100 Years Ago Today 6/8/1920: Brooklyn Robins Drop Series Opener to Visiting Cardinals

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #43: Tuesday, June 8, 1920 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Robins Come Up Empty Against Cardinals Rookie

All appears well as Brooklyn jumps out to a two run lead in the second.  Ernie Krueger drives in the first run of the game and starter Leon Cadore helps his own cause with a base hit a run batted in.  But the Robins would manage no more against Cardinals rookie starter Jesse Haines.  On the mound Leon Cadore fails to hold the lead, surrendering one run in the third, and two in the fourth.  And that's the way the game ends, in a 3-2 final in favor of St. Louis.  Cadore loses his second in a row and falls to 4-4 on the season with an inflating 1.60 earned run average.  Brooklyn is limited to no earned runs on just six hits by Jesse Haines who wins his fourth.  Getting the start at first base Ray Schmandt in place of Ed Konetchy collects his first two hits of the season.  Cincinnati bows to the Giants at the Polo Grounds, and so the Robins maintain a 1.5 game lead over the second place Reds.

• RECORD: 26-16 (.619)
• 1st place; 1.5 GA

100 Years Ago Today 6/7/1920: Brooklyn Robins Continue Getting Best of Cross Town Rival

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #42: Monday, June 7, 1920 - BR
New York Giants vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Rube Marquard Fends Off Giants; Brooklyn Extends First Place Lead Over Reds

Making up a postponement from April 28 the Robins take their second straight from the Giants, and notch their tenth win in their last eleven games.  Rube Marquard looks like his old self allowing the visitors two earned runs on nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts.  Facing New York's Fred Toney in the Brooklyn second Pete Kilduff triples home Tommy Griffith, then scores on Otto Miller's hit back up the middle for a 2-0 lead.  Otto Miller drives in Brooklyn's third run in the fourth with a double scoring Chuck Ward.  Tommy Griffith then caps off the Robins tallies with an RBI single in the fifth giving Brooklyn an eventual 4-2 final margin of victory.  Rube Marquard picks up his third victory with a declining 3.91 earned run average.  The Robins defeat the Giants for a fifth straight time and now own an 8-3 advantage in the season series.  They likewise increase their first place lead to 1.5 games over the Reds whom were idle this day.

• RECORD: 26-15 (.634)
• 1st place; 1.5 GA

100 Years Ago Today 6/6/1920: First Place Brooklyn Robins Whitewash Giants at Ebbets Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #41: Sunday, June 6, 1920
New York Giants vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Burleigh Grimes Hurls Gem at Giants; Brooklyn Takes Sole Possession of First Place 

Leave it to Brooklyn and New York to resume hostilities on a Sunday.  But that's just what they do.  Having swept the Giants in their previous clash, the red hot Brooks pick up where they leave off with their fourth straight victory against their lagging rival, and in doing so notch their ninth win in their last ten games played.  After a day-off the rested Robins score early, often, and pile on late, against Giants veteran starter Rube Benton.  Jimmy Johnston is 2 for 4 with three runs batted in; Hi Myers goes 3 for 4 with a double, a home run in the sixth, and three runs scored; and Pete Kilduff is 2 for 2 with two walks, a triple, and two runs batted in en route to an eight run margin of victory.  Benton is relieved after the seventh but not before yielding eight runs, five earned, on eight hits and three walks.  His counterpart Burleigh Grimes is brilliant.  Making his eighth start Grimes allows just six hits and one walk with four strikeouts in a complete game shutout effort.  He improves to 7-2 with a shrinking 1.18 earned run average.

• RECORD: 25-15 (.625)
• 1st place; 1 game up

Commemorating the 1920 Brooklyn Robins: Early Season Trends Not Lost On Uncle Robbie

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Brooklyn Arrives at Fork in the Road.  After Strong Start Do Robins Go Way of 1916 Champions or Veer Off Road Like Last Year's Robins?

