100 YEARS AGO AT THE POLO GROUNDS 8/16/1921: Brooklyn Hands Fading Giants Another Defeat; Yankees Lose Another American Association Exhibition Against Indianapolis

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 Season Revisited

In their last season at Hilltop Park, the now formerly known New York Highlanders lose 102 games.  Rebranded in 1913 as the Yankees, they move 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 proceed to lose another 94 games.  

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

As long as the Yankees paid their rent, the tenant/landlord relationship with the Giants remains 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 of 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 at the turnstile in a decade.

Then, in 1920, baseball's tectonic plates shift along the New York/New England fault.  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.  However, it was an accomplishment for which John McGraw had little appreciation.  He believes players work too hard and earnestly 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 as 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 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 - if the preceding season 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 is becoming an insufferable condition—the Giants attempt to evict the Yankees before the 1921 season 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. Of course, I'll be exercising my creative license whenever and wherever ever possible. But, 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 #113

BOXSCORE: Tuesday, August 16, 1921 - BR

Brooklynn Robins @ NEW YORK GIANTS

POLO GROUNDS

Make-Up: 5/5/1921

Brooklyn Robins Came, They Saw, and Triumphed in a One Game Visit

Consider this a hit-and-run, if you will.  Sure looked like one for many of the 10,000 witnesses at the Polo Grounds.  Art Nehf opens with five scoreless innings pitched.  After he and Burleigh Grimes duel through three scoreless innings, Johnny Rawlings provides Nehf with two runs in the fourth, and Dave Bancroft and Ross Youngs drive in runs in the fifth.  Afterwhich, the Robins blindside Art Nehf with five hits, including Zack Wheat's two-run single in a four-run sixth.  Art Nehf is knocked out of the box, and Rosy Ryan ends the threat.  But the Giants recover.  Ryan Helps himself with a hit in the home sixth, scoring Meusel, and in the eighth, the other Meusel, Irish singles home High Pockets Kelly giving the Giants a 6-4 lead.  Facing Rosy Ryan with one out and Burleigh Grimes on base in the visitor's ninth, shortstop Ivy Olson homers to deep right field.  Brooklyn third baseman Jimmy Johnston then homers off Ryan to deep left field.  The spitballer Burleigh Grimes retires the Giants in an orderly fashion during the bottom half of the frame for his 18th victory this season against only six losses with a 3.04 ERA.  Rosy Ryan takes the loss.  With Tuesday's defeat, the Giants fall to 7-10 in August.  Moreover, they tie their season-high deficit of 5.5 games out of first place.

FINAL: BRK 7; NYG 6

RECORD: 67-46 (.593); second place, 5.5 GB of Pittsburgh

⚾

The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana), Monday, August 15, 1921

NEXT GAME: Wednesday, August 17, 1921

New York Yankees @ CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Comisky Park

The New York Herald, Wednesday, August 17, 1921

Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia),

Wednesday, Aug 17, 1921

100 YEARS AGO AT THE POLO GROUNDS 4/25/1921: Walter Johnson Defeats Yanks at Polo Grounds; Giants Bow to Robins in Brooklyn

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 forward, 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.  A solution lies not too far away ...  

