OTD Federal League 8/21/1915: Brooklyn Tip Tops Sweep Twin Bill Against St. Louis Terriers at Washington Park

From the desk: THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

FEDERAL LEAGUE

St. Louis Terriers

vs.

Brooklyn TipTops

Washington Park

BOXSCORE GAME ONE: Saturday, August 21, 1915 - BR

St. Louis Terriers @ BROOKLYN TIP TOPS

WASHINGTON PARK

Happy Finneran and Al Tesch Lead Tip Tops in Slim Victory Over Terriers

Saturday's opening game features right-hander Dave Davenport twirling for St. Louis opposed by New Jersey native Happy Finneran for Brooklyn.  The Terriers wasted little time getting on the board.  Second baseman Bobby Vaughn walks and scores on center fielder Armando Marsans' base hit.  Afterwhich, Happy Finneran yields no more runs, just two more hits, and no walks over the final eight innings for the win.  Dave Davenport allows two runs in seven innings for the loss; Bob Groom yields one run in relief of Davenport.  Subbing for Ty Helfrich at second base, Tip Top switch-hitter Al Tesch goes 2 for 2 with a double and two runs batted in.  Third baseman Al Halt drives home Brooklyn's third run.  Shortstop Fred Smith leads the Tip Tops with three hits.

• FINAL SCORE: STL 1; BTT 3

BOXSCORE GAME TWO: Saturday, August 21, 1915 - BR

St. Louis Terriers @ BROOKLYN TIP TOPS

WASHINGTON PARK

Jim Bluejacket Hurls Two-Hitter; Tip Tops Sweep Twin Bill

After a scoreless opening frame, a fielding error by Al Tesch in the second leads to a Terrier run.  It would be their last.  In yet another fine mound effort, Federal League original Jim Bluejacket, despite yielding eight walks, allows no earned runs on just two hits for the victory.  The Tip Tops knock St. Louis starter Doc Watson out of the box with four runs in the fourth and two more against Bob Groom before the inning is through.  Brooklyn then scores single runs in the sixth and seventh innings en route to an 8-1 win and twin bill sweep.  Al Halt, Fred Smith, and catcher Mike Simon drive home two runs apiece.  Left fielder Claude Cooper and first baseman Hap Myers each drive in one.  

• FINAL SCORE: STL 1; BTT 8

OTD 9/14/1914: First Place Hoosiers Rout Brooklyn Tip Tops in Series Opener

From the desk of: THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Hoosiers lead Tip Tops; 1-0

I - IND 10; BTT 0

Indianapolis Hoosiers

vs.

Brooklyn Tips Tops

FROM

WASHINGTON PARK

The greatly anticipated rematch against Indianapolis is underway.  Game one features a battle of 20-game winners: Brooklyn ace Tom Seaton versus Cy Falkenberg for the Hoosiers.

• BOXSCORE: Monday, September 4, 1914 - BR

Fan anxiety runs high at Washington Park as Seaton and Falkenberg match each other pitch for pitch through five scoreless innings.  However the game's latter innings prove calamitous for manager Bradley and his men, as the Hoosiers unleash a ten run assault against their Brooklyn hosts.  No Tip Top pitcher goes unscathed.  Seaton is knocked out of the box in the sixth, charged with two earned runs on just two hits and four walks with two strikeouts through 5.2 innings.  In relief of Seaton, Rudy Sommers yields another two runs, one earned, on three hits before finally closing out the sixth.  The Terriers then strike for five more run in the seventh against reliever Bert Maxwell.  A bedeviled manager Bradley then hands off to Jim Bluejacket whom allows one run on two hits and two walks over the final 2.1 innings of the game.  Brooklyn commits four errors with shortstop Al Halt accounting for half.  Left fielder George Anderson has two of Brooklyn's seven hits against Falkenberg.  Hoosiers left fielder Edd Roush is 3 for 5 with a run scored and three runs batted in.  While starter Cy Falkenberg yields no runs on seven hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in a complete game shut out performance.  He wins his 21st decision of the season against 16 losses with a 2.36 ERA.

This for Brooklyn is nothing short of an opportunity lost; a blown opportunity to pull within two games of first place.  With four games left in the series against Indianapolis, the Tip Tops instead end the day exactly four games out of first.

OTD 9/8/1914: Brooklyn Tip Tops Complete Sweep of Pittsburgh Rebels

From the desk of: THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Tip Tops defeat Rebels; 6-0

I - BTT 7; PIT 6

II - BTT 7; PIT 1

III - BTT 3; PIT 2*

IV - BTT 4; PIT 3

V - BTT 12; PIT 11

VI - BTT 12; PIT 4

*10 innings

BROOKLYN ONE WIN CLOSER TO REMATCH WITH INDIANAPOLIS.

