!). Solly Hofman fanned, but left fielder Jimmy Sheckard reached on an error by Isbell. Hope he didn't get h(is bell) rung! Frank Schulte, who had three hits on the day, singled. Sheckard was thrown out trying to make it to third. Three more outs to go!
With the Cubs still up, 8-6, Frank Chance led off the 9th for the Cubs.He flied out to right fielder Ed Hahn. Steinfeldt grounded out to Rohe. One more out.
But Joe Tinker walked.
Pat Moran batted for Evers and hit into a force out at second.
White had the first World Series save, ever. He would add a win in game 6, as the Sox won the All Chicago World Series, 4 games to 2.
References
Enders, Eric. 100 years of the World Series. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. New York, 2005. Print. pp. 23.
Neft, David S., Richard M. Cohen, and Michael L. Neft. The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 1992. 12th ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. Print. pp. 35
Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 22 Aug. 2013.
Now, it is extremely unlikely that Doc knew about this, as saves did not become an official stat until 1969. Coincidentally, White died that year. Some baseball execs did award saves prior to this, but even then, it only went back to 1952.
Saves have since been "awarded" to earlier games, thanks to wonderful research.
Anyways, Doc didn't have a save in the 1906 regular season, and as it turns out, he got only 5 his entire career.
What White did in 1906 is lead the AL in ERA, 1.52. And he had a pretty good record: 18-6
For most of his career, he was a win one, lose one pitcher. Indeed, take away his 1906 and 1907 (27-13, leading the American League in wins), his lifetime record was just 144-137.
But in any event, he took the hill for the Chicago White Sox in game 5 of the 1906 World Series on, he was in for a first.
It was October 13th, 1906.
Having lost game 2 to Ed Reulbach (who tossed a 1 hitter), White was out for a little redemption. The White Sox were actually playing Chicago in this Series. My how times have changed. The White Sox, after their 1917 World Series win, never won another World Series until 2005. The Cubs, who won the Series back-to-back in 1907 and 1908, haven't won a World Series since. In fact, the Cubs have yet to make it back to the World Series since 1945!
But this was one tough Cubs team!
Cubs record in 1906: 116-36
The White Sox were in front 8-6 in the bottom of the 7th, when suddenly, Harry Seinfeldt lashed a leadoff double off Sox starter Ed Walsh. Tying run at the plate and nobody out.
In comes White.
Joe Tinker popped up to Jiggs Donahue at first. Johnny Evers (Yes, he was involved a double play in this game, but it was not with Evers and Chance) grounded out to shortstop George Davis. Catcher Johnny King grounded out to the hot corner, George Rohe.
Double O, Orval Overall, who was tossing some nice relief of his own on that afternoon (5.2IP, 4H, 1(E)R, 1BB, 5K) grounded out to second basemen Frank Isbell (I'm really lovin' these old player names!). Solly Hofman fanned, but left fielder Jimmy Sheckard reached on an error by Isbell. Hope he didn't get h(is bell) rung! Frank Schulte, who had three hits on the day, singled. Sheckard was thrown out trying to make it to third. Three more outs to go!
With the Cubs still up, 8-6, Frank Chance led off the 9th for the Cubs.He flied out to right fielder Ed Hahn. Steinfeldt grounded out to Rohe. One more out.
But Joe Tinker walked.
Pat Moran batted for Evers and hit into a force out at second.
White had the first World Series save, ever. He would add a win in game 6, as the Sox won the All Chicago World Series, 4 games to 2.
References
Enders, Eric. 100 years of the World Series. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. New York, 2005. Print. pp. 23.
Neft, David S., Richard M. Cohen, and Michael L. Neft. The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 1992. 12th ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. Print. pp. 35
Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 22 Aug. 2013.
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