100 Years Ago Today 8/9/1920: Brooklyn Robins Outlast Grover Cleveland Alexander

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #106: Monday, August 9, 1920 - BR
Chicago Cubs vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Robins Defeat the Alexander the Great; Pennant Chase Intensifies

If these are the dog days of summer, then Brooklyn is the sun.  Nowhere in the National League is the landscape more searing than at Ebbets Field.  After today's thrilling victory over the Chicago Cubs, the Robins still only lead the first division by a mere five games ahead of the fourth place Pirates.  Looking on intently from high atop Coogan's Bluff are the third place New York Giants, who on this day rout Pittsburgh at the Polo Grounds, and await Brooklyn's arrival this coming Friday.  The Giants, back on July 17, with a sub par 39-42 record, were dawdling in fifth place, a distant 10.5 games out of first.  They have since won sixteen of their last twenty to close within three games of the Robins.  The only thing presently separating Brooklyn and upper Manhattan other than the East River are the defending champion Cincinnati Reds, who today defeat the Braves at Boston, and remain just a half-game out of first place.  Monday's crowd of roughly 5,000 at Ebbets Field sound more like 50,000 by game's end.  Opening a three game series with the Cubs, Brooklyn spitballer Burleigh Grimes is opposed by the great Grover Alexander.  After three scoreless frames Brooklyn jumps out to a two run lead on runs batted in from Zack Wheat and Ed Konetchy.  Chicago strikes back with two runs in the sixth, then in the eighth take a 4-2 lead on runs batted in from Dode Paskert and Charlie Deal.  In the bottom of the frame, with one out and two runners in scoring position, Hi Myers doubles plating Jimmy Johnston.  And after a walk to Ed Konetchy, Pete Kilduff clears the bases with a double to right, giving Brooklyn a 6-4 lead.  Al Mamaux, pitching in relief of Burleigh Grimes, yields a run in the ninth, but ultimately closes the the door on the Cubs for his eighth victory of the season.  Grimes exits to a no decision after allowing three earned runs on nine hits and four walks through 7.1 innings pitched.  Grover Alexander loses his twelfth game against eighteen wins, with a 2.33 ERA.

• RECORD: 60-45 (.571)
• First Place; 0.5 GA