Once Upon A Summer 9/2/1921: Brooklyn Royal Giants and Cuban Stars Split Games of Doubleheader at Dexter Park

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

The Brooklyn Citizen, 

Tuesday, September 3, 1918

On Monday, September 2, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants and Cuban Stars split games of a doubleheader at Dexter Park.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, September 3, 1918

GAME ONE - In a back and forth affair, the Cuban Stars promptly pounce on George Robinson's offerings for two runs in the first inning and two in the third.  Facing Rafael Cruz of the Stars, the Royal Giants answer with three runs in the fourth, then two more in the sixth.  But their lead does not last.  In the seventh, the Cuban Stars even the score at five.  Afterwhich, southpaw John Donaldson enters the game in relief of George Robinson and tosses a scoreless eighth.  In the visitor's ninth, left fielder Julio Rojo triples home the go-ahead run.  Pitching in relief of starter Isidro Fabré, right-hander Evelio Calderín holds the Giants scoreless in their final at-bat for the win.  Hero of the game Julio Rojo goes 4 for 5 with two triples and two runs scored, José María Fernández wields three hits also including a triple, and first baseman Agspito Lázaga leads the Stars with three runs scored.  Despite yielding 13 hits, Rafael Cruz holds the Giants to five runs with three walks and three strikeouts for the win.  George Robinson walks off to a no-decision as John Donaldson (two hits, one strikeout) sustains the loss in relief.  Royal Giant right fielder Johnny Pugh goes 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored, Rafael Figarola collects two hits and scores, and although held hitless, shortstop John Henry Lloyd stars in the field for Brooklyn.

CUBAN STARS (EAST)

The Brooklyn Citizen, Tuesday, September 3, 1918

GAME TWO - Brooklyn unleashes a 17-hit barrage en route to a commanding 10-4 victory.  Cuban Stars starter Rafael Cruz is knocked out of the box before completing the second.  In relief, Isidro Fabré and Evelio Calderín yield another seven runs on eleven hits in an abbreviated seven-inning contest.  Both shortstop Peláyo Chacon and Isidro Fabré wield doubles and scored, and Julio Rojo swats his third triple of the afternoon.  John Henry Lloyd leads Brooklyn with four hits including a double and two runs scored, second baseman Irvin Brooks is next in with three hits, and center fielder William Parks scores twice.  Playing left field and batting fourth, John Donaldson collects two hits with a double and run scored.  In support of starter Shang Johnson, Brooklyn turns a triple-play: Figarola to Lloyd, to Oliver Marcell back to Figarola.  Otherwise, Johnson allows four runs on ten hits and a troublesome eight walks for the win.

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY), 

Tuesday, September 3, 1918

⚾

BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918: JOHN DONALDSON'S LONE SEASON WITH THE BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

• 6/28 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Acquire Midwest Pitching Great, John Donaldson
• 6/30 - John Donaldson Loses Brooklyn Royal Giants Debut To New York Lincoln Giants
• 7/3 - John Donaldson Poised To Make Brooklyn/Queens Debut At Dexter Park
• 7/4 - John Donaldson Twirls Shutout Over Cuban Stars In Dexter Park Debut
• 7/7 - Joe Williams Wins Second Straight Decision Over John Donaldson; Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill
• 7/13 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens
• 7/14 - John Donaldson Defeats Bushwick; Royal Giants Split Twin Bill At Dexter Park
• 7/15 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Series Opener From Atlantic City Bacharach Giants
• 7/16 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Game Two from Bacharach Giants; John Donaldson Earns The Victory
• 7/17 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Wrap Up Series With Bacharach Giants at Atlantic City
• 7/18 - N.Y. Ship League Team Defeat Brooklyn Royal Giants at Camden, New Jersey
• 7/21 - Cuban Stars Double-Up Brooklyn Royal Giants; John Donaldson Takes Loss at Dexter Park
• 7/24 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Bow To Stan Baumgartner and Bethlehem Steel at Allentown, PA
• 7/27 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Camp Dix Soldiers*
• 7/28 - Silk Sox Clout John Donaldson's Offerings; Brooklyn Royal Giants Fall at Doherty's Oval
• 8/3 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Prospect Heights at Hackensack*
• 8/4 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Forfeit Game To Glendale at Farmer's Oval
• 8/7 - Bethlehem Steel Team Hosts a Scoreless Tie Against Brooklyn Royal Giants
• 8/11 - New York Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill at Olympic Field; Joe "Cyclone" Williams Wins Opener, John Donaldson Wins Game Two
• 8/17 - New York Ship Wins Second Contest Against Brooklyn Royal Giants at Camden, N.J.
• 8/18 - The Tietjen & Lang Shipyard Nine Defeat John Donaldson and the Brooklyn Royal Giants, North Bergen, N.J.
• 8/24 - Morse Dry Dock BBC Defeat Royal Giants in John Donaldson's True Brooklyn Debut
• 8/25 - Irvin Brooks Twirls Shutout; Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer Oval, Queens
• 9/1 - New York Lincoln Giants Sweep Twin Bill From Royal Giants at Olympic Field; Joe "Cyclone" Williams Earns Dual Victory, John Donaldson Suffers Loss in Second Tilt

LHP - JOHN DONALDSON'S PITCHING RECORD w/ BROOKLYN:

