seajaw's Blog

Sheppard steps down

It's the end of an era in Yankee Baseball -- The Bob Sheppard Era.

I read a note today that Sheppard, the revered Voice of Yankee Stadium, says he has no intention of returning to work.

On mlb.com, he was quoted as saying, "I have no plans of coming back.  Time has passed me by, I think." 

Re: 1924 56-game season

American League - Day 12
Mackmen trim Red Sox in 10th, 3-2

BOSTON -- Al Simmons singled home Joe Hauser with two outs in the top of the 10th, as the Athletics nipped the Red Sox, 3-2, at Fenway Park Thursday.

Knuckleballer Eddie Rommel (1-1) carried the day for the visitors, his signature serving floating capriciously on the Fens' breezes.

The Sox, alternately baffled and stifled by the butterfly pitch for much of the day, managed eight hits, but just two unearned tallies in the bottom of the ninth.

While those markers deprived Rommel of a 2-0 shutout victory, they merely delayed by one inning the home club's fourth loss in succession.

Between Rommel's flutterball and the sidewinding Howard Ehmke's off-kilter repertoire, there were very few straight pitches thrown.

Hauser managed to tag two for doubles, scoring the Athletics' first run in the second inning when Sam Hale lined a three-bagger deep to center field.

Bugger Welch reached the flagpole in center for three bases leading off the fourth, plating on a ground ball by Simmons.  Ehmke managed to subdue the visitors over the next four innings, however, as he waited for the cavalry to arrive.  He left for a pinch hitter after pitching the first eight innings, having allowed six hits and five walks.

The Boston bats livened in the last of the ninth, with the help of a bouncer bungled by Hauser at first base.

Joe Harris started the rally with a one-out single, just the sixth hit for the Fensmen.  After Harris boldly swiped second base, Ike Boone hit a bouncer to Hauser.  The Phily first sacker made a play for the ball, but it glanced off his mitt for an error.  Harris went to third, as Boone claimed first.

Danny Clark lofted a floater into short right-center field, but Jimmie Dykes made a fine, over-the-shoulder grab, then rifled a strong throw back into the infield to keep Harris at third.

That would have ended the game, had Hauser made the play on Boone's ball.  But Steve O'Neill clubbed a two-bagger to center field, scoring Harris.  Boone pulled in at third.

Once again, the Athletics had a chance to end the game.  This time, however, Lee's to shortstop Chick Galloway couldn't be picked cleanly and went for a game-tying infield single.

If Connie Mack's young club was flustered by the turn of events, it didn't show.  Though Dykes and Welch made outs leading the 10th, Hauser launched his second two-base smash to right field.  Simmons lashed a single, also to right, to deliver Hauser from the keystone.

Rommel still had plenty left in him, and set the Sox down in the lower 10th, allowing a two-out single by Bobby Veach.  Harris grounded to short, but this time the ball was hit hard enough for Galloway to glove it and make a strong throw to first to end the game.

Washington 4, New York 3

NEW YORK -- Former Yankee George Mogridge turned the tide on his former mates, tossing an eight-hitter as the Nationals trimmed the defending champs, 4-3, at Yankee Stadium yesterday.

Mogridge (2-0), who pitched for the Yankees for six years, sent the Pinstripers to their sixth loss in the last eight games.

The Yankees had the early advantage in this one, after Babe Ruth shook his malaise for a run-scoring single in the bottom of the first inning.  Washington responded with a tally in the top of the second, but Aaron Ward put New York back on top with a two-run homer off Mogridge in the fourth.

The Nationals went back to work against Waite Hoyt (0-2) in the fifth.  After a fine diving play by third baseman Joe Dugan took a base hit away from Sam Rice, Goose Goslin was handed a pass.  Joe Judge just missed a home run on a ball into the right field corner, but managed two bases out of his drive, and Goslin raced all the way around to put the Nats back in front.

Muddy Ruel lined a single to center, a ball hit hard enough to Whitey Witt that Judge was forced to stop at third.  Roger Peckinpaugh, however, slipped a base hit past Everett Scott to deliver Judge.  Another infield single, by Ossie Bluege, filled the bases.

Mogridge then hit a chopper toward Ward at second base.  The ball caromed off his glove for an error, scoring Ruel with the capper.

Mogridge, empowered by his lead, went after the Yankees over the final five innings, allowing one single and one walk.  Both were erased on double plays, as the Nats posted their eighth win in 10 tries.

Chicago 12, St. Louis 7

ST. LOUIS -- The Chicago White Sox broke a 7-7 tie with five runs in the top of the ninth, rallying to post a 12-7 stunner over the Browns.

It was a long, hard, climb, as the Pale Hose came back first from a 6-0 deficit against St. Louis ace Urban Shocker.

The Browns built their lead with three runs in the first, followed by three more in the third, against White Sox starter Sloppy Thurston.  The twin rallies provided much hope and pleasure for Browns' fans.  The first run scored on a ground ball by George Sisler, who then started the third inning with a line drive home run over the right field wall.

The four-bagger was the second of the season for the man once feared as the most dangerous batsman in the American League.  It was his first in front of the home crowd since 1922, and those in attendance gave him an extended round of applause as he made his way around the circuit.

Sisler the new manager, had a much-rougher day, however.

Shocker gave back four of the runs in the top of the fifth inning -- three on the first of two home runs by Harry Hooper.  St. Louis countered with one more in the sixth, when Shocker squeezed home Gene Robertson, who had tripled.

That run gave the Browns a 7-4 margin, but that soon evaporated.  Shano Collins led the seventh with a double, and Hooper sent another Shocker offering over the right field wall.  Sisler was forced to go get his ace, in favor of lefthander Hub Pruett.

Pruett proved no better an option.  He promptly walked Bibb Falk, and a single by Earl Sheely sent the Chicago left fielder to third.  A one-out ground ball to second base by Bill Barrett brought Falk home with the tying run.

Both clubs went quietly in the eighth, but the White Sox quickly put Pruett (0-1) back on the ropes in the top of the ninth.  Falk started the inning by drawing a walk.  A looper by Sheely dropped in behind second for a base hit.

Willie Kamm -- an excellent bunter - squared around and directed a soft tapper toward the right side.  He found what proved to be no man's land, beating Pruett's desperate attempt to scoop the ball and flip it to Sisler.

With the sacks packed, Barrett sent a fly ball to center field, taking Bill Jacobson back, then toward right-center as the ball drifted.  Finally, he reached out and had it hit the heel of his glove, then bounce away, for a two-base error.  Sarge Connally, who replaced Thurston for the bottom of the eighth, rapped a single through the drawn-in left side, scoring both runners.

Connally (1-0) then went back out and worked through an opening error by Eddie Collins and a two-out hit by Ken Williams to secure the win.

"Three out of four now," Manager Johnny Evers said.  "Things are starting to fall into place."

Detroit 7, Cleveland 6

CLEVELAND -- It started wet and grew worse, as the Indians tried their level best to speed things along.  They posted two runs in the second inning against Detroit starter Lil Stoner, then added two more without the benefit of a hit in the third.

For Stoner (1-2), it was a struggle just to grip the ball.  He walked four and hit a man in the first three frames.  For Cleveland spitballer Stanley Coveleski, however, it might have been an extra advantage.

But now, it was a race to get to the fifth, to the safety of a possible rain-shortened victory for the Indians.

Detroit finally broke through against Coveleski (0-2) for a pair of tallies in the top of the fifth, on a single by Heinie Manush.  The rain remained steady -- but light -- and the game continued.

In the seventh, the Tigers took the lead, plating five more runs.

Stoner struck out to start the inning, but Al Wingo doubled.  Manush moved him up another 90 feet with a single that dropped just in front of Pat McNulty, who was playing center for Tris Speaker.  Ty Cobb sent another fly ball to center that hung up long enough for McNulty to make the catch.  Wingo tagged up and scored, bringing Detroit to within a single run.

That's when Cleveland lost control of the game.  The Tigers rang up four consecutive hits, as the Indians fought furiously to post the final out.

Harry Heilmann doubled to center, delivering Manush with the tying run.  Bob Jones just missed slipping a home run over the right field fence, settling for another two-bagger.  That one posted Heilmann, and the Tigers took the lead.  Les Burke singled to right-center, as Heilmann headed home.

As Watty Clark warmed up, Luke Sewell let a wet pitch (could there be any other kind?) skid away for a passed ball, sending Burke to the keystone.  Topper Rigney rocketed Coveleski's final pitch to left-center for a double.  Burke brought with him the fifth and final run of the inning.

Now, the Tribe would have to hope the field stayed playable as the roles were reversed.

Stoner quickly dispatched the Indians in the bottom of the seventh, and Clark managed to retire Heilmann with two runners aboard to escape the top of the eighth.

The rain was starting to pick up again after a short lull.  And now, the darkened gray sky itself would become a concern, with little sunlight getting through.  A storm was on the horizon.

Frank Brower started the lower eighth with a ground ball that Burke struggled to pick up at second, but nonetheless flung to first in time to record the out.  Stoner also had a difficult chance, when Luke Sewell tapped back to the right of the hill.  Footing was becoming treacherous, and Stoner was unable to make the play.  Sewell was awarded a single, and he took third when Stephenson bounced a hit through the middle of the diamond and into center.

The conditions were worsening, and the area around home plate was becoming more difficult.  Tiger receiver Larry Woodall was unable to hold onto a pitch that slipped through his glove for a passed ball.  Sewell, now watching his opposite number have to handle a tough pitch, roared home.  It was now 7-5, still in favor of the Tigers.

Speaker, pinch-hitting for Clark, lined a double to right-center.  Stephenson, now at the midway after the passed ball, took off on contact, and was waved home by Larry Gardner, who was coaching at third base.  The scoreboard was dutifully updated, and the score stood at 7-6.

Charlie Jamieson singled to center, too sharply hit, though.  The muddy track forced Speaker to stop at third, as Cobb expertly charged the ball.  With a chance to tie the game, Homer Summa came up short, bouncing harmlessly to Lu Blue at first base.

