OTD 6/14/1931: New York Black Yankees Sweep Double Header From Bay Parkways at Erasmus Field

From the desk: NEGRO LEAGUES AND BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

On Sunday, June 14, 1931, within two miles from where I presently live, the New York Black Yankees win both games of a doubleheader against Joe Rosner's Bay Parkways at Erasmus Field, McDonald Avenue at the Avenue M station along the Culver Line.

GAME ONE: Features starter Wuzzy Fullerton for the Bay Parkways pitted against right-hander William Bell for the visitors.  

New York seemingly handles Fullerton's offerings with great comfort and ease, wielding 14 hits, drawing two walks, and striking out only twice before Wuzzy is pulled with two outs in the fifth.  The Yankees resume their assault against reliever Artie Musicant en route to a 16 hit, 16 run trouncing of the local Dukes.  Fullerton is responsible for 14 hits, two walks, with two strikeouts in 4.2 innings.  

William Bell himself leads the Black Yankees hit parade with three, as five others finish with two hits apiece: first baseman and manager John Henry Lloyd, left fielder Fats Jenkins, shortstop Bill Riggins, center fielder Clint Thomas, and third baseman Cool Turner who also registers a double, while Jenkins laces a triple.  Otherwise, Bell yields three runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts in a winning effort.

Bay Parkways' first baseman George Sackett distinguishes himself going 3 for 4 with two home runs off Bell, his 12th and 13th for the season.  In fact, four of Bay Parkways' eight hits go for extra bases.  

GAME TWO:  The Yankees continue where they leave off, hammering out another eleven runs on twelve hits.  They erupt for five runs in the second, five more in the eighth, with a single run in the fifth.  John Henry Lloyd finishes 2 for 3 with a triple; Clint Thomas goes 2 for 3 with a home run; Bill Riggins is 3 for 5 and a home run.  Fats Jenkins scores twice.  

New York starter Red Ryan and Henry McHenry share pitching duties, limiting Joe Rosner's nine to six runs on ten hits and five walks with three strikeouts.  Four of the Dukes' ten hits go for extra bases.  They score twice in the second, rally for three in the fifth, but manage just one more run in the sixth.  O'Grady takes the loss.

The New York Black Yankees exacted their revenge for a twin-bill loss against the Bay Parkways earlier this season.

• SOURCE: Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), Monday, June 15, 1931

OTD 6/14/1939: The Bushwicks Defeat Their Queens Rival at Dexter Park

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

Daily News (New York, New York), Thursday, June 15, 1939

On Wednesday, June 14, 1939, Max Rosner's Bushwicks defeated the Queens Club of Woodside at Dexter Park.  Brooklyn starter Wally Signer allowed just two hits with twelve strikeouts in a complete-game shutout effort.  Emil Gall completed the Bushwick battery.  The home team scored five runs on seven hits off Queens' hurler, Halub.

OTD 6/11/1941: Bushwick Defeats Baltimore Elite Giants at Dexter Park

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

Daily News (New York, New York), Thursday, June 12, 1941

On Wednesday, June 11, 1941, the Bushwicks defeated the Baltimore Elite Giants in a non-Negro National League contest at Dexter Park.  Although he did not play in this game, the Elites feature a 19-year old catcher named Roy Campanella.

Starting for Baltimore, southpaw Jesse Brown is knocked out of the box in the third.  He yields seven hits, walks one, and hits a batter in 2.1 innings pitched.  Right-hander Bill Barnes fares no better, allowing four hits in 3.2 innings pitched.  Together, they surrender five runs on eleven hits, with two strikeouts between them.  Roy K. Williams pitches the final two innings surrendering one hit, one walk, with two strikeouts.  Shortstop Tommy Butts goes 2 for 4 with a double and run scored.  Center fielder Charlie Biot is 1 for 3 with a triple and run batted in.  Second baseman and manager Felton Snow drives home the other Baltimore run.  Bushwick starter Bob Miller limits the Elite Giants to a pair of runs on just six hits, two going for extra bases.  He walks none and strikes out eight in a winning effort.  Bushwick third baseman Al "Chick" Cuccinello and left fielder Jimmy Ashworth each drive in two runs apiece.  Right fielder Sol Mishkin and first baseman Gene Rogers strike for multiple hits.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, June 12, 1941

OTD 6/9/1918: Brooklyn Royal Giants Sweep Double Header From Bushwick at Dexter Park

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

The Brooklyn Citizen, Sunday, June 10, 1918

On Sunday, June 9, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants swept a double-header from Bushwick at Dexter Park.

