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 7/17/1920: 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 7/16/1920: Brooklyn Robins Turn Back Defending Champs at Redland Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #84: Friday, July 16, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Cincinnati Reds
Redland Field

Robins Earn 50th Victory at Defending Champion's Expense

The long anticipated showdown pitting the first place Robins and second place Reds begins.  Cincinnati with a hasty four run outburst in the second sends an early reminder to Brooklyn's dugout as to whom the defending World Champions are.  However only one run is earned as Brooklyn's lone error of the game poses a transient dilemma.  But Burleigh Grimes recomposes himself and whitewashes the Reds through the game's final seven innings.  Meanwhile Brooklyn begins mounting a counter attack with a Hi Myers triple and Ed Konetchy base hit in the fifth.  In the sixth Zack Wheat triples home two runs and Hi Myers plates Wheat with a sacrifice fly tying the game at four.  Reds starter Ray Fisher is relieved in the seventh by Dutch Reuther.  Otto Miller in the top of the eighth gives the Robins their first lead of the game with a base hit scoring Hi Myers and Ed Konetchy for a 6-4 lead and final margin of victory.  Grimes allows one earned run on twelve hits and three walks with four strikeouts.  He improves to 13-5 with a 2.04 earned run average.  Ed Konetchy lifts his average to .330, going 3 for 4 with a run batted in.  Otto Miller and Zack Wheat each drive in two runs apiece.  Hi Myers drives in his team leading 46th run for the season.  Brooklyn's victory extends their lead over the Reds to three.  The Robins are winners of four straight, and improve to 13-2 on the road trip with eight games still to go.  To date they are an amazing 17-3 in July.

• RECORD: 50-33 (.602)
• First Place; 3.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/15/1920: Red Hot Brooklyn Robins Poised For Showdown Versus Reds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #83: Thursday, July 15, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cups Park

Robins Take Five of Six at Chicago; Next Stop, Cincinnati!

Facing perennial 20-game winner Hippo Vaughn, Brooklyn mounts a 2-0 lead through the sixth on runs batted in from Hi Myers and Bernei Neis.  Chicago facing Rube Marquard ties the score late with runs batted in from Charlie Deal in the seventh and Dode Paskert in the Cubs ninth.  Tied up at two runs apiece the teams go into extra innings.  Hippo Vaughn is replaced with Sweetbread Bailey.  Ivy Olson singles opening up the tenth and takes second base on Babe Twombly's error in right field.  Jimmy Johnston promptly sends home Myers with a double to left.  Then with one out and Johnston standing on third Zack Wheat doubles to right giving the Robins a 4-2 lead.  Second baseman Bernie Friberg and catcher Bill Killefer open the Cubs tenth with a single and double respectively.  Wilbert Robinson quickly emerges from the dugout relieving Marquard with Sherry Smith.  With one out Babe Twombly's sacrifice fly plates Friberg from third.  Otherwise Sherry Smith successfully douses the fire.  The Robins end the day two full games ahead of the second place Reds.  Next stop for Brooklyn is, you guessed it, Cincinnati.

• RECORD: 49-33 (.597)
• First Place; 2.0 GA

100 Years Ago Today 7/14/1920: Brooklyn Robins Sweep Second Twin Bill at Cubs Park

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National league Champions

Game #81: Wednesday, July 14, 1920, GAME ONE - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs (make-up 5/12/1920)
Cubs Park

Ivy Olson's Fifth Inning Clout Lifts Robins

In a game decided in the sixth inning Brooklyn edges the Cubs by a 3-2 margin.  Al Mamaux toes the rubber and is opposed by Chicago's veteran southpaw Lefty Tyler.  After a scoreless duel through the first five innings, Brooklyn strikes for three runs in the sixth.  Ed Konetchy leads off the frame with a triple to deep center, then scores on Ernie Krueger's base hit to right.  With two outs Ivy Olson connects off Tyler on his first home of the season.  Chicago strikes back.  With two outs and the bases jammed in the bottom half of the frame center fielder Dode Paskert singles to left plating two.  But the Cubs would score no more.  When Al Mamaux puts the tying run on third base in the home ninth, Wilbert Robinson immediately turns to Burleigh Grimes whom puts out the fire and rewards his manager with his second save of the season.  Al Mamaux allows the two aforementioned runs on just six hits and three walks with seven strikeouts for his seventh victory against five losses with a stellar 1.96 earned run average.