Now in his seventh year managing Brooklyn, Wilbert Robinson is fit to be tied, for first place that is.  The Robins 24-15 start is eerily reminiscent of their open to the 1916 season.  And we all know what happened that year.  Four years ago at this time the Robins lead the National League standings by 1.5 games over the second place New York Giants.  But after capturing the pennant in 1916 Brooklyn opens the 1917 season with a 14-20 record, and in 1918 they open with a 13-26 record.  Last season the Robins get off to a respectable 20-15 start but inevitably fade below par and for a third straight season finish in the second division.  No one recalls this more readily that Wilbert.  For the moment his team is presently tied for first place with the defending world champion Cincinnati Reds.  At no point through the team's first forty games have they ever fallen more than two games out of first.  But Wilbert understands well the long road ahead.  What happens next is anybody's guess.

If the Robins continue pitching effectively Uncle Robbie seems confident success will find its way to Brooklyn.  Mind you the Robins pitching staff which has failed to feature a 20-game winner since Jeff Pfeffer won 25 games in 1916 returns this season virtually unchanged from last.  Burleigh Grimes at 26-years old is the baby of the bunch.  He is off to an outstanding start with a 6-2 record and 1.33 earned run average.  On the other side of the spectrum is Jeff Pfeffer whom only recently snapped a personal five game losing streak.  He is so far  2-5 with a representative 2.25 earned run average.  Leon Cadore is 4-3 and owns a fine 1.45 earned run average.  Al Mamaux is answering the call with a 4-1 record and a brilliant 1.15 ERA through 47 innings pitched.  The elder member of Brooklyn's core group Rube Marquard limited last season by a broken leg to just eight games is still trying to find his old self with a 2-1 record and 4.28 ERA through 37 innings pitched.  The good news is despite baseball's ban on the spitball effective this season, Marquard and a handful of select pitchers are allowed to continue utilizing the pitch.

Trading Casey Stengel prior to the 1918 season clears the way for Hi Myers becoming a starter.  For the moment he continues bearing the offensive load while Zack Wheat and Ed Konetchy remain out with injuries.  Last year Myers leads the circuit in triples, slugging average, and runs batted in.  This season the now 31-year old center fielder is batting .306 with 16 extra base hits including two home runs and a team leading 22 runs batted in.  Both Zack Wheat and Big Ed Konetchy are expected back next week perhaps against St. Louis.

EARLY SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

• 4/14/1920 - Brooklyn Robins Rout Phillies in Season Opener at Ebbets Field
• 4/24/1920 - Burleigh Grimes Hurls Robins Over Phillies 
• 4/26/1920 - Rube Marquard Turns Tables on Giants
• 5/1/1920 - Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves Play in Major League Record 26-Inning Marathon
• 5/13/1920 - Brooklyn Robins Have No Answer for Grover Cleveland Alexander
• 5/15/1920 - Brooklyn Robins Take Second Straight From Cardinals at Robison Field

• Friday, May 21, 1920 - Brooklyn Whitewashes Defending Champions at Redland Field
• Wednesday, May 26, 1920 - Robins Claim Key Series Victory at Pittsburgh
• Monday, May 31, 1920 - Brooklyn Robins Sweep Rival Giants in Twin Bill at Ebbets
• Tuesday, June 1, 1920 - Robins Forge First Place Tie With Reds
• Thursday, June 3, 1920 - Brooklyn Robins Whitewash Phillies at Baker Bowl
• Friday, June 4, 1920 - Brooklyn Reclaims Share of First Place

Next: New York Giants vs Brooklyn Robins at Ebbets Field

* Join me this season as I commemorate the Brooklyn Robins 1920 National League championship.  I am recapping each regular season game in real time with of course a little touch of poetic license.

100 Years Ago Today 6/4/1920: Brooklyn Robins Reclaim Share of First Place

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #40: Friday, June 4, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Brooklyn Takes Rubber Game at Baker Bowl; Hi Myers and Al Mamaux Lift Robins Back Into First Place Tie

Hi Myers continues bearing the offensive load while Zack Wheat and Ed Konetchy remain out with injuries.  Philadelphia's Casey Stengel facing Robins starter Al Mamaux breaks a scoreless tie in the fifth with a single up the middle.  But the Phillies would muster no more.  Mamaux limits Philadelphia to seven hits and five walks with five strikeouts through nine innings complete.  The Robins snap out of their slumber in the sixth when Hi Myers doubles home Mamaux and Ivy Olson.  In the eighth Myers triples home Bernie Neis, and in the ninth Ivy Olson's two runs batted in give Brooklyn a 5-1 final margin of victory.  Al Mamaux improves to 4-1 with a fine 1.15 earned run average, while Phillies starter Lee Meadows after winning five of his first six decisions sustains his first loss of the season.  With Friday's win the Robins take the series at Baker Bowl two games to one.  Cincinnati's game versus the Pirates is once again compromised by rain, thus allowing Brooklyn to reclaim a share of first place.

