100 YEARS AGO AT THE POLO GROUNDS 5/28/1921: Yankees Sweep Twin Bill Against A's; Braves Salvage Split With Visiting Giants

From the desk: WHEN THE POLO GROUNDS WAS THE WORLD

100 Years Ago Today at the Polo Grounds: 

New York Giants & New York Yankees 

1921 Seasons Revisited

In their last season at Hilltop Park, the now formerly known New York Highlanders lost 102 games.  Rebranded as the Yankees, in 1913, they moved just a few blocks away into the Polo Grounds as tenants of the Senior Circuit's New York Giants.  To the chagrin of Giants manager John McGraw, the Americans proceeded to lose another 94 games.  

Known to hold a grudge, McGraw still harbored much animosity two full decades later, not only towards Ban Johnson and his rebel circuit (unkept promises included) but more so towards the Yankees.  As they were founded at the expense of his rendered defunct Baltimore Orioles.  

For as long as the Yankees paid their rent, the tenant/landlord relationship with the Giants remained amicably strained.  Mainly because the middling Americans, except for one season in 1916, never elevated themselves above the ranks of Junior Circuit also-rans.  But that changed in 1919 when they briefly vied for the pennant but tuckered out down the stretch to finish third.  A franchise record of 619,164 fans showed up to root for the American League contenders.  However, the Yankees' burgeoning success was not yet a pressing issue, per se, for the Giants, who were coming off a second-place finish and their best season in a decade at the turnstile.

Then, in 1920, baseball's tectonic plates along the New York/New England fault shift.  The Yankees' purchase of George Herman "Babe" Ruth from the Boston Red Sox sends seismic waves reverberating throughout the baseball world but none more intense than in Washington Heights.  

Ruth's earth-shattering record of 54 home runs was something never experienced before in the history of baseball.  However, it was an accomplishment for which John McGraw had little appreciation.  He believes players work too hard and earnestly to have their skills disrespected by some miscreant's lone swing of the bat.

Gotham's citizenry never before descended from Coogan's Bluff in such quantity and spectacle as in 1920 as the Giants would set a franchise record with 929,609 reported attendance.  However, the New York Nationals faced an economic dilemma of Ruthian proportions.  McGraw's disdain for his tenants was further heightened when the Yankees outdrew the host Giants in their own home for the first time in each franchise's history.  Headlined by Babe Ruth, the Yankees seized the city's attention, evidenced by an all-time major league record of 1,289,422 in attendance.

In 1921, over two million fans would again pack the Polo Grounds.  Babe Ruth would continue accomplishing the unimaginable, and if that wasn't surreal enough, he proceeds to top it.  All the while, with each passing day, John McGraw grows more incensed.  Lest we forget, New York City is still Little Napoleon's empire.  

Sharing a ballpark for both teams is becoming an insufferable condition—the Giants attempt to evict the Yankees before the start of 1921 to no avail.  But a solution lies not too far away ...  

Until then, two major league titans charge headlong into a season-ending October clash at the Polo Grounds.  It is New York City's first-ever World's Championship Subway Series.  All games are played at the Polo Grounds, making Coogan's Bluff the center of the baseball universe. 

This is my replay of that season.  I'll be exercising my creative license whenever and wherever ever possible.  More than anything, this is about having fun and celebrating New York City's baseball history.  

• Stats: BASEBALL REFERENCE

Enjoy the games ... PLAY BALL!

GAME #35

BOXSCORE GAME ONE: Saturday, May 28, 1921 - BR

Philadelphia Athletics @ NEW YORK YANKEES

POLO GROUNDS

*Makeup Game: April 13, 1921

Carl Mays Makes Easy Work of Athletics

Carl Mays returns from suspension and twirls a gem in the Yankees return home to the Polo Grounds.  In a makeup of an Apr. 13 rainout, Mays limits Philadelphia to one run on seven hits and three walks with a pair of strikeouts through nine.  He improves to 8-4 with a 1.81 earned run average.  Center fielder Frank Welch scores on a fielder's choice in the fifth to spoil the shutout.  The Yankees bunch together three runs in the third courtesy of Roger Peckinpaugh, Wally Pipp, and Bob Meusel.  Wally Schang singles home a run in the sixth and drives home another in the eighth, giving the Yankees a 5-1 victory.