In the meantime, 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 #9

BOXSCORE: Monday, April 25, 1921 - BR

Washington Senators @ NEW YORK YANKEES

POLO GROUNDS

Big Train Outlasts Carl Mays; Litany of Errors Highlight Highlanders' Undoing

For the 15,000 on hand, victory seemed a surety.  With two outs in the first, Babe Ruth connects off the great Walter Johnson for his fifth home this season.  With two outs and two on base in the fourth, third baseman Aaron Ward singles home both Ruth and Wally Pipp.  Staked to a 3-0 lead, starter Carl Mays keeps the Senators hitless through seven.  However, his flirtations with history are rebuffed in the eighth.  After issuing consecutive walks, first baseman Joe Judge singles to left/center breaking up the no-hitter and loading the bases.  Afterwhich, right-fielder Clyde Milan follows with a comebacker that hits Mays and winds up being misplayed by catcher Wally Shang resulting in two unearned runs crossing the plate.  Next up, center fielder Sam Rice's sacrifice fly to right field scores Judge tying the game at three.  After Walter Johnson retires the Yankees in the bottom half of the frame, the Senators become beneficiaries of two more New York errors leading to another pair of runs and a sudden 5-3 lead.  Walter Johnson again retires the Yankees in order during their last half of the ninth to close out his second victory this season against one loss.  Big Train allows just five hits and strikes out seven.  Carl Mays suffers his first defeat, allowing five runs, but only two earned, on four hits and five walks with four strikeouts.  The Yankees' suffer a second straight defeat against Washington and their third loss in a row, including Philadelphia.

• FINAL: WAS 5; NYY 3
• RECORD: 5-4; third place, 2.0 GB of Cleveland

⚾

GAME #9

BOXSCORE: Monday, April 25, 1921 - BR

New York Giants @ BROOKLYN ROBINS

Ebbets Field

Uncle Robbie Gets Best of Giants in Series Opener

In this season's opening battle of the boroughs, Uncle Robbie's defending National League champions turn back local foe John McGraw and his band of aspiring contenders in game one of four scheduled this week at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field.  The host Robins promptly open the scoring against New York's Art Nehf.  Leading off, Ivy Olson doubles and soon scores on a Bernie Neis fielder's choice.  The Giants answered back against Brooklyn starter Dutch Reuther with a leadoff triple off the bat of center fielder Eddie Brown and a follow-up single from the third baseman Goldie Rapp.  But Brooklyn gets the better of Nehf in the third.  Ivy Olson walks and scores on third baseman Jimmy Johnston's triple.  Bernie Neis then follows with an inside park home run to center field, scoring Johnston for a 4-1 lead and the final margin of victory.  For Nehf, a second straight ineffective start.  He now owns a 5.11 ERA through his first 19.1 innings pitched.  First-year Robins pitcher acquired from Cincinnati, Dutch Reuther, yields just one earned run in eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts to even his record at 1-1 with a 4.86 ERA.

• FINAL: NYG 1; BKN 4
• RECORD: 6-3; third place, 1.5 GB of Pittsburgh

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 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 9/13/1920: First Place Brooklyn Robins Open Five Game Lead

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #140: Monday, September 13, 1920, GAME ONE - BR
Chicago Cubs vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Jeff Pfeffer Outperforms Chicago Great Pete Alexander

Uncle Robbie couldn't be prouder.  Brooklyn manager, yes, but he's a pitching guru at heart.  Wilbert Robinson witnesses his starter Jeff Pfeffer get the best of 24-game winner Pete Alexander.  Chicago opens the scoring in the first on Fred Merkle's triple scoring Max Flack.  In the Brooklyn second Hi Myers counters with a triple of his own scoring Zack Wheat.  Pete Kilduff drives home Myers and Jeff Pfeffer gives himself a hand by driving home Kilduff for a 3-1 Robins lead.  Brooklyn continues adding on through the eighth.  In the fourth Jeff Pfeffer wields his second hit and drives home his second run.  Zack Wheat and Ray Schmandt drive in runs in the fifth.  Ernie Krueger triples in Brooklyn's seventh and final run for the game.  Max Flack drives home two runs in the ninth against Pfeffer, otherwise no harm done.  Brooklyn takes game one by a seven to three final.  Hi Myers now leads the team with 76 runs batted in.  Pfeffer is charged with three runs on ten hits with one walk and four strikeouts en route to his fifteenth victory against nine losses with a 3.04 ERA.  Grover Cleveland Alexander entered the game with a 4-1 record and a 1.72 in five previous starts against the Robins.  Last time they met Grover Cleveland he shut them out.  On this day he is denied his 25th victory.  In the meantime, Brooklyn wins their season high ninth consecutive game.  The sun drunk Ebbets Field crowd approves.


