The Giants may have lost the 1911 Fall Classic, but did they ever extend it with some dramatics. And somehow, their diamond rivals decided not to open their mouths when the winning run scored. Or didn't score.
New York, back into the World Series that year, and again with John McGraw behind the helm, were down three games to one. Game five was back at home, and the Giants needed this one, or they had a long winter ahead.
The Philadelphia Athletics had lost the 1905 Fall Classic to these Giants, and had struggled to touch home. But in game five, it was Philly that did some scoring to put New York on the brink.
Philly, on the road, scored three times in the top of the third. This did a lot of good for them. First, it knocked starter Rube Marquard out of the game. Second, tt took the home crowd out of the game. Third, it gave starter Jack Coombs enough run support. Well, it sure seemed like it.
He'd won a league-leading 31 games in 1910. With 28 more wins the next year, he was looking to add some more in the postseason. But here, in the 1911 Fall Classic, he was still winless. This was one great opportunity to make a vital contribution to the A's effort.
But the Giants refused to die. For starters, poor Fred Merkle led off the bottom of the eighth. Fred, you see, was trying to erase that stigma of that base-running error that had cost New York the 1908 pennant. So here, he strode to the plate and many a Giant fan must have said, "This guy? Who is he to help us?"
But Fred got a walk. Then, an error put the tying run at the dish. A grounder and a sac fly and the shutout bid of Jack. Another walk and the tying run was at first. But, still ahead by two, Coombs got out of the inning. And he made sure New York did not get a run in the bottom of the eighth.
So as Jack trudged out to the mound to face the Giants again in the bottom of the ninth, he must have thought it would be as easy as 1-2-3. As in 1-2-3 would the Giants go. And then, it would be all over except for the screaming, shouting and partying!
But alas, it did not work out that way. Jack got the first out, to get Philly withing two outs. However, Art Fletcher hit a double. When Chief Meyers grounded out, Fletcher was on third. Philly was one out away from it all!
But Doc Crandall, the relief pitcher, had other ideas. He'd tossed three shutout innings of relief pitching, following four by Red Ames himself. Their splendid efforts on the mound had given New York a chance to come back. But it seems odd now, that in this situation, a team would let the pitcher bat for himself. Doc, though, had hit .239 with 21 RBIs in the regular season. He was someone who did more than hit. Here, he needed just that!
And he did it! A hit a double that brought home Fletcher to make it 3-2. Josh Devore, who batted at the top of the order, tied the game up with a single. 3-3! This thing required extras!
The Doc held Philly in check in the top of the ninth. And his teammates proceeded to make him the winning pitcher in the bottom of the frame. But there was some oddity to the drama. Somethings just don't go the way they should in the Fall Classic.
Eddie Plank was now pitching for New York. It was Larry Doyle, getting things off with a double. Then Fred Snodgrass tried to bunt him to third. Plank tried to nail Doyle at third. He failed. The A's needed a double play, eh?
Red Murray flied out to short right, and both Doyle and Snodgrass held. Merkle, back to the plate, hit a fly to right that was deep. But it was also foul. Here, you let it go foul. But Danny Murphy, the Philadelphia rightfielder, decided to catch it. But he'd need a perfect peg to the plate to keep the Athletics from losing it.
His throw was too late. But here's a plot twist. Doyle didn't really touch home. But Philadelphia was on their way off the field. And now one was protesting. Well, I guess no one was in the mood to spoil something so special and amazing. This thing was heading back to Philadelphia.
The A's won game six in a laugher, 13-2. So game five was lost somewhere in everyone's Fall Classic memory. Too bad, since both Fred Merkle and Fred Snodgrass (who dropped a fly ball in the 1912 World Series, costing this same Giants team the World Series) had been instrumental in the comeback and knockout blow.
That's what the Fall Classic can do to you. You can win a close game, only to be blown out the next. You can be a hero on year, then the goat the next. You can make an amazing fielding play, then screw it all up on the very next ball hit to you. Baseball's enduring legacy, the World Series, can make you both. You need to make those right plays at the right time! Otherwise, fans are left to point that finger at you when it doesn't get done!
