100 Years Ago Today 9/19/1920: Brooklyn Robins Maintain Five Game Lead Over New York Giants

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #147: Sunday, September 19, 1920 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field 

Jeff Pfeffer Outlasts Wilbur Cooper

Gripped with pennant fever, 25,000 boisterous fans pack Ebbets Field for the first of two games against the Pirates.  Jeff Pfeffer toes the rubber against 23-game winner Wilbur Cooper.  Both teams trade a pair of runs in the first.  Pittsburgh gets runs batted in from Billy Southworth and Bill McKenchie and the Robins score on runs batted in from Zack Wheat and Hi Myers.  They trade tallies again in the sixth on a run batted in from George Cutshaw and a leadoff home run to deep left off the bat of Jimmy Johnston.  Pfeffer and Cooper trade goose eggs for the next two innings as the game enters the final frame tied at three.  Pfeffer pitches in and out of trouble in the top half of the frame.  In the home ninth Bernie Neis greets Wilbur Cooper with a leadoff double.  With Zack Wheat at the plate, Neis steals second base but the throw from catcher Walter Schmidt escapes into centerfield.  Bernie Neis comes around to score the winning run, and the place goes nuts.  Smith earns his sixteenth win of the season.  After starting the first three months of the season with a 3-8 record an 3.18 ERA, Pfeffer since July has posted a stellar 13-1 record with a lowered 3.04 earned run average.  Today he yields three runs on eight hits and no walks with three strikeouts through nine innings complete.  Elsewhere, the Giants defeat the Reds in eleven innings at the Polo Grounds.  Cincinnati now falls seven games out of first, while the Giants creep within five.  New York has twelve games remaining and Brooklyn has eight.

• RECORD:87-59 (.596)
• 1st Place; 5.0 GA

AMERICAN LEAGUE

• The Yankees lose their fourth straight.  Today they bow to the Browns at St. Louis to fall three games back of first place.  The White Sox, with their accused eight still in uniform, defeat the Athletics at Comiskey.  However, Cleveland whitewashes the Red Sox at League Park to remain 1.5 games in first.

100 Years Ago Today 9/14/1920: Cubs Snap Brooklyn Robins Ten Game Win Streak

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #142: Tuesday, September 14, 1920 - BR
Chicago Cubs vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Cubs Rout Robins But Brooklyn Loses No Ground

Fans in attendance sit in bewilderment as the Cubs tally three, five, six, then eight, up to ten runs against three different Robins pitchers.  After all, Brooklyn presently boasts the league's best ERA.  Just not on this day.  Chicago snaps Brooklyn's ten game win streak in a 10-2 final.  Only Bernie Neis distinguishes himself going 2 for 4 with a double and one run batted in.  Leon Cadore is tagged with the loss, but it's clearly not all his fault.  And then .. then word gets out the Giants yield nine runs to the Cardinals, and that the Reds lose by eleven to the Phillies in a preposterous 21-10 affair.  And so the 12,000 or so fans exiting Ebbets Field join in neutral agreement that there's no harm in today's outcome.  When the daily four star final hit the streets, we learn the Yankees generate thirteen runs against the Tigers and the A's score eight against the Indians.  Even the Senators whitewash the White Sox by a 7-0 margin.  It appears runs were in the September air, not just here, but everywhere.  Brooklyn retains their five game lead over both the Reds and Giants with only thirteen games left to play; the Giants have fourteen left. 

• RECORD: 83-58-1 (.589)
• 1st Place; 5.0 GA

FINAL  *  *  *  *   Yanks Trounce Tigers

The Yankees victory coupled with Cleveland's loss gives New York a 1.5 game lead ahead of the Indians.  New York has just thirteen games left.  At Detroit's Navin Field, Bob Shawkey limits the Tigers to three runs on ten hits with five strikeouts for his 18th victory of the season and a 2.26 ERA.  Babe Ruth is issued three more passes but he still scores twice and drives in another.  Second baseman Del Pratt is 4 for 6 with two doubles and four runs batted in.  Yankees are winners of five in a row and eight of their last nine.

100 Years Ago Today 8/31/1920: Brooklyn Robins Take Back First Place As September Looms

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #126: Tuesday, August 31, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sportsman's Park

First Place Brooklyn Robins Achieve Victory Number Seventy with Twenty-Nine Games Left to Play 

Message to Uncle Robbie: Don't look back or you just might see who is behind you.

