World Series: Did You Know?

The last time (Pending the results in 2016 games four and five) that the Chicago Cubs won a game at home in 9-innings was game six of 1935. 81 years ago. Chicago was swept in the 1938 World Series and won only one game at home in 1945, extra innings, of course.

So going into game five of the 1935 Fall Classic, Chicago needed a win. Detroit, who were seeking their first World Series, were up 3-1 and looking for the clincher on the road. The sent Schoolboy Rowe to the hill for this game. He'd lost game one, and won game three in relief.

However, he'd blown the save in that game, and was looking for a good start here. But it was Chuck Klein hitting a two-run home run off him in the bottom of the third. Rowe settled down nicely after that. He got the Cubs 1-2-3 in the fourth and did that again the next frame.

The Tigers were having problems with Lon Warneke, who was looking to keep the Cubs alive and putting up a noble effort. Staked to that 2-0 lead, he got Detroit 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth and sixth. Bill Lee replaced him in the top of the seventh, and delighted the crowd at Wrigley. While he gave up a leadoff walk, Lee got a flyball and double play to get out of that, preserving the 2-0 lead. Could Detroit get a run or two?

On a single, a bunt, an error and a single by Babe Herman, Detroit's chances further dimmed. It was 3-0, Chicago because of all that in the bottom of the seventh. The Tigers were down to their last six outs. They did not go away quietly.

Rowe himself singled in the top of the eighth with one on and one out. But Lee got out of that via a K and and Mickey Cochrane grounding to first. Lee himself covered first, taking the toss for the putout. The next inning would not end without Detroit getting a run.

Rowe got 'em 1-2-3 in the bottom of the eighth to keep the score, 3-0. In the top of the ninth, the Tigers made their move. Charlie Gehringer singled off Lee. Goose Goslin did, too. Tying run at the dish, just like last inning. But nobody out.

Pete Fox singled, the third straight hit by Detroit in the ninth. Gehringer scored, 3-1. Bill Rogell batted, but Lee was about to bear down and get Chicago the win.

Gee Walker was sent out to bat for Marv Owen. Lee got him to ground out. Both runners advanced, but the home team at Wrigley was just one out away. Of course, a single by the visitors here, and it's 3-2, Detroit.

Flea Clifton, with Schoolboy Rowe due up after him, popped out to first. Phil Cavarretta put the squeeze on it, and the Cubs won, 3-1. Lee got the save.

Chicago battled hard in game six in Detroit, but the home team won that game. The Tigers had their first World Series. Chicago would have to be content with another appearance in 1938 and 1945, but came up empty both times, losing game seven of '45, 9-3.

Tonight, Chicago is in a similar situation. They need this game. They are not going to win by going down 3-1, with games six and seven (If they are needed at all) to be played in Cleveland. They suffered a tough 1-0 loss in game three at home. Game four (And five) are a must.


References


Neft, David S., and Richard M. Cohen. The World Series: Complete Play-by-play of Every Game, 1903-1989. 4th ed. New York: St. Martin's, 1990. Print.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

Retrosheet. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.  <www.retrosheet.org>

World Series: Did You Know?

Stan Hack hit a triple in the top of the ninth inning of game six in 1935, only to be stranded. Hack's Cubs needed just a fly ball to get him home and break the deadlock. But it never came. And when you don't get it done in the World Series, it's not long before the other team does!

The Cubs trailed the Detroit Tigers three games to going into game six in bengal country. It was one great back and forth game six.

Chicago trailed 1-0 and 2-1, but scored twice in the top of the fifth on a Billy Herman two-run blast. The Tigers weren't about to yield this thing at home, and tied it in the bottom of the sixth on a double and a single. There, things stayed until the bottom of the ninth.

But it was in the top of the ninth that the Cubs looked destined to score. Stan Hack hit a triple to centre. Remember, just a fly ball here and it's 4-3, Chicago. But Billy Jurges went down on strikes. Larry French, the Cubs' starting pitcher, was allowed to bat for himself for some reason. It was not a smart move as he grounded back to his mound adversary, Tommy Bridges. When Augie Galan flied out to left the inning was  over, with Hack right there on third. Someone should have just thrown Hack his glove, for he played third base.