GAME ONE - Brooklyn Royal Giants' right-hander Tom Williams faces off against Van Essen for Bushwick.  Each offers a fine performance.  All runs are scored in the fourth inning.  With two on base in the top of the frame, Giants' right fielder Johnny Pugh doubles home two runs.  Otherwise, Van Essen yields seven hits on three walks with four strikeouts in a losing effort.  Tom Williams limits Bushwick to one run in the bottom of the frame scored by the right fielder, Crist.  Otherwise, Williams allows seven hits and four walks with four strikeouts for the win.  Shortstop Joe Hewitt accounts for three of Brooklyn's hits.

BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 10, 1918

GAME TWO - Royal Giants starter Irvin Brooks limits Bushwick to no runs and hits through the fifth.  That is until Bushwick erupts for six runs in the sixth to grab a 6-5 lead.  Brooklyn ties the game in the seventh.  The score remains unchanged through the tenth.  The Royal Giants then seize an 8-6 lead when center fielder Tom Fiall triples, driving home two runs.  Brooks allows four hits and five walks with four strikeouts in a six-inning effort for the win.  Right fielder Louis Santop lashes two hits with a stolen base; he played catcher in game one.

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

OTD 6/7/1931: Brooklyn Royal Giants and Bay Parkways Split Games of a Double-Header at Erasmus Field

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York)

On Sunday, June 7, 1931, not more than two miles from where I presently live, the Brooklyn Royal Giants and the Dukes of Bay Parkway split games of a doubleheader at Erasmus Field, McDonald Avenue at the Avenue M station along the Culver Line.

GAME ONE - The Parkways stake starting pitcher O'Grady to a 7-0 lead.  O'Grady, in turn, opens with six scoreless innings pitched.  But the Royal Giants finally break through with three runs in the seventh and one run in the eighth.  Trailing 8-5 entering the ninth, the Royal Giants generate a four-run rally en route to a 9-8 victory.  Brooklyn clearly makes the most of their eight hits yielded by O'Grady, who walks nine batters and strikes out two in a losing effort.  The Bay Parkways totaled 14 hits, with six going for extra bases, highlighted by George Sackett's home run against Pritchard, who nonetheless earns the win.

1931 Brooklyn Royal Giants

 

 Brooklyn Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York)

GAME TWO - Within mere outs of winning game one, the Bay Parkways ensure victory in the second contest with eleven runs and the pitching of Fullerton, who limits the Royal Giants to just one run on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in a winning effort.  Royal Giants starter Austin surrenders 15 hits, with eight going for extra bases.  He also drilled Fullerton with a pitch, perhaps for good luck.  Left fielder Namon Washington accounts for three of the Royal Giants' six hits.  However, the major highlight of the game is once again Bay Parkway first baseman George Sackett, who swats two more home runs giving three for the day.

Brooklyn Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York)

George Sackett is one year removed from playing with New York University.  The debate rages as to who among the semipro locals is the best, George Sackett of Bay Parkway or Bushwick first baseman, Eppie Barnes.

OTD 6/4/1939: Brooklyn Semipro Bay Parkways Split Twin Bill With Barton's Nighthawks at Erasmus Field

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York)

On Sunday, June 4, 1939, within two miles of where I presently live, the local Bay Parkways split games of a doubleheader with Barton's Nighthawks at Erasmus Field, McDonald Avenue at the Avenue M station along the Culver Line.

GAME ONE - Bay Parkway opens the scoring.  However, the Nighthawks grab a 3-1 lead after two innings and hold a 4-2 lead through four.  Bay Parkway ties the game at four with two runs in the sixth, including a run-scoring sacrifice fly by Arlington, the backstop.  The game remains knotted through the eighth.  Then with two runners on base in the home ninth, Bay Parkways first baseman Max Posnack doubles, one bounce over the right field fence driving home the winning run.  Spiro and Buster Lavac join together to limit the Nighthawks to seven hits, three going for extra bases, six walks, and four strikeouts.  Lavac earns the win.

GAME TWO - Bob Miller toes the slab for Barton's Nighthawks and is opposed by Bay Parkways left-hander Jimmy McCloskey.  When Bay Parkway takes a 1-0 lead in the third, the Nighthawks tie it in the fifth.  When the Parkways go ahead 2-1 in the eighth, the Barton Nines rally in the ninth, tying the game at two.  They play a scoreless tenth inning.  However, Jimmy McCloskey is forced to exit due to injury and is relieved by Buster Lavac.  After trading runs in the eleventh, the Nighthawks finally put two runs between them and their hosts for a 12-inning 5-3 victory and twin bill split at Erasmus Field.  This time, Buster Lavac suffers the loss.  

