100 Years Ago Today 9/1/1920: Brooklyn Robins Rained Out; New York Giants Lose Fourth Straight at Forbes Field

From the desks of: 

FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS  &  LITTLE NAPOLEON'S EMPIRE

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #127:  9/1/1920

GAME CALLED; RAIN

Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals 

Sportsman's Park

FORBES FIELD

Game #125: Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1920 - BR
New York Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Another Opportunity Lost; Giants Lose Fourth Straight at Pittsburgh

Coming off three highly imperative victories against the Cincinnati Reds, the New York Giants lose their fourth straight to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  After climbing to within one game of first place, the Giants now find themselves 2.5 games back of the idle Robins and the Reds whom defeat the visiting Boston Braves.  Otherwise, the look on John McGraw's face said it all as he observes veteran Pirates southpaw Wilbur Cooper limit his Giants to three runs on eleven hits and three walks with six strikeouts for his 21st victory against eleven losses with a 2.38 ERA.  Pittsburgh opens the scoring in the first; withstand three Giants runs in the fourth; then close out the scoring with three runs in the fifth.  New York's southpaw Rube Benton yields four runs, only two earned, on six hits and two walks through 4.1 innings pitched.  By the time John McGraw replaces Benton with Fred Toney it's too late, the damage is done.  Shortstop Dave Bancroft's 36th error leads to a pair of unearned runs from which the Giants do not recover.  New York's catcher Frank Snyder is big man on campus going 2 for 3 with a walk, double, triple, two runs batted in and a run scored.

• RECORD: 67-57 (.540)
• 3rd Place; 2.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 8/25/1920: Brooklyn Robins Win Rubber Game at Forbes Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #119: Wednesday, August 25, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robons vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Al Mamaux Provides Robins Much Needed Relief

All's well that ends well.  After the Pirates hand Elmer Ponder a three run lead in the third, Brooklyn claws back with four unanswered runs.  Pittsburgh makes quick work of starter Rube Marquard, knocking him out of the box with two outs in the third.  Before the inning is through, with Al Mamaux on the mound, right fielder Fred Nicholson steals home.  Zack Wheat gets Brooklyn on the board with a sacrifice fly in the fourth; Wheat drives in his second run for the game in the sixth and Ed Konetchy pushes Brooklyn's third run across on a fielder's choice.  Facing Elmer Ponder in the ninth, Ivy Olson drives home the decisive run.  Al Mamaux is stellar in relief, yielding four hits and two walks with three strikeouts though 6.1 scoreless innings.  He improves to 9-8 with a 2.67 ERA.  Brooklyn takes the series from Pittsburgh two games to one.  Cincinnati defeats the Phillies and so the Robins remain one game out of first.  The New York Giants defeat the Cardinals to stay three games off the lead.

• RECORD: 67-51 (.568)
• 2nd Place; 1.0 GB

FORBES FIELD

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 7/22/1920: Pittsburgh Pirates Take Second Straight From Brooklyn Robins

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #90: Thursday, July 26, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Pirates Get to Leon Cadore Late; New York Giants At Last Reach .500?

With a late surge the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat Brooklyn a second time in two days at Forbes Field.  With one out in the Brooklyn second, Ed Konetchy triples and Pete Kilduff doubles him home.  Leading off the bottom of the third Pirates second baseman George Cutshaw doubles to center then scores, tying the game at one.  Brooklyn regains the lead in the fourth on Zack Wheat's triple and a Hi Myers double.  After which starter Leon Cadore yields two runs in the seventh, and two more in the eighth, including an inside the park home run from third baseman Bill McKechnie.  Over all Leon Cardore allows five earned runs on ten hits and four walks through nine leading to his eighth loss of the season against seven wins.  Pirates right-hander Hal Carlson limits Brooklyn to a pair of runs on seven hits and just one walk with three strikeouts through nine complete.  Zack Wheat and Ed Konetchy account for four of the Robins seven hits.  Brooklyn is nonetheless fortunate they do not lose ground, as the Reds fall to the New York Giants at Redland Field.  Speaking of which, the Giants (42-42) reach the elusive .500 mark for the first time this season.  Beware.