Game #141: Monday, September 13, 1920, GAME TWO - BR
Chicago Cubs vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Overflowing Ebbets Field Crowd Cheers on Tenth Straight Win and Twin Bill Sweep

A near mirror image of game one, except it's Rube Marquard joining with Al Mamaux toeing the rubber and hurling another timely victory.  Brooklyn chips away with runs in the first, fourth and eighth innings.  Ivy Olson stays hot going 3 for 5 with a triple and a run batted in.  Jimmy Johnston elevates his average to .298 with two hits in four trips, with a run scored and one run batted in.  Marquard yields two runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts through four innings.  Al Mamaux follows with five innings of scoreless five-hit ball with two strikeouts for his tenth win.  The game ends on a 6-to-4 force out at second followed by a triumphant roar from the packed Ebbets Field crowd.  Easily 30,000 in attendance, the neighborhood trolley dodgers witness their team earn their season high tenth straight victory.  Brooklyn's present five game lead over the Reds is their largest for the season.  Conversely, the Robins have never been more than three games from the lead. The Reds lose at Philadelphia and the Giants win at the Polo Grounds.

• RECORD: 83-57 (.593)
• 1st Place; 5 GA

EXTRA: AMERICAN LEAGUE RACE

BABE RUTH HITS #49

The Indians will spend a second straight night just one-half game behind the Yankees.  Cleveland defeats the Philadelphia Athletics while the Yankees cut down the Detroit Tigers and therefore no change.  Carl Mays limits the Tigers to a pair of runs on nine hits and three walks en route to his 24th victory of the season against ten losses with a 3.25 ERA.  Ty Cobb musters a double, but no more.  In the sixth inning, Babe Ruth hits his 49th home run for the season - a two run blast into deep right, Wally Pip scores.

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 9/4/1920: 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 8/24/1920: Brooklyn Robins Fall Game Out of First After Loss to Pirates

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #118: Tuesday, August 24, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Robins Throw Another Game Overboard Against Pirates

It is the Robins who prove to be their own worst enemy.  Their greatest folly occurs in the fifth.  With a man on first and no outs Jimmy Johnston fails to secure Carson Bigbee's foul pop.  Given a second chance Bigbee reaches safely on a fielder's choice then advances to third when second baseman Pete Kilduff throws away the relay to first.  Who else but Max Carey drives Bigbee home.  But starter Burleigh Grimes by no means is without fault.  Back in the first the spitballer unleashes a wild pitch allowing none other than Carson Bigbee to score from third.  Trailing 3-2 after seven, Brooklyn ties the score on Jimmy Johnston's leadoff triple and Tommy Griffith's sac fly.  After which here comes that name again - Carson Bigbee singles leading off the bottom of the eighth and is bunted over to second by Max Carey.  Billy Southworth then drives a Grimes offering to left scoring Bigbee from second with the go ahead run and a 4-3 final.  Grimes allows four runs, three earned, on eight hits and one walk through nine innings.  He is ponderously outdone by the pedestrian Pirate Hal Carlson who yields three earned runs on eleven hits and two walks and three strikeouts for his eleventh victory of the season.  Grimes is now 18-8 for the season with a 2.17 ERA.  Cincinnati defeats the Phillies at Redland Field and therefore takes over first place by a full game over the Robins.  The New York Giants lose to the Cardinals and remain three games back of first.

• RECORD: 66-51 (.564)
• 2nd Place; 1.0 GB

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 8/21/1920: Brooklyn Robins Close in on Cincinnati Reds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National league Champions

Game #115: Saturday, August 21, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Cincinnati Reds
Redland Field