After all, New York City is still John McGraw's empire.  But it's also a not so subtle reminder that the National League pennant is up for grabs. 

If over these last five months you've remained a member of the staunch Brooklyn skeptics and Robins naysayers, then perhaps Tuesday's contest finally swayed you into believing this surprisingly irrepressible team - virtually unchanged from last season - genuinely stands poised to win another National League pennant.  From the lips of yours truly to the ears of Charlie Byrne!  But the McKeever Brothers and Charlie Ebbets himself believe this to be true.  Fans filing into 55 Sullivan Place in exponentially record numbers are all the proof they need.

With Tuesday's 5-2 victory at Sportsman's Park the Robins finish the month of August with a modest 14-13 record.  However, the true significance of Tuesday's game is that it marks Brooklyn's seventieth victory of the regular season.  It's one win above last season's total; thirteen more than achieved in 1918; and presently matches their 1917 output.  Only difference being this year's Robins still have twenty-nine games left to play.  Everything now points back to 1916 when the Robins win 94 games and capture the pennant by a 2.5 game margin over Philadelphia.  It may take that many wins if not more in order to keep at bay the defending champion Cincinnati Reds and surging New York Giants.  But make no mistake, the road to the pennant presently courses through Brooklyn, as both Cincinnati and the New York Giants visit Ebbets Field in late September.

Back on the field, the Robins lose their series against St. Louis but at least salvage a victory in their final visit this season to Sportsman's Park.  Unlike yesterday Brooklyn stays a step ahead of the Cardinals with a 2-1 lead after three, trading runs in the sixth, then closing with two more runs in the seventh en route to a 5-2 final.  Bernie Neis getting a start in center field goes 2 for 5 with two runs batted in.  Hi Myers, Ed Konetchy and Pete Kilduff also drive in a run apiece.  Starter Jeff Pfeffer improves to 12-8 with a 2.90 ERA, after yielding two runs on seven hits and no walks with four strikeouts through a full nine.  Boston's extra-inning triumph over Cincinnati coupled with Brooklyn's victory once again gives the Robins a half-game lead over the Reds. 

Meanwhile, the New York Giants lose yet again at Forbes Field placing them two games out of first.  We know Wilbert Robinson and John McGraw are no longer the close friends they once were.  It seems the only things they have in common theses days are their respective issues playing Pittsburgh.

• RECORD: 70-55 (.560)
• 1st Place; 0.5 GA

100 Years Ago Today 8/26/1920: Brooklyn Robins Forge First Place Tie With Victory at Chicago

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #120: Thursday, August 26, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cubs Park

Leon Cadore Outlasts Chicago's Hippo Vaughn

Brooklyn outlasts Chicago.  More precisely Leon Cadore outlasts Cubs's perennial 20-game winner Hippo Vaughn.  The Robins waste no time putting two runs on the board in first inning with hits from Bernie Neise and Hy Myers.  Brooklyn takes a 3-0 lead in the third on Pere Kilduff's 47th run batted in for the season.  Chicago strikes back for three runs in the third on four hits and a run batted in by Vaughn himself.  The game remains tied at three through the seventh.  In the eighth Zack Wheat singles off Hippo Vaughn giving the Robins a 4-3 lead.  With Hippo Vaughn out of the game and Sweetbread Bailey pitching relief in the ninth, Otto Miller drives home Brooklyn's final insurance run en route to a 5-3 final at Cubs Park.  Hi Myers is 3 for 4 with a double and his club leading 59th run batted in.  Zack Wheat drives home his 52nd run of the season.  Leon Cadore goes the distance, yielding three earned runs on seven hits and just one walk with four strikeouts.  He evens his record at 11-11 with a representative 2.55 earned run average.  With today's victory and Cincinnati's loss against the Phillies, the Robins and Reds are once again tied for first place with just 35 games left on the regular schedule.  Meanwhile, the New York Giants lose a pitchers duel at Sportsman's Park. They remain mired three games out of first for a third straight day.

• RECORD: 68-51 (.571)
• Tied 1st Place w/Reds

100 Years Ago Today 8/14/1920: Brooklyn Robins Defense Falters at Polo Grounds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #111: Saturday, August 14, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. New York Giants
Polo Grouns

Robins Throw One, Two, and Three Away ...