• FINAL: PHI 1; NYY 5

⚾

GAME #36

BOXSCORE GAME TWO: Saturday, May 28, 1921 - BR

Philadelphia Athletics @ NEW YORK YANKEES

POLO GROUNDS

Yankees Complete Twin Bill Sweep

Bob Shawkey sabotages his own shutout effort by walking in the A's first run in the eighth.  He then yields a run in the ninth.  However, Shawkey was well covered.  The Yankees plate a pair in the first with runs batted in by Wally Pipp and Bob Meusel.  In the fourth, Chicken Hawks triples home Pipp and Meusel, and Aaron Ward singles home Hawks.  Wally Pipp adds the finishing touch with a run-scoring double in the seventh, giving the Yankees a 6-2 final margin of victory.  Shawkey yields one run on five hits and issues six bases on balls but strikes out eight batters for the win.

• FINAL: PHI 2; NYY 6
• RECORD: 22-14 (.611), second place, 3.0 GB of Cleveland

New York Herald (New York, New York)

GAME #37

BOXSCORE GAME ONE: Saturday, May 28, 1921 - BR

New York Giants @ BOSTON BRAVES

Braves Field

* Makeup Game: April 19, 1921

Late Rally Gets Giants By Resilient Braves

Game One is a wild affair.  Having lost their lead, the Giants muster four runs in the seventh inning en route to a 10-7 victory.  They jump out to a 3-0 lead in the first, but it does not last.  Trailing 5-3 after five and a half, the Braves rally for three runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 6-5 lead.  Art Nehf allows all seven runs, six earned, eleven hits, and no walks with four strikeouts.  He yielded a home run to Braves' third baseman Tony Boeckel.  Jesse Barnes throws three scoreless innings in relief.  George Burns, High Pockets Kelly, and Aaron Ward each drive in two runs apiece.  Dave Bancroft, Frankie Frisch, and Earl Smith each drive in one run.  Boston amasses 14 hits, but five errors contribute to their undoing.  Five of the Giants' ten runs are unearned.  Art Nehf improves to 6-2 with a still lofty 4.75 ERA.

• FINAL: NYG 10; BOS 7

⚾

GAME #38

BOXSCORE GAME TWO: Saturday, May 28, 1921 - BR

New York Giants @ BOSTON BRAVES

Braves Field

Braves Win in Ninth Inning; Earn Twin Bill Split

In another see-saw tilt, The Giants bat around in taking a 3-0 first-inning lead highlighted by a Frankie Frisch home run.  Dave Bancroft drives home a run in the fourth.  In the bottom of the sixth, Boston gets the better of Giants' starter Pol Perritt and Slim Salle.  The Giants committed three errors behind them as the Braves scored four runs for a 5-4 lead.   In the top of the ninth, High Pockets Kelly drives home Frisch tying the game at five.  Facing Rube Benton in relief of Salle, second baseman Hod Ford drives home Tony Boeckel for the win.  Rube Benton suffers his first loss this season against three wins and a 1.49 ERA.  Boston's Joe Oeschger goes the distance for the win.

• FINAL: NYG 5; BOS 6
• RECORD: 25-13 (.22-14), second place, 2.5 GB of Pittsburgh

OTD 5/27/1934: Bay Ridge Sweeps Historic Doubleheader From Brooklyn Royal Giants

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), May 24, 1934

BAY RIDGE CLUB

vs.

BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

FROM

86th Street at 15th Ave

Brooklyn

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), May 28, 1934

On Sunday, May 27, 1934, less than two miles from where I presently live, the local Bay Ridge semipro club defeats the Brooklyn Royal Giants in both games of a doubleheader played at the Ridger's stadium, Brooklyn.  This is the first time in a decade the Royal Giants have been held scoreless in both games of a twin bill.

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), May 28, 1934

GAME ONE: Bay Ridge starter Artie Clark limits the Royal Giants to just five hits, two for extra bases, one walk, with five strikeouts in a complete-game shutout performance.  Giants third baseman Jefferies and left fielder Ralph Burgin account for two hits apiece.  Playing right field is Buck Leonard's brother, Charlie Leonard.  I'm speculating former Cuban Stars infielder Pedro San was playing second base for the Royal Giants (not Dick Seay).  I'm likewise speculating that left-hander Otis Starks is the Royal Giants pitcher of record.  Otherwise, Mr. Starke yields four runs on ten hits and three walks with two strikeouts for the loss.  O'Donnell, Marsini, McCarthy, and Kearney all score for Bay Ridge.