• RECORD: 24-15 (.615)
• tied 1st place; 0.0 GB

100 Years Ago Today 6/3/1920: Brooklyn Robins Whitewash Phillies at Baker Bowl

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #39: Thursday, June 3, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs, Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Jeff Pfeffer Hurls Gem; Robins Climb Within Half Game of First Place

Brooklyn gets back in the win column with a 2-0 whitewashing of the Phillies.  Meanwhile starter Jeff Pfeffer gets off his own personal schneid with a long sought victory after five straight losses.  Pfeffer yields no runs on seven hits and no walks with four strikeouts through nine.  Bernie Neis singles leading off the Brooklyn third and soon scores on a throwing error by shortstop Dave Bancroft.  Then with two outs in the eighth Hi Myers connects off Phillies starter Bert Gallia on his second home run of the season.  He now owns the team lead with 19 runs batted in.  The Robins are actually 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position but Pfeffer makes it a non issue which makes Wilbert Robinson a happy man.  Brooklyn ties the series at one apiece and now trail the idle Reds by just one half game.

• RECORD: 23-15 (.605)
• 2nd place; 0.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 6/2/1920: Brooklyn Robins Road Trip Opens With Loss at Philadelphia

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #38: Wednesday, June 2, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Baker Bowl

Leon Cadore Ineffective; Robins Tripped Up at Baker Bowl

Brooklyn's time spent in first place is fleeting.  The Robins arrive in Philadelphia where the Phillies snap their six game win streak with a series opening 6-4 victory at Baker Bowl.  Brooklyn takes a brief lead in the top of the third inning, but otherwise trail throughout.  Starter Leon Cadore appears fatigued coming off a ten inning performance in Saturday's match against Boston.  He yields five runs on eight hits in just 3.1 innings pitched.  Former friend now foe Casey Stengel is 2 for 4 with two runs batted in; left fielder Irish Meusel connects off Cadore in the third on his second home run of the season; and shortstop Dave Bancroft goes 3 for 3 with a walk, two doubles, a run batted in, and three runs scored.  Phillies starter Red Causey is yanked by manager Cravath after surrendering three runs on four hits and a walk through the third, but does not figure in the decision.  Lefty Weinert pitches 4.2 innings in relief of Causey to earn the victory.  With Zack Wheat sidelined manager Robinson shifts Bernie Neis to left field and gives Tommy Griffith a rare start in right.  In return Griffith produces a single, double, and a run batted in.  Clarence Mitchell continues wielding a hot bat while filling in for Ed Konetchy going 2 for 3 with two walks and a run scored.

• RECORD: 22-15 (.595)
• 2nd place; 1 GB

Four Old Guys and Sam on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

How You Doin?

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

Stephen Keane aka The Kranepool Society

with special call-in from

BigRedRuckus

105-minutes

BASEBALL

Owners ~ Commissioner ~ Union ~ Players

Fred ~ The Saul B. Katz Dilemma ~ Jeff

J-ROD

Life and Sports ~ Sports and Life

Mets History ~ Reminiscing

and so much more!

#LFGM

*Sunset Park mural

100 Years Ago Today 6/1/1920: Brooklyn Robins Forge First Place Tie With Reds

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #37: Tuesday, June 1, 1920 - BR
New York Giants vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Brooklyn Robins Complete Sweep of Giants; Move Into First Place Tie With Reds