Rube Marquard and Art Nehf duel through five scoreless innings.  Brooklyn strikes for three runs in the top of the seventh on runs batted in from Ernie Krueger, Ivy Olson and Bernie Neis.  The Giants counter with three in the bottom of the frame.  George Burns draws a leadoff walk, and with one out Vern Spencer reaches safely on Jimmy Johnston's errant throw.  With two outs, High Pockets Kelly deposits a Marquard offering deep into the left field stands.  New York then follows up with three runs in the seventh.  Runs batted in from George Burns, Dave Bancroft and Frankie Frisch knock Rube Marquard out of the box.  Facing Phil Douglas in the Brooklyn ninth, Ed Konetchy deposits another bad pitch into the left field stands; Zach Wheat and Hi Myers score tying the game at six.  With one out in the bottom of the frame, Clarence Mitchell pitching in relief of Marquard yields consecutive singles to Dave Bancroft and Vern Spencer, however another errant throw by Jimmy Johnston puts both runners in scoring position.  Out comes Uncle Robbie and out goes Clarence Mitchell in favor of Al Mamaux.  Brooklyn elects to load the bases walking Frisch.  High Pockets steps in and bounces a tapper in front of the plate.  Ernie Krueger gathers the ball but throws errantly to first allowing Dave Bancroft to score from third.  And the Giants fans say, Take That!

• RECORD: 62-48 (.564)
• First Place; Tied w/Reds

100 Years Ago Today 8/12/1920: Brooklyn Robins Fall Out of First After Second Straight Loss to Cubs

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #109: Thursday, August 12, 1920 - BR
Chicago Cubs vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Robins Fall Out Of First Place; Showdown Against Giants Opens Tomorrow at Polo Grounds 

Home Stand: 8-9 (.470)

The Cubs have their way with both starter Sherry Smith and Al Mamaux, while the Robins lineup sputters against the left arm of Chicago great Hippo Vaughn.  After trading runs in the first, Chicago tallies four against Smith who fails to pitch out of the third.  Uncle Robbie pulls Sherry after yielding five runs, four earned, on seven hits, in just 2.1 innings pitched.  Brooklyn recovers one run in the bottom of the frame.  Two scoreless innings pass before the Cubs strike for three runs against Al Mamaux in the sixth.  Runs batted in from Bernie Neis in the seventh and ninth innings merely round out an 8-4 final in Chicago's favor.  With two straight wins the Cubs salvage a four game split at Ebbets Field.  The Robins now hope Chicago proves troublesome during their upcoming series against the now first place Cincinnati Reds.  Meanwhile, today's action concludes Brooklyn's seventeen game home stand with a subpar 8-9 record.  This, coming on the heels of a wondrous 16-7 road trip.  The price they pay is first place.  Brooklyn falls out of the top spot for the first time since July 6, thirty-six games ago.  Meanwhile, after sweeping yesterday's twin bill against the Pirates, the Giants today get whitewashed.  The Giants end today's action trailing the Reds by 2.5 games, and Brooklyn by 2.0 games.  Like clockwork, the Robins arrive in Upper Manhattan tomorrow for the first of two games at the Polo Grounds.

• RECORD: 61-47 (.565)
• 2nd Place; 0.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 8/8/1920: Brooklyn Robins Salvage Series Finale Against Pirates

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #105: Sunday, August 8, 1920 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Marquard is Marvelous; New York Giants Continue Closing Gap

Say what you will about the 32-year old southpaw who enters Sunday's match with a 6-7 record and 3.39 ERA.  But when Uncle Robbie this season has needed a clutch performance from his long time comrade, Rube Marquard has been there for him, front and center.  With Brooklyn winless in two tries this series against the Pirates, Marquard out-duels Elmer Ponder as the Robins salvage the finale by a slim 2-1 margin.  Jimmy Johnston's fielding error in the third opens the way for Pittsburgh's lone run of the game.  Undeterred, another great crowd of 20,000 strong remain positive and patient despite Pittsburgh's 1-0 lead through seven.  Pinch hitting for Rube Marquard in the eighth, Clarence Mitchell delivers a single plating pinch runner Bill McCabe from second base knotting the game at one.  Leon Cadore in the top of the ninth retires the Pirates in order.  With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Zack Wheat bunts for a base hit.  Elmer Ponder then walks Bernie Neis, Wheat advances to second.  Ed Konetchy lofts a fly to center deep enough for Wheat and Neis to tag and advance.  With two outs and Pete Kilduff at the plate, Ponder unleashes a wild pitch allowing Wheat to score from third.  Ebbets Field roars with glee.  Despite a no decision, Marquard pitches marvelously, allowing one unearned run on six hits and no walks, with three strikeouts, through eight innings pitched.  Leon Cardore earns his ninth victory with a scoreless inning in relief.  The Reds are idle, but the New York Giants defeat the Cubs at the Polo Grounds.  With a victory over the Cardinals back on July 27, the Giants finally established par.  They are now 7-1 in their last eight, and 14-2 over their last sixteen games.  With a 54-46 record, the Giants have closed to within a mere three games of Brooklyn.