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), May 28, 1934

GAME TWO: The Royal Giants lose by an identical score, 4 to 0.  Pedro San accounts for two of the Giants five hits.  Charlie Leonard, Ralph Burgin, and the Royal Giants feature starting pitcher account for the other three.  However, the now 44-year old right-hander Cannonball Dick Redding yields 14 hits and strikes out just one.  Starting for Bay Ridge, Spiro strikes out five in a shutout effort.

OTD 5/27/1934: Bay Parkway Semipros Drop Double-Header to Cuban Stars at Erasmus Field, Brooklyn

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS & BÉISBOL

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), Monday, May 28, 1934

SUNDAY

CUBAN STARS (EAST)

vs.

BAY PARKWAYS

FROM

ERASMUS FIELD

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

On Sunday, May 27, 1934, less than two miles from where I live, the Cuban Stars East take both games of a doubleheader from the local Bay Parkway semipros at Erasmus Field; present-day McDonald Ave at the Avenue M station along the Culver Line.

GAME ONE

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

Toeing the slab in Game One, Bay Parkway's Jim Smith is opposed by right-hander Rodolfo Fernández for the Cuban Stars.  Both teams trade a pair of runs in the first.  The visitors then build a 6-3 lead after three and a half.  But the Bay Parkways rally for four runs in the home fourth for a 7-6 lead.  The score remains unchanged until the eighth, when the Cuban Stars tie the game at seven.  In the top of the ninth home runs by second baseman José Abreu and left fielder Lázaro Salazar gives the Cuban Stars a 9-7 lead, their final margin of victory.  Rodolfo Fernández yields seven runs on ten hits and no walks with one strikeout for the win.  To say Bay Parkways starter Jim Smith lacked control is putting it mildly.  Besides allowing nine runs on ten hits, he walks ten, plunks five other batsmen, and strikes out five batters.  First baseman Salvador Massip is the third Cuban Star to register multiple hits. Bay Parkways right fielder Caldwell finishes 3 for 4 with a home run.

GAME TWO

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

GAME TWO: Cuba Stars starter Lázaro Salazar allows the Bay Parkways just five hits but six walks, with two strikeouts in a nine-inning complete-game shutout.  Bay Parkways manager Joe Press with great confidence, hands the ball to Harry Kowenhover.  But he is roughed up for 13 runs on 13 hits and four walks with five strikeouts and one hit batsman over 8.2 innings pitched for the loss. 

100 YEARS AGO AT THE POLO GROUNDS 5/27/1921: Yankees Veto The Senators; Giants Hold On To Defeat Braves

From the desk: WHEN THE POLO GROUNDS WAS THE WORLD

100 Years Ago Today at the Polo Grounds: 

New York Giants & New York Yankees 

1921 Seasons Revisited

In their last season at Hilltop Park, the now formerly known New York Highlanders lost 102 games.  Rebranded as the Yankees, in 1913, they moved just a few blocks away into the Polo Grounds as tenants of the Senior Circuit's New York Giants.  To the chagrin of Giants manager John McGraw, the Americans proceeded to lose another 94 games.  

Known to hold a grudge, McGraw still harbored much animosity two full decades later, not only towards Ban Johnson and his rebel circuit (unkept promises included) but more so towards the Yankees.  As they were founded at the expense of his rendered defunct Baltimore Orioles.  

For as long as the Yankees paid their rent, the tenant/landlord relationship with the Giants remained amicably strained.  Mainly because the middling Americans, except for one season in 1916, never elevated themselves above the ranks of Junior Circuit also-rans.  But that changed in 1919 when they briefly vied for the pennant but tuckered out down the stretch to finish third.  A franchise record of 619,164 fans showed up to root for the American League contenders.  However, the Yankees' burgeoning success was not yet a pressing issue, per se, for the Giants, who were coming off a second-place finish and their best season in a decade at the turnstile.

Then, in 1920, baseball's tectonic plates along the New York/New England fault shift.  The Yankees' purchase of George Herman "Babe" Ruth from the Boston Red Sox sends seismic waves reverberating throughout the baseball world but none more intense than in Washington Heights.  

