Thursday, September 02, 2021

Once Upon A Summer 9/2/1921: Brooklyn Royal Giants and Cuban Stars Split Games of Doubleheader at Dexter Park

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK



On Monday, September 2, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants and Cuban Stars split games of a doubleheader at Dexter Park.



GAME ONE - In a back and forth affair, the Cuban Stars promptly pounce on George Robinson's offerings for two runs in the first inning and two in the third.  Facing Rafael Cruz of the Stars, the Royal Giants answer with three runs in the fourth, then two more in the sixth.  But their lead does not last.  In the seventh, the Cuban Stars even the score at five.  Afterwhich, southpaw John Donaldson enters the game in relief of George Robinson and tosses a scoreless eighth.  In the visitor's ninth, left fielder Julio Rojo triples home the go-ahead run.  Pitching in relief of starter Isidro Fabré, right-hander Evelio Calderín holds the Giants scoreless in their final at-bat for the win.  Hero of the game Julio Rojo goes 4 for 5 with two triples and two runs scored, José María Fernández wields three hits also including a triple, and first baseman Agspito Lázaga leads the Stars with three runs scored.  Despite yielding 13 hits, Rafael Cruz holds the Giants to five runs with three walks and three strikeouts for the win.  George Robinson walks off to a no-decision as John Donaldson (two hits, one strikeout) sustains the loss in relief.  Royal Giant right fielder Johnny Pugh goes 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored, Rafael Figarola collects two hits and scores, and although held hitless, shortstop John Henry Lloyd stars in the field for Brooklyn.




GAME TWO - Brooklyn unleashes a 17-hit barrage en route to a commanding 10-4 victory.  Cuban Stars starter Rafael Cruz is knocked out of the box before completing the second.  In relief, Isidro Fabré and Evelio Calderín yield another seven runs on eleven hits in an abbreviated seven-inning contest.  Both shortstop Peláyo Chacon and Isidro Fabré wield doubles and scored, and Julio Rojo swats his third triple of the afternoon.  John Henry Lloyd leads Brooklyn with four hits including a double and two runs scored, second baseman Irvin Brooks is next in with three hits, and center fielder William Parks scores twice.  Playing left field and batting fourth, John Donaldson collects two hits with a double and run scored.  In support of starter Shang Johnson, Brooklyn turns a triple-play: Figarola to Lloyd, to Oliver Marcell back to Figarola.  Otherwise, Johnson allows four runs on ten hits and a troublesome eight walks for the win.





ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918: JOHN DONALDSON'S LONE SEASON WITH THE BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

LHP - JOHN DONALDSON'S PITCHING RECORD w/ BROOKLYN:
  1. 6/30/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 2 W, 2 K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
  2. 7/4/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 0 RUNS, 5 hits, 1 W, 6 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
  3. 7/7/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 3 runs, 9 hits, 2 W, 2 K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
  4. 7/14/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 1 run, 7 hits, 1 W, 5 K (Bushwick; Dexter Park)
  5. 7/16/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 4 runs, 14 hits, (?) W, 6 K* (Atlantic City; Bacharach Park, N.J.)
  6. 7/21/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 W, 1 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
  7. 7/28/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 9 runs, 16 hits, 2 W, 3 K (Silk Sox; Doherty's Oval, N.J.)
  8. 8/11/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 2 runs, 13 hits, (?) W, (?) K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
  9. 8/18/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 5 runs, 5 hits, (?) W, 4 K (Tietjen & Lang; Nurge's Field, N.J.)
  10. 8/24/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 8 runs, 19 hits, 1 W, 2 K (Morse Dry Dock; Brooklyn)
  11. 9/1/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 4 runs, 14 hits, (?) W, (?) K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
  12. 9/2/1918 - (L) 2 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, 0 W, 1 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
  • LINE: 101 innings, 45 runs, 121 hits13 walks, 31 strikeouts, 4.01 ERA 
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





No comments:

Post a Comment

Say what you feel. The worse comment you can make is the one you do not make.