George Uhle came on and set the Tigers down in order in the top of the ninth.  Stoner headed back out to the mound to finish the game.

McNulty popped out to Topper Rigney at short to start the Indians' last chance.  Joe Sewell hit a grounder to Rigney, but the ball slipped out of his hand as he tried to transfer it from his glove.  The tying run was aboard!

Brower lined the ball toward right, but Burke had him played perfectly, making the catch for the second out.  Down to their last hope, Luke Sewell sent a bouncer to third baseman Bob Jones, who took his time, and made a hard, accurate throw to first for the final out.

While the prediction was more rain overnight, it was believed the field would be ready for today's contest, which is scheduled for 5:00.

Stoner was given the start on short notice, when Ray Collins reported to the park with a temperature of 101.  He was sent back to the hotel.

Friday's scheduled starters:

Detroit (Dauss, 1-0) at Cleveland (Smith, S., 2-0)
Philadelphia (Heimach, 1-1) at Boston (Ferguson, 0-0)
Chicago (Lyons, T., 1-1) at St. Louis (Danforth, 1-0)
Washington (Martina, 1-0) at New York (Bush, J., 1-1)

Re: 1924 56-game season

National League - Day 12
Vance whitewash dazzles Braves

BROOKLYN -- Dazzy Vance shone like a beacon on a dismal Thursday at Ebbets Field, spinning a masterful two-hit shutout, and even hitting an eighth-inning home run, as the Robins blanked Boston, 3-0.

With ominous gray clouds and a steady light rainfall as his backdrop, Vance (2-1) carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, losing it with one out when he hung a curveball out over the plate.

Dave Bancroft slashed the hanger to right-center field for a single.  He might have had two bases, but for the quick recovery by center fielder Dick Loftus.  Vance retired the next two hitters, however, to keep the whitewash intact.

Cotton Tierney slapped a base hit to left in the seventh for the only other Boston safety.

The reigning strikeout king became more dominant as the game entered the final three innings.  Before Tierney's single, he overpowered Ernie Padgett, who went down swinging at a high fastball.

After Tierney's knock, Vance sent Ed Sperber and Frank Gibson back to the pine, after both looked helplessly at called third strikes.  In the eighth, he set the side down in order, striking out Joe Genewich and Bancroft.  Vance issued just one pass and struck out seven.

"When Vance is throwin' like that, he can make any hitter look bad," catcher Zack Taylor observed in the welcome warmth of the clubhouse after the game.  "Makes my job easy."

Genewich (1-2) pitched a fine game, as well, scattering 11 hits and single tallies in the first, third and eighth innings.  Both Brooklyn tallies prior to Vance's four-bagger came on balls that just eluded second baseman Tierney.  The first of those came with two outs in the opening frame, as a line drive skimmed off Tierney's outstretched glove.

"A tough loss, no doubt, for Joe," Manager Dave Bancroft said, sympathizing with the righthander who led his club in victories last season.  "This team is getting better, though.  There are many more wins in his future."

New York 10, Philadelphia 2

PHILADELPHIA -- Virgil Barnes twirled a five-hitter and collected three of New York's 16 hits, as the Giants trounced the Phillies, 10-2.

Already having surrendered both of Philadelphia's runs in the first inning, Barnes (1-1) started the Giants on the road back with a leadoff double in the third inning.

Ross Youngs followed with a high drive off Jimmy Ring (1-2) that cleared the right field wall, tying the score.  Frank Frisch then singled, stole second, and came home on Hack Wilson's base hit.

The G-Men then solidfied their newfound lead in the top of the fourth, again with Barnes in the midst of the action.

This time, the Giants' ace righthander singled with one out.  Frank Snyder -- who was on first after his own hit -- was able to make third.  Youngs drew a pass, loading the bases again, and a short knock to left field by Frisch brought Snyder home.  Barnes took third on the play.

Wilson smacked a fly ball to center field, picking up Barnes.  Irish Meusel then singled to collect Youngs from second.

In the seventh, the Giants put the game out of reach, battering Johnny Couch for four runs.  With the first tally already posted, and runners on first and second, Barnes' third hit was a line drive into right-center.  Heinie Groh scored from the midway, and Snyder moved from first to third.  Youngs was passed again, with the chance to set up the force play.

The plan looked good, as Frisch and Wilson proceeded to bounce into force outs at the plate.  But Meusel thwarted the scheme, lining a two-out, two-run, single to center field.

The loss was the fourth in a row for the hapless Phils, now 1-8.

Chicago 5, Pittsburgh 2

PITTSBURGH -- Pete Alexander checked the Pirates on 10 hits, pitching the Cubs to a 5-2 win at Forbes Field.

The loss spoiled the Pirates' home opener, though optimistic manager Bill McKechnie made clear he hopes to improve on the Smoke City's consecutive third-place finishes.

"We have a fine tradition of winning in this great city, and even now, we are laying the foundation for another great era of Pirates' baseball."

Yesterday, however, the Cubs got the jump on Pittsburgh starter Wilbur Cooper (0-3) for three runs in the top of the first, then rode Old Pete's hooks and change-of-pace offerings to the win.

Alex (2-1) was hittable, but the Pirates scored just single runs in the first and fourth innings, while the crafty veteran worked out of multiple clinches.  The Bucs left eight runners straded, all but one in scoring position.  Despite all their opportunities, Alexander bent, but would not break.

"That is the epitome of a great hurler," McKechnie offered afterwards.  "He didn't have his best day, but he met every challenge we could throw at him."

Though the Pirates cut their early deficit to a single run, Alex held firm.  His mates finally added solo runs in the seventh and eighth -- the last on a rare Forbes Field home run by Bob Barrett.

Cincinnati 4, St. Louis 0

CINCINNATI -- Eppa Rixey's seven-hit shutout propelled the Reds to their fourth consecutive win yesterday, 4-0 over the visiting Cardinals.

In shutting down the rampaging Cardinal offense, Rixey also silenced slugger Rogers Hornsby.

Hornsby -- riding an amazing nine-game hitting streak and .730 batting average to open the season -- managed to hit one ball out of the infield, a fourth-inning fly to left that was swallowed up in the wind and steady rain than blanketed Redland Field.

The Cardinals had scored 59 runs in their first nine games, and bashed Pete Donohue for 10 hits in a 5-1 win Wednesday.

But Rixey (3-0) grounded the Redbirds, who had not scored fewer than three runs in any game prior to yesterday.  The seven hits were sprinkled across the game, with the Cardinals managing two in an inning twice.  But they never broke through against the southside slinger playfully tabbed "Eptha Jeptha" by some scalawag in the press.

Allen Sothoron (1-2) took the loss, in a contest that was decided early.  Jake Daubert doubled with one out in the bottom of the first, scoring on a two-out single by George Burns.  But left fielder Ray Blades let the ball scoot under his glove for an additional two bases, sending Burns to third.  From there, he scored on a double by George Harper.

In the second, Ike Caveney opened with a single, making third on a base hit by Ivy Wingo.  After Rixey's soft liner to short right field was hauled in by Hornsby, third baseman Howard Freigau mishandled a ground ball by Sammy Bohne, allowing Caveney to race home.

Bohne scored the final run in the fourth, after a one-out single.  Daubert and Edd Roush drew pases to fill the bases, and Burns sent a slow roller to the right side.  The only play was to first base, as Bohne came in from third.

Friday's scheduled starters:

New York (McQuillan, 2-0) at Philadelphia (Mitchell, C., 0-2)
Boston (Cooney, Jo., 0-0) at Brooklyn (Ruether, 0-0)
Chicago (Aldridge, 0-2) at Pittsburgh (Meadows, 1-1)
St. Louis (Stuart, 1-1) at Cincinnati (Luque, 1-0)

Re: How do you handle this?

What you recall is accurate, in that I try to go by what a manager might do then and there (as opposed to going by the card totals).  That is a "feel for what's right" decision, as in calling on a veteran to pinch hit in a clutch situation, rather than use the rookie with the gaudy card.

As the manager doesn't have knowledge of the season's final totals, all he can go by is what's gone down up to that moment.  To do otherwise is to skew the results.  Why else would you do anything like shifting your lineup, when someone is "hot" or "slumping?"  We strive to re-create that sense of realism.

The Shane Spencer scenario I cited earlier in the thread is a perfect example.  No way, did Joe Torre know beforehand what he was going to get out of Spencer.  Likewise, Yogi Berra didn't know how 1973 was going to play out.  He just knew he had Willie Mays in center field...

Reggie Jackson was hitting .200 on June 12, 1970.  He was hitting third in the lineup.  If you replay that season, you might look at the card and change that, which would possibly alter the whole season for the A's.  Johnny Mac didn't have a card.  He had to go on the belief that things would get better.

If you know that some pitcher is going to lose 20 games, you'll do anything you can to marginalize him, use him up in the least-destructive way possible.  But the manager that year doesn't know his hurler is going to lose 20.  I set up my rotations by how many starts the guys had.  My 20-game loser will go where he fits in, and I'll deal with his season as it happens.

If there was a major injury, something that had a huge impact on a team, or the way the season played out, I incorporate it.  Ray Chapman's death, or Walter Johnson being sidelined the entire second half of the '20 season are examples.  I simply weave them into my replay.  To me, I just can't have Chapman and Joe Sewell on the Indians' roster together.  It's just not right.

Johnson is at the top of Washington's rotation, until he goes down.  Then I scramble to fill the gap.  Just like Clark Griffith had to.

Using in-season transactions helps.  The flip side, though, is that you can be cornered into "using up" a player's appearances in time to dump him.  And many transactions are made with regard to on-field events, such as injuries, or suspensions.  If the corresponding player does not get hurt (or suspended, or whatever), then there's no need to bring in the new guy, is there? 

As I mentioned, I generally go by the player's actual appearance totals, plus five percent.  That also helps cover ABs/IPs by players not included in the card set.

As many others do, I will also occasionally sideline a player for "general wear and tear," if he has not missed enough time due to expected injuries.  Also, if a player's injuries will cause him to miss too much time, I will "override" the result and assign a "remainder of game" sit-down.  Those decisions also help keep a player within usage parameters.