• RECORD: 59-45 (.567)
• First Place; 1.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/27/1920: Cincinnati Reds Invade Ebbets Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champion

Game #95: Tuesday, July 27, 1920 - BR
Cincinnati Reds vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Reds Route Rube Marquard; Brooklyn Lead Down to 1.5 Games

The mid-summer battle for first place is at hand.  Cincinnati, the defending champions, strike first and advance to victory in game one at Ebbets Field.  The Reds promptly plate three runs in the first inning, all unearned after Ivy Olson's failure to properly handle Jake Daubert's grounder to the left side.  Edd Roush plates a run and Larry Kopf plates two.  Cincinnati pours it on during the middle innings en route to an 8-3 final score.  Starter Rube Marquard allows seven runs, four earned, on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts in only five innings pitched.  He incurs his fifth loss of the season against seven wins with a growing 3.34 ERA.  Getting a spot start in right field Bernie Neis is 1 for 4 with a triple and two runs batted in.  Ed Konetchy drives in his 41st run for the season.  A 19-game winner last season for the Reds, starter Dutch Ruether allows three earned runs on eleven hits and four walks with three strikeouts.  He improves to 16-7 with a 2.05 earned run average.  With Tuesday's opening victory the Reds close to within 1.5 games of the Robins.

• RECORD: 54-40 (.531)
• First Place; 1.5 GAs

100 Years Ago Today 7/24/1920: Brooklyn Robins Lose Third Game in Four Tries at Forbes Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #92: Saturday, July 24, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Pirates Continue Getting Best of Brooklyn Robins; Grimes Loses Sixth of the Season

ROBINS CONCLUDE ROAD TRIP WITH 16-7 RECORD

With Burleigh Grimes taking his turn on the bump, all seems fine when in the second inning Brooklyn takes a 1-0 lead as Grimes himself grounds into a fielder's choice scoring Ed Konetchy from third.  However, Pittsburgh starter Wilbur Cooper has other ideas, holding the Robins to just the lone run on five scattered hits, and two walks, with two strikeouts through a full nine innings of work.  Hi Myers accounts for two of Brooklyn's hits; Jimmy Johnston, Bernie Neis, and Ed Konetchy account for the others.  Meanwhile, Pittsburgh roughs up Grimes for five earned runs on seven hits and a walk in just six innings pitched.  Catcher Bill Haeffner is big man on campus going 2 for 3 with a triple and three runs batted in.  First baseman Charlie Grimm is 3 for 4 with two runs scored.  Jeff Pfeffer pitches two scoreless innings in relief of Burleigh Grimes who is now 14-6 on the season with a climbing 2.22 ERA.  Brooklyn' first place lead is reduced again to a pair of games as the Reds defeat the New York Giants out at Redland Field.  Despite today's loss the Robins today conclude a wildly successful 23-game road trip that sees them journey through Boston, St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, and lastly, Pittsburgh.  They post a wondrous 16-7 record, and on June 8 seize first place which they're yet to relinquish.  The Robins and Pirates now travel to Brooklyn for two more games at Ebbets Field.  After which, another showdown against the Cincinnati Reds awaits.

• RECORD: 53-38 (.582)
• First Place; 2.0 GA

HOME PLATE

FORBES FIELD

100 Years Ago Today 7/19/1920: Defending Champion Reds Take Second Straight From Brooklyn Robins

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #87: Monday, July 19, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Cincinnati Reds
Redland Field

