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 9/20/1920: 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 9/17/1920: Brooklyn Robins Take Second Straight From Defending Champs

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #145: Friday, September 17, 1920 - BR
Cincinnati Reds vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

The Countdown Begins: Six Game Lead With Ten Games Left to Play

LEON CADORE WINS #15

Leon Cadore once again comes through for Uncle Robbie.  The 28-year old right-hander limits the defending champions to a pair of unearned runs on five hits and five walks with five strikeouts through nine innings.  He improves to 15-13 with a 2.62 ERA.  Trailing 2-1 in the home seventh, Ivy Olson leads off with a double then scores the tying run on Tommy Griffith's base hit to left.  Zack Wheat singles and Hi Myers drives in his 78th run of the season giving the Robins a 3-2 lead and final margin of victory.  That's two straight wins against the Reds and thirteen wins in their last fourteen games.  Brooklyn widens their lead to seven over the now third place Reds.  The New York Giants defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates in ten innings at the Polo Grounds.  They take over second place six games behind the Robins.

• RECORD: 86-58 (.597)
• 1st Place; 6.0 GA

EXTRA: BREAKING NEWS
EIGHT WHITE SOX TO BE SUSPENDED

Season long scuttlebutt and wild speculation is coming to a head.  A grand jury is being convened to investigate allegations that numerous White Sox players acted in concert to throw the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds in return for monetary compensation from a known gambling syndicate.  Rumors have plagued the White Sox even while the series was in progress and ever since.  It is now being reported Mr. Comiskey will shortly announce the suspension of eight players allegedly implicated in the fix:

• Eddie Cicotte
• George "Buck" Weaver
• Oscar "Happy" Felsch
• Fred McMillan
• "Shoeless" Joe Jackson
• Charles "Swede" Risberg
• Claude "Lefty" Williams
• and Arnold "Chick" Gandil who never reported to the White Sox to begin with, electing instead to play semi-pro ball.  Looking back, Gandil's decision may very well have cost Chicago the pennant.  

That being said, today's unfolding events essentially leave the American League up for grabs between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians.

Or does it?

When the White Sox took the field this afternoon at Comiskey Park, all suspected parties were present and in uniform.  Seemingly untroubled by outside disturbance, Eddie Collins and Shoeless Joe slash back to back triples and Happy Felsch drives home Jackson for a prompt 2-0 lead against the visiting New York Yankees.  Swede Risberg triples leading off the second inning and is driven home by Red Faber for a 3-0 lead.  A third inning error by first baseman Shano Collins leads to a pair of unearned runs for the Yankees.  Chicago then scores three runs in the sixth, two are unearned.  After which the Sox withstand two Yankees runs in the ninth for a 6-4 victory.  Chicago closes to within 1.5 games of first place, although their future appears bleak.

100 Years Ago Today 9/14/1920: Cubs Snap Brooklyn Robins Ten Game Win Streak

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #142: Tuesday, September 14, 1920 - BR
Chicago Cubs vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Cubs Rout Robins But Brooklyn Loses No Ground

Fans in attendance sit in bewilderment as the Cubs tally three, five, six, then eight, up to ten runs against three different Robins pitchers.  After all, Brooklyn presently boasts the league's best ERA.  Just not on this day.  Chicago snaps Brooklyn's ten game win streak in a 10-2 final.  Only Bernie Neis distinguishes himself going 2 for 4 with a double and one run batted in.  Leon Cadore is tagged with the loss, but it's clearly not all his fault.  And then .. then word gets out the Giants yield nine runs to the Cardinals, and that the Reds lose by eleven to the Phillies in a preposterous 21-10 affair.  And so the 12,000 or so fans exiting Ebbets Field join in neutral agreement that there's no harm in today's outcome.  When the daily four star final hit the streets, we learn the Yankees generate thirteen runs against the Tigers and the A's score eight against the Indians.  Even the Senators whitewash the White Sox by a 7-0 margin.  It appears runs were in the September air, not just here, but everywhere.  Brooklyn retains their five game lead over both the Reds and Giants with only thirteen games left to play; the Giants have fourteen left. 

• RECORD: 83-58-1 (.589)
• 1st Place; 5.0 GA

FINAL  *  *  *  *   Yanks Trounce Tigers

The Yankees victory coupled with Cleveland's loss gives New York a 1.5 game lead ahead of the Indians.  New York has just thirteen games left.  At Detroit's Navin Field, Bob Shawkey limits the Tigers to three runs on ten hits with five strikeouts for his 18th victory of the season and a 2.26 ERA.  Babe Ruth is issued three more passes but he still scores twice and drives in another.  Second baseman Del Pratt is 4 for 6 with two doubles and four runs batted in.  Yankees are winners of five in a row and eight of their last nine.