Much of this, however, is just me.  I've never been one to cut loose and say "anything goes."  To some (okay, many...), it may seem really convoluted.

Other people will say, "He was there, and he was on the active roster, so he wasn't hurt.  That means he's available, if I want to use him."

I have a friend who took a player whose entire season consisted of two hits in four at bats, and stretched it into more than 200 plate appearances (in the computer game, which I though had limits for this type of extreme usage), as the player was active (uninjured) the whole season.  He just wasn't being used.

Re: 1924 56-game season

American League - Day 11
Meusel leads NY to win in home opener

NEW YORK -- With flags, marching bands, and all the pomp and circumstance the Big Apple could muster, the New York Yankees opened Yankee Stadium for the 1924 season and received official recognition for their 1923 Worlds Championship win over the cross-river Giants.

Then, they made the day even more memorable, defeating Washington ace Walter Johnson, 6-1, behind a home run and four runs batted in by Bob Meusel.

Meusel drove in the first New York run in the bottom of the opening frame with a two-single, as the Yanks capitalized on a fielding error by Sam Rice.  Rice dropped a fly ball by leadoff hitter Whitey Witt.

Joe Dugan lined out, however, and Babe Ruth -- who received a rousing cheer from the packed stadium -- skied to center.  Meusel saved the inning with a base hit to center field, scoring Witt.  He then raced all the way around to plate the second run when Wally Pipp followed with a triple.

The Yankees sent Herb Pennock (1-1) to the hill, and the portsider stopped the Capitol clubbers on nine hits.  Aside from back-to-back two-baggers by Joe Judge and Muddy Ruel in the top of the second, he was in control throughout.  The heart of the Washington order -- Rice, Goose Goslin and Judge -- hit just two balls out of the infield.

Pennock struck out five and issued no passes, though he hit Ossie Bluege in the ninth.

"That's what he gets, leaning out over the plate," Pennock said, shrugging it off in the clubhouse after the game.

The game still hung precariously in the balance when the clubs reached the bottom of the fifth.  Johnson was throwing a fine ballgame.  Oddly, Pennock, not known for his hitting prowess, led the fifth with a walk.  Witt sacrificed Pennock to second, and Dugan delivered with a double, stretching the lead to 3-1.

Ruth lofted a fly ball to center field, fairly deep but still swallowed up by Nemo Leibold.  Meusel was next, and he laid solid wood on a Johnson speedball, launching it high and just over the left field wall.

Ruth had one more encounter with the Washington ace, in the seventh inning.  Having accounted for a third-inning single in his previous three attempts, Ruth gave it his best one more time, lining a two-bagger into the right-center field gap.  Meusel brought the Babe home moments later with his third hit, a single.

By the later innings, Johnson now shows signs of tiring.  Where once, he was a sure bet to take any game as deep as needed to win, now he limits himself more, the effect of advancing age, and several injuries over the past four campaigns.

"I'm wearing down, I guess," he said, answering the inevitable question.  "I'm not exactly a spring chicken any more, am I?"

Detroit 6, Cleveland 5 (11)

CLEVELAND -- On a dark, drizzly, afternoon at American League Park, the Tigers and Indians battled.  They battled each other.  They battled the muddy conditions.  On a day meant for celebration -- the Indians' home opener -- they battled.

For three-and-a-half hours, as the park went from full to nearly half-empty when the home nine fell behind yet again, they battled to get the game in before the last precious rays of light were gone.

The Tigers took a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth, then watched as the Indians battled back to knot the score.  Starter Earl Whitehill seemingly had control of the game, and had yielded just three hits in the first six innings.

However, Rube Lutzke singled to open the seventh, and pinch-hitter Sumpter Clarke doubled, just missing a home run.  Lutzke stopped at third, but came home when Homer Summa skied to right field.

Whitehill still had a 5-2 lead entering the bottom of the eighth, but Del Pratt mishandled a ground ball by George Burns to open the frame, and set in motion the Detroit southpaw's eventual downfall.

Glenn Myatt lined a base hit to left-center, sending Burns to third.  Whitehill managed to record the first two outs on hard hit grounders to third and short.  Burns, not the swiftest of runners, was forced to hold at third, though Myatt moved up to the keystone as the first out was recorded.

The inning would have been complete at that point, had it not been for the error by Pratt.  Now, with extra life, pinch-hitter Chick Fewster singled to plate Burns.  Charlie Jamieson doubled to right field, delivering Myatt.  Following a passed ball by Glenn Myatt that allowed Fewster to dash home, Summa singled, sending Jamieson home with the tying run.

That last hit meant the end of Whitehill's day.  As he left, he glared back at Pratt.  The ninth and 10th inning passed, uneventfully.

When Myatt let another pitch get by with two outs in the top of the 11th inning and Harry Heilmann at the midway, he turned to the home plate umpire and said, plaintively, "I can't see the pitch."

The response, as he related after the game: "I saw it just fine.  You just missed it.  Now play ball!"

On the next pitch, Fred Haney singled to score Heilmann from third base.  Johnny Bassler then quickly popped up to conclude the Tigers' half-inning.

Once behind, the Indians continued to try to extend the bottom of the frame long enough to get the game halted by darkness.  But relief hurler Bert Cole (1-0), in his third inning of work, came out throwing strikes.  The helpless Indian hitters were forced to put the ball in play, despite delaying the action in any way they could.  Three routine ground balls later, the game was done.

The loss went to Edwards, a tough-luck loser in late circumstances on Tuesday, as well.

Manager Tris Speaker, who has seen plenty of these games come and go over the years, was philosophical about the circumstances, even as he was fighting to keep his sagging club afloat.

"That just means there are still a few things we need to work out," the Texan said, choosing his words carefully.  "You don't want to start throwing fits when someone can't get the job done.  You just have to find the right person for the right job.

"Edwards is a valuable man on my staff.  He's been hurt by things beyond his control.  We'll get it taken care of."

Thursday's scheduled starters:

Philadelphia (Rommel, 0-1) at Boston (Ehmke, 2-0)
Chicago (Thurston, 0-1) at St. Louis (Shocker, 1-1)
Washington (Mogridge, 1-0) at New York (Hoyt, 0-1)
Detroit (Collins, R., 1-0) at Cleveland (Coveleski, 0-1)

Re: 1924 56-game season

National League - Day 11
 Hornsby, Bottomley key Cards' win

CINCINNATI -- Rogers Hornsby and Jim Bottomley combined for five hits and three runs scored, as the Cardinals topped the Reds, 5-1, Wednesday afternoon.

Supporting Jesse Haines' seven-hit pitching, Hornsby singled with one out in the fourth, then scored on a drive to deep right-center that hit high on the wall and bounded away from pursuit for three bases.

Cincinnati shortstop Ike Caveney followed by mishandling a ground ball by Ray Blades for an error.  That miscue allowed Bottomley to score.

Haines (3-0) gave one back in the bottom of the fourth, on a fly ball by Babe Pinelli that delivered George Burns from third, but was otherwise unharmed.  The speedballing Redbird righty has half of St. Louis' six wins.

St. Louis continued to put pressure on Cincinnati starter Pete Donohue (1-2), adding a third run in the sixth.  Hornsby led with a base hit, took third on a two-bagger by Bottomley, and plated on a ground ball by Blades.

"Those two look unstoppable," Branch Rickey said in awe of his three-four batsmen.  "We'll win a lot of games at this pace.  (Mike) Gonzalez has settled in behind the plate.  And (Jimmy) Cooney looks good at short."

Haines even helped his own cause in the seventh, when the Cardinals tallied their final runs.  Specs Toporcer tripled to get the ball rolling, and Haines dropped a base hit into shallow left-center field.  After advancing to third on a base hit by Jack Smith, Haines came in when Donohue let loose a wild pitch.

Boston 2, Brooklyn 1

BROOKLYN -- To paraphrase Sam Clemens, "Reports of the demise of pitching have been somewhat exaggerated."

While baseballs are jumping all over Big League parks, the occasional pitchers' duel still makes an occasional appearance.

Yesterday, Opening Day at Ebbets Field brought out not only a parade, speeches, and a glorious red, white and blue-bedecked ballyard, but it also produced a nailbiter of a ballgame!

Boston's Jesse Barnes (2-1) and Brooklyn spitballer Burleigh Grimes (1-1) hooked up in a dandy, won when a wild pitch and an error helped the visitors from Beantown to a pair of tainted tallies in the sixth inning.

That was enough to give the Braves a 2-1 win, when the Brooks' last-ditch rally died with potential game-tying runner Jack Fournier left stranded at the midway.

Entering the top of the sixth, Old Stubblebeard had allowed one hit and two passes.  However, Bill Cunningham beat out a slow roller to short to open the inning.  With one out, Stuffy McInnis doubled deep to left field, moving Cunningham to the opposite corner.  When Grimes bounced a wet one in front of the dish, that allowed the runners to move up, and Cunningham broke the scoreless duel.

Casey Stengel then slashed a ground ball to short which was badly abused by Binky Jones.  McInnis dashed home from third on the misplay, and Barnes had all the help he would need.  Grimes allowed two more harmless singles and a walk over the final three innings, finishing with a five-hitter.

Meanwhile, Barnes was pitching a masterpiece.  The Robins managed just three hits in the first eight innings, and Barnes was razor-sharp with his deliveries, surrendering no passes.

Andy High popped out to McInnis at first base to start the last of the ninth.  Milt Stock then made the hardest contact of the day by any of the Brooklyn batter, when he sizzled a line drive deep to right-center.  As he rounded second, though, he slipped, and was forced to scramble back to the keystone on what was going to be a sure three-bagger.

Better safe at the midway than possibly out at third, Stock dusted himself off and waited for an opening.  Zack Wheat, the Robins' heavy-hitting left fielder, popped out to McInnis.  Barnes was one out away from completing his whitewash effort.