• RECORD: 52-37 (.584)
• First Place: 3.0 GA

Forbes Field

100 Years Ago Today 5/26/1920: Brooklyn Robins Claim Key Series Victory at Pittsburgh

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #29: Wednesday, May 26, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Burleigh Grimes Wields Mighty Bat in Series Clinching Victory Over First Place Pirates

Brooklyn's fast rising star Burleigh Grimes commands the mound as well as the plate in leading the Robins to a key 3-2 series victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Brooks take Wednesday's series finale by a likewise 3-2 margin wherein Grimes factors greatly in a variety of manners.  With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth Grimes hits catcher Walter Schmidt with a pitch forcing in the game's first run.  But Grimes escapes further damage by inducing his counterpart Pirates starter Jack Wisner into a 6-4-3 double play.  With one out and two runners in scoring position in the Brooklyn fourth Burleigh Grimes ties the score with a sacrifice fly to right scoring Pete Kilduff from third base.  Ivy Olson promptly follows with a hit to center scoring Otto Miller for a 2-1 Robins lead.  However with two outs and a runner on second in the Pirates fifth right fielder Billy Southworth steps in against Burleigh Grimes whom uncorks a wild pitch allowing Howdy Caton to advance all the way home.  Undeterred Grimes again takes matters into his own hands.  Wielding a hot bat Burleigh strokes a two out triple off the rookie Jack Wisner scoring Kilduff with the go ahead run, and the Robins ultimate margin of victory.  Grimes enjoys a 3 for 3 day at the plate with a triple and two runs batted in.  A lesson learned on youngster Jack Wisner who goes 0 for 2 with a strikeout.  On the mound Grimes wins his second straight decision against his former team while improving to 5-2 overall with a 1.23 ERA.  He allows two runs, only one earned, on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts through nine complete.  Meanwhile the Robins pepper Wisner for three earned runs on 14 hits.

In 1920 Burleigh Grimes slashes .306/358/.432/.791 in 111 official at-bats, with eight walks, eleven extra base hits, and 16 runs batted in.

• RECORD: 16-12
• 4th place; 0.5 GB

FORBES FIELD

100 Years Ago Today 5/25/1920: Pirates Hal Carlson Silences Brooklyn Robins at Forbes Field

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #28: Tuesday, May 25, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Pittsburgh's Hal Carlson Tosses Three-Hitter; Robins Slip to Fourth Place

Following the leads of teammate Elmer Ponder on Sunday, and Brooklyn's Al Mamaux in yesterday's match, Pirates right-hander Hal Carlson takes his turn denying the opposition any meaningful production in a series so far marked by superb starting efforts on behalf of both clubs.  Carlson faces just 31 batters, allowing the Robins no runs on just three hits and one walk with four strikeouts for his third victory of the season.  Leon Cadore is Brooklyn's hard luck loser, yielding two runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts through eight innings pitched.  Cadore also accounts for one of Brooklyn's three scattered hits, Zack Wheat and Pete Kilduff the others.  Wheat triples to right leading off the top of the fifth, but when Ed Konetchy grounds into a fielder's choice Wheat is thrown out at home by third baseman Possum Whitted.  Pirates second baseman George Cutshaw reaches safely leading off the bottom of the fifth when Ivy Olson mishandles a ground ball to the right side.  Right fielder Billy Southworth's sacrifice bunt advances Cutshaw to second, who then races home on catcher Walter Schmidt's ground ball single to left.  The Pirates resort to thievery for an insurance run in the sixth.  Max Carey leads off with a double, and is then bunted over to third by Southworth.  With Possum Whitted at the plate, Carey puts his wheels in motion as Cadore delivers to the plate.  Whitted successfully completes the suicide squeeze with a bunt up the first base line.  With the loss Brooklyn slips down to fourth place one half game behind the Cubs, while the Pirates and Reds remain tied for first place.

