100 Years Ago Today 8/7/1920: Pittsburgh's Babe Adams Hurls Gem at Brooklyn Robins

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #104: Saturday, August 7, 1920 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Another Large Crowd Watches Pirates Whitewash Robins 

Brooklyn's troubles against the Pirates continue.  Another large crowd at Ebbets Field watches in dismay as their Trolley Dodgers fail to place a single base runner in scoring position.  Long time Pittsburgh veteran Babe Adams hurls an absolute gem, whitewashing the Robins on just six scattered hits and no walks, with five strikeouts, over nine innings complete.  Errors by Pete Kilduff and Rowdy Elliot lead to four Pirates unearned runs.  Starter Sherry Smith, who takes the loss, and Al Mamaux, join to yield ten hits and six walks.  Pittsburgh center fielder Max Carey goes 2 for 5, with a triple, and two runs batted in.  Elsewhere, the second place Cincinnati Reds defeat the Phillies at Baker Bowl, cutting the Robins lead to just one-half game.  Meanwhile, the surging New York Giants get sidetracked by the Cubs at the Polo Grounds.

• RECORD: 58-45 (.563)
• First Place; 0.5 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 7/31/1920: Brooklyn Robins Defeat Cardinals in Series Opener

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #99: Saturday, July 31, 1920 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Brooklyn Holds Their Ground With Defeat of Cardinals

The Ebbets Field scoreboard keepers on Saturday are pressed into early action and stay busy throughout day.  The Robins build a 5-1 lead through the third.  When the Redbirds counter with three tallies in the sixth, the Brooks erupt for a pair of runs in the seventh, and another pair in the eighth en route to a 9-5 victory.  Starter Jeff Pfeffer surrenders four runs on eight hits and two walks, with five strikeouts through six innings of work.  He evens his record at 8-8 with a 2.98 ERA.  Sherry Smith allows a run on two hits and no walks over three innings in relief of Pfeffer.  Smith earns his third save of the season.  St. Louis yields three unearned runs.  Otherwise, Pete Kilduff and Rowdy Elliott both drive in two runs apiece, and Hi Myers and Ed Konetchy drive home one run each.  Cardinals second baseman extraordinaire Rogers Hornsby goes 4 for 4 with a double, two runs scored, and a run batted in.  Brooklyn gains no ground, though, as the Cincinnati Reds defeat the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds.

• RECORD: 56-42 (.571)
• First Place; 0.5 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/26/1920: Brooklyn Robins Salvage Ebbets Field Split with Pirates

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #94: Monday, July 26, 1920 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Uncle Robbie Gives Pfeffer Timely Hook; Sherry Smith Holds Pirates at Bay

Brooklyn gains a split with Pittsburgh at Ebbets Field, and at least for the next week or so finally rid themselves of those troublesome Pirates.  With a little help from their opponents, the Robins get most of their scoring done early.  A throwing error in the first inning by Bucs catcher Bill Haeffner leads to three unearned runs for Brooklyn.  Tommy Griffin, Zack Wheat, and Hi Myers, all score.  In the second inning with Jimmy Johnston at the plate, Pirates starter Hal Carlson unleashes a wild pitch allowing Rowdy Elliott to score all the way from second.  And in the third Pete Kilduff's base hit through the left side plates Myers giving the Robins a commanding 5-0 lead.  Or so they thought.  Facing Jeff Pfeffer in the fourth, the Pirates score four times on four hits and two walks, while getting two runs batted in each by shortstop Howdy Caton and Bill Haeffner.  When Max Carey doubles leading off the top of the fifth, Uncle Robbie gives Pfeffer the hook.  Sherry Smith goes on to pitch five scoreless innings allowing only three hits.  Brooklyn tallies some insurance in the sixth on Sherry Smith's two out triple to center scoring Elliott for a 6-4 final margin of victory.  Sherry Smith improves to 7-5 with a fine 1.98 ERA; for Jeff Pfeffer, a no decision.  Rowdy Elliott is 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.  Ed Konetchy (.324) goes 2 for 4 with a double and run batted in.  Meanwhile, the rest of the league is idle.  Therefore Brooklyn adds a half-game to their lead over the second place Reds, whom arrive at tomorrow for a four game showdown at Ebbets Field.  Getcha' tickets, gonna be fun.