But Fournier chopped a ground ball into the hole between short and third.  Dave Bancroft knocked the ball down, but tried to get Fournier at first to end the game.  His hasty throw short-hopped McInnis, and the veteran first sacker was unable to come up with the ball.  Fournier took second, as Stock came in with Brooklyn's first run.

Catcher Jim O'Neil asked for time and went to the mound to talk briefly with Barnes.  Returning to his position behind the dish, the game resumed, and Tommy Griffith bounced harmlessly to McInnis for the final out.

Thursday's scheduled starters:

Boston (Genewich, 1-1) at Brooklyn (Vance, 1-1)
New York (Barnes, V., 0-1) at Philadelphia (Ring, 1-1)
St. Louis (Sothoron, 1-1) at Cincinnati (Rixey, 2-0)
Chicago (Alexander, 1-1) at Pittsburgh (Cooper, 0-2)

Re: How do you handle this?

What about extra starts/innings beyond that?  I still have a dozen games to play.

When I prepare for my seasons, I always divvy up the starts in advance, so I know how many each pitcher gets.  That way, I don't accidentally front-load some, then run out, unexpectedly.  I can also plan for spot starters at key intervals.  I also know how many innings each pitcher gets.

It's really funny, the way this season has played out.

Early on, I practically had to force-feed innings to some guys, because their bad performances were dumping innings onto other pitchers, who did not have enough to cover.

I try to cap usage at plus five percent, to allow for uncarded players' stats, which works out just fine...most times.

I always feel guilty about extending some guys, but not others...when that little bit extra might have made a difference along the way.

Also, for example, would you allow extra usage to top players on other teams, if they are playing contenders in the final week?  Two weeks?

And...how do you combat the urge to just max out everyone early, knowing full-well you'll bring them back at the end anyway?  How does that tamp down over-usage?

I'm trying not to give too much away here, but what if a team is still in (unexpected) contention, with a dozen games left?  Give what might be unfair advantage by extending their players' usage?  Or, cut 'em off, say what was there was there (and it's gone now), and make that team finish a pennant race with scrubs?

In the original season, they didn't get it done.  Now, if I give them an extra boost, they might do it.  Is it right?  Remember, that they are knocking at the door was unexpected.  Maybe I should just say they're out of gas after getting to that point.

Ultimately, do you feel adherence to usage guidelines is important?  Practical?  Not worth the bother, in the heat of a pennant race?

In real life, if it were all on the line, the top dogs would be on the field, if they could be.  But, is it fair, if you already know how much they were supposed to be used, and you already used 'em up?

I guess this is the essence of SOM, at its philosophical core.

Don'tcha love it?

Re: How do you handle this?

I've talked a lot about pitchers getting hammered in my 1924 season.  Here's the flip side:

When you are re-playing a season, and you want to keep your usage totals in line, what do you do when a starting pitcher goes over on innings, but has starts remaining?

I have a conundrum with my Cincinnati Reds.  One pitcher has starts remaining, but has been so dominant in previous appearances, he has never reached his actual weakness point.

He has nine complete games in nine starts, three of them shutouts, just 74 hits and 14 walks in 90 innings, and a 1.50 ERA.  He's just reached his pro-rated innings for the season, with one start remaining.

In this situation, would you let him make his allotted starts, but enforce a weakness at, for instance, the five-inning mark?

As I've discussed previously, I let out the leash (a little bit) when a pitcher gives up a lot of hits/walks, but few runs.  And I tighten it when he gives up a lot of runs, regardless of reaching point of weakness.

Another has nine starts (four complete), 72 innings with 80 hits and nine walks, and a 3.13 ERA.  He has three starts remaining, but only 13 innings.

I'm trying to keep an eye on these guys, when warranted.  However, it's not like they're buried under 6.85 ERAs (I have a few of those, too...).  Realistically, they're practically on cruise control, and they have 8th/9th-inning POWs, but neither has pitched into extra innings.

Re: My all-time AL SOM Tourney

Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h...the joys of non-DH managing.

I'm with you on not wanting to make the change, though.  In those days, teams weren't built with the relief options we've grown up knowing in recent years.

You don't anticipate that Grove is going to do that (yet he did just that many times in his earlier years).

Actually, if you want to eye it the way I would, Grove was known for his temper, as much as he was reknowned for his blazing fastball.

At times like this, he'd get frustrated, and simply start throwing harder...and harder.  He's lose much of the location on his pitches, and become his own worst enemy.

Then, he'd go take it out on the clubhouse.

Jim (I think) mentioned the bio Lefty Grove: American Original, by Jim Kaplan.  Excellent book.  The A's would come in after a Grove defeat, and find the clubhouse had been destroyed.  He was an ornery cuss.

His 15-game winning streak in '31 ended with a tough, 1-0, loss at St. Louis.  The run scored on a liner to left that was misplayed by reserve outfielder Jimmy Moore.  It was sunny, the ball was hit hard and right at him, an all-around tough ball to play.

Al Simmons, who would have normally been there, had received permission from Connie Mack to take the day off, so he could travel to Milwaukee to get treatment for a "sprained, infected and blistered left ankle".

Simmons had said he'd be willing to stay with the club and play (he'd already been sidelined for a week, and would miss two more weeks, according to the Kaplan book).  Grove never blamed Moore, but he never forgave Simmons for missing the game.

Kaplan's description of what happened after the game was cobbled together from several versions.  It took place between games (his loss was the first of a twinbill).

Cochrane tried to console him, to no avail.

Kaplan: "Ignoring him, Grove tried to tear off the clubhouse door and shredded the wooded partitions separating the lockers.  He ripped off his shirt with both hands, the buttons flying by Doc Cramer three lockers down, and stomped on his uniform.  'Threw everything I could get my hands on -- bats, balls, shoes, gloves, benches, water buckets, whatever was handy,' Grove told Donald Honig.  They could all be picked up, more or less intact.  Not so the banged-in lockers and broken chairs left in his wake."

The tirade -- in which Grove was silent on Moore's misplay, but fumed over Simmons' absence -- lasted a good 20 minutes.

As was usually the case, it was Mack that soothed him enough for the anger to subside.  But that was later, after the second game.  While his teammates were piling it on the Browns in the nightcap, Grove was demolishing the showerheads.

In his next start -- against New York -- the Yankees rode him mercilessly, having heard the reports.  Grove took to the hill and started chuckin', harder and harder.

He struck out the side in the first (Sammy Byrd, Joe Sewell and Babe Ruth), walked Gehrig to start the second, then fanned Ben Chapman, Lyn Lary and Bill Dickey.

In the third, he smoked Tony Lazzeri and Lefty Gomez, before Byrd popped out.

However, he was gripping the ball so tightly that he tore some skin off the left index finger.  He made it through a couple more innings, then got kayoed.  Gehrig hit a grand slam in the sixth.  Philly had already moved out to a 7-0, and Rube Walberg managed to right the ship in relief.  The A's won, 7-4.

So, when I read your account, I see Grove, chuckin and chuckin'...harder and harder.  Getting angrier and angrier.

Was anything left of the clubhouse?

Re: Are M's for real?

Covered it in the Golden Retrievers thread.  The team's defense charted as possibly the best of the entire decade.

Re: 1924 56-game season

American League - Day 10
Dugan flexes his muscle in NY win

PHILADELPHIA -- It was Theater of the Absurd, to be sure.  But here was third baseman Joe Dugan, pantomiming the swing that unleashed his first home run of the season earlier in the afternoon, as he told George Herman Ruth -- The Babe -- "This is how it's done, old man."

A hearty chuckle was enjoyed by all, even Ruth, whose walloping woes continued.

Eight games into their much-awaited title defense, Ruth is batting a flat .200, with six hits -- one homer -- and a measly three runs driven in.  His Yankees are 3-5, tied for last in the American League.

It was because they put an end to a three-game skid yesterday afternoon that the visitors' clubhouse at Shibe Park had any life to it.  Dugan's clout, with Whitey Witt aboard, capped a five-run second inning, as the Hugmen hung on for a 6-4 victory.

Bob Shawkey nursed his lead through six innings, before the Athletics staged a rally reminiscent of one day earlier, scoring four times.  Joe Bush lost his own shutout bid -- and the third game of this series -- Monday, as Philadelphia came back for a 4-1 win.

Yesterday, however, Shawkey managed to staunch the bleeding just in time to preserve the one run that remained of his lead.  The Yankees then added one more in the eighth, an inning that began with Dugan just missing a second four-bagger.

Ruth's day was more pratfall than anything.  After a single with two out in the top of the first, he was promptly picked off first base by Stan Baumgartner (0-2).  That  brought a stream of riotous laughter from the Philadelphia bench...and a very stern look from Yankee Manager Miller Huggins.

"Not surprising that I got nabbed," Ruth pronounced afterwards, taking a good-natured jab at his early-season troubles.  "I ain't been out there enough ta know what I'm doin' this year."

This time, the round of laughter was cut short.

"Let's go, boys," Huggins' voice rang out.  "We've got a train to catch.  Home opener's tomorrow.  We better be ready to put on a show."

Chicago 6, Cleveland 5

CHICAGO -- They don't come much uglier, but yesterday's 6-5 win by the White Sox over the visiting Indians was welcome, just the same.

The White Sox tallied twice in the bottom of the ninth, after surrendering an early 4-2 lead, to earn a split of their series against the Tribe at Comiskey Park.

The two clubs pounded away at each others' helpless hurlers.  Chicago totaled 18 hits, adding seven passes, while Cleveland whacked away for 14 hits and three walks of their own.

To his credit, Ted Blankenship (1-0) hoisted the threadbare Sox staff on his shoulders and carried the club through all nine innings.

"He did a man's work today," Manager Johnny Evers said, in admiration.  The Crab is not so free with his compliments, so the weight of his praise was keenly felt.

The Indians had plenty of opportunities, as evidenced by their total of 12 runners left stranded.  In fact, they left the sacks packed in the ninth, as Evers had Charlie Robertson warming on the side.

But the string of three safeties had come with two out, with light-hitting cornerman Rube Lutzke next in line.  Lutzke obliged, lifting a routine fly ball to center fielder Maurice Archdeacon to end the threat.