With their sixth straight victory and seventh in their last eight games the Tip Tops climb back to within four games of first place.  Having completed a sweep of the Pittsburgh Rebels, Brooklyn now hosts the seventh place St. Louis Terriers.  With any measure of success the Tip Tops will get a second crack at the Indianapolis Hoosiers in one last showdown for first place at Washington Park.

• BOXSCORE: Tuesday, September 8, 1914 - BR

On Tuesday Brooklyn wins their series finale against Pittsburgh to complete a six game sweep of the Rebels.  Happy Finneran, who pitched briefly in game five, toes the rubber for Brooklyn and is opposed by Pittsburgh's Walt Dickson.  The Rebels open the scoring straightaway with two runs in the first.  But Brooklyn doubles up in the bottom half of the frame for an early 4-2 lead.  The Tip Tops add two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth for a 7-2 advantage.  When Pittsburgh recovers one run in the top of the eighth, Brooklyn answers in the bottom half of the frame with a five run outburst.  The Rebels scrap together one more run in the ninth en route to a 12-4 loss at Washington Park.  Finneran is very effective, allowing three runs, but only one earned, on just three hits and one walk through 7.2 innings pitched for his 12th victory of the season against seven losses with a 2.43 ERA.  Jim Bluejacket takes care of the final 1.1 innings, yielding an unearned run on three hits with a strikeout.  Al Shaw leads the charge with a triple, a home run, and three runs batted in.  Steve Evans also drives in tree runs.  Tex Wisterzil goes 2 for 3 with two runs batted in.

NEXT

St. Louis Terriers @ Brooklyn Tip Tops

WASHINGTON PARK

• Tip Tops Record: 65-58
• Federal League: 3rd; 4 GB

OTD 9/7/1914: Brooklyn Tip Tops Climb Back Into Federal League Pennant Race

From the desk of: THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Brooklyn leads series 5-0

I - BTT 7; PIT 6

II - BTT 7; PIT 1

III - BTT 3; PIT 2*

IV - BTT 4; PIT 3

V - BTT 12; PIT 11

* 10 innings

GAME SIX

Pittsburgh Rebels

vs.

Brooklyn Tip Tips

FROM

WASHINGTON PARK

Don't look now but with 32 games left in the season the Brooklyn Tip Tops are right back in the Federal League pennant race and gaining steam.  Monday's double-header sweep of the Pittsburgh Rebels results in Brooklyn's fourth and fifth straight win.  Since slamming the breaks on their nine game losing streak they've gone 10-3 to bypass both Buffalo and Baltimore in the standings.  The Tip Tops close Monday's action 3.5 games back of Joe Tinker's ChiFeds, and 4.5 back of the first place Indianapolis Hoosiers.

• GAME ONE BOXSCORE: Monday, September 7, 1914 - BR

Pittsburgh opens the scoring in the first, but the Tip Tops promptly tie in the second and take a 2-1 lead in the fourth.  However the Rebels answer with a run in the sixth, then pull ahead 3-2 in the top of the seventh.  The Washington Park crowd is delighted when their Tip Tops score twice in the bottom half of the frame for a 4-3 lead and game one victory.  Steve Evans is 2 for 4 with a double and connects off Rebels starter Cy Barger on his 11th home run of the season.  Solly Hofman is 2 for 2 and connects on his fourth home run of the season.  Al Shaw and Grover Land each drive in a run apiece.  Making his 13th appearance but only his third start, Bill Chappelle limits the Rebels to three runs on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts through nine innings pitched for first victory of the season.

• GAME TWO BOXSCORE: Monday, September 7, 1914 - BR

Mordecai Brown's first start as a member of the Tip Tips goes terribly.  He allows five runs, four earned, on five hits and a walk in just 1.1 innings pitched.  Rudy Sommers goes on to yield another six runs, four earned, on nine hits and three walks with three strikeouts over the next six-plus innings in relief of Brown.  Brooklyn treats Pittsburgh starter Mysterious Walker no differently, roughing him up for seven runs, six earned, on 13 hits and one walk through 6.2 innings pitched.  Pittsburgh knocks Sommers out of the box and takes an 11-7 lead with two more runs in the top of the eighth; Jim Bluejacket closes out the frame in relief of Sommers.  Brooklyn then mounts a five run assault against relievers George LeClair and Howie Camnitz, however, only two runs are earned.  Manager Bradley hands off to Happy Finneran who throws a scoreless ninth for the Tip Tops, as Brooklyn walks off with a 12-11 comeback victory and a sweep of Monday's double-header at Washington Park.  Bluejacket is credited with the win.  Tex Wisterzil leads the charge going 3 for 5 with a triple and four runs batted in.  Steve Evans lifts his season average to .361 after going 3 for 5 with a triple, three runs scored, and three runs batted in.  Solly Hofman is 3 for 5 with a double, three runs scored, and three runs batted in.  Claude Cooper is 2 for 4 with a triple and a run batted in.

