From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK
On Wednesday, July 24, 1918, the Bethlehem Steel League Team defeated the Brooklyn Royal Giants at the steelworker's athletic field, in the Lehigh Valley region, Pennsylvania.
On the one hand, the steelworkers league is well fortified due to the government's Work Or Fight edict necessitated by the overseas war in Europe. On the other hand, coming off Monday's victory over Cedarhurst at the Bronx Oval, the Brooklyn squad appears out of sorts, committing five fielding errors while being limited to just five hits by Bethlehem starter Stan Baumgartner, who issues four walks and strikes out just as many for the win.
Despite jumping out to a prompt 1-0 lead in the first, and a 3-2 lead in the top of third, the Giants still wind up trailing 6-3 after six. Brooklyn rallies for single runs in the seventh and eighth, but it's too little too late. In their defense, the game is called on account of rain and darkness after the top of the eighth inning, with Bethlehem still leading, 6 to 5.
Playing left field and batting fifth, John Donaldson leads the Royal Giants with two hits, while John Henry "Pop" Lloyd leads with two runs scored. Second baseman Joe Hewitt doubles and scores; Oliver Marcell and center fielder Tom Fiall also score for Brooklyn.
Royal Giant starter Irvin Brooks surrenders six runs on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts in a losing effort. But, he is also the victim of four infield misplays behind him. Fishburne, the Bethlehem shortstop, proves the biggest threat to Irvin Brooks, going 4 for 4 with a home run and three runs scored.
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LHP - JOHN DONALDSON w/BROOKLYN:
- 6/30/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 2 W, 2K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
- 7/4/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 0 RUNS, 5 hits, 1 W, 6K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
- 7/7/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 3 runs, 9 hits, 2 W, 2K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
- 7/14/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 1 run, 7 hits, 1 W, 5K (Bushwick; Dexter Park)
- 7/16/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 4 runs, 14 hits, (?)W, 6K* (Atlantic City; Bacharach Park)
- 7/21/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 W, 1 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
- LINE: 54 innings, 16 runs, 52 hits, 10 walks, 22 strikeouts, 2.66 ERA
ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918: JOHN DONALDSON
- 6/28 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Acquire Midwest Pitching Great, John Donaldson
- 6/30 - John Donaldson Loses Brooklyn Royal Giants Debut To New York Lincoln Giants
- 7/3 - John Donaldson Poised To Make Brooklyn/Queens Debut At Dexter Park
- 7/4 - John Donaldson Twirls Shutout Over Cuban Stars In Dexter Park Debut
- 7/7 - Joe Williams Wins Second Straight Decision Over John Donaldson; Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill
- 7/13 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens
- 7/14 - John Donaldson Defeats Bushwick; Royal Giants Split Twin Bill At Dexter Park
- 7/15 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Series Opener From Atlantic City Bacharach Giants
- 7/16 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Game Two from Bacharach Giants; John Donaldson Earns The Victory
- 7/17 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Wrap Up Series With Bacharach Giants at Atlantic City
- 7/18 - N.Y. Ship League Team Defeat Brooklyn Royal Giants at Camden, New Jersey
- 7/22 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Outlast Cedarhurst at Bronx Oval
BEDFORD & SULLIVAN PODCAST:
Restoring Baseball Great John Donaldson's Lost Legacy With Negro Leagues Historian and Founder of The Donaldson Network, Peter Gorton.
Minnesota native Peter Gorton leads a group of historians dedicated to discovering the lost legacy of John Wesley Donaldson. In this episode, we discuss the man, baseball career, and life of one of the more incredible and inspiring athletes to ever play the game, and how his amazing legacy became lost to a nation, most particularly Baseball's Hall of Fame.
Original airdate: March 13, 2021
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