100 Years Ago Today 5/26/1920: Brooklyn Robins Claim Key Series Victory at Pittsburgh

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #29: Wednesday, May 26, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Burleigh Grimes Wields Mighty Bat in Series Clinching Victory Over First Place Pirates

Brooklyn's fast rising star Burleigh Grimes commands the mound as well as the plate in leading the Robins to a key 3-2 series victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Brooks take Wednesday's series finale by a likewise 3-2 margin wherein Grimes factors greatly in a variety of manners.  With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth Grimes hits catcher Walter Schmidt with a pitch forcing in the game's first run.  But Grimes escapes further damage by inducing his counterpart Pirates starter Jack Wisner into a 6-4-3 double play.  With one out and two runners in scoring position in the Brooklyn fourth Burleigh Grimes ties the score with a sacrifice fly to right scoring Pete Kilduff from third base.  Ivy Olson promptly follows with a hit to center scoring Otto Miller for a 2-1 Robins lead.  However with two outs and a runner on second in the Pirates fifth right fielder Billy Southworth steps in against Burleigh Grimes whom uncorks a wild pitch allowing Howdy Caton to advance all the way home.  Undeterred Grimes again takes matters into his own hands.  Wielding a hot bat Burleigh strokes a two out triple off the rookie Jack Wisner scoring Kilduff with the go ahead run, and the Robins ultimate margin of victory.  Grimes enjoys a 3 for 3 day at the plate with a triple and two runs batted in.  A lesson learned on youngster Jack Wisner who goes 0 for 2 with a strikeout.  On the mound Grimes wins his second straight decision against his former team while improving to 5-2 overall with a 1.23 ERA.  He allows two runs, only one earned, on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts through nine complete.  Meanwhile the Robins pepper Wisner for three earned runs on 14 hits.

In 1920 Burleigh Grimes slashes .306/358/.432/.791 in 111 official at-bats, with eight walks, eleven extra base hits, and 16 runs batted in.

• RECORD: 16-12
• 4th place; 0.5 GB

FORBES FIELD