The month of June begins with a real barnburner, a fierce back and forth affair at Ebbets Field in which Brooklyn wins Tuesday's series finale and completes a three game sweep over their Giant rivals.  Rube Marquard is opposed by New York yeoman Rube Benton.  Both fail to make it out of the fifth inning.  With two out and two on in the Brooklyn first Pete Kilduff reaches safely on an error by shortstop Art Fletcher.  With the bases loaded Clarence Mitchell singles to left plating two.  New York storms back with two runs batted in each by Art Fletcher and Larry Doyle, and one run batted in from Frank Snyder, for a 5-2 lead through four and one half innings.  The Brooks then rally for two in the bottom half of the fifth on runs batted in from Bill McCabe and Ernie Krueger.  After which a Hi Myers triple in the sixth plates two for a 6-5 Robins lead.  But the bullpen duo of Art Nehf and Phil Douglas falters in the eighth yielding four runs on three hits and two walks giving New York a 9-6 advantage.  Then comes the obligatory comeback.  Pete Kuldiff and Clarence Mitchell each drive in a run apiece in the eighth cutting the Robins deficit to one.  In the Brooklyn ninth an incensed John McGraw seethes over his club's fourth error of the game, and eleventh of the series.  With two outs and the bases filled with Robins, Hi Myers doubles into deep right plating the tying and winning runs.  For the game Hi Myers is 2 for 5 with a walk, double, triple, two runs scored, and four runs batted in.  Bill McCabe starts in left field in place of the injured Zack Wheat.  Speaking of which Clarence Mitchell since taking over first base for the injured Ed Konetchy enjoys his biggest day at the plate going 4 for 5 with three runs batted in.  Sherry Smith earns his third victory in relief of Rube Marquard and George Mohart.  Marquard surrenders five earned runs on seven hits and one walk in just four innings pitched.  The Robins are now winners of six in a row.

• RECORD: 22-14 (.611)
• 1st place; tied

100 Years Ago Today 5/31/1920: Brooklyn Robins Sweep Rival Giants in Twin Bill at Ebbets

From the desk of:  THE FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #35: Monday, May 31, 1920 - BR
New York Giants vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field:  GAME ONE

Burleigh Grimes Flusters John McGraw and the New York Giants

Brooklyn bats swarm Giants starter Phil Douglas with haste, knocking him out of the box by the second inning.  Four hits, an error by his shortstop Art Fletcher, a run batted in by opposing pitcher Burleigh Grimes, and 0-3 deficit are all John McGraw can stand before dispatching Phil Douglas to the showers.  With one out and runners on the corners in the Giants third Art Fletcher makes up for his fielding gaffe by plating right fielder George Burns with the Giants first run.  Burleigh Grimes and the Robins then get after Giants reliever Jesse Winters in the Brooklyn fifth.  With two outs Pete Kilduff triples to left and scores on Grimes second hit of the game.  Then with runners on the corners and two outs Art Fletcher commits his second costly error of the game allowing Otto Miller to score Brooklyn's fifth run.  New York scores once in the ninth en route to a 5-2 defeat.  Burleigh Grimes improves to 6-2 with a 1.33 ERA.  He allows two earned runs on eleven hits and no walks with seven strikeouts.  With a stick in his hands Grimes goes 3 for 3 with two runs batted in.


Game #36: Monday, May 31, 1920 - BR
New York Giants vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field:  GAME TWO

Strong Pitching and Timely Hitting Continue to Propel Wilbert's Robins

The New Yorkers provide little defense for starter Jesse Barnes.  Five more fielding errors send manager John McGraw into conniption.  A contented Wilbert Robinson can not help but grin at his adversary's dismay as the Robins complete a sweep of Monday's twin bill at Ebbets Field.  Brooklyn pitchers continue wielding a hot bat, as starter Al Mamaux goes 2 for 4 with a run scored.  Ivy Olson is 1 for 5 with a triple and run batted in.  Making his sixth straight start at first base in place of Ed Konetchy, Clarence Mitchell is hitting .304 with seven hits in 23 at-bats.  On the mound Al Mamaux treats the Giants unkindly, yielding one earned run on just five hits and three walks with two strikeouts.  He improves to 3-1 with a fine 1.18 earned run average.  Brooklyn is now 5-3 against the Giants this season with the home teams continuing to hold sway.  The Reds and Cubs split their twin bill at Chicago leaving the Robins and Reds tied for second place one half game behind the front running Cubs.

• RECORD: 21-14 (.600)
• 2nd place; 0.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/30/1920: Brooklyn Robins Win Third Straight Against Braves

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #34: Sunday, May 30, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Brooks Win Third Straight; Brace for New York Giants

No Ed Konetchy?  No Problem.  Minus their top run producer and starting first baseman the Robins average five runs a game during their now concluded four game series against the Braves.  Brooklyn wins Sunday's series finale and takes the series three games to one.  Sherry Smith wins his second game against two losses with a lowered 1.62 earned run average.  He allows two runs, one earned, on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts through nine complete.  Zack Wheat leads the charge with three hits in four at-bats, two runs scored and two runs batted in.  Hi Myers is 2 for 4 also with two runs batted in.

