BEFORE the BUMS 6/2/1890: Brooklyn Bridegrooms Bow to Giants in First Visit to Polo Grounds

From the desk: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

 

In baseball's sixth ever World Series clash of 1889, the National League New York Giants defeated the American Association champion Brooklyn Bridegrooms six games to three, and an inter-city rivalry was born.  While this marked New York's second straight championship victory over the Association, it would be Brooklyn's last as an AA member club.  The following season, the Bridegrooms would make their National League debut.  Welcome to "BEFORE the BUMS" my game-by-game rewind of (the city) Brooklyn's historic 1890 season.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, June 3, 1890

GAME #31

Monday, June 2, 1890

Brooklyn Bridegrooms vs. NEW YORK GIANTS

POLO GROUNDS

Giants Rally in Ninth for Series Opening Victory

Brooklyn made their much anticipated first trip this season to the Polo Grounds, where they were met with defeat at the hands of Amos Rusie and the New York Giants.  It was the Bridegrooms who jumped out to an early lead.  Brooklyn scored runs in the first and fourth innings.  The teams traded a pair of runs in the fifth.  Brooklyn took a 4-3 lead into the ninth inning despite only five hits and no earned runs.  But it did not last.  The Giants were down to their last out in the home half of the frame when they bunched together four hits and three runs.  First baseman Dude Easterbrook, who wielded a game-high four hits, knocked home the winning run as the Giants closed out a 6-4 come from behind victory.  Giant batters punished the offerings of Bob Caruthers for 13 hits.  Amos Rusie struck out five Bridegroom batters in a winning effort.

• FINAL: BKN 4; NYG 6
• RECORD: 18-13 (.581); 3rd place, 1.5 GB of Philadelphia Phillies