Down by a run, the Sox went to work one last time, against "Little Joe" Edwards.  Nicknamed against type, the 6'2" southpaw had been scheduled to start the contest, but reported to the park with a stiff shoulder, necessitating an emergency call to veteran righthander George Uhle.

By the time the game got into the middle innings, Uhle had already been battered to the tune of 13 hits.  Watty Clark took the hill for one scoreless frame, then left for pinch-hitter Pat McNulty, who walked in the seventh.  In a double-switch, McNulty stayed in the game, while the pitcher to be named replaced right fielder Homer Summa.  It was a move that paid dividends.  McNulty's spot came up again in the next inning, and his two-run single gave the Indians a 5-4 lead.

Edwards was feeling much better by mid-game, and Tris Speaker was desperately in need.  So Edwards got loose and entered the game, replacing Clark for the seventh inning.

He pitched around two walks in the seventh, then steered his way out of a two-on jam in the eighth, the result of back-to-back, one out, singles.  A startling play by third baseman Lutzke saved Edwards' skin, however.

With runners on third and second and one out, Willie Kamm dropped a squeeze bunt up the third base line.  Lutzke read the play as it was unfolding, managed to race in, scoop the ball with his bare hand, and flip it to catcher Roxy Walters just in time to nip Bibb Falk, who was steaming home from third.

"I admit I thought the game would fall our way, after seeing Rube make that play," Speaker admitted.  "Unfortunately..."

"Unfortunately" was the Tribe's wasting that one last plum opportunity against Blankenship in the top of the ninth.

Now, however, came "Little Joe's" downfall.  Roy Elsh batted for catcher Buck Crouse and drew a walk to start the inning.  Johnny Mostil skied to left for the first out.  It was the last of the day for Edwards.

Bill Barrett pinch hit for Archdeacon, and also claimed a pass.  Eddie Collins beat out an infield hit, loading the bases.  Harry Hooper followed with a liner that dropped cleanly into right-center for two runs and the victory.

"We stranded 16 runners in the first eight innings," Evers noted, despite the joy in the clubhouse.  "We'll have to do a lot better than that, if we're to challenge this season."

Wednesday's scheduled starters:

Detroit (Whitehill, 2-0) at Cleveland (Shaute, 1-1)
Washington (Johnson, W., 1-1) at New York (Pennock, 0-1)

Only games scheduled

Re: 1924 56-game season

National League - Day 10
Smith, Cards overwhelm Pirates, 15-9

ST. LOUIS -- Jack Smith went 5-5, driving in four runs as the Cardinals routed Pittsburgh, 15-9, at Sportsman's Park Tuesday.

The win enabled the Redbirds to split the series, with bookend victories.

After yesterday's win, the Cardinals are tied with New York, 5-3, one game behind Brooklyn and Cincinnati.

Smith was a one-man wrecking crew, posting three singles, a double, and a three-base hit.  In addition to his four runs driven in, Smith also scored twice himself.

Meanwhile, Rogers Hornsby continued on his early-season hitting splurge, collecting two singles and a double, three runs scored and two runs batted in.  After eight games, The Rajah is scorching the ball at a .781 clip -- 25-32.  He has hit safely in all eight games the Cardinals have played and already has 13 runs scored and 13 runs batted in.

With Hornsby on base so often, Jim Bottomley has also benefited.  "Sunny Jim" has driven home 10 runs and has also hit in all eight games, though his .417 mark pales in comparison.

Fortunately for Jeff Pfeffer, he didn't have to be on top of his game yesterday...and he wasn't.  Pfeff (1-1) was knocked around a bit -- nine hits and six runs -- but still picked up he win.

After the game, Smith allowed a bit of gallows humor at his predicament.

"Here I am, 5-5, a great day," he started.  "And they still want to talk about Hornsby!"

After the game, St. Louis Manager Branch Rickey announced that the club had purchased shortstop Jimmy Cooney from Milwaukee (AA).  Cooney, the brother of Boston Braves pitcher/infielder Johnny Cooney, will join the club in Cincinnati tomorrow.

Cincinnati 12, Chicago 4

CHICAGO -- Submariner Carl Mays tossed a six-hitter and singled home a run, as the Reds smacked the Cubs, 12-4, yesterday.

The win was Cincinnati's third-straight, and closed out the four-game series at Wrigley Field.

The Reds piled up 15 hits, including home runs by George Burns and Bubbles Hargrave.  Rube Bressler added four hits, including a pair of triples, and scored four runs, while batting in three.

Ike Caveney rapped three singles, adding a sacrifice fly, as he drove in two runs.

Mays (2-0) gave up all four Chicago runs in the second inning, then blanked the Cubs on three harmless singles the rest of the way.  As always, when the Reds are away from home, Mays was met with derision by the crowd.

"It don't bother me none," he said plainly after the game.  "I just do my job, then go back to the hotel."

Tony Kaufmann (1-1) was clobbered, surrendering 13 hits and nine runs in seven innings.

Brooklyn 5, New York 4

NEW YORK -- Hank DeBerry singled home Bernie Neis with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, as the Robins trimmed the Giants, 5-4, earning a split of their four-game series at the Polo Grounds.

The Brooklyn club first squandered an early 4-0 lead, assembled in the second inning against New York southpaw Art Nehf (1-1).

The lead was built on consecutive home runs by Jack Fournier and Neis, a double by Gene Bailey, and a two-base throwing error by Frank Frisch, on Milt Stock's grounder.  The error let Bailey score the third run, and a two-out single by Andy High plated Stock with the capper.

But New York got one back in the third, when Billy Southworth delivered Hank Gowdy with a base hit.  They added three more in the lower fifth, Bill Terry tying the score with a two-run single.

Right away, though, the Robins struck back.  In the top of the sixth, Neis lined a one-out single to center field, then stole second.  Bailey walked, but Stock popped out to short.  DeBerry then came through with his base hit, as Neis raced home.

Art Decatur (2-0) went to the whitewash for the final four innings.

Wednesday's scheduled starters:

Boston (Barnes, J., 1-1) at Brooklyn (Grimes, B., 1-0)
St. Louis (Haines, 2-0) at Cincinnati (Donohue, 1-1)

Only games scheduled

Re: 1957 league w/drafts

Four dingers for Heathcote???  What's he been samplin' at the health food store?

I can understand a dozen ribs for Hartnett, as you must have a zillion baserunners in that league!

Nine straight for Root is nice.  In my '20 replay, Alex lost on Opening Day, lost his finale, but won 11 straight in-between.  Imperfect bookends.

I have one hurler who's looking to go 8-0 (I won't say who) in my '24 season, as I prepare to play today.

Re: My all-time AL SOM Tourney

Oops!  You slipped in with your final while I was typing!

Wow!!!  Astonishing.  I've seen this happen, where I can't get a guy out of an inning and an inning explodes.

But...Grove???

The clubhouse was surely a shambles after that one.

Re: My all-time AL SOM Tourney

CW - It gets more interesting as you will see when I write up the next game.  Not at all what I expected....not even close.  It was a game that I had to stop in the middle in absolute shock and just re-think what had happened.  I waited for a few hours before finishing it.

-gwloar

Oh, boy!  I know what it means when I have to take a break in a wild one.  I can hardly wait to see what's going on in your series.

Grove-Bender should be a wonderful matchup, and I am eager to see which way/how it broke.

Re: Happy Thanksgiving

You take care out there, and also have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Re: 1924 56-game season

American League - Day 9
Nats nip Boston with four in ninth

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals scored four times in the bottom of the ninth to take a 6-5 squeaker from the Red Sox at Griffith Stadium yesterday.

Wild Bill Piercy was within two outs of his first win of the season, leading 5-2, when Roger Peckinpaugh worked the Boston starter for his second walk of the game.

At that point, Boston Manager Lee Fohl had reliever Oscar Fuhr warmed and ready.  He strode to the hill and gave Piercy the traditional pat on the behind for his fine effort and handed the ball to the lefthander.

Doc Prothro then lined a double high off the left field wall, moving Peckinpaugh to third.  Batting for relief hurler Slim McGrew (1-0), pinch hitter Showboat Fisher took a called third strike.

Nemo Leibold kept the Nationals' hopes alive by coaxing a pass from Fuhr.  The bases were now loaded for Bucky Harris.

Inheriting a club that finished fourth last season, Harris has taken the same lineup and turned it into a well-oiled offensive machine, scoring 37 runs in the first seven games.  Despite the fact that their home park keeps the ball in play moreso than most others, the Nationals are adept at hitting the gaps and, to a man, can fly around the bases.

Harris slapped a base hit back through the box, and into center field, plating Peckinpaugh and Fisher, as Leibold claimed third.  Sam Rice followed with another single, which delivered Leibold.  Harris took third, and was now 90 feet from winning the game.

At this point, Rice took off for second base, perhaps hoping to draw a throw from catcher Steve O'Neill, the strong-armed Boston receiver.  That would allow Harris to take off from third.

But O'Neill was wise to that trick and held the ball, knowing Rice's presence meant nothing to the outcome.

It was knowing full-well that the Nationals had a series of potent lefthanders due up that led Fohl to call on the southpaw slinger, Fuhr.  Leibold and Rice had just beaten the percentages, however, and now cleanup man Goose Goslin stood in, with fellow portsider Joe Judge on deck.

"Neither one is a good one to have to pitch to with the game on the line," Fohl said later.  "Judge is probably a more consistent contact hitter, so we went after Goslin."

Goslin, however, had other ideas, and smacked a solid single to center field.  Harris trotted home with the Capitol Club's seventh win in eight games.

Asked what he felt was the difference between last season's sub-.500 club, and the group that has run out to an early lead this year, the thoughtful young manager pointed out that it is, indeed, early.

"We've only just started the campaign," Harris replied.  "We had a good club last season, but our pitching didn't hold out.  Walter (Johnson) has been hurting the last few seasons.

"This year, he feels good, and everything is falling into place."