Game #82: Wednesday, July 14, 1920, GAME TWO - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cubs Park

Jeff Pfeffer and Robins Complete Twin Bill Sweep at Cubs Park

Behind the effort of pitcher Jeff Pfeffer Brooklyn cruises to a 4-1 game two victory and twin bill sweep over the Cubs.  Facing Chicago starter Paul Carter, Brooklyn's Ivy Olson, Jimmy Johnston, and Tommy Griffith, open the game with three straight hits and a run.  Ivy Olson scores in the third on Zack Wheat's double to left.  Brooklyn then caps off their scoring in the sixth.  Zack Wheat hits a leadoff triple and promptly scores on a Hi Myers double.  With two outs Rowdy Elliot singles home Myers.  Jeff Pfeffer allows just one earned run on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts to earn his seventh victory of the season.  Despite Cincinnati's defeat of the Phillies, Brooklyn still gains a half-game on the day.

• RECORD: 48-33 (.592)
• First Place; 1 GA

Brooklyn to Newark, Part One: Negro National League Eagles Take Flight

From the desk of: 100th ANNIVERSARY of NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL

1935

BROOKLYN EAGLES

Before Defining Themselves at Newark, the Negro National League Eagles Learn to Fly in Brooklyn

Effa Manley, born in 1897 and raised in Philadelphia, moves after graduating high school to New York City, where she lives in Harlem.  Some years later, during the 1932 World Series, she meets Abe Manley at Yankee Stadium.  By June of 1933, the two rabid baseball fans are married, and in 1934 Abe is awarded a franchise by the Negro National League owners.  Abe and Effa Manley together establish the Brooklyn Eagles with home games to be played at Ebbets Field.  However, it is Effa, as history will prove, who serves as team matriarch, primary operating owner, negro league titan, and baseball avant-garde.  To date, she remains the only woman inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame.

EFFA MANLEY

The 1935 Brooklyn Eagles finish fifth, one game above par with a 32-31 record.  Out in Pittsburgh, the Crawfords cruise to the pennant finishing ten games ahead of the Columbus Elite Giants, New York Cubans, and Philadelphia Stars.  Finishing behind Brooklyn are the Chicago American Giants and Homestead Grays, while the Newark Dodgers finish in last place, 25-games out of first.

Brooklyn is managed briefly by Ben Taylor (5-5); otherwise, the bulk of games are guided by 26-year old player/manager George Giles (27-26).  In 1909 at age twenty, Ben Taylor embarked on a 21-year independent/negro league career.  A first baseman by trade and a slugger by nature, he retires with a lifetime .332 batting average, 328 extra-base hits, and 727 RBI through 1,021 career games.  From 1922 through 1929, he serves as player/manager with the Indianapolis ABC's, Washington Potomacs, Baltimore Black Sox, and Atlantic City Bacharach Giants.  Six years after retiring, he comes to Brooklyn as manager but oversees only ten games.  His last gig as manager comes in 1938 when at 49-years of age, he guides the Washington Black Senators sadly to a 2-20 record.  In 2006 Ben Taylor was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame.  At this point in his career, George Giles is an eight-year negro leagues veteran most associated with the Kansas City Monarchs and St. Louis Stars.  After one season as player/manager with Brooklyn, he shifts over to the New York Black Yankees for two years, then retires after splitting the 1938 season between the Philadelphia Stars and Pittsburgh Crawfords.  George Giles owns a lifetime .315 batting average through 1,847 career at-bats.

TOP POSITION PLAYERS
c Clarence Palm; 1b George Giles; 2b Henry Williams; 3b Javier Perez; 

ss Bill Yancy; lf Fats Jenkins; cf Clarence Griffin; rf Ed Stone 

George Giles, in 1935 is also Brooklyn's leading hitter with a .341 batting average and tallies a team-high twelve stolen bases.  Right behind him is second baseman Harry Williams batting .340 with eleven stolen bases along with a team-leading three home runs and 45 runs batted in.  Right fielder Ed Stone bats .324 and is second on the team with 37 runs batted in.  Fats Jenkins bats .320 with 24 runs batted in.