• RECORD: 19-14 (.575)
• 3rd place; 1.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/29/1920: Brooklyn Robins Sweep Saturday Twin Bill Against Braves

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #32: Saturday, May 29, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field:  GAME ONE

Hi Myers Highlights Offensive Outburst; Rube Marquard Sharp in Return to Mound

The Robins jump out to an early lead and never look back.  Brooklyn posts a pair in the first inning on runs batted in from Jimmy Johnston and Hi Myers.  Boston briefly cuts the deficit by one on Rabbit Maranville's second inning sacrifice fly scoring John Sullivan from third.  But the Braves manage just two more hits through the remainder of the game.  Back in action making his first appearance in nine days, and his first start since May 7, veteran Rube Marquard limits Boston to a lone run on just three hits and three walks with three strikeouts through nine innings complete.  He improves to 2-1 and lowers his ERA to a 3.55 mark.  Meanwhile the Robins continue putting Braves starter Bunny Hearn through the ringer with another five runs on seven more hits.  All told Hearn yields seven runs, six earned, on eleven hits through eight innings pitched.  Zack Wheat is 1 for 4, with a run batted in.  Hi Myers enjoys a productive game at the plate going 2 for 4 with a triple and a long home run to right that goes bouncing onto Bedford Avenue.  In the seventh inning Ivy Olson plates two more runs with a triple, then scores the final run of the game on a Bernie Neis hit to left.  Brooklyn takes the first game of Saturday's twin bill by a 7-1 final score.  This game is a make-up from an Apr. 21 postponement.


Game #33: Saturday, May 29, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field:  GAME TWO

Hi Myers Picks Up Where He Leaves Off; Robins Complete Twin Bill Sweep

Saturday's second game begins ominously for Brooklyn who in the first inning commit three errors resulting in Boston's first two runs.  Adding insult to injury right fielder Walton Cruise steals home making it a 3-0 Braves lead after one-half inning of play.  Brooklyn evens the score with single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.  Boston opens the sixth with three consecutive singles and a run batted in from third baseman Tony Boeckel.  Ivy Olson answers on Brooklyn's behalf in the seventh with a hit to right scoring pinch runner Bill McCabe from second base.  Starting pitchers Leon Cadore and Boston's inexperienced Hugh McQuillan continue dueling through the ninth.  With one out and the bases full in the Brooklyn tenth Hi Myers singles through the left side scoring Ivy Olson from third with the game winning run.  McQuillan's line reads five earned runs on eight hits and five walks with one strikeout over 9.1 innings pitched.  Making his eighth start Leon Cadore improves to 4-2 with a brilliant 1.08 ERA.  He yields four runs but only one is earned.  In fact, Cadore has allowed just two earned runs over his last 27 innings pitched.  Leon also helps himself with the stick, going 1 for 3 with a run batted in.  Ivy Olson is 3 for 5 with two runs batted in, and Hi Myers is 2 for 5 also with two runs batted in.  Clarence Mitchell makes his third consecutive start at first base in place of injured Ed Konetchy.

• RECORD: 18-14
• 3rd place; 1.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/28/1920: Brooklyn Robins Come Up Short Against Braves

From the desk of:  THE FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #31: Friday, May 28, 1920 - BR
Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Brooklyn Robins Come Undone in Ninth; Drop Series Opener to Braves

The Robins and Boston Braves open a four game series at Ebbets Field.  Making his sixth start of the season Jeff Pfeffer is opposed by Braves journeyman Dana Fillingam.  After three scoreless frames the teams trade runs in the fourth on runs batted in by Boston starter Dana Fillingam and Brooklyn's Jimmy Johnston respectively.  In the Braves sixth with two outs catcher Mickey O'Neil doubles home third baseman Tony Boeckel for a 2-1 lead.  Then in the top of the ninth Boston breaks open the game.  Fillingam again helps his own cause with his second hit and second run batted in.  Then with two outs and two runners on base Eddie Eayrs sends a Jeff Pfeffer offering into deep center field for an inside the park home run.  Brooklyn rallies for two runs in the bottom half of the frame but can muster no more.  Fillingam picks up his fourth victory of the season having yielded three runs on eight hits and one walk through nine.  Jeff Pfeffer on the other hand loses his fifth straight decision, allowing all six runs on 13 hits and one walk with six strikeouts likewise through nine innings pitched.  Pete Kilduff is 1 for 4 with a double and two runs batted in.  Zack Wheat's hot start has cooled in recent weeks evidenced by his downward ticking .295 batting average.  And two-way pitcher Clarence Mitchell gives Ed Konetchy the day off with one of his rare starts at first base.