Cleveland 12, Chicago 3

CHICAGO -- Luke Sewell drove in three runs and scored two others as the Indians routed the White Sox, 12-3, at Comiskey Park yesterday.

Sewell lined a two-out, two-run single to center field in the top of the first inning, right after Chicago right fielder Harry Hooper dropped a fly ball that would have ended the inning.

Charlie Jamieson, on third when Hooper was unable to corral the fly ball off the bat of George Burns, scored the first of three runs for the Tribe.  Tris Speaker moved from first to third, and Burns wound up on second.  Sewell then lashed his single back through the middle, giving Cleveland three unearned tallies against Chicago hurler Red Faber (1-1).

The Pale Hose nipped at Sherry Smith (2-0) for single runs in the second and third innings, but the Indians pulled away with two in the fourth and three more in the fifth.  Sewell walked and scored in both frames.

Riggs Stephenson also scored twice.  He singled and plated in the fourth, then drove in a run with a double an inning later, touching home just behind Sewell on a two-run single by Chick Fewster.

Cleveland put the game out of reach in the top of the eighth, scoring four more times against Mike Cvengros.  Once again, Sewell was in the mix, delivering the final run with a one-out ground ball.

"We had it all working today," Speaker noted after the game.  "Smitty wasn't at his best, but he still gave us a solid effort.

"If we can get the pitching I hope for, we can be right in the middle of the race, I think," he said.  "We can certainly score runs."

In the first three games of their Comiskey Park matchup, Cleveland has posted 23 runs against the tattered Sox staff.

Philadelphia 4, New York 1

PHILADELPHIA -- The Athletics broke up Joe Bush's shutout bid by scoring four times in the bottom of the eighth inning, as they handed the Yankees a 4-1 setback at Shibe Park.

New York posted the only run of the first seven and a half innings in the top of the second, when Aaron Ward launched a one-out triple deep over the head of Al Simmons in center field.  Everett Scott hit a bouncer to the left of shortstop Chick Galloway that allowed Ward to come home.

Other than that, Slim Harriss was in command against the defending the World Champs.  After Ward scored on Galloway's grounder,  Harris retired the next seven straight.  He allowed consecutive hits to open the fifth, but then was back at it, setting down the next 10 Hugmen he faced.

Meanwhile, Bush (1-1) gave the Mackmen just three singles and a walk through seven innings., as the game had developed into a tense pitchers' battle.  In those seven frames, just one Philly runner made it to the midway.

Things went to pieces quickly in the eighth, however.  Galloway started the frame with a roller to Scott that the Yankee shortstop couldn't make a barehanded grab on.  Pinch hitter Max Bishop -- the rookie second baseman who brings to the Bigs a discerning batting eye -- drew a pass.

Paul Strand lifted a fly ball into the right-center gap that Whitey Witt grabbed on a hop.  Witt wasn't able to stop his momentum quick enough, though, and Strand hustled into second with a two-bagger, plating Galloway with the tying run.  Jimmie Dykes sent a fly ball to left field, deep enough that Bishop was able to tag up and score, giving the Athletics the lead, 2-1.

Nothing had been hit that hard, and Bush still looked to have good command of his pitches.  The next two hitters would paint a very different picture.

Bing Miller smacked a drive deep to left field that just missed going over the wall.  Miller settled for two bases, as Strand raced home.  Joe Hauser, the beef of the order, slugged another two-bagger.  This one was into right-center, splitting Witt and Babe Ruth.  Miller scored easily.  Simmons managed an infield hit, moving Hauser to third, but relief finally arrived, in the form of "Sad Sam" Jones.

There was no such relief for the Yankees against Harris, or his relief, Sam Gray.  In all, the Pinstripers managed just six hits.  Ruth looked helpless, unable to hit the ball out of the infield, though he did draw a walk in his four trips to the plate.  Ruth has three singles and three walks in the first three games against the Athletics, all losses.

Bob Meusel has fared no better, with a paltry three singles in 13 at bats against Philadelphia pitching.  With all the noise being made by hitters across both circuits, the Yankees' bats have been conspicuously silent.

Detroit 2, St. Louis 1

DETROIT -- The Tigers literally walked away with a narrow 2-1 victory over the Browns yesterday, using three consecutive passes from St. Louis hurler Ray Kolp to score their only two runs.

Ed Wells (1-0) spun a six-hitter for the win.

With one out in the bottom of the third and the Browns holding a newly-minted 1-0 lead, Al Wingo singled to center field.  He was moved around to third when Ty Cobb doubled.  Cobb wanted to try for three, but center fielder Bill Jacobson recovered the ball quickly in right-center and got off a strong throw to Wally Gerber.  Gerber, in turn, made a quick throw home, forcing Wingo to halt at third.

Harry Heilmann drew a pass, loading the bases.  That may have been -- in part -- intentional, as Heilmann already had a pair of home runs among his four hits in the series' first three games.

Regardless of motive, Kolp was then unable to find the plate again either Del Pratt or Topper Rigney, forcing Wingo and Cobb across the dish with Detroit's only two scores.  Bob Jones ended the misery by hitting into a double play.

To make matters more frustrating, Kolp and reliever Hub Pruett allowed just two more hits over the next five innings, but the Browns couldn't make up for that one wild streak.  Wells wasn't exactly dominant, but he took care of business, aided by double plays that got him out of trouble in the fifth and ninth innings.

In his attempt to return from a year of misery, George Sisler has struggled.  He managed three singles in the four games and, despite being warmly welcomed by the generous Detroit fans, has looked uncomfortable at the plate.  His speed and defensive play have been unhindered, but there seems to be little sting at the plate.

"It'll come," he told a gathering of pressmen as the club packed for their return trip to St. Louis.  "It just takes time."

Tuesday's scheduled starters:

New York (Shawkey, 1-0) at Philadelphia (Baumgartner, 0-1)
Cleveland (Edwards, 0-0) at Chicago (Blankenship, 0-0)

Only games scheduled

Re: 1924 56-game season

National League - Day 9
Bressler slams as Luque blanks Cubs

CHICAGO -- Rube Bressler's sixth-inning grand slam broke a scoreless tie, giving Dolf Luque all the runs he needed in his three-hit, 6-0, whitewash of the Cubs at Wrigley Field Monday.

Bressler's blow came with one out against Chicago righthander Vic Keen (0-2), who took a two-hitter into the fateful frame.

The Reds are apace with the Brooklyn Robins and New York Giants in the early running, all three clubs sporting identical 5-2 records.

"I feel all three clubs are going to be in the race this season," Cincinnati Manager, Jack Hendrick, told reporters.  "All three have fine pitching, and it's going to take some fancy hurling to make it through this season."

Luque (1-0) made the Cincy case by retiring 18 of 21 Chicago batsmen from the third through the eighth innings.

Bressler, who has also thrown a few pitches in his career, lined his bases-loaded clout well over the left field wall, needing none of the breezes that swept the park on a brisk afternoon.

With Bubbles Hargrave on second an inning later,Sammy Bohne sizzled a liner into the left-center gap, circling the diamond for a two-run, inside-the-park, homer.  Bohne was on third when Bressler hit his slam, and now has a single, double, homer, two walks and three runs scored in two days.

Despite his fine efforts, Bohne has doubtless heard the rumors that the Reds are looking for a boost at the keystone, where he has split time with Lew Fonseca.

"Nothin' I can do about that," the San Francisco native said, with a shrug of his shoulders.  "Just have to go out and play the best I can."

Brooklyn 9, New York 7 (10)

NEW YORK -- Andy High's two-run two-bagger in the top of the 10th delivered the winners, as Brooklyn batted back for a 9-7 victory over the Giants at the Polo Grounds.

The Robins took advantage of New York miscues in the ninth, and again in the 10th, to secure the win.

In a knock-down, drag-out, brawl that would be the top bill of any fight card, Wilbert Robinson's flock fell back, 4-1 in the fourth.  Taking a 5-4 lead with four tallies in the top of the fifth against New York southpaw Jack Bentley, the Brooks' first lead was short-lived.  Robby's own portsider, Dutch Ruether, gave the tying run back moments later, and the two clubs traded jabs for the next three frames.

The Robins had Bentley on the ropes a couple of times, but were helpless as he wriggled out of two-on, two-out, jams in the sixth and seventh innings.

Finally, the visitors managed two runs in the top of the ninth, thanks to a key misplay by New York first baseman George Kelly.

Jimmy Johnston led the inning with a bouncer up the line.  Kelly moved into position, but the onrushing Johnston caused him to hurry the play, as the ball caromed off his glove.  Johnston then stole second base, and moved to third on a ground ball by Zack Wheat.

The next move will be second-guessed for some time to come, as Joe Oeschger -- the former Brooklyn ace -- convinced Manager John McGraw he could handle the dangerous Jack Fournier.  Fournier already had a two-run triple, double and a walk in the game.

"We had a righty-righty situation I felt I could handle," Oeschger said later.  "(On deck hitter Bernie) Neis is a switch-hitter.  I felt better going with the odds."

However, Fournier doubled again, on a fly ball to center field that fell beyond the reach of Hack Wilson, as McGraw fumed.

"Should have been caught," was all that McGraw would say.

Instead, the Brooklyners now held a 6-5 lead, adding one more on a balk, called after Neis singled Fournier to third.  Oeschger glared at the home plate umpire, as McGraw screamed from the dugout.  Oeschger retired Gene Bailey and Milt Stock, and had plenty more to say as he returned to the dugout.

Now, the Giants went back to work, facing lefty Dutch Henry.  Ross Youngs started the New York ninth with a base hit to center, making third when Frank Frisch added another safety back through the box.  Wilson earned back a measure of respect when he delivered Youngs with a third-straight knock.  Frisch dashed around to third, putting runners at the corners with none out.

Irish Meusel hit a cue shot off the end of the bat that eluded Fournier, allowing Frisch to tie the game.  Henry took a minute to compose himself, then struck out Kelly.  Travis Jackson hit sharply to third base, but Stock calmly looked Wilson back to the bag, before firing across the diamond for the second out.  Heinie Groh hit under a high fastball, popping out to Stock.