TOP PITCHERS

Will Jackman ~ Leon Day ~ Elbert Williams

Ted Radcliffe ~ Otis Starks

On the mound, an 18-year old rookie right-hander named Leon Day makes 18 appearances and 13 starts for Brooklyn, posting a 7-4 record with eight complete games and 4.43 earned run average.  He strikes out 65 batters in 107.2 innings pitched.  On July 31, 1942, Day sets a negro league record by striking out 18 Baltimore Elite Giants in a one-hitter.  Sixty years after his rookie season in 1995, Leon becomes the twelfth negro league representative inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee.

1935 EAST ALL-STARS

Leon Day ~ George Giles ~ Fats Jenkins ~ Ed Stone

After the 1935 season, Abe and Effa Manley purchase the Newark Dodgers, merge them together with the Eagles and relocate the team to New Jersey, giving rise to the fabled Newark Eagles Baseball Club with whom Monte Irvin; Don Newcombe; Larry Doby; Ray Dandridge; Biz Mackey; Mule Suttles; Jimmy Hills; Willie Wells; Max Manning; and other notables would play.  The Eagles play their home games at New York Yankees owned Ruppert Stadium through the 1948 season.  After which the Manleys sell the Eagles.  The team is relocated to Houston and incorporated into the Negro American League.

PART TWO: Where Eagles Dare


Sources:
Newark Dodgers Baseball-Reference ~ Brooklyn Eagles Baseball-Reference ~ Effa Manley MLB.com 
Effa Manley NLBPA.com ~ Negro Leagues in Brooklyn, BrooklynBallParks.com ~ SABR Leon Day
Negro League DataBase Seamheads.com 
photo on display at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, circa 1997

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

Week One Summer Camp Review with Arizona Mets Fan Anna Brice on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

Transplanted Jersey Girl in Arizona, 

Mets Fan, and Friend of the Show

ANNA BRICE

seventy-six minutes

COVID Continues Hurling Curveballs and Change-Ups at MLB

Sometimes even the best laid plans go awry.  One week into Summer Camp baseball is finding this out the hard way as coronavirus still rules the day.  Confirmed cases in numerous states continue spiking; a number of players and essential personal have tested positive; while other players are opting out of this season all together.  Meanwhile back in Metsville, Yoenis Cespedes is all the rage, but Robinson Cano is no where to be found.  From the booth Keith Hernandez believes he sees shades of the 1986 Mets in this year's potential line-up.  Is he looking through orange and blue tinted glasses?  Will the team finally be sold?  A Metsian Podcast will cover all this and more in its 61st numbered episode.  Former Jersey girl, huge Mets fan, even bigger Lee Mazzilli fan, current Arizona resident, and friend of the show Anna Brice returns for another session of Metsian banter.

100 Years Ago Today 7/12/1920: First Place Brooklyn Robins Sweep Twin Bill at Cubs Park

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #78: Monday, July 12, 1920, GAME ONE - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs (make-up 5/11/1920)
Cubs Park

Burleigh Grimes Wins Again

Brooklyn hitters beat Cubs starter Speed Martin like a drum, pounding the right-hander for thirteen runs on sixteen total hits.  Although only seven runs are earned, Martin's effort nevertheless falls short of being considered effective.  The Robins score in all but the fifth, eighth, and ninth innings.  Pete Kilduff is the lone Robins starting player failing to record a hit, but draws three walks, scores twice, and drives in two runs.  All other starters hit safely including Burleigh Grimes who is 1 for 4 with a run batted in.  Replacing catcher Otto Miller as a pinch runner in the fourth, Zack Taylor goes 2 for 3 with a double and two runs batted in.  Hi Myers goes 2 for 3 with a triple, two runs scored, and like Kilduff and Taylor drives in two runs extending his team lead to forty.  In return for consistent starts in right field an appreciative Tommy Griffith continues producing for Wilbert Robinson going 2 for 6 with a double, triple, and a run batted in.  Ed Konetchy lifts his average to .328 with two hits in four at-bats, and Zack Wheat goes 2 for 4 with three runs scored, and one run batted in.  Making his fifteenth start of the season, Burleigh Grimes now Brooklyn's unmitigated ace, yields three earned runs on eight hits and four walks with three strikeouts through nine complete innings.  With a fourth straight victory Burleigh improves to 12-5 with a fine 2.11 earned run average.