Rube Marquard Hurls Gem Against Defending Champions at Redland Field

Ol' crafty Marquard does it again!  When the Robins need him most, when they've needed him to change the mood in the room, when they've needed him to stem the tide of defeatism, Rube Marquard this season has come through for Brooklyn.  What he does the rest of the time is another matter.  For on this day fans back home in Brooklyn call him hero after hurling nine scoreless innings of six hit baseball with just one walk and a trio of strikeouts.  He improves to 8-6 with a 3.03 earned run average.  But he has proven to the Robins even more valuable and clutch than any statistical analysis dares assume.  Meanwhile Brooklyn faces last year's 19-game winner for the Reds Hod Eller who himself pitches very well, just not through to finish.  He shuts out the Robins for seven innings until Jimmy Johnston's RBI double in the eighth.  In the ninth two runs score on a Pete Kilduff double and Otto Miller delivers a third run with a sacrifice fly.  To reiterate, on this day Rube Marquard is nothing short of great.  Brooklyn breaks their two game skid against the defending champs and pull back to within one game of the lead.  The New York Giants defeat the Cubs at Chicago and again move with three games of first.

• RECORD: 64-50 (.561)
• 2nd Place; 1.0 GB

100 Years Ago Today 8/19/1920: Brooklyn Robins Cede First Place to Reds

Desk of the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #113: Thursday, August 19, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Cincinnati Reds
Redland Field

Robins Fall in 13th Inning at Redlands Field; Bow Out of First Place

Heavy rain causes postponement of the rest of their series versus the Phillies at Ebbets Field.  During the three day break Brooklyn loses their lone position atop the standings.  Yesterday both the Robins and Reds are idle.  Therefore the Robins arrive at Cincinnati's Redland Field this afternoon tied for first with the Reds.  Thirteen innings later they end the day a game back in second place.  Burleigh Grimes is back on the rubber opposed by Dutch Ruethers.  The two trade goose eggs for the first seven innings.  Both teams then trade a pair of runs in the eighth.  With two on and two outs, Jimmy Johnston singles up the middle scoring pinch runner Bill Lamar and Burleigh Grimes.  Cincinnati ties the score on a run scoring double from Heinie Groh, and a passed ball credited to catcher Otto Miller.  Grimes continues through the tenth.  After which, Leon Cadore takes over.  Meanwhile Brooklyn is unable to muster any offense against relievers Slim Sallee and Jimmy Ring.  With one out in the top of the thirteenth Hi Myers doubles to right, but is left stranded.  Reds second baseman Ed Sicking draws a walk leading off the bottom of the frame against Cadore.  Catcher Ivey Wingo wastes no time doubling to right, Wingo scores giving victory to the now first place Reds.

• RECORD: 63-49 (.563)
• 2nd Place; 1.0 GB

100 Years Ago Today 8/15/1920: Brooklyn Robins Alone in First After Victory Over Phillies

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champion

Game #112: Sunday, August 15, 1920 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Brooklyn Dodgers
Ebbets Field

Fireman Burleigh Grimes Saves the Day; Robins Back in Sole Possession of First

It takes longer than anticipated, but the Robins outlast the Phillies at Ebbets Field to regain sole possession of first place.  Facing Jeff Pfeffer, Philadelphia leads 4-2 after five innings.  Pitching for Philadelphia is former Trolley Dodger George Smith.  Pfeffer is knocked out of the game after yielding four earned runs on six hits and a walk through six innings.  In the Brooklyn seventh, Ivy Olson, Jimmy Johnston and Tommy Griffith together generate two runs tying the game at four.  Pitching in relief of Jeff Pfeffer and Leon Cardore in the Philadelphia eighth, Al Mamaux walks two of three batters faced.  That prompts a visit by Uncle Robbie who urgently summons Burleigh Grimes from the bullpen.  The spitballer rewards his manager with a goose egg.  But the game stays knotted through the ninth and tenth and eleventh innings.  Philadelphia breaks the deadlock in the top of the twelfth helped by Ivy Olson's errant throw with the bases loaded.  Grimes regains control of the situation and escapes with only one run scored.  Brooklyn born right-hander Johnny Enzmann enters the game for the Phillies.  Ivy Olson and Jimmy Johnston greet him with consecutive singles, and with one out Zack Wheat is issued an intentional walk.  Manager Gavvy Cravath looks on as Ivy Olson steps in.  Cravath gets his wish, a sure double play ground ball to short is returned home for a force out.  But catcher Mack Wheat throws errantly to first base allowing both brother Zack and Jimmy Johnston to score.  Native Brooklynite and former Robins pitcher Johnny Enzmann suffers his first loss in only his fifth appearance of the season.  Back in 1914 he appears in seven games for his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers.  The spitballer Burleigh Grimes allows no earned runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts though 4.2 innings for the win.  He improves to 18-7 with a 2.18 earned run average.  Chicago whitewashes the Reds at Cubs Park, and the Giants split a twin bill with the Braves at the Polo Grounds.