New York, back into the World Series that year, and again with John McGraw behind the helm, were down three games to one. Game five was back at home, and the Giants needed this one, or they had a long winter ahead.
The Philadelphia Athletics had lost the 1905 Fall Classic to these Giants, and had struggled to touch home. But in game five, it was Philly that did some scoring to put New York on the brink.
Philly, on the road, scored three times in the top of the third. This did a lot of good for them. First, it knocked starter Rube Marquard out of the game. Second, tt took the home crowd out of the game. Third, it gave starter Jack Coombs enough run support. Well, it sure seemed like it.
He'd won a league-leading 31 games in 1910. With 28 more wins the next year, he was looking to add some more in the postseason. But here, in the 1911 Fall Classic, he was still winless. This was one great opportunity to make a vital contribution to the A's effort.
But the Giants refused to die. For starters, poor Fred Merkle led off the bottom of the eighth. Fred, you see, was trying to erase that stigma of that base-running error that had cost New York the 1908 pennant. So here, he strode to the plate and many a Giant fan must have said, "This guy? Who is he to help us?"
But Fred got a walk. Then, an error put the tying run at the dish. A grounder and a sac fly and the shutout bid of Jack. Another walk and the tying run was at first. But, still ahead by two, Coombs got out of the inning. And he made sure New York did not get a run in the bottom of the eighth.
So as Jack trudged out to the mound to face the Giants again in the bottom of the ninth, he must have thought it would be as easy as 1-2-3. As in 1-2-3 would the Giants go. And then, it would be all over except for the screaming, shouting and partying!
But alas, it did not work out that way. Jack got the first out, to get Philly withing two outs. However, Art Fletcher hit a double. When Chief Meyers grounded out, Fletcher was on third. Philly was one out away from it all!
But Doc Crandall, the relief pitcher, had other ideas. He'd tossed three shutout innings of relief pitching, following four by Red Ames himself. Their splendid efforts on the mound had given New York a chance to come back. But it seems odd now, that in this situation, a team would let the pitcher bat for himself. Doc, though, had hit .239 with 21 RBIs in the regular season. He was someone who did more than hit. Here, he needed just that!
And he did it! A hit a double that brought home Fletcher to make it 3-2. Josh Devore, who batted at the top of the order, tied the game up with a single. 3-3! This thing required extras!
The Doc held Philly in check in the top of the ninth. And his teammates proceeded to make him the winning pitcher in the bottom of the frame. But there was some oddity to the drama. Somethings just don't go the way they should in the Fall Classic.
Eddie Plank was now pitching for New York. It was Larry Doyle, getting things off with a double. Then Fred Snodgrass tried to bunt him to third. Plank tried to nail Doyle at third. He failed. The A's needed a double play, eh?
Red Murray flied out to short right, and both Doyle and Snodgrass held. Merkle, back to the plate, hit a fly to right that was deep. But it was also foul. Here, you let it go foul. But Danny Murphy, the Philadelphia rightfielder, decided to catch it. But he'd need a perfect peg to the plate to keep the Athletics from losing it.
His throw was too late. But here's a plot twist. Doyle didn't really touch home. But Philadelphia was on their way off the field. And now one was protesting. Well, I guess no one was in the mood to spoil something so special and amazing. This thing was heading back to Philadelphia.
The A's won game six in a laugher, 13-2. So game five was lost somewhere in everyone's Fall Classic memory. Too bad, since both Fred Merkle and Fred Snodgrass (who dropped a fly ball in the 1912 World Series, costing this same Giants team the World Series) had been instrumental in the comeback and knockout blow.
That's what the Fall Classic can do to you. You can win a close game, only to be blown out the next. You can be a hero on year, then the goat the next. You can make an amazing fielding play, then screw it all up on the very next ball hit to you. Baseball's enduring legacy, the World Series, can make you both. You need to make those right plays at the right time! Otherwise, fans are left to point that finger at you when it doesn't get done!
No comments:
Post a Comment