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

OTD 6/3/1917: Brooklyn Royal Giants and Bushwick Split Twin Bill at Ridgewood Park

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York)

On Sunday, June 3, 1917, the host Brooklyn Royal Giants and Bushwick split games of a doubleheader at Ridgewood Park, Irving Avenue at Halsey Street.

GAME ONE

Royal Giants    8

Bushwick         1

FINAL

Bushwick Foils String Bean Williams' Shutout Effort To No Avail

The Royal Giants defeat Bushwick with great efficiency.  Winning right-hander String Bean Williams limits Bushwick to just one run on eight hits and three walks with five strikeouts through nine innings pitched.  First baseman Freddie Hohman scores Bushwick's only run in the ninth to spoil the shutout.  Otherwise, the visitors leave twelve runners on base.  Game one loser Jim McGarry yields eight runs on eight hits, including doubles by String Bean Williams and shortstop Joe Hewitt, and a home run off the bat of catcher Luis Santop.  It is said Santop's home run cleared the right field fence by several yards.  Right fielder Johnny Pugh made a great rally-killing catch while crashing into the outfield fence. 

TIMES UNION (Brooklyn, New York)

GAME TWO

Royal Giants   3

Bushwick        5

FINAL

Bushwick Starter Eddie Girard Scores Late Decision Over Maywood Brown

Bushwick gets the better of Royal Giants starter Maywood Brown in game two, striking for five runs on nine hits, including three for extra bases by starter pitcher Eddie Girard, second baseman Taguer, and Freddie Hohman.  Maywood Brown is demonstrably wild with eight walks but appearing just as fearsome with seven strikeouts, albeit in a losing effort.  Bushwick unknots a three-all tie with two runs in the sixth en route to a 5-3 victory.  Winning pitcher Eddie Girard allows three runs on seven hits, including two for extra bases.  Royal Giants catcher Luis Santop goes 1 for 3 with a double and two runs scored.  Center fielder Charles Earle and Maywood Brown lead the Giants with two hits apiece.

OTD 5/29/1938: Bay Ridge Nine Sweeps Doubleheader From New Brunswick at 86th Street Grounds

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 30, 1938

On Sunday, May 29, 1908, within two miles of where I presently live, Bay Ridge won both games of a doubleheader against the aggregation from New Brunswick, New Jersey, at Ridger's Park, 86th Street, and 15th Avenue, Brooklyn.

GAME ONE - Starting for Bay Ridge, McGuire keeps New Brunswick scoreless through the first five.  After which, the visitors from New Jersey strike for three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.  However, by then, all Bay Ridge's eleven runs had already been annotated into the ledger.  McGuire yields seven hits, walks none, strikes out four, and even helps his own cause at the plate with a triple.  Bay Ridge tallies twelve hits off three Brunswick pitchers, with three going for extra bases en route to an 11-4 victory.

GAME TWO - Weber starts for Bay Ridge, allowing just one run on five hits and four walks in a seven-inning contest.  Center fielder Hoke Beazley and right fielder Babe Fischer join together on four hits in six at-bats with a run and wrap up the twin bill with four hits apiece.  Boda, the visiting shortstop, scores New Brunswick's lone run in the fifth.  Bay Ridge posts five runs on nine hits, two going for extra bases, and three walks issued by Kubiak.  This marks Bay Ridge's third twin bill sweep this season.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 30, 1938

 

OTD 5/29/1938: Bay Parkway Semipros Split Twin Bill With Cuban Stars at Erasmus Field, Brooklyn

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

DOUBLE-HEADER

Sunday, May 29, 1935

CUBAN STARS

vs.

BAY PARKWAYS

FROM

ERASMUS FIELD

On Sunday, May 30, 1938, within two miles from where I presently live, the Bay Parkways semipros split a double-header with the Cuban Stars at Erasmus Field, McDonald Avenue at the Avenue M station along the Culver Line.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

GAME ONE:  After scoring in the first inning, the Cuban Stars cling to a 2-0 lead through the fifth.  Bay Parkway finally breaks through for three runs in the sixth scored by Nolan, Posnack, and McCabe.  But their lead does not last.  With single runs in the eighth and ninth innings, the Cuban Giants come away with a late 4-3 victory.  Bay Parkway starter Sam Nahem goes through the whole repertoire of issuing four walks, fanning seven, hitting a batter, and unleashing a wild pitch in a losing effort.  Cuban Stars starter Heliodoro Diaz surrenders three runs on six hits and five walks with two strikeouts for the win.  Bay Parkway left eight runners stranded on base.  The Cuban Stars catcher is likely to be Julio Rojo.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

GAME TWO - Bay Parkway rebounds for a 7-1 victory in game two.  Starter Johnny Ubinski limits the Cuban Stars to just one run on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts through nine innings for the win.  He also comes to his own cause with a hit and a run scored.  Pitching for the Cuban Stars, Jimmenez allows seven runs on seven hits, walks three, and strikes out three in a losing effort.   Left fielder Tetelo Vargas drives home catcher Jose Maria Fernandez with the Cuban Stars lone run.  