The Tigers took advantage of that wasted opportunity by Chicago. With one out, Mickey Cochrane singled. Charlie Gehringer grounded out to first, moving Cochrane to second. Unlike Chicago, Detroit would get the man home. Goose Goslin singled to right, and Cochrane raced around to score the winning run. 4-3, Tigers. And the World Series was theirs, four games to two.



References

Detroit Tigers 4, Chicago Cubs 3 (Retrosheet Boxscore:) http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1935/B10070DET1935.htm

World Series: Did You Know?

Fresh off losing in seven to the Dean brothers in 1934, the Tigers had to overcome another fine pitching performance to win the next Fall Classic.

Lon Warneke, although on the Cubs' six game yielding, won both his starts. And his ERA? An outstanding 0.54!

He had been 20-13 in '35 for Chicago, but posted an ERA over 3, 3.06. When the Cubs had last appeared in the World Series in 1932, his ERA was a league-leading 2.37. But Chicago was swept in that one. Lon would win the Cubs' two games in '35.

He started game one, and got Chicago off on the right foot by blanking Detroit, 3-0. It was a splendid game, as Lon allowed just four hits and four walks. The only downside to the shutout is he only fanned one batter.

But Chicago was crushed 8-3 in game two, as reality set in. In game three, Warneke came into the relive Bill Lee, who was in a real jam. Alas, he could not get the Cubs out of it.

The Cubs led the game 3-1 in the top of the eighth, and were just five outs away from winning. But with only one out, Goose Goslin singled home two runs to tie the game. Exit, Bill Lee (Sr.)!Warneke game in.

Pete Fox singled Goslin to second. When Billy Rogell got another hit off Lon, Detroit had the lead. Rogell then tried of second with Fox on third, he was trapped in a rundown. But while all this was going on, Fox trotted on home from third two put Detroit up two runs, 5-3. That run by Fox was the only one Warneke gave up in the 1935 World Series!

Warneke settled down and got 'em 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth to give Chicago a chance to tie it. They did just that, but Warneke was pinch-hit for, of course. They got the winning run as far as first with one out, but only the tying run was to score on the second out, a fly ball.

The Tigers eventually won this in the top of the 11th, and took a 2-1 Series lead. The Cubs were retired in order in the bottom of the frame.

Chicago again gave it quite an effort in game four, which was crucial. But again, they came up short by a run, 2-1. Having lost two straight at home, game five was the last one they'd see at home as Chicago would have to try and win the World Series at home.

And Lon came through in masterful fashion in game five! For a while, he was working on a one-hitter. He got 'em 1-2-3 in the second and third. Detroit got two hits but no runs in the top of the fourth. And by this point, it was 2-0 Chicago on a two-run home run by Chuck Klein. Warneke pitched two more 1-2-3 innings before leaving for Lee in the top of the seventh. Lee faltered a bit, giving up a run in the top of the ninth. But he got the save and Chicago had already plated a third runner in the bottom of the seventh on a double by Babe Herman. For the second time in this Series, the Cubs got nothing but zeros off Lon Warneke in his start.

Detroit went on to win the 1934 Fall Classic in Detroit, back at home. Warneke did not get into the game. And, although with Chicago in 1945, he did not pitch for them in the Fall Classic that year. His game five performance turned out to be the last game he pitched in the World Series.

The Cubs had to deal with losing the World Series for many years after 1908 (To date, the last time they won the Fall Classic) to 1945. Thereafter, they have never managed to return to the October Classic. But a performance like from Warneke, no doubt helped ease the pain somewhat.


References


Enders, Eric. 100 years of the World Series. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 2005. Print.

Neft, David S., Richard M. Cohen. The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 1992. 12th ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. Print.

Nemec, David et all. 20th Century Baseball Chronicle: A Year-by-year History of Major League Baseball. Collector's Edition. Lincolnwood, Ill: Publications International, 1993. Print.

Seaver, Tom, and Martin Appel. Great Moments in Baseball. New York, NY: Carol Pub. Group, 1992. Print.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.