• RECORD: 63-48 (.568)
• First Place; 1.0 GA 

100 Years Ago Today 8/11/1920: Brooklyn Robins Split Twin Bill With Cubs

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #107: Wednesday, August 11, 1920; GAME ONE - BR
Chicago Cubs vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Jeff Pfeffer Tames Cubs; Robins Ride Big Inning to Victory

With a six run outburst in the fifth, Jeff Pfeffer and the Robins roll to a commanding 9-3 victory in Game One at Ebbets Field.  Pfeffer goes the distance, allowing three earned runs on eight hits (including a home run off the bat of right fielder Max Flack), and two walks, en route to his ninth victory for the season.  Flack goes 2 for 3, and drives in all three Chicago runs.  Jimmy Johnston is big man on campus going 4 for 5, with a double, and two runs batted in, and two runs scored.  Zack Wheat is 2 for 5, also with a double, two runs batted in, and two runs scored.  Hi Myers, with a double in the fifth, drives in his team leading 54th run for the season.  Ed Konetchy raises his average to .319 with three hits and a run batted in.  And Jeff Pfeffer aids his own cause with two hits and two runs batted in.


Game #108: Wednesday, August, 11, 1920; GAME TWO - BR
Chicago Cubs vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Cubs Salvage Split; Grover Alexander Closes the Door on Robins

Chicago rallies for a late run to salvage a twin bill split at Ebbets Field.  Starter Leon Cadore compromises his own cause with a throwing error in the seventh inning, thus putting the go ahead run on second.  Sure enough, pinch hitter Turner Barber drives home Charlie Deal giving the Cubs a 4-3 lead, and ultimate margin of victory.  When the Robins place the tying run on second in the bottom of the ninth, manager Fred Mitchell calls upon Grover Alexander, who slams the door shut on Brooklyn.  Ivy Olson strikes out ending the game.

• RECORD: 61-46 (.570)
• First Place; 0.5 GA

Correction: I ended this series too soon.  One more game left against the Cubs, and then! it's off to the Polo Grounds.  Sorry!
Edited 10:28pm Monday

100 Years Ago Today 8/2/1920: Brooklyn Robins No Match for Cardinals Rogers Hornsby

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #101: Monday, August 2, 1920 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Cardinals Bill Doak Delivers Four-Hitter; Rogers Hornsby Takes Care of the Rest

ROBINS 6-10 LAST SIXTEEN GAMES

All anyone could do is sit and watch - Uncle Robbie; Cardinals manager Branch Rickey; players from either dugout; hot dog vendors; especially the 5,000 or so fans in attendance at Ebbets Field - as St. Louis young star second baseman Rogers Hornsby puts on a one man show.  When Tommy Griffith triples off Cardinals starter Bill Doak in the third, scoring Jimmy Johnston, the Brooklyn partisans rise to their feet in roaring appreciation.  But that's when the cheering stops - as Brooklyn manages just two more hits over the remainder of the game - and the exploits of Rogers Hornsby begin.   With two on, and two outs in the St. Louis fifth, Hornsby triples into the left-center gap.  Then with two outs, and a man on second in the seventh, Hornsby lines a double to left scoring Hal Janvrin for a 3-1 Cardinals lead.  In the eighth inning, facing Sherry Smith pitching in relief of Rube Marquard, Rogers Hornsby (.372) singles home the Cardinals fourth and final run of the game.  Hornsby's line reads: 3 for 5, with a double, triple, and four runs batted in.  St. Louis veteran Bill Doak limits the Robins to just one run on four hits and five walks, with two strikeouts, for his twelfth victory of the season.  Making his sixteenth start of the season, Rube Marquard yields three runs on eleven hits and one walk, with three strikeouts, in a seven inning losing effort.  However, Brooklyn retains their 1.5 game lead over the Reds as Cincinnati bows to the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds.  After starting 30-34 over the first three months of the season, the Giants have since posted a 19-10 record to move into third place, just five games back of the Robins.