Brooklyn improves to 64-58 for the season.  They'll attempt the series sweep Tuesday afternoon.

OTD 9/4/1914: Brooklyn Tip Tops Open Home Stand With 9th Inning Thriller Over Pittsburgh Rebels

From the desk of: THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Tip Tops lead Rebels 1-0

I - BTT 7; PITT 6

Pittsburgh Rebels

vs.

Brooklyn Tip Tops

FROM

WASHINGTON PARK

Back home in Brooklyn, the Tip Tops overcome a six run deficit against the Pittsburgh Rebels with single runs in the sixth and eighth innings, followed by a game ending five run flurry in the ninth for a thrilling series opening 7-6 victory Friday afternoon at Washington Park.

• BOXSCORE: Friday, September 4, 1914 - BR  

The Rebels score early and often against Brooklyn starter Happy Finneran, roughing him up for five earned runs on five hits and a walk in just 1.2 innings pitched.  Pittsburgh right fielder Jimmie Savage and center fielder Rebel Oakes each stroke home runs accounting for five runs.  Pittsburgh starter Howie Camnitz helps his own cause with a hit and a run scored in three times at the plate.  But the game begins changing when Jim Bluejacket enters the fray in relief of Finneran allowing just one run on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts through 5.1 solid innings of work.  Manager Bradley then hands off to Rudy Sommers in the eighth whom obliges with two scoreless innings of one-hit ball with no walks and a strikeout in what would be his fourth victory of the season.  The Tip Tops are beneficiaries of three unearned runs on three errors.  Otherwise first baseman Steve Evans is 3 for 5 with two doubles, a home run, and two runs batted in.  While Claude Cooper, Al Shaw, and Solly Hofman, all drive in one run apiece.  Brooklyn inflicts all their damage against Howie Camnitz who allows seven runs, five earned, on nine hits and four walks with two strikeouts while pitching into the ninth.

Brooklyn's victory (60-58) coupled with the Indianapolis Hoosiers extra-inning loss to the Chi-Feds at Weegham Park draws the Tip Tops back to within seven games of first place.

Commemorative Plaque Now!

OTD 9/2/1914: Sun Sets on Bad Day for Tip Tops at Buffalo

From the desk of: THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Brooklyn @ Buffalo Tied 1-1-1

I - BTT 4; BUF 1

II - BUF 3; BTT 1

III - BUF 5; BTT 5*

BROOKLYN TIP TOPS ACQUIRE MORDECAI BROWN

• Nine Seasons w/ Chicago Cubs (1904-1912).
• 188-86 record with 1.80 ERA.
• Six-time 20-game winner.
• 1906: 1.04 ERA leads National League.
• 1909: 27 victories, 32 complete games leads National League.
• October 1912 released by Cubs.
• December 1913 jumps from Cincinnati Reds to Federal League (St. Louis Terriers).
• Mordecai Brown - BR

Rain forces a postponement of Tuesday's game necessitating Wednesday's double-header.  Buffalo outlasts Brooklyn in the opener.  Game two is suspended in the 12th inning with the game tied at five.

GAME ONE

• BOXSCORE: Wednesday, September 2, 1914 - BR

Making his eighth career start Jim Bluejacket is opposed by Buffalo's Earl Moore.  The Buf-Feds score single runs in the first, second, and third innings.  Brooklyn manages an unearned run in the seventh but little else.  Moore yields one unearned run on four scattered hits and seven walks with four strikeouts through nine innings for his ninth victory of the season.  Jim Bluejacket pitches well enough, allowing three earned runs on six hits and no walks with one strikeout through six innings for the hard luck loss.  First baseman Steve Evans is 2 for 2 with two walks and accounts for half of Brooklyn's hits.  The former St. Louis Cardinal lifts his average back up to a .353 mark.  Right fielder Claude Cooper drives in his 20th run of the season but the Tip Tops leave ten runners on base. Buffalo shortstop Baldy Louden is 2 for 3 with a walk, stolen base, and a home run.