OTD 5/29/1938: Pittsburgh Crawfords Sweep Twin Bill From Bushwick at Dexter Field

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

On Sunday, May 29, 1938, before 15,000 fans, the Pittsburgh Crawfords of the Negro National League II, sweep a twin bill from the Brooklyn Bushwicks at Dexter Park.  Waite Hoyt, native Brooklynite and former New York Yankees great, makes his pitching debut for Bushwick.

Crawford's Theolis Smith Twirls 11-Inning One Hitter

GAME ONE - Making his debut for Bushwick, the soon to be 38-year old Brooklyn born Waite Hoyt, on May 15 pitches his last major league game while donning a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform against the Boston Braves.  Now facing the Crawfords, Hoyt yields just two hits and strikes out five through nine scoreless innings pitched.  However, Crawford's starting right-hander Theolic Smith matches Hoyt zero for zero through the ninth, forcing extra innings.  Jimmy Pattison relives Hoyt in the tenth.  In the eleventh, Pattison surrenders three hits plating third baseman Dan Wilson and right fielder Gene Benson.  Theolic Smith closes out Bushwick in the bottom half of the frame for the win.  Smith allows just one hit to third baseman Gene Zaiser and one walk with one strikeout in a brilliant 11-inning shutout effort against the competent Bushwick.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Pittsburgh Crawfords Complete Sweep at Dexter Park

GAME TWO - Pittsburgh scores early, often, and late in game two en route to a 7-1 final score and sweep of the twin bill at Dexter Park.  Crawford's starter Barney Morris allows just one run on five hits and five walks and a hit batsman with nine strikeouts for the win.  Bushwick starter George Earnshaw surrenders twelve hits and exits a 6-0 game on the losing side.  Center fielder Buddy Hall drives home Brooklyn's lone run of the game.  In relief of Earnshaw, Jim Petersen gives up one run in the ninth, giving this game its 7-1 final score.  Pittsburgh's first baseman Johnny Washington is 3 for 5 with a triple, stolen base, and a run batted in.  Dan Wilson goes 3 for 4 with a double, stolen base, and one run batted in.  Catcher Leon Ruffin delivers home two runs.  Bushwick center fielder Buddy Hall is 2 for 4 with a triple.

OTD 5/27/1934: Bay Parkway Semipros Drop Double-Header to Cuban Stars at Erasmus Field, Brooklyn

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS & BÉISBOL

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), Monday, May 28, 1934

SUNDAY

CUBAN STARS (EAST)

vs.

BAY PARKWAYS

FROM

ERASMUS FIELD

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

On Sunday, May 27, 1934, less than two miles from where I live, the Cuban Stars East take both games of a doubleheader from the local Bay Parkway semipros at Erasmus Field; present-day McDonald Ave at the Avenue M station along the Culver Line.

GAME ONE

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

Toeing the slab in Game One, Bay Parkway's Jim Smith is opposed by right-hander Rodolfo Fernández for the Cuban Stars.  Both teams trade a pair of runs in the first.  The visitors then build a 6-3 lead after three and a half.  But the Bay Parkways rally for four runs in the home fourth for a 7-6 lead.  The score remains unchanged until the eighth, when the Cuban Stars tie the game at seven.  In the top of the ninth home runs by second baseman José Abreu and left fielder Lázaro Salazar gives the Cuban Stars a 9-7 lead, their final margin of victory.  Rodolfo Fernández yields seven runs on ten hits and no walks with one strikeout for the win.  To say Bay Parkways starter Jim Smith lacked control is putting it mildly.  Besides allowing nine runs on ten hits, he walks ten, plunks five other batsmen, and strikes out five batters.  First baseman Salvador Massip is the third Cuban Star to register multiple hits. Bay Parkways right fielder Caldwell finishes 3 for 4 with a home run.