• RECORD: 54-39 (.580)
• First Place; 2.5 GA

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 7/11/1920: Rube Marquard Leads Brooklyn Robins in Series Finale at St. Louis

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #77: Sunday, July 11, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sportsman's Park

Veteran Southpaw Rube Marquard Tosses Another Timely Gem

Brooklyn wraps up their series against the Cardinals with a third victory in four games at Sportsman's Park.  Rube Marquard toes the rubber in Sunday's finale and is opposed by right-hander Bill Doak.  After surrendering a first inning run, Marquard silences the Birds over the game's final eight innings, limiting them to just six hits and a walk with three strikeouts.  He improves to 6-3 with a 2.94 earned run average.  Doak pitches well but is pegged the hard luck loser upon yielding just two earned runs on eleven hits and two walks with three strikeouts.  Ed Konetchy and Rowdy Elliot getting the start at catcher drive in a run apiece giving Brooklyn a slim 2-1 margin of victory.  With two hits Hi Meyers lifts his average to a .309 mark, while Pete Kilduff and Jimmy Johnston likewise record multiple hits.  With three losses in four games against Brooklyn the fourth place Cardinals fall to par with a 39-39 record.  The Robins maintain their one game lead over the second place Reds.  After posting a losing 12-16 record in June, the Robins are to date 11-2 in July.

• RECORD: 44-32 (.578)
• First Place; 1.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 5/13/1920: Brooklyn Robins Have No Answer For Grover Cleveland Alexander

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #20: Thursday, May 13, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cubs Field

Grover Cleveland Alexander Extends Brooklyn Robins No Quarter

A week of moisture saturated skies over Chicago finally relent permitting the Robins and Cubs to at least salvage the finale of their scheduled three game series.  Brooklyn starter Jeff Pfeffer pitches well.  Making his fourth start of the season he yields two runs, one earned, on six hits and four walks with four strikeouts through eight innings - an otherwise representative performance.  However he is opposed on Thursday by the great Grover Cleveland Alexander, against whom the Robins muster little.  Actually it is Brooklyn whom opens the scoring in the fifth on Rowdy Elliott's leadoff double, an error by Cubs shortstop Charlie Hollocher, and a base hit from Jimmy Johnston scoring Elliott.  But Alexander would yield no more.  The now 33-year old war veteran allows the one unearned run on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts through nine innings full.  After losing his first two decisions to start the season Alexander earns his sixth straight victory.  Chicago likewise scores an unearned run in the bottom half of the fifth against Pfeffer.  Third baseman Charlie Deal reaches on catcher Rowdy Elliott's dropped third strike, and soon scores the tying run on catcher Bill Killefer's one out hit to right.  With one out in the seventh Pfeffer walks second baseman Zeb Terry.  Bill Killefer follows with a hit to right positioning runners on the corners.  After Pfeffer issues his counterpart a base on balls to load the bases, right fielder Max Flack's sac-fly to right scores Terry from third with the go-ahead run and Chicago's eventual margin of victory.  Ivy Olson and Ed Konetchy open the top of the ninth with back to back singles putting runners on the corners.  But after two infield pop-outs, the game ends abruptly when Ivy Olson is tagged out while attempting to steal home.

• May 11-12 @ Chicago postponed due to rain.

• The Chicago Cubs acquire Grover Cleveland Alexander and his battery mate Bill Killefer in December 1917 from the Philadelphia Phillies.  From 1911 through 1917 Alexander five times leads the major leagues in wins; six times wins twenty games or better; and from 1915 through 1917 posts three consecutive 30-win seasons.  Last year in his first full season with Chicago, Alexander posts a 16-11 record with a league best 1.72 ERA.  He has led either his league or the majors in ERA in five of the last six seasons.  Now in his tenth campaign he's resembling  his old self again.