Game #79: Monday, July 12, 1920, GAME TWO - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cubs Park

Robins Complete Twin Bill Rout at Cubs Park

For a second straight game Cubs manager Fred Mitchell offers his starting pitcher no recourse.  An inactive Chicago bullpen writhes with discomfort as former Federal Leaguer Claude Hendrix surrenders ten runs on thirteen hits and three walks.  Four more fielding errors exacerbate the situation.  That makes ten Chicago errors in the twin bill attributable to ten unearned runs.  On the other hand Brooklyn's Sherry Smith pitches a dandy, limiting the Cubs to a pair of runs on nine hits and one walk with five strikeouts in a complete game effort.  He improves to 5-4 with a 2.18 earned run average.  Pete Kilduff leads the charge with three hits in five at-bats and two runs batted in.  Ed Konetchy also has a three hit day including a triple and a run batted in.  Hi Myers raises his average to .314 with a single, triple, and notches his team leading forty-first run batted in.  Jimmy Johnston and Zack Wheat each register two hits apiece.  The Robins are now winners of five in a row and improve to 9-1 on this road trip.  Despite Cincinnati's victory against the Phillies, Brooklyn adds another half-game to their first place lead over the Reds.

• RECORD: 46-32 (.589)
• First Place; 1.5 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

Baseball Great and Original New York Met Frank Thomas on an Amazin' Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

National League Slugging Great and

Original Member of 1962 New York Mets

FRANK THOMAS

ninety-minutes

7/9/2020

FRANK THOMAS CHARITIES

CAMP HAPPY DAYS: KIDS WITH CANCER

&

COURAGEOUS KIDS: 

A SAFE HAVEN FOR KIDS WITH CANCER

SIGNED PICTURES ~ LISTEN FOR DETAILS

Frank Thomas last month turned 91-years old and remains sharp as a tac.  Listen as Frank takes us through his major league career, with life anecdotes involving Casey Stengel, Joan Payson, Gil Hodges, Branch Rickey, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, 

playing at the Polo Grounds and so much more!  

This is must listen stuff.  Enjoy!

100 Years Ago Today 7/10/1920: Brooklyn Robins Extend First Place Lead Over Reds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #76: Saturday, July 10, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sportsman's Park

Jeff Pfeffer Earns Fifth Victory at Sportsman's Park; Robins Take Full Game Lead Over Second Place Reds.

The Robins continue surging upward, establishing an early 3-2 lead which they maintain through the sixth.  After which they bust out in the seventh inning with four more runs off Cardinals starter Marv Goodwin en route to a a 7-2 final at Sportsman's Park.  Brooklyn's table setters atop the lineup Ivy Olson and Jimmy Johnston join together for six hits in ten at-bats with four runs scored.  Hi Myers (.305) is 2 for 4 with two runs batted in.  Tommy Griffith and right field substitution Ray Schmandt also drive in one run apiece.  On the mound Jeff Pfeffer outlasts his opponent allowing two earned runs on nine hits and three walks with three strikeouts through nine innings complete.  It's Pfeffer's third straight victory, improving his record now to 6-8 with a 2.72 ERA.  He also helps himself out with a 2 for 3 day the plate with a run scored, and one run batted in.  The Reds split a twin bill with the Braves at Cincinnati.  Therefore the Robins extend their lead over the Reds to one full game.  They are now 12-2 over their last fourteen games.  Brooklyn is also averaging seven runs a game through the first seven games of this road trip, while allowing an average of just under three runs a game.

• RECORD: 43-32
• First Place; 1 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

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