GAME TWO

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

GAME TWO: Cuba Stars starter Lázaro Salazar allows the Bay Parkways just five hits but six walks, with two strikeouts in a nine-inning complete-game shutout.  Bay Parkways manager Joe Press with great confidence, hands the ball to Harry Kowenhover.  But he is roughed up for 13 runs on 13 hits and four walks with five strikeouts and one hit batsman over 8.2 innings pitched for the loss. 

This Day in Brooklyn Semi-Pro Baseball 5/26/1935: Brooklyn Royal Giants, Bushwick, Bay Parkways and Bay Ridge All Win

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

On Sunday, May 26, 1935, in and around Brooklyn ...

Brooklyn Royal Giants sweep doubleheader from the Elmhurst Grays

 at Gray's park in Jackson Heights, Queens.

⚾

The Bay Parkways defeat the Stroudsburg Club of Pennsylvania

at Erasmus Field, Avenue M station along the Culver Line, Brooklyn.

⚾

The Bay Ridge Club sweeps a doubleheader from the Baltimore Black Sox

at 86 Street and 15 Avenue, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

⚾

Brooklyn Bushwicks take both games of a doubleheader 

against the Cuban Stars at Dexter Park.

• All Games: Brooklyn Daily Eagle, p12, May 27, 1935

OTD in the Brooklyn Semi-Pros 5/17/1936: Bay Parkways Spilt Double-Header With House of David

From the desk: THE KINGS COUNTY GAME

Eighty-five year ago, on Sunday, May 17, 1936, not more than two miles away from where I live, one of Borough's best semi-pro clubs, the Bay Parkways, host and split a double-header with the skillfully renowned House of David baseball club at Erasmus Field, Brooklyn. 

 

• GAME ONE FINAL: House of David 4; Bay Parkways 3

In the opener, House of David starter Moose Swaney is opposed by Marius Russo for the By Parkways.  Swaney yields three runs on eleven hits, with two walks and one strikeout.  Russo limits House of David to just eight hits and three walks with five strikeouts.  Bay Parkway overcomes a 3-1 deficit with two runs in the eighth.  However, with two outs and Jim McCloskey back from the Boston Braves on the mound in Russo's relief, Caldwell's ninth-inning error in the right field proves costly as the local neighborhood Bay Parkways fall late 4 to 3.  McGee leads Bay Parkway with three hits, and three of their eleven hits go for extra bases to no avail.

• GAME TWO FINAL: House of David 6; Bay Parkways 16

There was little House of David could do to stem the Bay Parkway onslaught in game two.  The Brooklyn squad scored early, often, and late.  Three HOD pitchers joined together in surrendering 16 runs on 20 hits.  Henderson earns the win for Bay Parkway despite surrendering six runs on 14 hits and six walks with two strikeouts.  House of Davis right fielder Durning and Bay Parkway right fielder Caldwell each hit a home run apiece.  Catina led House of David with four hits, and left fielder Kelly leads Bay Parkway going 5 for 5 with a double and triple, and three runs scored. 

Recap and Boxscores: Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 18, 1936

On This Day at Washington Park 5/9/1908: Resolutes Romp to Victory Over Brooklyn Colored Giants

From the desk: KINGS COUNTY BASEBALL CHRONICLES

The Brooklyn Citizen, May 9, 1908

By 1906, Brooklyn Royal Giants' owner John W. Conner had struck up an acquaintance with one Charles Hercules Ebbets, president of the Brooklyn Superbas.  They agree that when the National League team is on the road, the still fledgling Brooklyn Royal Giants can play some of their home games at the refurbished Washington Park located along Fourth Avenue and Third Street in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn.  In 1908, this informal agreement is extended to Grant "Home Run" Johnson's aggregation, the Brooklyn Colored Giants who this season would play at Washington Park on the Saturdays that manager Pat Donavan's Superbas were away from home. 

• Saturday, May 2, 1908 - Bronx F.C. vs. Brooklyn Royal Giants

 

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle

May 9, 1908

The Resolutes score early, often, and late, en route to a 13-run margin of victory over the host Brooklyn Colored Giants.  Before a crowd of 1,500 at Washington Park, the Resolutes jump out to an immediate four-run lead.  The Giants muster one run in the second and one more in the fifth.  Otherwise, Dowling limits Brooklyn to seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.  Grant Johnson is held hitless and commits three errors behind the plate.  The Colored Giants commit six errors overall and leave eight base runners stranded.  Right fielder Jones is the only Brooklyn batter with multiple hits.  Leading 9-2 after six, the Resolutes add four runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth.  When all is done, Emery yields 15 runs on 14 hits and six bases on balls with seven strikeouts through nine troublesome innings pitched.

The Brooklyn Citizen, May 10, 1908