GAME TWO

• BOXSCORE: Wednesday, September 2, 1914 - BR

Wednesday's second game is a back and forth affair until sunlight calls it a day.  Buffalo jumps out to an early 3-0 lead until Brooklyn finally posts a run in the fifth.  The Buf-Feds tack on another run in the sixth.  But the Tip Tops storm back with four runs in the eighth for a 5-4 lead.  However their lead is short lived.  Buffalo rallies for a run in the home ninth sending the game into extra-innings.  After three scoreless frames, the game is called after nearly two and one-half hours of late afternoon play.  Ed Lafitte makes the start and is opposed by Buf-Fed Al Schultz.  Lafitte yields three earned runs on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts through four innings.  Bill Chappelle allows an unearned run through three innings pitched in relief of Lafitte.  The great Mordecai Brown, recently acquired from the St. Louis Terriers, makes his first appearance as a member of the Brooklyn Tip Tops.  He surrenders just one earned run on three hits and no walks with six strikeouts through five innings pitched in relief of Chappelle.  In 26 appearances with St. Louis, the 37-year old posted a nifty 12-6 record and 3.29 ERA with 81 strikeouts through 175 innings pitched.  Manager Bill Bradley, making his sixth game appearance of the season, helps the team cause with a pinch hit and run batted in.  Otherwise the Tip Tops get runs batted in from Solly Hofman, Grover Land, Jim Delehanty, and Tex Wisterzil.  Buffalo starting pitcher Al Schultz likewise helps his own cause going 2 for 2 at the plate with two runs batted in.

First place Indianapolis defeat the ChiFeds at Weegham Park and now lead Chicago by two games.  Fourth place Brooklyn (58-57) now falls 7.5 games back of the Hoosiers with 39 games left to play.

No rest for the weary.  There's another scheduled twin bill to be played on Thursday before the Tip Tops return home to Brooklyn.

OTD 8/27/1914: Brooklyn Tip Tops Win Second Straight Over Buffalo

From the desk of: THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Brooklyn leads series 2-0

I - BTT 6; BUF 2

II - BTT 7; BUF 5

Buffalo Buf-Feds

vs.

Brooklyn Tip Tops

FROM

WASHINGTON PARK

It's good to be home.  Just ask manager Bradley.  The Tip Tops win their second straight over the Buffalo Buf-Feds, and climb a game back over the .500 mark.

• BOXSCORE: Thursday, August 27, 1914 - BR

Brooklyn holds a 7-3 lead through seven but need to stave off a late Buf-Fed rally.  Brooklyn starter Jim Bluejacket earns his third career victory allowing five runs (four earned) on eleven hits and two walks with one strikeout through nine innings full.  Al Shaw goes 3 for 3 with a walk, double, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.  First baseman Steve Evans lifts his average to .353 with two hits and a run batted in.  Claude Cooper picks up where he leaves off with a triple, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.  Buffalo first baseman and former New York Yankee Hal Chase goes 2 for 4 with a double, and two runs batted in.  The Federal League leading Indianapolis Hoosiers were idle, and so the 56-55 Top Tops gain one-half game in the standings.  They remain in fourth place, eight games back of first.

Commemorative Plaque Now!

OTD 8/20/1914: Brooklyn Tip Tops Tripped Up at Kansas City

From the desk of:  THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Packed Up And Shipped Out of Kansas City

Packers defeat Tip Tops 3-1-1

I - BTT 4; KCP 1

II - KCP 4; BTT 1

III - KCP 5; BTT 0

IV - KCP 8; BTT 4

V - KCP 1; BTT 1

The Tip Tops and Packers were forced into playing their second double-header in three days at Kansas City's Koppel Field due to Wednesday's postponement.

• GAME ONE; Thursday, August 20, 1914 - BR

Following Monday's series opening victory the Tip Tops lose their third straight to the Packers.  Brooklyn takes an early 2-0 lead in the first but gives it right back in the bottom of the frame, then fall behind 5-2 after two.  Kansas City adds a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth for an 8-4 final margin of victory.  Brooklyn center fielder Al Shaw is 2 for 5 with a double, triple, and two RBI.  Left fielder George Anderson and replacement shortstop Al Halt each drive in a run.  Starter Jim Bluejacket does not make it out of the second.  He yields four earned runs on five hits in just 1.1 innings for his second loss of the season.  Byron Houck in relief of Bluejacket allows another four runs, two earned, on nine hits and one walk through 6.2 innings pitched.  Kansas City's Chief Johnson goes the distance yielding four runs, three earned, on twelve hits, with three strikeouts en route to his third victory.  Packers third baseman George Perring goes 3 for 4 with three runs batted in.