• RECORD: 16-14 (.533)
• 4th place; 2 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/27/1920: Brooklyn Robins Bow to Philadelphia in Return to Ebbets Field

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #30: Thursday, May 27, 1920 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Ivy Olson's First Inning Error Comes Back To Haunt Brooklyn; Clarence Mitchell Takes Early Shower

In what was supposed to be a break in the schedule, Brooklyn is made to play a make up game (Apr. 16) against the Philadelphia Phillies.  Back home after a successful 6-3 road trip the Robins fall behind Philadelphia early but rally in the fourth and fifth innings to knot the game at four.  The score remains unchanged for another five innings.  In the top of the eleventh inning with one out, Phillies third baseman Ralph Miller doubles home first baseman Gene Paulette with the go ahead run.  In the bottom half of the frame starter George Smith retires the Robins in order.  Brooklyn starter Clarence Mitchell faces three batters in the third before manager Robinson summons little utilized George Mohart from the bullpen.  Mitchell surrenders four runs, three earned, on six hits and no walks in just 2.1 innings of work.  However it is George Mohart making only his third appearance whom takes the loss after yielding just one earned run on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 8.1 innings pitched.  In the final analysis shortstop Ivy Olson's mishandling of Dave Bancroft's ground ball leading off the game proves very costly.  Philadelphia's George Smith pitches all eleven innings allowing four earned runs on nine hits and one walk en route to his fourth victory of the season.  Hi Myers is 3 for 5 with a double, triple, and two runs batted in, and Ed Konecthy drives in his team leading sixteenth run this season.  Pittsburgh now owns a slim half-game lead over the Cubs and Reds.  Brooklyn is next in line just one game out.

• RECORD: 16-13 (.551)
• 4th place; 1 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/26/1920: Brooklyn Robins Claim Key Series Victory at Pittsburgh

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #29: Wednesday, May 26, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Burleigh Grimes Wields Mighty Bat in Series Clinching Victory Over First Place Pirates

Brooklyn's fast rising star Burleigh Grimes commands the mound as well as the plate in leading the Robins to a key 3-2 series victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Brooks take Wednesday's series finale by a likewise 3-2 margin wherein Grimes factors greatly in a variety of manners.  With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth Grimes hits catcher Walter Schmidt with a pitch forcing in the game's first run.  But Grimes escapes further damage by inducing his counterpart Pirates starter Jack Wisner into a 6-4-3 double play.  With one out and two runners in scoring position in the Brooklyn fourth Burleigh Grimes ties the score with a sacrifice fly to right scoring Pete Kilduff from third base.  Ivy Olson promptly follows with a hit to center scoring Otto Miller for a 2-1 Robins lead.  However with two outs and a runner on second in the Pirates fifth right fielder Billy Southworth steps in against Burleigh Grimes whom uncorks a wild pitch allowing Howdy Caton to advance all the way home.  Undeterred Grimes again takes matters into his own hands.  Wielding a hot bat Burleigh strokes a two out triple off the rookie Jack Wisner scoring Kilduff with the go ahead run, and the Robins ultimate margin of victory.  Grimes enjoys a 3 for 3 day at the plate with a triple and two runs batted in.  A lesson learned on youngster Jack Wisner who goes 0 for 2 with a strikeout.  On the mound Grimes wins his second straight decision against his former team while improving to 5-2 overall with a 1.23 ERA.  He allows two runs, only one earned, on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts through nine complete.  Meanwhile the Robins pepper Wisner for three earned runs on 14 hits.

In 1920 Burleigh Grimes slashes .306/358/.432/.791 in 111 official at-bats, with eight walks, eleven extra base hits, and 16 runs batted in.

• RECORD: 16-12
• 4th place; 0.5 GB

FORBES FIELD