100 Years Ago Today 9/11/1920 Brooklyn Robins Sweep Cardinals; Widen First Place Lead Over Reds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #137: Saturday, September 11, 1920, GAME ONE - BR
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Leon Cadore is a One Man Gang

Brooklyn rolls to a double-digit victory over the Cardinals, their third of the series.  The Robins score early, often and late.  Uncle Robbie's men offer no quarter to Cardinals pitchers Tony Lyons and Mike Kircher.  They generate twenty hits en route to a lopsided 15-4 victory.  Ivy Olson continues his torrid hitting going 3 for 5 with three runs scored.  Hi Myers drives home his team leading 74th run batted in.  Bernie Neis and Zack Wheat each drive in two runs apiece.  But the brightest star in the daytime sky over Ebbets Field is starter and wielder of bat, Leon Cadore.  The 28-year old right-hander is 3 for 4 at the plate, with a double, a home run to deep left, four runs batted in and two runs scored.  From sixty-feet six inches away he limits the Cardinals to four runs on ten hits and one walk with five strikeouts through nine innings full.  He improves to 14-12 with a 2.53 ERA.


Game #138: Saturday, September 11, 1920, GAME TWO - BR
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Sherry Smith Whitewashes Cardinals

Sherry Smith follows up Leon Cardore's extravaganza with a more workmanlike effort against the Cardinals.  Smith was 2 for 3 at the plate with a double, but alas no home runs or runs batted in.  That was left up to Jimmy Johnston and Zack Wheat.  Rather than swing for the fences Sherry Smith focused in on the Cardinals allowing five scattered hits and two walks with two strikeouts over nine scoreless innings for the complete game shutout.  Sherry Smith improves to 9-6 with a fine 2.16 ERA and is the only Robins batter to register multiple hits.  So take that!  Brooklyn sweeps Saturday's twin bill, they sweep the Cardinals series four to none, and achieve their seventh straight victory.  Today's bounty of victories gives the Robins a three game lead over the Reds, and a 3.5 games lead over the Giants.  The Braves sweep two from Cincinnati, but the Giants take a single game from the Cubs at the Polo Grounds.

• RECORD: 80-57 (.584)
• 1st Place; 3.0 GA

EXTRA: AMERICAN LEAGUE

The New York Yankees defeat the Cleveland Indians at League Park to take over sole possession of first place by a slim half-game margin over the White Sox.  Yankees southpaw Hank Thormahlen limits Cleveland to a pair of runs, one earned, on seven hits and one walk over nine complete innings pitched.  He improves to 8-4 with a 4.16 ERA.  Babe Ruth strokes a hit and a double in three trips.  Second baseman Del Pratt leads the way with two hits in three trips with four runs batted in.  Catcher Truck Hannah goes 4 for 5 with a double, run scored and one run batted in and Wally Pip goes 3 for 4 with a double, three runs scored and one run batted in.  Cleveland shortstop Joe Evans drives in Cleveland's only earned run.  Yankees now move on to Detroit for three.

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 8/30/1920: Cardinals Twin Bill Sweep Drops Brooklyn Robins Into Second Place

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #124: Monday, August 30, 1920 - GAME ONE/BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sportsmans Park

Veteran Bill Doak Gives Robins a Birdbath

Cardinals veteran starter Bill Doak, in the midst of one of his best seasons, offers the visiting Robins no quarter.  He faces just 29 batters while limiting Brooklyn to five scattered hits and no walks through nine shutout innings.  He improves to 17-10 with a 2.64 ERA.  Tommy Griffith, Pete Kilduff, Otto Miller and pinch hitter Bill Lamar account for the Robins only hits.  Brooklyn is 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.  Facing Rube Marquard, the Cardinals break a scoreless tie in the fifth.  The score remains unchanged through the seventh.  But the roof caves in on Marquard during the eighth.  Wilbert Robinson makes no move as Marquard issues a lead-off walk to Hal Janvrin then yields three straight base hits.  St. Louis goes on to tally four runs en route to a 6-0 whitewashing.  Marquard's record now stands at 8-7 with a 3.29 ERA after allowing six runs, five earned, on eight hits and four walks with five strikeouts through eight innings pitched.