• RECORD: 57-43 (.570)
• First Place; 1.5 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/28/1920; Brooklyn Robins Even Series Against Reds at Ebbets Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #96: Wednesday, July 28, 1920 - BR
Cincinnati Reds vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Burleigh Grimes Whitewashes Defending Champs

Brooklyn counters Tuesday's opening defeat agains Reds with a strong performance both at the plate and on the mound in game two.  Burleigh Grimes gets the bats going with a one out double in the third, and scores on a hit to right from Ivy Olson, who winds up on third after a throwing error by catcher Ivey Wingo.  Jimmy Johnson follows with a hit that drives home Olson for a 2-0 Robins lead.  Brooklyn then erupts against Reds starter Jimmy Ring in the fifth with four runs on six hits, including triples by Pete Kilduff and Ivy Olson.  The Robins finally get their fill with three more runs in the seventh.  Burleigh Grimes, once again coming to his own aid, singles and drives in the Robins seventh run.  Jimmy Johnston drives in two more runs for a 9-0 final margin of victory.  The top of the Robins line-up is too much for Cincinnati to handle.  Lead-off batter Ivy Olson is 3 for 4 with three runs batted in; Jimmy Johnston is 2 for 5 also with three runs batted in; and batting third, Tommy Griffith drives in one.  Otto Miller with two hits also drives in his 19th run of the season.  With a bat in his hand Burleigh Grimes goes 3 for 4 with a double, three runs scored, and a run batted in.  In fact, Grimes is now batting .354 for the season, with thirteen runs batted in.  On the mound, Grimes hurls a gem too hot for Cincinnati to handle.  He allows just five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in a nine inning whitewashing of the defending champs.  Grimes improves to 15-6 with a 2.11 earned run average.  Elsewhere, the New York Giants defeat the Cardinals in extra innings at Sportsman's Park, and thus finally graduate into the first division with a modest 45-44 record.

• RECORD: 55-40 (.578)
• First Place; 2.5 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/25/1920: Pirates Continue Plaguing Brooklyn Robins

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Game #93: Sunday, July 25, 1920 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Brooklyn Robins Return Home to Cheers But Ebbets Field Crowd Exit Beside Themselves

Sleeping in their own beds for the first time in over three weeks proves little relief nor remedy against the insurgent Pirates, whom seize their fourth game in five days from the Robins.  Upwards of 22,000 fans pack Ebbets Field showering their first place Robins with a heroes welcome upon returning from a triumphant 16-7 road trip, including an all important series victory at Cincinnati.  However the Borough's trolley dodging faithful are sent home in a somewhat despondent state after their team blows a 3-2 lead after seven.  After trading runs in the first inning, Brooklyn takes a 3-1 lead with a pair of runs in the fifth.  But the Pirates close to within a run in the top of the sixth.  Pittsburgh finally squares up starter Clarence Mitchell for three runs in the eighth for a late 5-3 lead.  The Robins score one run in the bottom of the ninth but ultimately fall short.  Clarence Mitchell loses his first game of the season against five victories and a climbing 2.98 earned run average.  He allows all five earned runs on eight hits and two walks through 7.1 innings.  Leon Cadore pitches 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of Mitchell.  Pittsburgh third baseman Possum Whitted is 2 for 4 with a triple and two runs batted in.  Notorious thief Max Carey steals his 34th base of the season, while going 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored, and one run batted in.  For Brooklyn Tommy Griffith is 2 for 4 with a run batted in, and Jimmy Johnston drives in his 27th run for the season.  Out in Cincinnati, the New York Giants defeat the Reds and claim victory in that series three games against two.  Meanwhile the Pirates now sit just five games out of first.

