100 YEARS AGO AT THE POLO GROUNDS 5/7/1921: Fred Toney Hurls Giants Over Robins; Babe Ruth Gets Better Of Walter Johnson

From the desk: WHEN THE POLO GROUNDS WAS THE WORLD

100 Years Ago Today at the Polo Grounds: 

New York Giants & New York Yankees 

1921 Seasons Revisited

In their last season at Hilltop Park, the now formerly known New York Highlanders lost 102 games.  Rebranded as the Yankees, in 1913, they moved just a few blocks away into the Polo Grounds as tenants of the Senior Circuit's New York Giants.  To the chagrin of Giants manager John McGraw, the Americans proceeded to lose another 94 games.  

Known to hold a grudge, McGraw, two full decades later, still harbored much animosity not only towards Ban Johnson and his rebel circuit (unkept promises included) but more so towards the Yankees themselves who were founded at the expense of his rendered defunct Baltimore Orioles.  

For as long as the Yankees paid their rent, the tenant/landlord relationship with the Giants remained amicably strained.  Mainly because the middling Americans, except for one season in 1916, never elevated themselves above the ranks of Junior Circuit also-rans.  But that changed in 1919 when they briefly vied for the pennant but tuckered out down the stretch to finish third.  A franchise-record 619,164 fans showed up to root for the American League contenders.  However, the Yankees' burgeoning success was not yet a pressing issue, per se, for the Giants, who were coming off a second-place finish and their best season in a decade at the turnstile.

Then, in 1920, baseball's tectonic plates along the New York/New England fault shift.  The Yankees' purchase of George Herman "Babe" Ruth from the Boston Red Sox sends seismic waves reverberating throughout the baseball world but none more intense than in Washington Heights.  Ruth's earth-shattering record of 54 home runs was something never experienced before in the history of baseball but an accomplishment for which John McGraw has little appreciation as one who believes players work too hard and earnestly only to have their skills disrespected by some miscreant's lone swing of the bat.

Gotham's citizenry never before descended from Coogan's Bluff in such quantity and spectacle than in 1920 as the Giants would set a franchise record with 929,609 reported attendance.  However, the New York Nationals faced an economic dilemma of Ruthian proportions.  McGraw's disdain for his tenants was further heightened when the Yankees outdrew the host Giants in their own home for the first time in each franchise's history.  Headlined by Babe Ruth, the Yankees seized the city's attention, evidenced by an all-time major league record of 1,289,422 in attendance.

In 1921, over two million fans would again pack the Polo Grounds.  Babe Ruth would continue accomplishing the unimaginable, and if that wasn't surreal enough, he proceeds to top it.  All the while, with each passing day, John McGraw grows more incensed.  Lest we forget, New York City is still Little Napoleon's empire.  

Sharing a ballpark for both teams is becoming an insufferable condition—the Giants attempt to evict the Yankees in 1921 to no avail.  But a solution lies not too far away ...  

Until then, two major league titans charge headlong into a season-ending October clash at the Polo Grounds.  It is New York City's first-ever World's Championship Subway Series.  All games are played at the Polo Grounds, making Coogan's Bluff the center of the baseball universe. 

This is my replay of that season.  I'll be exercising my creative license whenever and wherever ever possible.  More than anything, this is about having fun and celebrating New York City's baseball history.  

• Stats: BASEBALL REFERENCE

Enjoy the games ... PLAY BALL!

⚾

GAME #18

BOXSCORE: Saturday, May 7, 1921 - BR

Brooklyn Robins @ NEW YORK GIANTS

POLO GROUNDS

Fred Toney Outlasts Sherry Smith

After two straight days compromised by foul weather, the Giants and Robins finally resume hostilities in front of a capacity crowd at the Polo Grounds.  Making his fifth appearance of the season, Fred Toney is opposed by Sherry Smith, who, in his last start, defeated the Giants at Ebbets Field.  The Giants strike early.  Frankie Frisch triples home George Burns, and Ross Youngs knocks home Frisch for a prompt 2-0 lead after one.  Fred Toney makes it stand.  He yields a home run to Ed Konetchy leading off the fifth, and that's it.  Toney allows just six hits and one walk over nine complete innings for his third win of the season against two losses.  High Pockets Kelly drives home an insurance run in the eighth.  Brooklyn slips down to third place as the Giants overtake second behind the Pirates, who today defeat the Cardinals at Forbes Field.