Ninth Inning Gaffe Dooms Brooklyn; Defending Champs Even Series

Trolley Dodgers Lose Two Straight For First Time This Month

A thrilling back and forth affair for Reds fans and manager Pat Moran, not so much for Uncle Robbie and visiting Brooklyn.  Facing Jeff Pfeffer the Reds score single runs in the first, third, and fourth innings.  Cincinnati has to thank for their 3-0 lead left fielder Pat Duncan, shortstop Larry Kopf, and third baseman Heinie Groh.  Zack Wheat drives home Brooklyn's first run in the fifth.  In the sixth Jimmy Johnston drives in their second run, then Bernie Neies plates two with a triple to right giving the Robins a 4-3 lead.  First baseman and former Brooklyn Robin Jake Daubert's base hit in the bottom half of the sixth ties the game at four.  With Al Mamaux pitching in relief of Jeff Pfeffer, and starter Dutch Ruether still in the box for Cincinnati, into the ninth inning they go.  Jimmy Johnston, Bernie Neis, and Zack Wheat, are retired in order.  Jake Daubert leads off the bottom of the ninth with a double to center.  Reds star center fielder Edd Roush attempts a sacrifice bunt, but Al Mamaux in his attempt to first throws the ball away permitting Daubert to score the winning run.  Alas the Cincinnati Reds tie the series at two game apiece.  The game is only Brooklyn's fourth loss against fourteen victories during what is so far an overwhelmingly successful road trip.  Three times this month they've mounted  streaks of at least five wins or more.  Slated to pitch Tuesday's series finale at Redland Field are Burleigh Grimes for Brooklyn versus Hod Eller for the Reds.

• RECORD: 52-35 (.597)
• First Place; 2.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/15/1920: Red Hot Brooklyn Robins Poised For Showdown Versus Reds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #83: Thursday, July 15, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cups Park

Robins Take Five of Six at Chicago; Next Stop, Cincinnati!

Facing perennial 20-game winner Hippo Vaughn, Brooklyn mounts a 2-0 lead through the sixth on runs batted in from Hi Myers and Bernei Neis.  Chicago facing Rube Marquard ties the score late with runs batted in from Charlie Deal in the seventh and Dode Paskert in the Cubs ninth.  Tied up at two runs apiece the teams go into extra innings.  Hippo Vaughn is replaced with Sweetbread Bailey.  Ivy Olson singles opening up the tenth and takes second base on Babe Twombly's error in right field.  Jimmy Johnston promptly sends home Myers with a double to left.  Then with one out and Johnston standing on third Zack Wheat doubles to right giving the Robins a 4-2 lead.  Second baseman Bernie Friberg and catcher Bill Killefer open the Cubs tenth with a single and double respectively.  Wilbert Robinson quickly emerges from the dugout relieving Marquard with Sherry Smith.  With one out Babe Twombly's sacrifice fly plates Friberg from third.  Otherwise Sherry Smith successfully douses the fire.  The Robins end the day two full games ahead of the second place Reds.  Next stop for Brooklyn is, you guessed it, Cincinnati.

• RECORD: 49-33 (.597)
• First Place; 2.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 6/25/1920: Brooklyn Robins and Boston Split Friday Twin Bill at Braves Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #56: Friday, June 25, 1920, GAME ONE - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Boston Braves
Braves Field

Leon Cadore's Fine Effort Leads Robins to Third Straight

After posting a 6-9 home stand perhaps it's best Brooklyn hit the road.  Arriving in Boston Friday's first game against the Braves makes up a May 4 postponement.  Leon Cadore returns to the scene of his 26-inning effort back on May 1, from which some say he is yet to fully recover.  However on this day he appears just fine surrendering a lone unearned run on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts through nine complete.  When Braves starter Bill Fillingim walks the bases load in the first inning manager George Stallings yanks him from the box with haste.  With one out Hi Myers lofts a sacrifice fly to center scoring Pete Kilduff from third.  Otherwise reliever Bunny Hearns puts out an early fire.  That is, until Hi Myers drives in Brooklyn's second run in the third.  Afterward runs batted in from Jimmy Johnston, pinch hitter Bernie Neis, and getting a start at shortstop Bill McCabe, round out the scoring in a 5-1 final.  Leon Cadore wins his fifth against four losses with a 1.69 earned run average.


Game #57: Friday, June 25, 1920, GAME TWO - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Boston Braves
Braves Field

Boston Gains Split; Jeff Pfeffer Outdone by Braves Jack Scott

Boston strikes back on the strength of starter Jack Scott's right arm outperforming that of trusted Brooklyn hurler Jeff Pfeffer.  Scott yields single runs batted in from Jimmy Johnston and Zack Wheat, but little else.  The Robins manage just six hits, two by Otto Miller, and draw a mere two walks against Jack Scott who wins his sixth decision of the season against three loses.  Boston shortstop Hod Ford is big man on campus going 2 for 4 with a triple and three runs batted in.  Pfeffer's line reads four earned runs on eight hits and three walks with one strikeout.  He falls to 3-8 with a 3.18 ERA.