• RECORD: 15-12
• 4th place; 1.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/24/1920: Al Mamaux Lifts Brooklyn Robins to Key Victory at Forbes Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #27: Monday, May 24, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Al Mamaux Hurls Gem at Former Team; Robins Continue Affecting National League Standings

A former 20-game winner with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Al Mamaux puts on full display every reason why in the winter of 1918 Wilbert Robinson wants him in a Brooklyn uniform.  The right-hander who turns 26-years old six days from today puts forth perhaps the finest performance of his career to date.  A day after Pittsburgh's Elmer Ponder whitewashes the Robins at Ebbets Field, Mamaux returns the favor at Forbes Field allowing the Pirates no runs on just four hits and three walks with six strikeouts in a complete game shutout victory.  He improves to 2-1 on the season with a stellar 1.24 ERA through 29 innings pitched.  With two outs in the Brooklyn fourth Ed Konetchy doubles home Jimmy Johnston whom leads off the frame with a walk - and therein lies your final score, folks.  Aging gracefully and very effectively, Pirates 38-year old veteran Babe Adams allows one run on nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts in a complete game albeit losing effort.  He now sports a 5-4 record with an equally stellar 1.29 ERA.  Brooklyn's second victory in three games over the Pirates brings them within one-half game of first place.  In turn the Pirates and Reds are once again tied atop the National League standings.

• RECORD: 15-11-1
• 3rd place; 0.5 GB

HOME PLATE
FORBES FIELD

100 Years Ago Today 5/22/1920: Burleigh Grimes Gem Lifts Brooklyn Robins Over Pirates

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #25: Saturday, May 22, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Brooklyn Robins Sending Early Season Tremors Through National League Standings

Facing his former team Burleigh Grimes puts his maturing brilliance on full display as Brooklyn takes Saturday's series opener at Forbes Field.  Now 26-years old and in his physical prime, Grimes who last pitched eight days ago goes the distance yielding just one run on nine hits and no walks with four strikeouts.  After three scoreless frames the Robins break through in the fourth against Pittsburgh crafty veteran Wilbur Cooper.  With one out Zack Wheat and Hi Myers reach on consecutive hits.  Ed Konetchy plates them both with a double into deep left.  Pete Kilduff follows with a single scoring Konetchy.  With two outs and Kilduff standing at second base, Burleigh Grimes helps his own cause with a triple to right for a 4-0 Robins lead.  Pittsburgh ruins the shutout in the eighth on second baseman and ironically former Brooklyn Robin George Cutshaw's sacrifice fly to center scoring the speedy Max Carey from third.  Grimes improves to 4-2 with a stingy 1.27 ERA.  After splitting a pair at Cincinnati, the Robins victory over Pittsburgh forces a first place tie between the Pirates and Reds who today lose their game at Redland Field.  Meanwhile Brooklyn is now just one-half game out of first.  The Robins are in Pittsburgh for five games (actually Saturday's game will be at Ebbets Field), while Cincinnati hosts the Boston Braves.  Brooklyn is thus far 6-6-1 in May, but 5-2 over their last seven games.

• RECORD: 14-10 (.583)
• 3rd place; 0.5 GB

FORBES FIELD

Road Trips 2017: Pittsburgh Part II ~ Forbes Field

Finally!  My first road trip of the season...

I visited Pittsburgh's PNC Park once before in 2005 for an inter-league series against the eventual World Series champion, Chicago White Sox.  I made that trip a few years before launching this blog, and so accounts and pictures went unpublished.  Twelve years later, I finally made my return trip to Steel City over the Fourth of July weekend.

Without further adieu, it's my pleasure to finally present you PNC Park, and revisit the site of old Forbes Field.

PART ONE 

PNC PARK, 

Pittsburgh

PART TWO

FORBES FIELD

Images taken inside Posvar Hall, 

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Crawfords

Homestead Grays ~ Josh Gibson

Horacio "the rabbit" Martinez

HOME PLATE

Posvar Hall

*         *         *

July 18, 1951

Jersey Joe Walcott vs. Ezzard Charles

II

Forbes Field

The Pittsburgh Kid Billy Conn 

greets former champ Jack Dempsey at Forbes Field