1. 6/30/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 2 W, 2 K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
2. 7/4/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 0 RUNS, 5 hits, 1 W, 6 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
3. 7/7/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 3 runs, 9 hits, 2 W, 2 K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
4. 7/14/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 1 run, 7 hits, 1 W, 5 K (Bushwick; Dexter Park)
5. 7/16/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 4 runs, 14 hits, (?) W, 6 K* (Atlantic City; Bacharach Park, N.J.)
6. 7/21/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 W, 1 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
7. 7/28/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 9 runs, 16 hits, 2 W, 3 K (Silk Sox; Doherty's Oval, N.J.)
8. 8/11/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 2 runs, 13 hits, (?) W, (?) K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
9. 8/18/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 5 runs, 5 hits, (?) W, 4 K (Tietjen & Lang; Nurge's Field, N.J.)
10. 8/24/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 8 runs, 19 hits, 1 W, 2 K (Morse Dry Dock; Brooklyn)
11. 9/1/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 4 runs, 14 hits, (?) W, (?) K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
12. 9/2/1918 - (L) 2 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, 0 W, 1 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)

• LINE: 101 innings, 45 runs, 121 hits, 13 walks, 31 strikeouts, 4.01 ERA 

BEDFORD & SULLIVAN PODCAST:

Restoring Baseball Great John Donaldson's Lost Legacy With Negro Leagues Historian and Founder of The Donaldson Network, Peter Gorton.

Minnesota native Peter Gorton leads a group of historians dedicated to discovering the lost legacy of John Wesley Donaldson.  In this episode, we discuss the man, baseball career, and life of one of the more incredible and inspiring athletes to ever play the game, and how his amazing legacy became lost to a nation, most particularly Baseball's Hall of Fame.  

Original airdate: March 13, 2021

100 Years Ago Today In Brooklyn Semipros 7/31/1921: Alejandro Oms Leads Cuban Stars In Win Over Bushwicks at Dexter Park

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS y BEÍSBOL

The Brooklyn Citizen, Monday, Aug 1, 1921

On Thursday, July 31, 1921, one century ago today, the Cuban Stars (East) defeated the Bushwicks at Dexter Park, Woodhaven.

The Brooklyn Citizen, Monday, Aug 1, 1921

The game is tightly contested through the first six innings, with the Stars clinging to a 3-1 lead.  The Cubans score twice in the top of the first but give one back in the bottom half.  Bushwick shortstop Jimmy Irving leads off with a double, and with two outs, scored when third baseman Julián Fabelo and shortstop Pelayo Chacón let a pop-up behind third base fall between them.  The Cuban Stars would make up for their misplay with a run in the third.  

Bushwick starter Ralph Carlstrong holds the Stars at three through the sixth but not without incident.  In receiving a throw while covering first base in the sixth, he has a fingernail nearly torn off on his pitching hand.  He insists on staying in the game and in the top of the seventh proceeds to yield five decisive runs.

After Jimmy Irving's opening hit, Cuban Star starter Oscal does not yield another hit through the seventh.  Bushwich finally strings together three hits in the eighth inning en route to an 8-2 defeat on their home grounds. 

Oscal limits Bushwick to a pair of runs on just five hits and one walk with five strikeouts for the win, while second baseman Tatica Campos supports his pitcher with three great plays on the field.

Harry Holbarrow twirls two scoreless innings to relieve Jimmy Carlstrong, who allows all eight runs on 13 hits and one walk for the loss.

During game two of their scheduled twin bill, the Cuban Stars jump out to another 8-1 lead, but the game is called in the fifth inning due to rain with nary a protest by Bushwick directed at Jupiter Pluvius.

During game one, Cuban Stars' center fielder Alejandro Oms goes 5 for 5 with a double and three runs scored, then wields two more hits in game two, including his second extra-base hit.  Right fielder Isidro Fabré goes 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly.

The Brooklyn Citizen, Monday,

Aug 1, 1921

Once Upon A Summer, 1918: John Donaldson Poised To Make Brooklyn/Queens Debut at Dexter Park

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

The Royal Giants were to have started a western trip but chose to remain here for another week in order to play the Cubans on Thursday and the Lincoln Giants next Sunday. - The Sun (New York), July 1, 1918

CUBAN STARS

vs.

BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

On Thursday, July 4, 1918, in what is to be his Brooklyn/Queens debut, John Donaldson was slated to pitch the second game of a twin bill against the Cuban Stars (East) at Dexter Park, the home field of Max Rosner's Bushwick club.  

Last Sunday, June 30, while making his East/New York debut, southpaw John Donaldson allows just one run on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts through nine innings pitched and also wields a hit at the plate, albeit in a losing effort against the New York Lincoln Giants at Harlem's Olympic Field.  But as fate would have it, Donaldson's mound opponent, Smokey Joe Williams, hurls a two-hit shutout for the win.

The Cuban Stars are managed by the well-respected Pelayo Chacon, now in his third season.  John Donaldson's potential mound opponent could be one of three candidates: Juan Padron, Jose Maria Fernandez, or Elevio Calderin.

There can be little doubt Brooklyn's first baseman Rafael Figarola is looking forward to welcoming and competing against his compatriots.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 3, 1918

The Brooklyn Citizen, July 3, 1918

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

July 3, 1918

Time Union (Brooklyn, New York),

 July 3, 1918

ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918:

1. Brooklyn Royal Giants Acquire Midwest Pitching Great, John Donaldson
2. John Donaldson Loses Brooklyn Royal Giants Debut To New York Lincoln Giants

BEDFORD & SULLIVAN PODCAST: Restoring Baseball Great John Donaldson's Lost Legacy With Negro Leagues Historian and Founder of The Donaldson Network, Peter Gorton.

Minnesota native Peter Gorton leads a group of historians dedicated to discovering the lost legacy of John Wesley Donaldson.  In this episode, we discuss the man, baseball career, and life of one of the more incredible and inspiring athletes to ever play the game, and how his amazing legacy became lost to a nation, most particularly Baseball's Hall of Fame.  

Original airdate: March 13, 2021.