• FINAL: BKN 1; NYG 3
• RECORD: 12-6 (.667); second place, 3.5 GB of Pittsburgh 

The Baltimore Sun

GAME #16

BOXSCORE: Saturday, May 7, 1921 - BR

New York Yankees @ WASHINGTON SENATORS

Griffith Stadium

Highlanders Derail The Big Train; Babe Ruth Hits Number Eight

The Yankees overcome a two-run deficit when Babe Ruth hits his eighth home in the eighth, helping tie the game at four.  But Washington regains the lead with a run in the bottom half of the frame.  Undeterred, the New Yorks muster yet another two-run rally in the ninth to come away with a two-game sweep of the Senators at Griffith Stadium.  Pitching is taken to task as both teams join for 27 total hits.  Walter Johnson allows all six runs on 13 hits and four walks with four strikeouts.  His record evens out at 2-2 with an unfamiliar 3.73 earned run average.  The Brooklynite Waite Hoyt earns the victory with 6.2 innings pitched in relief of starter Jack Quinn.  A day after tossing nine against the Senators, Carl Mays pitches the ninth to close out the Yankees' third consecutive victory.  Bob Meusel leads the Yankees charge with a double, triple, and four runs batted in.  Aaron Ward, playing second base this game, goes 3 for 4 with one run batted in.  Washington first baseman Joe Judge, also hailing from Brooklyn, goes 3 for 4 with one run batted in.  Second baseman Bucky Harris and Walter Johnson drive in a run apiece.

• FINAL: NYY 6; WAS 5
• RECORD: 9-7 (.563), third place, 3.0 GB of Cleveland

THE WASHINGTON POST

BALTIMORE SUN

Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, N.Y.

100 Years Ago Today 10/11/1920: Indians Whitewash Brooklyn Robins; Take 4-2 Series Lead

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

WORLD SERIES: Monday, October 11, 1920 - GAME SIX

Brooklyn Robins vs. Cleveland Indians

League Park

Former Robin Tosses Three Hitter Over Brooklyn; Indians One Win Away From Title

A bewildered Uncle Robbie watches on as his former pupil Duster Mails turns away Robins batter after Robins batter.  Now 25-years old and making only his tenth appearance all season, Mails tosses a gem back in the face of former team mate Sherry Smith whom puts forth another fine although unfortunate performance.  Smith allows just one run on seven hits and one walk over eight innings.  However, Mails is better, yielding no runs on just three hits and two walks with four strikeouts through nine innings full.  Ivy Olson, Hi Myers and Ed Konetchy account for Brooklyn's only hits.  With one out in the home sixth George Burns doubles home Tris Speaker who scores all the way from first for the game's only run.  Ivy Olson doubles with one out in the eighth but is left stranded.  Uncle Robbie started Jack Sheehan at third in place of Jimmy Johnston.  The Robins have scored just two runs over the last three games at Cleveland.  The Indians now own a commanding 4-2 series lead in this best of nine championship.

100 Years Ago Today 10/10/1920: Brooklyn Robins Lose Troublesome Game Five; Trail Indians 3-2

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

WORLD SERIES: Sunday, October 10, 1920 - GAME FIVE

Brooklyn Robins vs. Cleveland Indians

League Park

"I've been in baseball for 40 years and I never saw one like this." - Wilbert Robinson

Game Five at Cleveland features a historical if not ponderous series of events Brooklyn Robins fans for all the wrong reasons will not soon forget.

Although no longer the perennial 20-game winner while with the Giants, 33-year old Rube Marquard during the 1920 season is nothing short of clutch.  When Uncle Robbie needs him most his old friend repeatedly comes through with vintage performances.  Scheduled to pitch this day for the Robins, Rube Marquard prior to the game is arrested by Cleveland police outside League Park on charges of ticket scalping.  Marquard maintains his innocence claiming a misunderstanding.  But an incensed Charles Ebbets will hear non of it and releases Rube on the spot.  

Inside the park Burleigh Grimes hurriedly prepares for an unexpected start.  Looking on in attendance is former Cleveland Spider legend and baseball's all-time wins leader Cy Young.  Pitching on three days rest, Burleigh Grimes by game time is still noticeably unprepared.  In the first inning Cleveland leads off with consecutive singles and a successful bunt hit by Tris Speaker.  With no outs and the bases loaded, right fielder and clean-up hitter Elmer Smith crushes a Grimes offering to deep right for a grand slam home run, the first in World Series history.  With Burleigh Grimes still pitching in the fourth, Indians starter Jim Bagby aides his own cause by homering deep to center field with two runners on giving Cleveland a commanding 7-0 lead.  His home run is the first hit by a pitcher in World Series history.  The Indians score one last time in the fifth inning off reliever Clarence Mitchell.