Game #125: Monday, August 30, 1920, GAME TWO/BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sportsmans Park

Leon Cadore Ruins Ferdie Schupp Shutout; Cardinals Complete Twin Bill Sweep

Where'd everybody go ...?

Brooklyn buckles in the late innings as the St. Louis Cardinals complete a twin bill sweep at Sportsman's Park.  Leon Cadore toes the rubber opposed by former New York Giants southpaw Ferdie Schupp.  The two duel through a one-all tie through six.  But similar to Rube Marquard in game one, the roof caves in late in the game atop Leon Cadore.  St. Louis erupts for two runs in the seventh and four more in the eighth.  Reliever Sherry Smith fares no better.  Jimmy Johnston accounts for three of Brooklyn's six total hits, but only Cadore himself can muster the Robins' lone run batted in - a home run, no less, in the third.  Otherwise, Ferdie Schupp effectively shuts out Brooklyn's positional eight.  Cincinnati defeats the Braves at Redland Field and take back possession of first place.  Meanwhile, the New York Giants are swept by the Pirates in their twin bill at Forbes Field.

• RECORD: 69-55 (.556)
• 2nd Place; 0.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 8/26/1920: Brooklyn Robins Forge First Place Tie With Victory at Chicago

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #120: Thursday, August 26, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cubs Park

Leon Cadore Outlasts Chicago's Hippo Vaughn

Brooklyn outlasts Chicago.  More precisely Leon Cadore outlasts Cubs's perennial 20-game winner Hippo Vaughn.  The Robins waste no time putting two runs on the board in first inning with hits from Bernie Neise and Hy Myers.  Brooklyn takes a 3-0 lead in the third on Pere Kilduff's 47th run batted in for the season.  Chicago strikes back for three runs in the third on four hits and a run batted in by Vaughn himself.  The game remains tied at three through the seventh.  In the eighth Zack Wheat singles off Hippo Vaughn giving the Robins a 4-3 lead.  With Hippo Vaughn out of the game and Sweetbread Bailey pitching relief in the ninth, Otto Miller drives home Brooklyn's final insurance run en route to a 5-3 final at Cubs Park.  Hi Myers is 3 for 4 with a double and his club leading 59th run batted in.  Zack Wheat drives home his 52nd run of the season.  Leon Cadore goes the distance, yielding three earned runs on seven hits and just one walk with four strikeouts.  He evens his record at 11-11 with a representative 2.55 earned run average.  With today's victory and Cincinnati's loss against the Phillies, the Robins and Reds are once again tied for first place with just 35 games left on the regular schedule.  Meanwhile, the New York Giants lose a pitchers duel at Sportsman's Park. They remain mired three games out of first for a third straight day.

• RECORD: 68-51 (.571)
• Tied 1st Place w/Reds

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 8/19/1920: 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 8/8/1920: Brooklyn Robins Salvage Series Finale Against Pirates

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #105: Sunday, August 8, 1920 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Marquard is Marvelous; New York Giants Continue Closing Gap

Say what you will about the 32-year old southpaw who enters Sunday's match with a 6-7 record and 3.39 ERA.  But when Uncle Robbie this season has needed a clutch performance from his long time comrade, Rube Marquard has been there for him, front and center.  With Brooklyn winless in two tries this series against the Pirates, Marquard out-duels Elmer Ponder as the Robins salvage the finale by a slim 2-1 margin.  Jimmy Johnston's fielding error in the third opens the way for Pittsburgh's lone run of the game.  Undeterred, another great crowd of 20,000 strong remain positive and patient despite Pittsburgh's 1-0 lead through seven.  Pinch hitting for Rube Marquard in the eighth, Clarence Mitchell delivers a single plating pinch runner Bill McCabe from second base knotting the game at one.  Leon Cadore in the top of the ninth retires the Pirates in order.  With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Zack Wheat bunts for a base hit.  Elmer Ponder then walks Bernie Neis, Wheat advances to second.  Ed Konetchy lofts a fly to center deep enough for Wheat and Neis to tag and advance.  With two outs and Pete Kilduff at the plate, Ponder unleashes a wild pitch allowing Wheat to score from third.  Ebbets Field roars with glee.  Despite a no decision, Marquard pitches marvelously, allowing one unearned run on six hits and no walks, with three strikeouts, through eight innings pitched.  Leon Cardore earns his ninth victory with a scoreless inning in relief.  The Reds are idle, but the New York Giants defeat the Cubs at the Polo Grounds.  With a victory over the Cardinals back on July 27, the Giants finally established par.  They are now 7-1 in their last eight, and 14-2 over their last sixteen games.  With a 54-46 record, the Giants have closed to within a mere three games of Brooklyn.