Ruth's earth-shattering record of 54 home runs was something never experienced before in the history of baseball.  However, it was an accomplishment for which John McGraw had little appreciation.  He believes players work too hard and earnestly to have their skills disrespected by some miscreant's lone swing of the bat.

Gotham's citizenry never before descended from Coogan's Bluff in such quantity and spectacle as in 1920 as the Giants would set a franchise record with 929,609 reported attendance.  However, the New York Nationals faced an economic dilemma of Ruthian proportions.  McGraw's disdain for his tenants was further heightened when the Yankees outdrew the host Giants in their own home for the first time in each franchise's history.  Headlined by Babe Ruth, the Yankees seized the city's attention, evidenced by an all-time major league record of 1,289,422 in attendance.

In 1921, over two million fans would again pack the Polo Grounds.  Babe Ruth would continue accomplishing the unimaginable, and if that wasn't surreal enough, he proceeds to top it.  All the while, with each passing day, John McGraw grows more incensed.  Lest we forget, New York City is still Little Napoleon's empire.  

Sharing a ballpark for both teams is becoming an insufferable condition—the Giants attempt to evict the Yankees before the start of 1921 to no avail.  But a solution lies not too far away ...  

Until then, two major league titans charge headlong into a season-ending October clash at the Polo Grounds.  It is New York City's first-ever World's Championship Subway Series.  All games are played at the Polo Grounds, making Coogan's Bluff the center of the baseball universe. 

This is my replay of that season.  I'll be exercising my creative license whenever and wherever ever possible.  More than anything, this is about having fun and celebrating New York City's baseball history.  

• Stats: BASEBALL REFERENCE

Enjoy the games ... PLAY BALL!

⚾

GAME #34

BOXSCORE: Friday, May 27, 1921 - BR

New York Yankees @ WASHINGTON SENATORS

Griffith Stadium

* Makeup Game: 5/4/1921

Yankees Conclude Road Trip With 11-6 Record

In the nation's capital for one makeup game before returning home to the Polo Grounds, the Yankees make it worth their while.  With five runs in the second inning and five more in the fifth, starter Waite Hoyt has more than enough to work with.  He allows the Senators four runs, three earned, ten hits, and no walks with four strikeouts for the win.  Hoyt improves to 5-2 with a 2.93 ERA.  Today, Roger Peckinpaugh goes 4 for 5 with a run scored and a run batted in the leadoff spot.  Babe Ruth collects two more hits and drives home two runs.  Wally Schang, $25 lighter in the pocket due to his misbehavior when these teams met last, goes 3 for 5 with two doubles and a run batted in with two runs scored.  Hoyt helps his own cause with two hits, a triple, two runs batted in, and two runs scored.

• FINAL: NYY 11; WAS 4
• RECORD: 20-14 (.588), second place, 3.0 GB of Cleveland

Vancouver Daily World (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

GAME #36

BOXSCORE: Friday, May 27, 1921 - BR

New York Giants @ BOSTON BRAVES

Braves Field

Giants Ride Seven-Run Second Inning to Victory at Braves Field

The Giants storm to a 7-0 lead in the second inning.  Afterwhich, it's just a matter of holding on.  Jesse Barnes takes his lumps, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks in just 2.1 innings pitched.  Lee King drives home a run in the fourth, and Earl Smith drives home a run in the top of the ninth.  It's a good thing too.  Rosy Ryan yields two runs on five hits through five innings, and Fred Toney allows a run on five hits over the final 1.2 innings.  Ryan earns the win, Barnes escapes with a no-decision.  High Pockets Kelly raises his average to .356 and drives home his 40th run this season, while Frankie Frisch drives home his twentieth.  The Giants take a 2-1 series lead.

• FINAL: NYG 9; BOS 8
• RECORD: 24-12 (.667), second place, 3.0 GB of Pittsburgh

N.Y. Knicks: Another Strong Second Half Effort This Time Secures Victory in Game Two

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

PLAYOFFS: ROUND ONE

Game Two

Hawks    92

KNICKS  101

FINAL

Second Half Defense Grounds Hawks

We saw this before: the Knicks get off to another slow start.  Although, I was in the car at the time listening to the radio.  

