Wednesday, July 07, 2021

Once Upon a Summer 7/7/1918: Joe Williams Wins Second Straight Decision Over John Donaldson; Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK





On Sunday, July 7, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants and host New York Lincoln Giants reconvene for the fourth doubleheader of their championship series at Olympic Field.
  
Entering the day's action, Brooklyn had previously won five of six games played.  When these teams last met for a twin bill on June 30, Lincoln Giant starter  Cyclone Joe Williams hurled a two-hit shutout in game one for New York's first victory against Brooklyn.  Smokey Joe's mound opponent, making his highly publicized Royal Giant debut, John Donaldson, allowed just one run on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts in a complete game, albeit losing effort.  Brooklyn gained a split as right-hander Irvin Brooks earned the victory in game two.




Sunday, July 7, 1918
OLYMPIC FIELD
HARLEM, NYC

GAME ONE - Making his third start for Brooklyn, John Donaldson yields three runs on nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts in another unfortunate complete-game effort against the Lincoln Giants.  Joe Williams once again gets the better of Brooklyn's new undisputed midwestern star, limiting the Royal Giants to a pair of runs on nine hits and five walks (and one wild pitch for good measure) with eight strikeouts for his second straight decision over Brooklyn.  John Donaldson accounts for three of Brooklyn's nine hits at the plate, including a triple and a run scored, and left fielder Johnny Pugh scores the Royal Giants' other run. 
  • FINAL: BRK 2; N.Y. 3

GAME TWO - Trailing 8-6 through seven, Brooklyn strikes for two runs in the eighth and two more runs in the ninth for a come-from-behind 10-8 victory in game two.  As was the case one week ago, Irvin Brooks again follows Donaldson and again comes away with the victory in game two.  The Lincoln Giants open the scoring with a run in the first, then erupt for seven runs in the third.  Afterwhich, Brooks shuts out the Lincoln Giants over the final six innings while allowing seven total hits for the win.  Lincoln Giant righty Scottie Hendrix endures the loss.
  • FINAL: BRK 10; N.Y. 8



P - JOHN DONALDSON w/BROOKLYN:
  1. 6/30/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 2 walks, 2K; (@ Lincoln Giants)
  2. 7/4/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 0 runs, 5 hits, 1 walk, 6K, shutout (Cuban Stars)
  3. 7/7/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 3 runs, 9 hits, 2 walks, 2K (@ Lincoln Giants)
  • LINE: 27 innings, 5 runs; 21 hits, 5 walks, 10 strikeouts, 1.66 ERA


"A large crowd saw the doubleheader."
(The boxscore is a/o July 7, 1918; the score of 
the second game is incorrectly stated as being 1 to 0).


ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918:
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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