• RECORD: 59-45 (.567)
• First Place; 1.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 8/3/1920: Brooklyn Robins Complete Series Victory Over Redbirds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #102: Tuesday, August 3, 1920 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Robins Rout Redbirds; Take Series Three Games Against One

GIANTS CONTINUE SURGE  

Take Three of Four from Cincinnati Reds

Better late than never is what they say.  The Robins respond to yesterday's loss in resounding fashion, but not before making their trolley dodging fans anxiously mind a tenuous 1-0 lead through five.  Hi Myers in the first inning drives home his team leading 51st run for the season.  Facing Cardinals rookie Jesse Haines in the sixth, Brooklyn finally breaks the tension with four runs on hits by Zack Wheat, Hi Myers, and Ed Konetchy, and an inside-the-park home run by Rowdy Elliot.  St. Louis answers back against starter Leon Cadore with three runs on five hits in the seventh.  Rogers Hornsby puts an end to Cadore's outing with a run scoring single hit back through the box.  Manager Robinson summons from the bullpen Al Mamaux, who extinguishes the fire.  Leading 5-3 entering the bottom of the eighth, Brooklyn erupts for another five runs.  Mamaux helps himself with a base hit to right and a run batted in, as the Robins roll to a 10-4 final.  Leon Cadore earns his eighth win, allowing three runs on eleven hits and two walks, with three strikeouts.  Ivy Olson, Hi Myers, and Ed Konetchy, each post three hits and drive in a run.  Meanwhile, the New York Giants rout the Cincinnati Reds, 11-1, at the Polo Grounds, and remain just five games back of the Robins.  Coupled with Brooklyn's victory, the second place Reds fall 2.5 games back.

• RECORD: 58-43 (.574)
• First Place; 2.5 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/29/1920: Second Place Reds Outlast Brooklyn Robins

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #97: Thursday, July 29, 1920 - BR
Cincinnati Reds vs, Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Dolf Luque Outlasts Leon Cadore; Brooklyn Wilts in Ninth

Those resilient Reds, leave it up to the defending champs for snatching victory from seemingly certain defeat.  A late inning surge is just enough to get them passed Brooklyn for the second time in three games.  Zack Wheat's first inning triple and run batted in is promptly negated in the second inning by Reds right fielder Greasy Neale's two out base hit and run batted in.  The Robins and Reds once again trade runs, the Robins in the sixth on a Hi Myer's sac-fly scoring Tommy Griffith, and the Reds in the seventh on left fielder Pat Duncan's base hit scoring Jake Daubert.  This game ultimately gains resolution in the ninth.  With starter Leon Cadore still hurling for Brooklyn, Duncan strokes a one out triple, and scores on a Larry Kopf sac-fly to center field.  Reds starter Dolf Luque in the bottom of the ninth retires the Robins in order to close out his seventh victory for the season.  Leon Cadore, making his 19th start of the season, allows three runs, two earned, on eight hits and a walk, with one strikeout.  With the loss he falls to 7-9 with a 2.38 ERA.  The four game series concludes tomorrow.

• RECORD: 55-41 (.572)
• First Place; 1.5 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 7/22/1920: 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 7/17/1920: Brooklyn Robins Take Advantage of Cincinnati Reds Sloppiness

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #85: Saturday, July 17, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs Cincinnati Reds
Redland Field

Cincinnati Mistakes Prove Costly; Robins Extend Lead to Four Games Over Reds

Brooklyn squeezes out a second straight win against the defending World Champions.  With hits and runs in a state of scarcity the match is left to the respective right arms of Leon Cadore being opposed by Cincinnati's crafty Jimmy Ring.  With two outs, and runners on first and second in the Brooklyn second, Reds second baseman Morrie Rath botches Rowdy Elliot's pop fly in short right field allowing both base runners to score.  Later in the Cincinnati third Morrie Rath leads off with a single, and eventually manages his way to third.  With two outs and left fielder Pat Duncan at the plate, Morrie Rath steals home.  But Reds starter Jimmy Ring compromises his own cause in the Brooklyn sixth.  With two outs and Tommy Griffith standing at third and Pete Kilduff at the plate, Ring ponderously balks Griffith home from third for what would prove to be a crucial insurance run Brooklyn would sorely need.  Cincinnati gains a run back in the bottom of the frame, but can muster no more.  Leon Cadore earns the victory but three cheers for the bullpen.  Cadore yields two earned runs on six hits and two walks through six innings pitched.  He improves to 7-7 with a 2.17 earned run average.  Wilbert Robinson inserts Al Mamaux in relief of Cadore, and does not disappoint throwing three scoreless innings of one hit ball with two strikeouts.  Together Cadore and Mamaux outlast Jimmy Ring who surrenders three runs, one earned, on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts in a somewhat confounding loss.  If any one is interested, the Giants are now 10.5 games out of first place.  That is all.