Brooklyn is not without its chances.  They strand a runner on second in the first.  Ed Konetchy triples in the second but on a sac-fly attempt is thrown out at home by left fielder Charlie Jameison.  In the third Burleigh Grimes bounces into a double play and the Robins strand two runners.  Hi Myers in the fourth removes himself from the base paths by getting thrown out attempting to steal third.  The fifth inning really makes all Robins shake their heads in dismay.  With no outs and Pete Kilduff and Otto Miller on base, Clarence Mitchell lines out to second baseman Bill Wambsganss, who immediately steps on second to retire Kilduff then tags an approaching Otto Miller to complete an unassisted triple play, again the first in World Series history.  Otherwise, the Robins go quietly until the ninth when Ed Konetchy drives in his first run of the series.  Alas it is too little too late.

Cleveland's 31-game winner Jim Bagby avenges his Game Two loss against Grimes, allowing one run on 13 hits and no walks over nine innings complete.  Grimes in turn takes the loss after yielding seven runs on nine hits and a walk in just 3.1 innings pitched.

100 Years Ago Today 10/9/1920: Brooklyn Robins Drop Game Four at Cleveland

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

WORLD SERIES: Saturday, October 9, 1920 - GAME FOUR

Brooklyn Robins vs. Cleveland Indians

Dunn Field

Stan Coveleski Wins Second Game of Series; Robins and Indians Knotted at Two

The Robins arrive in Cleveland for Game Four, but it seems as if Leon Cadore's best stuff stays packed away in Brooklyn.  Uncle Robbie gives him the hook just two batters in the third.  But the damage is already done.  Cadore faces eight batters while yielding two runs on four hits and a walk.  Making his second start of the series, Stan Coveleski limits the Robins to one run on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts through nine innings complete.  Tommy Griffith drives in Brooklyn's lone run with a double scoring Jimmy Johnston in the fourth.  Johnston accounts for two Brooklyn hits.  First baseman Ed Konetchy is now 0 for 12  through four games.  Al Mamux is charged with two runs on two hits.  Like Cadore, he is removed two batters into the third inning.  Rube Marquard pitches three scoreless innings.  But Jeff Pfeffer yields Cleveland's fourth and final run in the sixth.

100 Years Ago Today 10/3/1920: Brooklyn Robins Close Regular Season With Victory Over Braves

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Game #155: Sunday, October 3, 1920 - BR

Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins

Ebbets Field

Robins Win Final Game of Season; Next Stop World Series Versus Cleveland Indians

Brooklyn wraps up a wildly successful 1920 season with one final defeat of the Boston Braves in front of 10,000 crazed fans at Ebbets Field.  As if 26-innings weren't enough, the teams need another ten innings in order to decide a victor.  The Robins and Braves back on May 1 played nearly the length of three nine innings games only to end the day tied at one.  Boston jumps out to a quick 3-0 lead, all runs are unearned.  No changes in the score are affected through the seventh.  However, Brooklyn finally strikes for two runs in the eighth.  With a runner on Zack Wheat connects on his ninth home run for the season and his second in as many games.   Boston picks up an insurance run in the ninth.  But the Robins rally for two more in the bottom half, tying the game at four.  In the home tenth, Hi Myers triples home Bill McCabe with the winning run.  George Mohart and Johnny Miljus join together for the victory, allowing four runs, none earned, on nine hits and three walks.

From the first of September through the end of the season the Robins post a 23-6 (.793) record.  They end the season with a 93-61 record, seven games in front of the Giants and 10.5 games ahead of the now dethroned N.L. champ Cincinnati Reds.  After averaging just 65 wins over the last three seasons, their 93 victories ties for fourth highest in franchise history and falls just one win shy of their 1916 record.  Robinson's team never fell below .500 and were never more than 3.5 games out of first place.  The New York Giants got off to a poor start after Frankie Frisch was stricken by appendicitis.  They surged with a 20-11 record in August, but would ultimately lose 15 of 22 games against the Robins.

"No special system of playing won the 1920 pennant for the Brooklyn Superbas.  Nerve and Spirit won the pennant." - Wilbert Robinson. 

This is Uncle Robbie's second pennant since parting ways with the Giants and taking over the Superbas in 1914 from Bill Dahlen.  Only nine members of the 1916 N.L. champs remain.  Nine other players were acquired over the previous two seasons.  In fact, this year's team is largely unchanged from last season when they won only 69 games (a 24 game improvement).