• RECORD: 31-25 (.553)
• 2nd place; 1.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/29/1920: Brooklyn Robins Sweep Saturday Twin Bill Against Braves

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #32: Saturday, May 29, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field:  GAME ONE

Hi Myers Highlights Offensive Outburst; Rube Marquard Sharp in Return to Mound

The Robins jump out to an early lead and never look back.  Brooklyn posts a pair in the first inning on runs batted in from Jimmy Johnston and Hi Myers.  Boston briefly cuts the deficit by one on Rabbit Maranville's second inning sacrifice fly scoring John Sullivan from third.  But the Braves manage just two more hits through the remainder of the game.  Back in action making his first appearance in nine days, and his first start since May 7, veteran Rube Marquard limits Boston to a lone run on just three hits and three walks with three strikeouts through nine innings complete.  He improves to 2-1 and lowers his ERA to a 3.55 mark.  Meanwhile the Robins continue putting Braves starter Bunny Hearn through the ringer with another five runs on seven more hits.  All told Hearn yields seven runs, six earned, on eleven hits through eight innings pitched.  Zack Wheat is 1 for 4, with a run batted in.  Hi Myers enjoys a productive game at the plate going 2 for 4 with a triple and a long home run to right that goes bouncing onto Bedford Avenue.  In the seventh inning Ivy Olson plates two more runs with a triple, then scores the final run of the game on a Bernie Neis hit to left.  Brooklyn takes the first game of Saturday's twin bill by a 7-1 final score.  This game is a make-up from an Apr. 21 postponement.


Game #33: Saturday, May 29, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field:  GAME TWO

Hi Myers Picks Up Where He Leaves Off; Robins Complete Twin Bill Sweep

Saturday's second game begins ominously for Brooklyn who in the first inning commit three errors resulting in Boston's first two runs.  Adding insult to injury right fielder Walton Cruise steals home making it a 3-0 Braves lead after one-half inning of play.  Brooklyn evens the score with single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.  Boston opens the sixth with three consecutive singles and a run batted in from third baseman Tony Boeckel.  Ivy Olson answers on Brooklyn's behalf in the seventh with a hit to right scoring pinch runner Bill McCabe from second base.  Starting pitchers Leon Cadore and Boston's inexperienced Hugh McQuillan continue dueling through the ninth.  With one out and the bases full in the Brooklyn tenth Hi Myers singles through the left side scoring Ivy Olson from third with the game winning run.  McQuillan's line reads five earned runs on eight hits and five walks with one strikeout over 9.1 innings pitched.  Making his eighth start Leon Cadore improves to 4-2 with a brilliant 1.08 ERA.  He yields four runs but only one is earned.  In fact, Cadore has allowed just two earned runs over his last 27 innings pitched.  Leon also helps himself with the stick, going 1 for 3 with a run batted in.  Ivy Olson is 3 for 5 with two runs batted in, and Hi Myers is 2 for 5 also with two runs batted in.  Clarence Mitchell makes his third consecutive start at first base in place of injured Ed Konetchy.

• RECORD: 18-14
• 3rd place; 1.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/9/1920: Brooklyn Robins Turn Back Phillies in Tenth

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #19: Sunday, May 9, 1920 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Packed Crowd at Ebbets Field Cajole Brooklyn Robins to Victory Over Phillies

The sputtering Robins were back at Ebbets Field this afternoon hosting a one game set against the Phillies before heading west for a slate of games in the week ahead at St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.  Brooklyn enters Sunday's action having won just one game in their last eight attempts.  Yet despite the adverse fortunes in their most recent series at the Polo Grounds, the Brooks are warmly received by a near capacity crowd at their Sullivan Place home.