• RECORD: 51-33 (.607)
• First Place; 4.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/13/1920: Brooklyn Robins Give Game Away at Cubs Park

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #80: Tuesday, July 13, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cubs Park

Brooklyn Literally Throws One Away

Cubs leadoff hitter Babe Twombly opens the bottom of the first with a triple, then scores on shortstop Charlie Hollocher's double to right.  After which Leon Cadore and the great Grover Alexander trade goose eggs through the sixth.  Brooklyn finally breaks through for a run in the seventh on back to back triples from Zack Wheat and Hi Myers, whom is thrown out at home attempting to score.  Hi Myers later drives in the go ahead run in the Robins ninth with a sacrifice fly to center scoring Tommy Griffith from third.  But Brooklyn's lead is fleeting.  With one out in the bottom half of the ninth Leon Cadore yields a single to first baseman Fred Merkle and a double from left fielder Dave Robertson.  Wilbert Robinson wastes no time replacing Cadore with Al Mamaux.  Meanwhile Cubs manager Fred Mitchell opting for speed swaps out Merkle for a pinch-runner.  With pinch hitter Turner Barber in the batter's box facing Al Mamaux, catcher Rowdy Elliot attempts a pick-off play at second but instead throws the ball errantly into center fielder, and both runners safely scatter home.  Wilbert Robinson himself a former catcher is apoplectic as Brooklyn's winning streak ends at five.  Grover Cleveland Alexander improves to 16-7 with a 1.91 earned run average.  He limits the Robins to just one earned run on six hits with six strikeouts.  The game marks only Brooklyn's third loss of the month.  However, Cincinnati gains a full game on the first place Robins with a victory over Philadelphia.  Brooklyn's showdown against baseball's defending champions looms ahead.  In the meantime three more games still remain against the Cubs.  Tomorrow they play a twin bill in order to make up a May 12 postponement.

• RECORD: 46-33 (.582)
• First Place; 0.5 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/9/1920: Brooklyn Robins Take Over First Place

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #74: Friday, July 9, 1920, GAME ONE - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sportsman's Park

Cardinals Snap Robins Win Streak at Six

St. Louis takes out their frustrations after yesterday's shellacking on Robins starter Leon Cadore who surrenders five earned runs on ten hits and three walks in just four innings pitched.  The Cardinals didn't stop there, tallying another two runs on four hits and one walk over the final four innings.  St. Louis veteran southpaw and no stranger to Wilbert Robinson, Ferdie Schupp limits Brooklyn to a pair of runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts through nine.  He improves to 10-4 with an otherwise generous 3.41 earned run average.  Zack Wheat is 2 for 4 with a run batted in, and Cadore aids his own cause in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly to center scoring Ed Konetchy from third base.


Game #75: Friday, July 9, 1920, GAME TWO - BR 
Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sportsman's Park

Al Mamaux Whitewashes Cardinals; Brooklyn Moves Into First Place

Brooklyn strikes back.  Making his eleventh start Al Mamaux faces just 33 Cardinals batters while limiting them to just seven hits and no walks with six strikeouts over nine scoreless innings.  The Robins score all the runs they'd need in the fourth, but continue piling in the later innings.  After failing to pitch out of the first inning in yesterday's series opener, manager Branch Ricky sends rookie right-hander Jesse Haines right back out to the bump for another go.  He proceeds to surrender eight runs, but only four earned, on ten hits and three walks through eight innings pitched.  Jesse's record levels out at 9-9 with a representative 2.42 earned run average.  Zack Wheat is 2 for 3 with two runs scored.  More importantly he elevates his average above .300 for the first time in a month.  Speaking of which steady Big Ed Konetchy (.326) doubles, scores two runs, and drives in a pair.  Even Al Mamaux comes to his own aid with two hits and a run batted in.  The Reds bow to the Boston Braves and so the Robins take over first place by one-half game over Cincinnati.

• RECORD: 42-32 (.567)
• first place; 0.5 GA