A veteran lineup, seven of eight position regulars are 30-years of age or older.  Two of Wilbert Robinson's savviest moves were making Jimmy Johnston the starting third baseman and plugging Pete Kilduff at second.  Thirty-four year old Ivy Olson caught a lot of flack at shortstop by fans but he proved clutch with a stick.

The heart of the lineup proved solid.  Acquired last season, 34-year old first baseman Big Ed Konetchy bats .308 with 63 runs batted in.  Center fielder Hi Myers plays every game this season.  Myers finishes with a .304 average and once again leads the National League with 22 triples.  He posts career bests in on-base percentage and slugging average and leads the Robins for a second straight season with 85 runs batted in.  Brooklyn's undeniable star Zack Wheat registers his eighth .300 season.  The 1918 batting champion this season places fourth in the race with a .328 average and ranks fourth in the league with a .385 on-base percentage.

Acquired from the Pirates in 1918, Burleigh Grimes enjoys his finest season as a pro.  The spitballer posts a career high 23 victories against eleven losses with a 2.22 earned run average.  He finishes third in the N.L. with 131 strikeouts, while his wins and ERA both rank second.  In fact, the Robins lead the league with a 2.92 team ERA.

100 Years Ago Today 10/1/1920: Brooklyn Robins and New York Giants Split Twin Bill at Polo Grounds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS & LITTLE NAPOLEON'S EMPIRE

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Game #152: Friday, October 1, 1920, GAME ONE - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. New York Giants
Polo Grounds

Ernie Krueger Powers Robins Over Giants

There's a palatable chill in the air as Wilbert Robinson and John McGraw face off for the first time since Brooklyn clinched the pennant.  The weather is pretty cold as well.  Making matters worse, depending who you ask, Uncle Robbie sticks it to McGraw again when the Robins score in the ninth en route to a victory in game one.  With Phil Douglas on the mound, the Giants take a 3-0 lead into the eighth.  Brooklyn starter Jeff Pfeffer is knocked out of the box after yielding two runs on seven hits and two walks through five innings.  The Robins erupt for three runs in the top of the eighth on a run batted in from Hi Myers and a two run home run from Ernie Krueger.  With one out in the ninth Jimmy Johnston reaches safely on a come backer which is thrown away by Phil Douglas.  Johnston reaches third then scores the go ahead run on Tommy Griffith's sac-fly to left.  Al Mamaux pitching in relief of Jeff Pfeffer retires the Giants in order for his twelfth win of the season with a 2.70 ERA.


Game #153: Friday, October 1, 1920, GAME TWO - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. New York Giants
Polo Grounds

Giants Gain Split; Jesse Barnes Wins #20 

Jesse Barnes earns his 20th victory of the season with four innings of no-hit, no run ball in relief of Fred Toney.  This time it's the Giants who come from behind to snatch victory from defeat.  The Robins own a 3-2 lead after six on a run batted in by Ross Youngs and High Pockets Kelly's eleventh home run of the season for the Giants, and a two run inside the park home run from Ed Konetchy and an RBI double from Otto Miller for Brooklyn.  In the seventh George Burns and Frankie Frisch each drive home runs en route to a 4-3 final at the Polo Grounds.

• RECORD: 91-61 (.599)
• 1st Place; 5.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 9/28/1920: Brooklyn Robins Claim Second Pennant in Five Years

 From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS 

National League Standings: 9/28/1920
1) Brooklyn     90-60  *
2) New York    85-65  5 GB

1920 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Pandemonium breaks out in Brooklyn as word from the Polo Grounds spreads throughout town.  It's official, the Robins make the jump from fifth place to National League champions.  Upon the final out in New York's game two loss yesterday against Boston, the idle Robins clinch their fifth National League  pennant and second in the last five years.  Brooklyn owns a five game lead over the Giants with only four games left on the schedule.  John McGraw's club does well to overcome the now unseated Cincinnati Reds.  Perhaps in any other season the Giants 18-9 September surge nets them better results.  The Giants even close to within 1.5 games of the Robins as recently as twenty days ago.  But there was just no slowing down the Robins who have thus far posted a 20-5 record in September.  At no time during the season did the Robins ever fall more than four games out of first.  McGraw's Giants this season have so far posted the most runs in the National League.  However, Wilbert Robinson's pitching staff owns the circuit's best ERA.  Uncle Robbie claims his second pennant since leaving the Giants and becoming manager of the Robins.  His relationship with John McGraw - known to hold a grudge - is no doubt headed towards an all-time low.  In his third full season, spitballer Burleigh Grimes leads the Robins with 22 victories and owns the league's best winning percentage.  At the plate, Zack Wheat, Hi Myers and Ed Konetchy are all batting above the .300 mark.  Myers presently leads the team with 83 RBI and for a second straight season is leading the circuit in triples.  Meanwhile, 30-year old Jimmy Johnston rewards Uncle Robbie's faith in him at third base with a .291 average in a team high 150 games.  Tomorrow the Robins and Giants commence a now inconsequential three game series at the Polo Grounds.  

