Honus Wagner was the last out of the first World Series. I guess that is just another reason why the first World Series was memorable.
Wagner had a bit of a forgettable Fall Classic in 1903. As one of the all-time greats, there had to be a great many eyes on him. Maybe even, all eyes on him! Pittsburgh has had many greats, from Wagner to Stargell to Bonds to Lemieux to Crosby. The list just just goes on and on. The first World Series sure put Steeltown on the map of pro sports to stay!
But having said that, Boston, representing the AL, had Cy Young in 1903. And have they not had Ruth, Williams, Russell, Yaz, Orr, Bird since? So there was another great sports town put on the map by the very first Fall Classic!
It got off to a promising start in game one for Honus. The Flying Dutchman had a hit and two walks. He knocked in a run and touched home once for good measure. The National Leaguers made it look easy against Young, besting him, 7-3.
But game 2 proved to be a struggle for Pittsburgh. Boston's Bill Dinneen went the distance and shutout Pitt on a 3-hitter. Wagner had an oh-for day, 0 for 3. But Honus had plenty of company. Series tied.
In game 3, it was more good pitching. Tom Hughes struggled early for Boston, and the immortal Cy Young came in to pitch the top of the 3rd. The very first batter Young faced was Wagner and Cy hit him. Pittsburgh scored a run (having already scored earlier in the inning), but Honus was the last out of the inning as he tried to score from second on an error. But in the 8th, it was Wagner that hit Young. Wagner hit a double off Young, then scored to put his team up 4-1. Deacon Phillippe, who got the win for Steeltown in game 1, was even better in this game for Pittsburgh! They would win 4-2, to take a 2 games to 1 edge in the first Fall Classic.
Wagner's big game was game 4. Honus connected for 3 hits in 4 at-bats. But despite that, and a stolen base, Wagner managed just 1 RBI and no runs scored! He was also caught stealing. However, it was Pittsburgh that won this game to take a 3 games to 1 lead. It should be noted that this was a best-of-9 affair. Boston was still very much alive.
And Boston crushed 'em 11-2 in game 5 to cut the Series lead to just 3-2. Wagner didn't even reach base. Wagner could manage only a walk in game 6 as Boston tied the Fall Classic with a 6-3 win. Cy Young went out in game 7 and won it, 7-3. Wagner could manage only a sac fly. Again, he failed to reach first. Gotta think it is somewhat appropriate that Cy Young wins game 7, eh? But it wasn't the deciding game 7!
Game 8 was like game 2: a shutout by Bill Dinneen! And again Boston won 3-0. So the first World Series had ended, 5 games to 3 in favour of the Beantowners!
Wagner flied out in the top of the second in game 8. In the 4th, with two down and Tommy Leach on first, Wagner singled him to third. Then the Flying Dutchman took off and made it to second for a steal. Leach, though, also tried for one and was caught in a rundown between third and home. Lou Criger, the Boston catcher, eventually made the putout.
Wagner grounded out in the top of the seventh.
In the top of the 9th, Dinneen got Fred Clarke to fly out to left. Leach also flied out, but this was to right. Honus Wagner was the last batter of the 1903 World Series.
Dinneen fanned him. The Flying Dutchman would have to get better wings next time!
Wagner had a bit of a forgettable Fall Classic in 1903. As one of the all-time greats, there had to be a great many eyes on him. Maybe even, all eyes on him! Pittsburgh has had many greats, from Wagner to Stargell to Bonds to Lemieux to Crosby. The list just just goes on and on. The first World Series sure put Steeltown on the map of pro sports to stay!
But having said that, Boston, representing the AL, had Cy Young in 1903. And have they not had Ruth, Williams, Russell, Yaz, Orr, Bird since? So there was another great sports town put on the map by the very first Fall Classic!
It got off to a promising start in game one for Honus. The Flying Dutchman had a hit and two walks. He knocked in a run and touched home once for good measure. The National Leaguers made it look easy against Young, besting him, 7-3.
But game 2 proved to be a struggle for Pittsburgh. Boston's Bill Dinneen went the distance and shutout Pitt on a 3-hitter. Wagner had an oh-for day, 0 for 3. But Honus had plenty of company. Series tied.
In game 3, it was more good pitching. Tom Hughes struggled early for Boston, and the immortal Cy Young came in to pitch the top of the 3rd. The very first batter Young faced was Wagner and Cy hit him. Pittsburgh scored a run (having already scored earlier in the inning), but Honus was the last out of the inning as he tried to score from second on an error. But in the 8th, it was Wagner that hit Young. Wagner hit a double off Young, then scored to put his team up 4-1. Deacon Phillippe, who got the win for Steeltown in game 1, was even better in this game for Pittsburgh! They would win 4-2, to take a 2 games to 1 edge in the first Fall Classic.
Wagner's big game was game 4. Honus connected for 3 hits in 4 at-bats. But despite that, and a stolen base, Wagner managed just 1 RBI and no runs scored! He was also caught stealing. However, it was Pittsburgh that won this game to take a 3 games to 1 lead. It should be noted that this was a best-of-9 affair. Boston was still very much alive.
And Boston crushed 'em 11-2 in game 5 to cut the Series lead to just 3-2. Wagner didn't even reach base. Wagner could manage only a walk in game 6 as Boston tied the Fall Classic with a 6-3 win. Cy Young went out in game 7 and won it, 7-3. Wagner could manage only a sac fly. Again, he failed to reach first. Gotta think it is somewhat appropriate that Cy Young wins game 7, eh? But it wasn't the deciding game 7!
Game 8 was like game 2: a shutout by Bill Dinneen! And again Boston won 3-0. So the first World Series had ended, 5 games to 3 in favour of the Beantowners!
Wagner flied out in the top of the second in game 8. In the 4th, with two down and Tommy Leach on first, Wagner singled him to third. Then the Flying Dutchman took off and made it to second for a steal. Leach, though, also tried for one and was caught in a rundown between third and home. Lou Criger, the Boston catcher, eventually made the putout.
Wagner grounded out in the top of the seventh.
In the top of the 9th, Dinneen got Fred Clarke to fly out to left. Leach also flied out, but this was to right. Honus Wagner was the last batter of the 1903 World Series.
Dinneen fanned him. The Flying Dutchman would have to get better wings next time!
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