Oeschger went back to the hill for his second shot at the Brooklyn club.  This one would end no better.  Zack Taylor's ground ball to the right side was bobbled by Kelly for another error, and Dick Loftus followed with a pinch-hit double to right field, moving the Robins' receiver to third.  High then lined his two-run double, plating Taylor and Loftus.

Again, asked about another opportunity to pass a dangerous hitter and set up the force play, Oeschger's patience was beginning to wear thin.

"What would you have me do?  I'm in this league because I can get people out.  We just caught some bad breaks today.

"But, you can't pitch scared."

Pittsburgh 7, St. Louis 4

ST. LOUIS -- The Pirates plated runs in each of the last five innings, backing a 13-hitter by Ray Kremer for a 7-4 win against the Cardinals.

Kremer (1-0) pitched out of several jams, but never yielded a big inning.

The Redbirds managed single tallies in the first, fourth, sixth and ninth innings, though they left nine runners stranded.  In several innings they managed hits after one or two outs had already been recorded.

"It wasn't my best effort," Kremer noted with a smile.

The Pirates began the comeback process against Johnny Stuart (1-1) with two runs in the fifth.  Charlie Grimm and Johnny Gooch poked one-out base hits.  Attempting to move them up, Kremer's bunt attempt settled in a vacant patch of infield grass for a base hit.

Charlie Niebergall, replacing injured catcher Mike Gonzalez, was unable to hold onto a breaking ball from Stuart.  The pitch slipped away for a passed ball, as everyone moved up, and Grimmed touched home.  Max Carey lofted a fly ball to center field for the second run, as Gooch tagged up and scored.

The Pirates struck for another pair in the sixth.  This time, with two out, Kiki Cuyler singled and stole second against the defenseless Niebergall.  Rabbit Maranville tripled to right-center, plating Cuyler, then scored seconds later on another passed ball charged against Niebergall.

The Bucs scored single runs in each of the final three frames to secure the win.  Carey singled and scored on a two-bagger by Glenn Wright in the seventh.  Cuyler added a double and run in the eighth.  And Wright posted the final marker in the ninth, when he doubled again, and came around on a base hit by Pie Traynor.

"A great team effort," Manager Bill McKechnie observed afterwards.  "Everyone had a hand in this one.  Those are the best wins, when everyone contributes."

Boston 11, Philadelphia 6

PHILADELPHIA -- Ernie Padgett posted a perfect day at the plate -- two singles, a double, and two walks -- to support Al Yeargin's first win, an 11-6 blowout at the Baker Bowl yesterday.

The contest was nowhere near as close as the final score would indicate, as the Braves ran out to an 8-0 lead after the first six innings, then eased to the win.  Yeargin (1-0) tossed seven innings of seven-hit ball, allowing two runs, for the winning decision.

Philadelphia's Hal Carlson (0-1) was peppered for eight hits and six runs in four innings.  Johnny Couch finished, allowing seven safeties and the final five runs in his four innings of work.

Tuesday's scheduled starters:

Brooklyn (Decatur, 1-0) at new York (Nehf, 1-0)
Pittsburgh (Morrison, 0-1) at St. Louis (Pfeffer, 0-1)
Cincinnati (Mays, 1-0) at Chicago (Kaufmann, 1-0)

Only games scheduled

Re: Integrated 1927 National League.

I am following.  I am looking at how everyone incorporates the Negro League players.  If you take a break at all along the way (), I would appreciate knowing what ways you see the Negro League players altering play.

The reason I ask, is that 1927 was definitely not a Deadball year, but the Negro Leaguers largely continued to play that style.  Have you adapted to reflect that at all?

Improvement is assumed, as they are much better players than the bench/relief pitchers they are replacing on each roster.

Re: Spanning the eras

I ran the Giants like crazy in my 1911 56-game season -- 140 steals in 189 tries.  I had forgotten just how much I ran.

The leaders (SB-CS): Murray (27-7), Merkle (22-2), Devore (21-7), Herzog (19-6).

Bob Bescher (CIN) led my N.L. with 37 steals (in 46 tries).

Ty Cobb led everyone with 58 steals (caught 18 times).  You can run that much when you bat .476.
Harry Lord (38-9) and Nixey Callahan (36-9) were next.  Sam Crawford was 35-4.

Re: Hot Stove

You know...I (and others) have always wondered how Ichiro would look batting third, with that lifetime .340 RISP.

His hitting leadoff is more necessity than anything, as we never had anyone else better suited.

In 13 games (56 PAs) hitting third in the lineup in his career, Ichiro's average is .353.

We all know he has excellent power.  It's just that, as a leadoff hitter, he always looks to get on base first, sacrificing his power.

In batting practice, Ichiro and Junior have an ongoing home run competition.  Most people who see him regularly say Ichiro could hit 20-25 homers a year if he wanted to. 

And they have wanted Ichiro in the Home Run Derby for years.  He keeps saying "No."

Sounds much like that one Wade Boggs season, when he decided to swing more for the fences and hit 24 homers.

Re: 1924 56-game season

Thanks!

That's where I'll update all the transactions each week.

When we get to the end of the third series of games, I have an extra open day on the calendar.  That's when the East-West road trips begin, and there will be extra travel time involved.

At that point, I'll have standings and stats, too.

Re: Hot Stove

 "Latest rumour on XM has Seattle and Detroit talkin Granderson and Jackson for Branden Morrow and two others. Seems Detroit looking to dump alot of salary."

--bhaas

bhaas,

I'm responding in the Hot Stove thread, so we can try to put all the off-season trades 'n' stuff together into one location.

The Mariners have some prospects Detroit is looking at (possibly infielder Matt Tuiasosopo, Carlos Triunfel, or others).

Geez...just thinking about Granderson-Gutierrez-Ichiro...

I wonder how close they are, at this point.

Re: 1924 56-game season

Day 8 - The Week in Review
News and notes from the Major Leagues

* Hornsby on a tear as season opens - Through the first six days of the season, St. Louis second baseman Rogers Hornsby has been on a mission.

The Rajah opened the season by hitting for the cycle Monday at Chicago, and hasn't stopped pounding the ball since. 

As of Saturday's Hornsby had an astonishing 18 hits in his first 22 at bats, good for an .818 average.  He has already hit three home runs.

Just three days later, Brooklyn's Zack Wheat also hit for the cycle, in the Robins' 10-7 win at Philadelphia.

* Cards, Robins swap players - The St. Louis Cardinals acquired Cuban-born catcher Mike Gonzalez in a trade with Brooklyn.  The Cards sent third baseman Milt Stock to Brooklyn to complete the deal.

The deal fills a big hole for each club.  St. Louis, who had been set to platoon Verne Clemons and Charlie Neibergall, announced that the strong-armed Gonzalez would be installed immediately as the number-one receiver.

Likewise, the Robins immediately inserted Stock, a fine defensive hot cornerman into their lineup, replacing the incumbent Jimmy Johnston, who slid over to shortstop.  Johnston and Johnny Mitchell will split the duties, as long-time six-man Ivy Olson sits down.

Meanwhile, the Redbirds looked as if they were ready to make another deal, for help at shortstop.  Manager Branch Rickey would not confirm word of a transaction being completed, but the Cardinals are believed ready to sign shortstop Jimmy Cooney, currently playing in Milwaukee (American Association).

* Reds sign Cuban hurler - The Cincinnati Reds have signed Cuban righthander Pedro Dibut.  Dibut has spent the last couple of years playing for the Cuban Stars, a Negro League team.

It is believed that Dibut will become the first player to play in both the Negro Leagues and the Major Leagues.

* Barnes vs. Barnes - The Braves and Giants opened the season at the Polo Grounds, with a matchup pitting brothers Jesse (Boston) and Virgil (New York) Barnes against one another.

The elder Barnes -- 31-year-old Jesse -- topped his 27-year-old sibling, 5-3.  In doing so, Jesse managed to spoil a day of celebration, as the Giants were officially honored before the game for winning their third consecutive National League pennant.

Ironically, several of those honored stood with the opposition, after an off-season trade sent outfielders Casey Stengel and Bill Cunningham, and shortstop Dave Bancroft to the Braves, in exchange for outfielder Billy Southworth and pitcher Joe Oeschger.

Bancroft, after joining the Braves, was also named the club's latest manager, replacing the ousted Fred Mitchell.

* Yankees await their honors - Starting the 1924 campaign on an eight-game road trip through Boston and Philadelphia, the New York Yankees are still awaiting the official ceremonies that will anoint them as defending champions.

The Hugmen will play their home opener Thursday, as they host the Washington Nationals.  Yankee Stadium is expected to be packed clear to the rafters for the championship ceremony, with the added thrill of Nationals' star hurler Walter Johnson opposing New York southpaw Herb Pennock.

* White Sox release veteran outfielder Strunk - Longtime American League outfielder Amos Strunk, a mainstay of Connie Mack's championship teams in Philadelphia, was cut loose by the White Sox this week.  Strunk had not appeared in a game this season before the Sox announced the move.

Mack then announced that he was re-signing his former star, who helped lead the Athletics to Worlds Championships in 1910, 1911 and 1913.

Strunk won again in 1918, with the Red Sox, after Mack made a six-player deal with the Boston club.  Mack also sent pitcher Joe Bush and catcher Wally Schang to the Sox, in exchange for pitcher Vean Gregg, catcher Pinch Thomas, and outfielder Merlin Kopp.  The cash-strapped Mack, who sold off most of his stars, also received $60,000 from Boston in that deal.

* Gorgeous George returns - After missing the entire 1923 season with a severe sinus infection, which caused blurred vision and headaches, George Sisler made his return to the St. Louis Browns.  Sisler was also named the club's manager after Lee Fohl and Jimmy Austin piloted the Sisler-less club to a disappointing fifth-place finish in '23.