• GAME TWO; Thursday, August 20, 1914 - BR

Brooklyn and Kansas City duel to a one all tie through eight innings when the game is called on account of darkness.  The Packers open the scoring on second baseman Duke Kenworthy's RBI in the third.  Brooklyn ties in the sixth when George Anderson triples then scores (unearned) in the sixth.  Tip Top starter Dan Marion allows the one run on five hits and no walks with four strikeouts.  Kansas City's Dwight Stone surrenders one run on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts.  The game officially goes down as a tie.  But the damage is done.  Brooklyn falls to 4-8-1 on this trip, and slips another 1.5 games in the standings.  They were within two games of first as recently as Monday but have since fallen four full games back of circuit leading Chicago.  The final leg of their odyssey next takes them through Indianapolis where they take on the second place Hoosiers in a crucial five game set.

Commemorative Plaque Now!

OTD 8/14/1914: Brooklyn Tip Tops Take Bite Out of St. Louis Terriers

From the desk of:  THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Bradley's Bread Men Close To Within Two Games of First Place

FRIDAY

Brooklyn Tip Tops   5

St. Louis Terriers     3

FINAL

Friday's victory over the Terriers give the Tip Tops a 2-1 series lead in their four game set at St. Louis.  It's their second straight defeat of the Terriers after losing Wednesday's opener at Handlan's Park.

• BOXSCORE; Friday, August 14, 1914 - BR

Making his third career start Brooklyn's Jim Bluejacket is opposed by former Cincinnati Red right-hander Dave Davenport.  The Tip Tops strike with haste in taking a 2-0 first inning lead.  But the Terriers quickly tie with two runs in the second.  They remain stalemated at two through the seventh.  St. Louis finally breaks through with a run off Bluejacket in the eighth.  Undeterred Brooklyn answers with three runs in the top of the ninth.  With one out in the bottom half of the frame Tip Tops manager Bill Bradley summons from the bullpen starting pitcher (20-game winner last year with the Phillies) Tom Seaton whom closes out the Terriers for only his second save of the season.  Jim Bluejacket limits St. Louis to three runs on seven hits and just one walk with two strikeouts through 8.1 innings for his second career victory.  Terriers starter Dave Davenport yields five runs on seven hits and eight walks with seven strikeouts through 8.2 innings en route to his seventh loss of the season.  St. Louis player/manager and National League great Mordecai Brown records one out in the ninth in relief of Davenport.  Tip Tops center fielder Al Shaw (.344) goes 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, a run scored, and two RBI.  Catcher Grover Land goes 2 for 4 with one RBI, and second baseman Solly Hofman drives in his 42nd run of the season.

With Friday afternoon's victory the Tip Tops improve to 53-45 (.541) and forge a third place tie with the Indianapolis Hoosiers, just two games back of Joe Tinker's first place Chicago Chi-Feds.  The Baltimore Terrapins are second 1.5 games back.

Commemorative Plaque Now!

OTD 8/6/1914: Brooklyn Tip Tops Sweep Kansas City Packers at Washington Park

From the desk of: THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Tip Tops Sweep Packers 3-0

I - BTT 5; KCP 4

II - BTT 4; KCP 3

III - BTT 2; KCP 0

Tip Top Hurler Jim Bluejacket Wins First Ever Start in Front of Weather Resilient Crowd at Washington Park.

• Thursday, August 6, 1914 - BR Boxscore

On the heels of posting a 21-8 record in July, the Tip Tops continue surging this time at the expense of the Kansas City Packers against whom they complete a three game sweep at Brooklyn's Washington Park. 

In a weather compromised seven inning affair, the Tips Tops edge Kansas City by a slim 2-0 margin.  Brooklyn right fielder Steve Evans is 3 for 4 with a double, one run batted in, and a run scored.  Left Fielder Solly Hofman is 1 for 3, driving in the second and final run of the game.  Making his first start of the season for Brooklyn, 27-year old right-hander  Jim Bluejacket completes the abbreviated shutout yielding just five hits and one walk with three strikeouts for is first ever major league level victory.  Packers starter Chief Johnson surrenders two runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts en rout to his fifth loss of the season.

The Tip Tops close to within 1.5 games of the first place Baltimore Terrapins.  They also wrap up their 15 game home stand with a 9-6 record and improve to 50-41 overall.  Brooklyn now travels to Chicago where they open a 19 game road trip starting with a four game set against Joe Tinker's second place Chi-Feds at Weeghman Park.  Chicago defeats Baltimore, 5-2, today as well.  As a result the Chi-Feds trail Baltimore by mere fractions in the standings, but are otherwise tied for first place of the Federal League standings.  Brooklyn and Chicago last met just under two weeks ago at Washington Park where Chicago took three of five.

Commemorative Plaque Now!