For now, an uproarious celebration in the streets of Brooklyn continues ...

100 Years Ago Today 9/22/1920: Brooklyn Robins Set For Showdown Versus New York Giants

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #149: Wednesday, September 22, 1920 - BR

Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins

Ebbets Field

Sherry Smith Gem Lowers Robins Magic Number to Two

Southpaw Sherry Smith puts forth the latest in a string of dominant performances by Robins hurlers.  If not for a dropped third strike by Otto Miller in the sixth inning allowing John Sullivan to score from third, Sherry otherwise whitewashes the Braves on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts through nine innings full.  He improves his record to 11-9 with a stellar 1.93 ERA.  Jimmy Johnston's hit in the third opens the scoring.  Ed Konetchey doubles leading off the fifth and Otto Miller redeems himself with a hit and run batted in.  Konetchy again seals the deal with his fourth home run in the eighth.  Brooklyn's magic number is now two.  The two teams are idle until Saturday when the New York Giants arrive at Ebbets Field to commence the final and perhaps conclusive showdown of the 1920 season.  New York defeats the Cubs at the Polo Grounds and will head to Brooklyn five games out of first place.  Meanwhile, the defending champion Reds are fading fast.  They drop a twin bill at Forbes Field to fall 9.5 games back behind the Robins.

• RECORD: 89-59 (.601)
• 1st Place; 5.0 GA

The AMERICAN LEAGUE IS IDLE

• Cleveland owns a 1.5 game lead over the Chicago White Sox, and a three game lead over the New York Yankees.

100 Years Ago Today 9/20/1920: Brooklyn Robins Increase Lead Over New York Giants

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS 

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #148: Monday, September 20, 1920 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Leon Cadore and Al Mamaux Outlast Pirates: Robins Magic Number Down to Three

Leon Cadore and Pittsburgh's Earl Hamilton trade goose eggs for six innings.  Wilbert Robinson proactively removes Cadore and inserts a fresh Al Mamaux into the game for the seventh.  Hamilton, meanwhile, remains on the mound for Pittsburgh, something manager George Gibson would later rue.  The game remains scoreless through the eighth.  In the Pirates ninth, rookie Pie Traynor leads off with a double then scores the go-ahead run on Carson Bigbee's hit to center.  With one out in the home ninth, Ed Konetchy connects against Hamilton on his third home run for the season, tying the game at one.  Mamaux retires the Pirates in the tenth.  In the bottom half of the frame Bernie Neis slaps a one out single, and with two outs Hi Myers drives him home with a double to right.  For Myers, it's his team leading 81st run batted in.  Cadore yields seven hits and just one walk through six scoreless innings.  Al Mamaux allows just three hits and strikes out three to earn his eleventh win.  The Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants split a twin bill at the Polo Grounds.  Brooklyn improves to 18-4 in September.  They lead the Giants by 5.5 games, and hold a 6.5 game lead over the Reds with seven games left in their season.

• RECORD: 88-59 (.599)
• 1st Place; 5.5 GA

AMERICAN LEAGUE

• The Yankees snap a four game losing streak winning in extra-innings at St. Louis.  With one out in the eleventh, shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh lays down a successful squeeze bunt as Babe Ruth crosses the plate with the go ahead run.  Carl Mays pitches all eleven innings for his 25th victory of the season.  New York remains three games out of the top spot.  The Indians take their second straight from the Red Sox to maintain their 1.5 game lead over the White Sox, who defeat the Athletics at Comiskey Park.

100 Years Ago Today 9/9/1920: Brooklyn Robins in First Place with Twenty Games Left

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #135: Thursday, September 9, 1920 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