Monday's scheduled starters:

National League

Brooklyn (Ruether, 0-0) at New York (McQuillan, 1-0)
Philadelphia (Carlson, 0-0) at Boston (McNamara, 0-1)
Cincinnati (Luque, 0-0) at Chicago (Keen, 0-1)
Pittsburgh (Meadows, 0-1) at St. Louis (Stuart, 1-0)

American League

St. Louis (Kolp, 0-0) at Detroit (Wells, 0-0)
New York (Bush, J., 1-0) at Philadelphia (Harriss, 0-1)
Cleveland (Smith, S., 1-0) at Chicago (Faber, 1-0)
Boston (Quinn, 0-1) at Washington (Martina (0-0)

Re: 1924 56-game season

American League - Day 7
Yanks' title defense continues to collapse

PHILADELPHIA -- The New York Yankees dropped their fourth game in six starts, committing five errors in a 6-1 setback at Shibe Park.

A brilliantly-sunny Saturday afternoon may have led to errors by Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel, but Fred Heimach's seven-hit pitching has as much to do with the New Yorkers' second-straight loss.

Heimach stopped the Yankees dead in their tracks for the first five innings, allowing one hit -- a single by Meusel with two outs in the fourth -- and one walk.  Joe Dugan reached on an error in the opening frame by first baseman Joe Hauser -- Friday's hero -- but Babe Ruth promptly lined into a double play.

By that time, Philadelphia had taken advantage of one error by second baseman Aaron Ward and two by pitcher Waite Hoyt to compile three runs in the third, adding another tally after two passes, a ground ball, and scoring fly ball by Sammy Hale in the lower fifth.

Wally Pipp came to Hoyt's defense after the third inning follies.  One of the two miscues by the Yankee hurler came on a pickoff attempt, with Bing Miller sizing up his lead at first base.  Pipp claimed it wasn't Hoyt's fault, as he lost the ball in the white shirts.

"I was lucky I didn't get hit in the face!" he explained later.  "I never saw it coming."

While such misfortunes hit every club sooner or later, the Yankees have been stricken with a vengeance.  In just the last two games, New York has committed an unseemly seven errors, inexcusable for a championship club.

"We certainly have a ways to go, to get back to the form we showed last year," Manager Muller Huggins agreed.

The Hugmen attempted to make a game of it, scoring twice in the sixth, and once more an inning later.  But it was nowhere near enough.  Babe Ruth, the anchor of the potent Yankee offense, was hitless, with one walk to show for his efforts.

Heimach continued to hold the Yankees in check, as he nursed his 4-3 lead into the eighth.  Misfortune struck the visitors again, when Meusel clearly lost Cy Perkins' low line drive to left-center field in the bright-shirted backdrop.

The ball touched down cleanly for a base hit, but then slipped under Meusel's glove as he lunged for it.  Chick Galloway, on first base after his own shallow looper dropped in for a single, slowed momentarily.  He then took off full tilt as Meusel chased after the ball, which rolled all the way to the wall.

Galloway scored easily on the play, and Perkins, too, was waved around third, arriving just as the ball reached the dish.  Catcher Wally Schang was unable to hold on in the collision.

"Tough sun field today," Long Bob, one of the best flychasers in the league, said afterwards.  "I had to really work on Hale's fly ball.

"No excuses, though.  We have to deal with that kind of stuff almost every day.  I should have handled it."

(1) Washington 5, Boston 4 (10)
(2) Washington 7, Boston 2

WASHINGTON -- Doc Prothro's two-out double scored Roger Peckinpaugh all the way from first base with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, as the Nationals slipped past the Red Sox, 4-3, in the first game of a twinbill at Griffith Stadium.

In the nightcap, Joe Martina combined with Allan Russell on a nine-hitter, posting a 7-2 victory.  The Nationals advanced to 6-1 with the sweep.

Most of the scoring was up-front in the lidlifter.  The Red Sox posted two runs in the top of the first against George Mogridge.  Billy Wambsganss walked with one out, scoring on a triple to center field by Shano Collins.  Joe Harris tapped out to first, and Collins made it 2-0.

In the bottom of the inning Washington struck back, plating three runs against Alex Ferguson.  Joe Judge was the perpetrator, his three-run, inside-the-park homer to right-center delivering Sam Rice and Goose Goslin ahead of him.

Goslin -- whose lefthanded long hitting capabilities are severely hampered by Griffith Stadium -- just missed making good on a three-run clout in the third inning, the ball falling harmlessly into the glove of Ike Boone.

Washington did add one more run in the sixth, when Judge grounded to deep short.  Dud Lee made the grab, but his ill-advised throw sailed past Harris, and Judge took second.  From there, he scored on a two-out single by Roger Peckinpaugh.

Mogridge sailed through the middle innings, though an error by Sam Rice and a walk forced him to pitch out of trouble in the eighth.  Collins obliged, hitting into a twin-killer.  Harris drew a walk, but Boone grounded to Judge.

In the top of the ninth, however, Mogridge again ran into trouble, yielding a leadoff single to Homer Ezzell, and then a walk to Val Picinich.

Manager Bucky Harris called on southpaw Tom Zachary to face the lefty-swinging Lee.  Lee walked, loading the bases.  With largely a left-hitting bench to draw from, Lee Fohl selected Bobby Veach to hit for Curt Fullerton.  Fullerton had relieved Ferguson in the seventh, after the Red Sox starter left for a pinch hitter.

Veach skied to center field, but his fly ball was deemed too shallow for Ezzell to make an attempt from third.  Thus, it fell to Ira Flagstead.  Already with two hits on the day, he doubled into the left field corner, plating Ezzell and pinch-runner Danny Clark to tie the score.

The game went to the bottom of the ninth.  Southpaw Oscar Fuhr pitched out of trouble, getting Rice on a pop fly to shallow right field and Goslin on a ground ball to Wambsganss.

Russell (1-0) then set the Sox down in order in the top of the 10th, as the game entered extra innings.  Fuhr quickly retired Judge and Muddy Ruel in the lower half, but Peckinpaugh proved tough, and drew a pass.  Prothro, the dentist-turned-infielder, lined a double to left-center field that split the Red Sox outfielders and rolled to the wall.  Peckinpaugh, on his way from first, read the ball perfectly and never broke stride, scoring easily for the victory.

In the second game, Martina (1-0) blanked the Fensmen on five hits through the first seven innings, though his shaky control finally got the better of him in the eighth.  After surrendering a one-out home run to Bobby Veach, he walked the bases full, before Russell was called on again, to get him out of trouble.

By that time, the Nationals had the game well-under control, having beaten Jack Quinn (0-2) for nine hits and seven runs in the first six innings.

Chicago 5, Cleveland 1

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox broke up Stan Coveleski's shutout bid with five runs in the bottom of the eighth, minutes after the Tribe had posted the first score of the game, claiming a 5-1 win at Comiskey Park.

After losing their first two games of the season, the Pale Hose have now won three of four.

Ted Lyons (1-1) limited the Indians to seven hits and one unearned run for the victory.  That lone tally was posted when Tris Speaker was hit by a pitch with one out in the top of the eighth.  Shortstop Harve McClellan booted Joe Sewell's ground ball, as he looked too quickly to second base to start a possible double play.

"Tioga George" Burns sent a fly ball deep to left field that was hauled in for what should have been the final out of the inning.  Given extra life by McClellan's error, however, Luke Sewell doubled to center field, scoring Speaker.  Riggs Stephenson drew a pass, loading the bases, but Rube Lutzke grounded out to third.

Now, it was Chicago's turn.  Johnny Mostil and Eddie Collins opened up the lower eighth with base hits off Coveleski, who had sailed through the first seven innings.  Harry Hooper gave himself up, bunting the runners to third and second, respectively.   With first base open, Coveleski passed Falk, but then couldn't find the strike zone on against Earl Sheely, forcing home the tying run.

Willie Kamm took advantage of a newly-cautious Coveleski and drove a fastball into left-center for a single, as Collins and Falk sped home.  Kamm then took off for second, as Luke Sewell held the ball, to ensure that Sheely wouldn't try for home.

McClellan grounded to second, but with the infield in tight all around, Sheely was forced to hold at third, and Kamm at second.  They didn't stay for long, though.   Buck Crouse lined a single back through the box and into center field, picking up both runners.  Suddenly, a scoreless game through seven was now a 5-1 advantage for the White Sox.  Lyons added one more single, sending Crouse to second, before Mostil bounced out to first.

The Indians seemed stunned by the sudden turn of events.  Pinch hitter Pat McNulty walked to start the ninth, but Charlie Jamieson, Homer Summa and even Speaker went quietly, allowing the Sox to post the win.

"That eighth inning knocked the wind out of our sails," Speaker admitted later.  "It tough to have such a fine game go by the wayside, but you have a few like that ever year, I think.

"You just have to forget about it, and be ready for the next game."

(1) St. Louis 11, Detroit 7
(2) Detroit 4, St. Louis 2

DETROIT -- Hooks Dauss (1-0) muffled St. Louis on 11 hits, allowing the Tigers to gain a split of their twinbill against the Browns, by posting a 4-2 win.

The Browns buried Lil Stoner (0-2) with an eight-run sixth inning to claim the opener, 11-7.

George Sisler continued to struggle in his return from a season-long absence.  The jury is still out on Sisler, who managed just two hits, both in the nightcap.  He did, however, score two runs in the Browns' opening-game victory, and drove in one while scoring another in the second contest.

Ken Williams, the Browns' slugging left fielder, was the hero of the first game, batting in four runs while posting a single, double, home run and a walk.  The double  cleared the bases, having fallen a few feet shy of a grand slam, in the Browns' eight-run sixth.

Dave Danforth (1-0) survived a three-run homer by Stoner in the Detroit half of the second inning, and left with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, having surrendered 10 hits and all seven Detroit tallies.  Dixie Davis took over and pitched no-hit ball over the remaining 2-1/3 innings, though he packed the sacks with passes in the eighth.

In the late game, Dauss was supported by Harry Heilmann, who smashed a two-run homer in the first inning against Ernie Wingard (0-2).  Heilmann drove in a third run with a fly ball in the third.

No games scheduled Sunday.