After three scoreless frames Brooklyn breaks through in the fourth for a trio of runs against Phillies right-hander Lee Meadows.  Base hits from Hi Myers and Ed Konetchy set the table for a Bernie Neis double scoring Myers, and Ernie Krueger's base hit scoring Konetchy.  However Meadows would also help turn the tables when Philadelphia likewise catches up with Brooklyn starter Leon Cadore in the fifth.  Wilbert Robinson watches four runs cross the plate on four hits, a walk, and an error by shortstop Ivy Olson, before summoning Sherry Smith from the bullpen.  Cadore exits on the losing side of a 4-3 game after yielding four runs, three earned, on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts in only 4.1 innings pitched.  But he is quickly taken off the hook when Hi Myers singles leading off the sixth, and comes around to score on a Bernie Neis base hit and error committed by Phillies right fielder Casey Stengel.  The game remains deadlocked through the ninth.  With both starters out of the game into extra innings they go at Ebbets.  But unlike Brooklyn's 26-inning loss against the Braves just six games ago, and unlike their 19-inning loss to the Braves just two days later, and unlike Friday's eleven inning loss at the Polo Grounds, the Robins waste little time achieving a successful end.  With one out in the tenth Brooklyn's self appointed player of the game right fielder Bernie Neis singles to right, promptly steals second, then races home to score the winning run on Ernie Krueger's hit to left.  Mr. Neis is 3 for 4, with a walk, double, a run scored, and two runs batted in.  Catcher Ernie Krueger also enjoys a fine day going 2 for 5 with three runs batted in.  Zack Wheat fails to extend his nine game hit streak.  Although Wheat draws three base on balls, he is held hitless for only the second time this season.  Phillies catcher Mack Wheat, Zack's brother and former Robins team mate, is also held hitless in three at bats.  Brooklyn's Sherry Smith earns the victory with 5.2 scoreless innings in relief of Leon Cadore.  Philadelphia's George Smith takes the loss in relief of starter Lee Meadows.

• RECORD: 10-8 (.555)
• 3rd place; 1.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 4/23/1920: Brooklyn Robins Even Series With Phillies

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #7: Friday, April 23, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Uncle Robbie's Moves Pay Instant Dividends; Clarence Mitchell Answers Manager's Call With Stellar Effort

All goes according to Wilbert Robinson's plan who tasks journeyman Clarence Mitchell with Friday's spot start at Philadelphia.  The 29-year old southpaw does not disappoint.  Mitchell limits the Phillies to just one run on ten scattered hits and no walks with three strikeouts in a complete nine inning performance.  For their part Philadelphia manufactures their lone run in the sixth when catcher Frank Winthrow scores on shortstop Dave Bancroft's sacrifice fly.  After starting Chuck Ward at shortstop through the season's first six games manager Robinson turns to 27-year old Pete Kilduff (acquired last June from the Cubs).  To accommodate Kilduff at second base, Ivy Olson shifts over to shortstop replacing Ward.  With Uncle Robbie's changes in place the infield commits no errors and convert three double-plays in support of Clarence Mitchell.  Meanwhile Brooklyn musters single runs in the second, third, and eighth innings for a 3-1 final margin of victory.  Kilduff in his first start of the season goes 2 for 4; Big Ed Konetchy drives in his fifth run of the season; Bernie Neis is 2 for 4 with a run batted in; and center fielder Hi Myers is 3 for 4 with one run batted in.  Zack Wheat extends his hit streak to seven with a single along with a walk and a run scored in three trips to the plate.

• RECORD: 5-2 (.714)
• 1st place; tied

100 Years Ago Today 4/18/1920: Brooklyn Robins Take Series Opener From Boston Braves

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #3: Sunday, April 18, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Robins Open Series With 9-3 Victory Over Visiting Boston Braves

Boston, who just two days ago expertly whitewashed John McGraw's Giants at the Polo Grounds, today crossed the East River span into Brooklyn where they promptly fall behind 0-4 after just three innings of play at Ebbets Field.  Looking to rebound from Thursday's loss against Philadelphia, the Robins rough-up Braves starter Dick Rudolph for six runs on seven hits and one walk through six.  Three more Robins cross the plate in the eighth as Brooklyn goes on to post a 9-3 victory over the Braves whom commit five fielding errors resulting in four unearned runs.  Getting the start behind the plate Rowdy Elliott is Brooklyn's big man on campus going 3 for 4 with a run scored and four runs batted in, and right fielder Bernie Neis connects on the Robins first home run of the season.  Shortstop Chuck Ward is 2 for 3 with a run scored and one run batted in.  Zack Wheat goes 2 for 4 with two runs scored.  On the bump Brooklyn veteran starter Jeff Pfeffer goes the distance yielding three runs, two earned, on eight hits and one walk with two strikeouts for the victory.

• RECORD: 2-1 (.666)
• 3rd place; 1 GB