New York City Center of Baseball Universe

Empire City is delirious with pennant fever and in other instances just plain mad.  Fans throughout the five boroughs are chomping at the bit for a shot at the title.  Even the suddenly relevant Highlanders featuring a 25-year old Babe Ruth have something to say.  Acquired from the Red Sox and relieved of his pitching duties by the Yankees, George Ruth continues setting baseball's single season records aflame.  Never before has the game witnessed such abnormalities when a pitched ball comes in contact with the swing of his bat.  Ruth is indeed all the rage.  Everyone wants to see The Babe.  The Yankees are even outdrawing the Giants in their own home park and John McGraw is incensed.  Unlike Chicago in 1906, New York City is yet to experience a subway World Series.  The Yankees are engaged in a three way race with the Indians and White Sox.  Cleveland finishes the day with a one game lead over Chicago, and a 1.5 game lead over the Yankees.  Meanwhile, the third place Giants bow to the Cubs at the Polo Grounds and the second place Reds defeat Boston at Braves Field.  The Giants have 21 games left in their season in which to overcome a 2.5 game deficit.  But only in New York City can there exist another universe just eighteen miles away where the Robins are letting it be known to both neighboring clubs that the road to a championship goes through Brooklyn.  If Wilbert Robinson hasn't already earned John McGraw's ire, he's certainly doing a fine job of it now.

Back home at Ebbets Field, the Brooklyn Robins defeat the visiting St. Louis Cardinals to retake sole possession of first place.  With the borough's collective heart beating like a big bass drum, an estimated crowd of 7,000 welcome home with a roar of appreciation their first place Robins.  Starter  Burleigh Grimes and company do not disappoint.  The spitballer limits the Cardinals to a pair of earned runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts en rout to his twentieth victory of the season.  It's the first time in his five year career Grimes achieves the benchmark.  Meanwhile, his opponent, Bill Doak, is denied his 19th victory of the season.  Leading-off the Brooklyn half of the second, Zack Wheat hits his sixth home run deep to left.  Wheat drives home his second run of the game in the third.  Rogers Hornsby counters in the fourth with a two run triple.  But Ivy Olson and Ed Konetchy provide all the insurance required by Burleigh Grimes.  The heart of the order - Zack Wheat, Hi Myers and Ed Konetchy - are all batting above .300, while Brooklyn's team ERA remains the best in the league.

• RECORD: 77-57 (.575)
• 1st Place; 0.5 GA

100 Years Ago Today 9/8/1920: Brooklyn Robins Reclaim Share of First Place

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #134: Wednesday, September 8, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Robins Returning to Brooklyn for the Final Home Stretch

Wednesday is a productive day for the Robins.  In defeating the Phillies they gain the series win, extend their winning streak to three and reestablish a tie for first place with the Reds.  Philadelphia's Cy Williams is 2 for 4 with a double and three runs batted in and catcher Walt Tragesser homers in the seventh, but it's not enough.  Brooklyn starter Jeff Pfeffer, who extends his record to 10-1 over his last fifteen appearances, goes the distance yielding four earned runs on ten hits and three walks with five strikeouts for his thirteenth victory of the season with a 2.94 ERA.  Brooklyn executes a double steal with Jimmy Johnston swiping home as part of a three run third.  They score twice more in the fourth on Ed Konetchy's home run and a sac-fly from Ivy Olson.  After which the Robins hold on for a 7-4 final.  Ivy Olson is 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and two runs batted in.  Getting the start in right field, Bill Lamar goes 2 for 5 with a double, a run scored and one run batted in.  The Cincinnati Reds are idle, but the New York Giants sweep a twin bill at Braves Field to close within 1.5 games of first place.  The Robins have 21 games remaining on their schedule, with all but two slated for play at Ebbets Field.  Cincinnati visits Brooklyn mid-month who then close out the regular season with a five game home and home series against the New York Giants and a one game finale against the Braves.

• RECORD: 76-57 (.571)
• 1st Place; Tied

100 Years Ago Today 9/7/1920: Brooklyn Robins Sweep Twin Bill at Baker Bowl

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #132: Tuesday, September 7, 1920, GAME ONE - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Leon Cadore Whitewashes Phillies

Leon Cadore ends Brooklyn's two game skid rather brilliantly with nine scoreless innings of five-hit ball.  He walks three and fans four while improving his record to 13-12 with an improved 2.47 ERA.  Brooklyn scores two early runs and two late runs en route to a 4-0 whitewashing.  Pinch hitter Bill Lamar, Jimmy Johnston, Ed Konetchy and Ernie Krueger all drive in a run apiece.


Game #133: Tuesday, September 7, 1920, GAME TWO - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Pete Kilduff Leads Hit Parade; Robins Complete Sweep

Brooklyn must work a little harder in game two but find their way towards a 9-5 final for a twin bill sweep at Baker Bowl.  The Robins muster all their scoring off Phillies veteran starter Eppa Rixey who allows nine runs, six earned, on a dozen hits and three walks with three strikeouts.  It marks his twentieth loss of the season against just ten victories.  Al Mamaux and Sherry Smith join forces in limiting the Phillies to five earned runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts.  Sherry Smith earns his eighth victory with 4.2 innings in relief of Mamaux.  Pete Kilduff leads the Robins with four runs batted in.  Bernie Neiss is 3 for 5 with a double, three runs scored and two runs batted in.  Hi Myers drives home his team leading 70th run batted in for the season.  Brooklyn gains a full game on the idle Reds while the idle Giants lose ground behind the Robins.