• RECORD: 10-9 (.526)
• 4th place; 4 GB

100 Years Ago Today 4/22/1920: Brooklyn Robins Bow to Phillies in First Contest Away From Home

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #6: Thursday, April 22, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Robins Open First Road Trip With Loss Against Phillies at Baker Bowl

Brooklyn's first road trip of the season brings them to the City of Brotherly Love.  They open Thursday afternoon's scoring with haste on third baseman Jimmy Johnston's first inning hit plating lead-off hitter Ivy Olson from second base.  However the Phillies quickly tie things up in the second.  In the fourth Philadelphia scores an unearned run for a 2-1 lead.  The Robins answer right back.  Leading off the third inning first baseman Ed Konetchy doubles, and Chuck Ward follows with a walk.  Rowdy Elliott follows with a bunt fielded by Phillies starter Lee Meadows whom throws errantly allowing both Konetchy and Ward to score.  Unfortunately Brooklyn's 3-2 lead is short lived as Philadelphia tallies two more runs in the eighth en route to a 4-3 victory in the first of three games scheduled at Baker Bowl.  Robins hurler Jeff Pfeffer is tagged with his first defeat after yielding four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk, with one strikeout through eight innings of work.  His counterpart Lee Meadows surrenders just five hits and strikes out eight Robins in a victorious complete game effort.  Philadelphia right fielder Casey Stengel is 2 for 4 with a double and a run batted in.  Zack Wheat extends his season launching hitting streak to six games with a 1 for 3 day at the plate.

• RECORD: 4-2 (.666)
• 2nd place; 1 GB

100 Years Ago Today 4/20/1920: Brooklyn Robins Complete Sweep of Boston Braves

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100the Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #5: Tuesday, April 20, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Leon Cadore Hurls 11-Inning Gem; Robins Sweep Braves

Starter Leon Cadore outlasts his counterpart Joe Oescher in extra innings as the Brooklyn Robins complete a three game sweep of Boston.  In an otherwise stellar performance the Braves right-hander yields twelve hits and just one walk through ten scoreless innings pitched.  However Cadore is better, if not brilliant.  Making his second start of the season Caddy limits the Braves to just seven hits and no walks with four strikeouts through eleven scoreless innings.  In the home eleventh two of Wilbert Robinson's earlier substitutions step forward.  Leading off catcher Rowdy Elliott hits safely.  Then with two outs center fielder Wally Hood doubles home Elliot all the way from first base for the victory.  Inserted into the clean-up spot Zack Wheat enjoys his fourth multi hit game in the Robins first five contests, going 3 for 4 with a walk.  Brooklyn travels to Philadelphia where the Robins on Thursday will open a three game series against the Phillies at the Baker Bowl.

• RECORD: 4-1 (.800)
• 1st place, tied

100 Years Ago Today 4/18/1920: Brooklyn Robins Take Series Opener From Boston Braves

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #3: Sunday, April 18, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Robins Open Series With 9-3 Victory Over Visiting Boston Braves

Boston, who just two days ago expertly whitewashed John McGraw's Giants at the Polo Grounds, today crossed the East River span into Brooklyn where they promptly fall behind 0-4 after just three innings of play at Ebbets Field.  Looking to rebound from Thursday's loss against Philadelphia, the Robins rough-up Braves starter Dick Rudolph for six runs on seven hits and one walk through six.  Three more Robins cross the plate in the eighth as Brooklyn goes on to post a 9-3 victory over the Braves whom commit five fielding errors resulting in four unearned runs.  Getting the start behind the plate Rowdy Elliott is Brooklyn's big man on campus going 3 for 4 with a run scored and four runs batted in, and right fielder Bernie Neis connects on the Robins first home run of the season.  Shortstop Chuck Ward is 2 for 3 with a run scored and one run batted in.  Zack Wheat goes 2 for 4 with two runs scored.  On the bump Brooklyn veteran starter Jeff Pfeffer goes the distance yielding three runs, two earned, on eight hits and one walk with two strikeouts for the victory.

• RECORD: 2-1 (.666)
• 3rd place; 1 GB