In the first quarter of game one, they were outscored by eight; Wednesday, they get outscored in the first, this time by seven.  But whereas the Knicks trailed by two at the half of game one, this time they walk off to the locker room down by a concerning 13 points.  

I'm sure Tom Thibodeau had a few choice words for his squad.  Because in the second half, the Knicks held Atlanta to 18 points in the third quarter and just 17 points in the fourth, or said another way, just 35 points in the second half.  Meanwhile, the Knicks score 32 points in a big third quarter and followed up with 25 points in the final session en route to a 57-35 second-half advantage and a much-needed nine-point margin of victory. 

Nerlens Noel was back on the floor and helped the Knicks outrebound the Hawks by a handsome 54-41 difference.  The Knicks also outscored Atlanta 42-28 in the paint.

Trae Young again leads the floor with 30 points in 35 minutes.  Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic, the two you would expect, led all shooters with 20 and 21 attempts, respectively.

Meanwhile, Tom Thibodeau once again throws some crumbs Elfrid Payton's way; five minutes.  While that's still worth pondering, Derrick Rose clocks in with a team-high 39 minutes off the bench, in which he leads the Knicks with both 21 shot attempts and 26 points.  This is also to say Julius Randle did not lead the Knicks in attempts as is his custom.  Lest we forget, one has playoffs experience, and the other does not.  Overall, the bench contributes 55 points thus accounting for 54.4% of the Knicks scoring.  Obi Toppin was both effective and opportunistic, with eight points in twelve minutes.

Julius Randle was an improved performer over game one.  His game numbers betray him.  Let's call him clutch, then.  Randle finishes with 15 points and twelve rebounds in 35 minutes.  His drive the lane floater with 1:13 left in the fourth put the Knicks safely ahead by a 100-91 margin.  

Reggie Bullock added 14 points, and RJ Barrett chipped in with 13 points in 26 minutes.  Alec Burks' scoring line also betrays him, eleven points in 30 minutes, but unlike the Hawks, he provided an extra measure of scoring depth off the bench.

Despite another precarious start, the Knicks finish strong again.  The challenge now is to get the first quarter under control because they've demonstrated in two consecutive games against the Hawks they come on strong in the second half.

OTD 5/26/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Turn The Tables on Chicago American Giants With Twin Bill Sweep at Ebbets Field

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 27, 1935

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE II

Chicago American Giants

vs.

Brooklyn Eagles

FROM

EBBETS FIELD

 

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), May 27, 1935

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 27, 1935

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), May 27, 1935

On Sunday, May 26, 1935, in a Negro National League match-up, the Brooklyn Eagles exact a measure of revenge after Saturday's doubleheader loss to the Chicago American Giants, with a sweep of today's twin bill before a crowd of 5,000 on hand at Ebbets Field. 

GAME ONE - Twice, the American Giants mount a lead, and each time the Eagles answered.  After scoring once in the second and twice in the top half of the third, Brooklyn strikes back with three runs in the bottom of the frame.  When Chicago established a 5-3 lead after eight, the Eagles again respond with two runs in the bottom of the ninth, sending the game into extra innings.  With no outs in the home tenth and Harry Williams on base, center fielder Rap Dixon doubles home Williams with the game-winning run.  Dixon leads the Eagles with three hits in five trips with a stolen base, while shortstop Dennis Gilchrist is 2 for 3 with a double and run scored.  Chicago shortstop Willie Wells goes 2 for 5 with a double, and left fielder Turkey Stearns is similarly 2 for 4 with a triple.  Brooklyn right-hander Will Jackman earns the victory in relief of starter Elbert Williams, who escapes with a no-decision.  Chicago right-hander Ted Trent takes the loss.

GAME TWO - Brooklyn Eagles starter Sleeky Reese faces just two batters, surrendering a base hit and a walk.  Manager George Giles promptly replaces him with right-hander Will Jackman who allows four runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts over the ensuing nine innings for the win.  In fact, Jackman helps his own cause with a double and triple in three trips to the plate.  Chicago starter  Ossie Brown is knocked out of the box and relieved by Melvin Powell; together, they surrender nine runs on eight hits in the first inning alone.  Brooklyn totals 14 runs on 17 hits, including extra bases from Tex Burnett, Fats Jenkins, Dennis Gilchrist, Jackman, and a home run off the bat of captain Giles.  Jenkins, Gilchrist, and right fielder Ed Stone finish with three hits apiece.  The game ends after seven innings by agreement.  