• RECORD: 75-57 (.568)
• 2nd Place; 0.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 9/6/1920: Brooklyn Robins Back in Second After Dropping Twin Bill at Philadelphia

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions 

Game #130: Monday, September 6, 1920, GAME ONE - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Phillies Hold On For Game One Victory

Brooklyn scores twice in the eighth, but it isn't enough as starter Red Causey and the Phillies hold on for a 3-2 victory.  Center fielder Cy Williams opens the scoring in the Phillies first with a two out home run off Robins starter Jeff Pfeffer.  Jeff hurts his own cause in the fourth, when, with the bases loaded Pfeffer fields a bunt but throws errantly to first base.  Two runs score on the play.  Clarence Mitchell singles home two runs in the eighth, but it's too little too late.  Pfeffer loses his ninth game against twelve victories with a 2.88 ERA.


Game #131: Monday, September 6, 1920, GAME TWO - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Spitballer Burleigh Grimes Comes up Dry Against Phillies

The Robins once again come up short.  Brooklyn knocks starter Huck Betts out of the box with haste, plating three runs in the first off the bats of Zack Wheat, Hi Myers and Ed Konetchy.  However, Burleigh Grimes can not hold the lead.  Philadelphia scores four times in the second, then pick up an unearned run in the fourth.  Burleigh Grimes yields his six run of the game in the fifth.  After which it's just a matter of the Phillies holding on.  Bill Lamar drives home a run in the eighth and Hi Myers doubles home a run in the ninth.  With one out and two runners in scoring position, Ed Konetchy grounds into a fielder's choice and Pete Kilduff pops up to first ending the game.  New York splits a double-header with the Braves, but Cincinnati sweeps two from the Cardinals.  The defending champions reclaim first place by 1.5 games over the Robins with 24 games left to play.

• RECORD: 73-57 (.554)
• 2nd Place; 1.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 9/4/1920: Brooklyn Robins Beat Boston; Reclaim First Place

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #128: Saturday, September 4, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins

Ebbets Field

Leon Cardore Whitewashes Boston; Robins Back in First

Rest indeed does a body good!  Brooklyn romps to a third consecutive victory and reclaims first place.  The Robins score early, often and late en route to a 10-0 whitewashing of the Braves.  Leon Cadore yields twelve hits but no runs and no walks through nine innings full.  He improves to an even 12-12 with a 2.57 ERA.  Rabbit Maranville accounts for three Boston hits.  Hi Myers, arguably in the midst of his best season, leads the charge with a single, double and triple with three runs scored and five runs batted in.  Last year's RBI champ again leads the team with 67 runs batted in.  Jimmy Johnston and Tommy Griffith each slash three hits apiece.  Ed Konetchy and Otto Miller drive in two runs each.  The Reds fall to the Cardinals and into second place, while the Giants edge out the Phillies at the Polo Grounds by a score of one to zero.

• RECORD: 72-55 (.567)
• 1st Place; 0.5 GA

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 8/27/1920: Brooklyn Robins Retake Sole Possession of First Place

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #121: Friday, August 27, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cubs Park

National League is Officially Up for Grabs

By all indications, the National League is up for grabs.  We start in Cincinnati, where the defending champion Reds bow to the New York Giants after seventeen innings in the first game of a planned twin bill.  They're unable to play the second contest on account of darkness.  Back in Chicago, the Robins win their third straight and take their second in a row from the Cubs, thus sliding up one full game into first place.  Jeff Pfeffer toes the rubber and is opposed by Cubs veteran Claude Hendrix.  Chicago jumps out to a quick lead with runs in the first and second innings.  The Robins knot the game with a pair of runs in the third.  After trading runs in the fourth, the game proceeds quietly through the seventh.  Brooklyn breaks the deadlock with three runs in the eighth en route to a 6-3 victory.  Ed Konetchy drives in two runs, Tommy Griffith, Pete Kilduff and Otto Miller drive in one run apiece.  Ivy Olson remains hot at the plate with three hits in five at-bats.  Zack Wheat is also 3 for 5 with a run scored.  But the Robins also hit into five double-plays.  Jeff Pfeffer allows three earned runs on fourteen hits and two walks through nine innings for his eleventh victory against eight losses with a 2.95 ERA.