• RECORD: 53-39 (.576)
• First Place; 2.0 GA

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

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

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

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

ROBINS CONCLUDE ROAD TRIP WITH 16-7 RECORD

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

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

HOME PLATE

FORBES FIELD

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

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

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

Ninth Inning Gaffe Dooms Brooklyn; Defending Champs Even Series

Trolley Dodgers Lose Two Straight For First Time This Month

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

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

100 Years Ago Today 7/18/1920: Cincinnati Reds Douse Brooklyn Robins Fire

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #86: Sunday, July 18, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Cincinnati Reds
Redland Field

Defending Champions Awaken to Take Middle Game From Robins

The Robins this month have put together three 

separate winning streaks of five wins or more.

Every one knew it was only a matter of time before the Reds strike back.  After trading goose eggs for three innings the Reds open the scoring in the fourth on a double by shortstop Larry Kopf scoring left fielder Pat Duncan all the way from first.  Then in the blink of an eye Jimmy Johnston's mishandling of right fielder Greasy Neale's grounder to third clears the way for three Cincinnati unearned runs en route to a 4-0 lead from which the Robins would not recover.  Brooklyn scores their lone run off Reds starter Dolf Luque in the eighth on Ivy Olson's 25th run batted in.  Luque limits the Robins to just six hits and no walks with two strikeouts while earning his sixth victory of the season.  With the loss Sherry Smith evens out at 5-5 with 2.15 earned run average.  He allows four runs, only one earned, on six hits and no walks through only four innings pitched.  Clarence Mitchell pitches four scoreless in relief allowing just two hits.  Brooklyn's lead in the standings over Cincinnati is back down to three with two games remaining in this five game series at Redlands Field.

• RECORD: 51-34 (.600)
• First Place; 3.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/8/1920: Brooklyn Robins Rout Redbirds; Seize Share of First Place

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #73: Thursday, July 8, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sportsman's Park

ICYMI: Second Place Brooklyn Robins Seizing League Wide Attention

LOOK WHO'S NUMBER ONE!

Burleigh Grimes Hurls Another Gem

The surging Robins score early, often, and late, as they route the Cardinals by a 14-2 final score at Sportsman's Park and forge a first place tie with the Cincinnati Reds.  Ivy Olson's triple leading off the game for Cardinals fans is a portent of things to come.  St. Louis right-hander Jesse Haines does not make it out of the first inning.  Manager Branch Ricky watches his rookie pitcher yield five runs on five hits and two walks before giving him the hook with two outs in the first.  The bullpen corp of Lou North, Hal Kime, and Walt Schulz, fare no better, together surrendering a combined nine runs on 14 hits over the final 8.1 innings.  Brooklyn generates 19 total hits and are 9 for 18 with runners in scoring position.  Uncle Robbie's guys - Jimmy Johnston; Pete Kilduff; Otto Miller - join together for eight hits in eleven at-bats, six runs scored, and three runs batted in.  The aforementioned Ivy Olson is 3 for 6 with a double, triple, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.  Zack Wheat goes 2 for 3 and hits his fifth home run.  Later in the game Wilbert Robinson wisely removes from the field both Wheat and Ed Konetchy.  Meanwhile Burleigh Grimes continues excelling on the mound, limiting the Cardinals to just one earned run on four hits and no walks with four strikeouts through nine complete innings.  He improves to 11-5 with a 2.05 ERA.  The great Rogers Hornsby (.373) is held hitless in four at-bats, but still manages to drive in his 54th run for the season.  The Robins are now winners of six straight, and improve to 10-1 through their last eleven games.

• RECORD: 41-31 (.569)
• tied for first place w/ Cincinnati Reds