• ICYMI  OTD: 5/25/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Drop Doubleheader to Chicago American Giants at Ebbets Field

100 YEARS AGO TODAY AT THE POLO GROUNDS 5/26/1921: Giants Split Twin Bill at Braves Field; Yankees Off To Washington

From the desk: WHEN THE POLO GROUNDS WAS THE WORLD

100 Years Ago Today at the Polo Grounds: 

New York Giants & New York Yankees 

1921 Seasons Revisited

In their last season at Hilltop Park, the now formerly known New York Highlanders lost 102 games.  Rebranded as the Yankees, in 1913, they moved just a few blocks away into the Polo Grounds as tenants of the Senior Circuit's New York Giants.  To the chagrin of Giants manager John McGraw, the Americans proceeded to lose another 94 games.  

Known to hold a grudge, McGraw still harbored much animosity two full decades later, not only towards Ban Johnson and his rebel circuit (unkept promises included) but more so towards the Yankees.  As they were founded at the expense of his rendered defunct Baltimore Orioles.  

For as long as the Yankees paid their rent, the tenant/landlord relationship with the Giants remained amicably strained.  Mainly because the middling Americans, except for one season in 1916, never elevated themselves above the ranks of Junior Circuit also-rans.  But that changed in 1919 when they briefly vied for the pennant but tuckered out down the stretch to finish third.  A franchise record of 619,164 fans showed up to root for the American League contenders.  However, the Yankees' burgeoning success was not yet a pressing issue, per se, for the Giants, who were coming off a second-place finish and their best season in a decade at the turnstile.

Then, in 1920, baseball's tectonic plates along the New York/New England fault shift.  The Yankees' purchase of George Herman "Babe" Ruth from the Boston Red Sox sends seismic waves reverberating throughout the baseball world but none more intense than in Washington Heights.  

Ruth's earth-shattering record of 54 home runs was something never experienced before in the history of baseball.  However, it was an accomplishment for which John McGraw had little appreciation.  He believes players work too hard and earnestly to have their skills disrespected by some miscreant's lone swing of the bat.

Gotham's citizenry never before descended from Coogan's Bluff in such quantity and spectacle as in 1920 as the Giants would set a franchise record with 929,609 reported attendance.  However, the New York Nationals faced an economic dilemma of Ruthian proportions.  McGraw's disdain for his tenants was further heightened when the Yankees outdrew the host Giants in their own home for the first time in each franchise's history.  Headlined by Babe Ruth, the Yankees seized the city's attention, evidenced by an all-time major league record of 1,289,422 in attendance.

In 1921, over two million fans would again pack the Polo Grounds.  Babe Ruth would continue accomplishing the unimaginable, and if that wasn't surreal enough, he proceeds to top it.  All the while, with each passing day, John McGraw grows more incensed.  Lest we forget, New York City is still Little Napoleon's empire.  

Sharing a ballpark for both teams is becoming an insufferable condition—the Giants attempt to evict the Yankees before the start of 1921 to no avail.  But a solution lies not too far away ...  

Until then, two major league titans charge headlong into a season-ending October clash at the Polo Grounds.  It is New York City's first-ever World's Championship Subway Series.  All games are played at the Polo Grounds, making Coogan's Bluff the center of the baseball universe. 

This is my replay of that season.  I'll be exercising my creative license whenever and wherever ever possible.  More than anything, this is about having fun and celebrating New York City's baseball history.  

• Stats: BASEBALL REFERENCE

Enjoy the games ... PLAY BALL!

The Long Beach Telegram and 

The Long Beach Daily News (Long Beach, California)

Getaway Day

NEXT GAME: Friday, May 27, 1921

New York Yankees @ WASHINGTON SENATORS

Griffith Stadium

⚾

GAME #34

BOXSCORE GAME ONE: Thursday, May 26, 1921 - BR

New York Giants @ BOSTON BRAVES

Braves Field

*Make-up: April 18, 1921

George Burns Ices Game One for Rube Benton

New York pieces together a methodical victory in the opening game of their weekend series at Boston.  High Pockets Kelly drives home the first run of the game as the Giants take a 2-0 lead in the first.  High Pockets drives home his second run in the fifth.  Curt Walker knocks home dave Bancroft in the seventh, and George Burns hits an inside-the-park home run in the eighth.  Rube Benton yields three runs on eight hits and three walks through 8.2 innings pitched for the win.  Benton gives up a run in the ninth and leaves the bases loaded for Phil Douglas, who secures the final out.  Rube Benton improves to 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA.