• RECORD: 69-51 (.575)
• 1st Place; 1.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 8/22/1920: Brooklyn Robins Salvage Split with Defending Champs

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #116: Sunday, August 22, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Cincinnati Reds
Redland Field

Brooklyn Salvages Split with Defending Champs; Robins and Reds Tied for First Place

Brooklyn denies Cincinnati starter Jimmy Ring his sixteenth victory with a six run barrage in the fifth inning from which the Reds do not recover.  After four scoreless frames, the Robins jump Ring for four runs on five hits and a walk before manager Pat Moran replaces him with reliever Ray Fisher.  Two more runs cross the plate all charged to Jimmy Ring.  Ivy Olson, Zack Wheat, Hi Myers and Ed Konetchy all drives in runs, while Jimmy Johnston knocks home two.  Starter Leon Cadore allows three earned runs on eight hits and one walk through 6.1 innings.  Al Mamaux finishes out the game with 2.1 innings of no-hit scoreless ball for his third save of the season.  Cadore improves to 10-11 with a 2.53 ERA.  Hi Myers (.311, 57 RBI), Zack Wheat (.309, 49 RBI), Ed Konetchy (.321, 49 RBI) continue driving the Robins offense.  Brooklyn and Cincinnati are once again tied atop the National League standings.  The New York Giants defeat the Cubs at Chicago to remain 2.0 games behind the leaders.

• RECORD: 65-50 (.565)
• Tied 1st Place

100 Years Ago Today 8/20/1920: Faltering Brooklyn Robins Lose Second Straight at Redland Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #114: Friday, August 20, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Cincinnati Reds
Redland Field

Defending Champs Create Distance Between Them and Brooklyn

What has been a hotly contested pennant race has suddenly turned into a cauldron of boiling trouble for Brooklyn.  The Robins lose their second straight to the Reds, dropping them to 6-7 in August, and marking the most games they've fallen out of first place since Independence Day, some 45 games ago.  The defending world champions on Friday offer Robins hurlers no quarter, striking for 19 hits and tallying ten runs en route to a commanding 10-3 final at Redland Field.  Starter Al Mamaux, Clarence Mitchell and George Mohart are all casualties of Cincinnati's onslaught.  Mamaux yields six runs on eleven hits in just 4.2 innings pitched.  Heinie Groh, Larry Kopf, Greasy Neale and Ed Sicking all drive in multiple runs.  Meanwhile, Brooklyn's effort is too little too late.  Otto Miller drives home Ed Konetchy (double) in the seventh, while an error by shortstop Larry Kopf and Jimmy Johnston's base hit lead to a pair of unearned runs in the ninth.  Making only his sixth appearance of the season Uncle Robbie gives Bill Lamar a start in right who goes hitless in five trips.  The third place New York Giants are four games out.

• RECORD: 63-50 (.557)
• 2nd Place; 2.0 GB

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 8/13/1920: Brooklyn Robins Forge First Place Tie

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #110: Friday, August 13, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. New York Giants
Polo Grounds

Burleigh Grimes Thwarts Surging Giants

The Trolley Dodgers arrive in upper Manhattan with a message for their crosstown hosts: the road to the National League pennant goes through Brooklyn.  With less than fifty games remaining in the regular season, Brooklyn continues making it very clear to John McGraw, and even the Cincinnati Reds, that any comparisons made of these Robins to those of 1915-1919 are effectively null and void.  Burleigh Grimes punctuates this notion with today's stellar effort in front of 20,000 confounded cranks at the Polo Grounds.  The spitballer improves to 17-7, with a 2.23 ERA, after yielding just two earned runs on eight hits and no walks through nine complete innings pitched.  At the plate, Brooklyn seems to get the best of fifteen game winner Fred Toney with four earned runs on eight hits and five walks.  But it's Toney who authors his own undoing.  With the bases loaded in the Brooklyn fourth, and Ed Konetchy at the plate, Fred Toney unleashes a wild pitch; Tommy Griffith scores, two runners remain in scoring position.  Konetchy is still in the box when Toney unleashes a second wild pitch; both Zack Wheat and Hi Myers come home.  Pete Kilduff drives home a run in the eighth giving this game its 4-2 final score.  The Reds are idle, hence Brooklyn forges a first place tie.  New York falls three games behind the leaders after losing for only the third time in their last thirteen games.

• RECORD: 62-47 (.569)
• First Place; Tied
• Reds: 59-44 (.573)