• FINAL: NYG 5; BOS 3

GAME #35

BOXSCORE GAME TWO: Thursday, May 26, 1921 - BR

New York Giants @ BOSTON BRAVES 

Braves Field

Braves Pull Out Victory in Ninth

New York overcomes a 3-1 deficit with two runs in the fifth.  The score remains unchanged through the eighth.  With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, catcher Hank Gowdy drives home second baseman Hod Ford with the winning run.  Phil Douglas makes his second appearance of the day; three runs on three hits, including a home run by third baseman Tony Boeckel.  He faces three batters in the second before being removed by Mister McGraw.  Slim Salle takes the hard-luck loss after allowing just one run on seven hits over the final 7.2 innings.

• FINAL: NYG 3; BOS 4
• RECORD: 23-12 (.657), second place, 3.0 GB of Pittsburgh

This Day in Brooklyn Semi-Pro Baseball 5/26/1935: Brooklyn Royal Giants, Bushwick, Bay Parkways and Bay Ridge All Win

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

On Sunday, May 26, 1935, in and around Brooklyn ...

Brooklyn Royal Giants sweep doubleheader from the Elmhurst Grays

 at Gray's park in Jackson Heights, Queens.

⚾

The Bay Parkways defeat the Stroudsburg Club of Pennsylvania

at Erasmus Field, Avenue M station along the Culver Line, Brooklyn.

⚾

The Bay Ridge Club sweeps a doubleheader from the Baltimore Black Sox

at 86 Street and 15 Avenue, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

⚾

Brooklyn Bushwicks take both games of a doubleheader 

against the Cuban Stars at Dexter Park.

• All Games: Brooklyn Daily Eagle, p12, May 27, 1935

Brooklyn Cyclones Lose Series Opener Against Aberdeen Ironbirds

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

TUESDAY
Ironbirds 8

CYCLONES  1

FINAL

Feel the Breeeeze!

• BOXSCORE: GAME #18

Don't ask me how the Cyclones are not leading the High-A Division in strikeouts.  It sure as hell seems that way.  But they're close, just nine away from the Ashville Tourists.  The good news at least they're fourth in team OPS and just happened to be tied with the Aberdeen Ironbirds for fourth-most runs after Tuesday's action.

So much for that ...

Opening their fourth series of the young season, the Cyclones welcome old foe, the Aberdeen Ironbirds, who inflict all their damage against starter Oscar Rojas and Bryce Montes de Oca.  Rojas allows six runs on eight hits, including a home run by right fielder Zach Watson in just three innings pitched.  Oca surrendered two runs on three hits and two walks in two innings.  

Brooklyn, this game struck out another twelve times.  They're averaging 11.7 strikeouts through 18 games.  Right fielder Zach Ashford fanned the breeze with a team-leading three whiffs.  

Antoine Duplantis drives in the lone Cyclones run in the fifth scored by second baseman Anthony Walters.

N.Y. Islanders Take Game Five In Double Overtime at Pittsburgh

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Two Chances To Win One

GAME FIVE
Islanders  3

Penguins   2

FINAL/2OT

Double Overtime Thriller

The Islanders needed another hero.  

They got two, then three, then four ... none named Mathew Barzal.

Anthony Beauvillier made up for Josh Bailey's first-period penalty, which resulted in Evgeni Malkin's power-play goal with his even-strength goal just seconds before the period's end.  It was actually a brilliant goal at 19:05 in the first.  You know the Pens were kicking themselves.  Sloppy play on their part cost them, and Beauvilliere made them pay.  

Unlike game four, this time it was the Islanders answering back and scoring momentum-killing goals.  When Bryan Rust gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead in the second, Jordan Eberle tied the game midway through the third.

And into overtime, they went ...

Then another ...

Within 0:51 seconds of the second overtime, Jordan Eberle scores his third of the series, an interception he converted unassisted for the win.  Josh Bailey also assisted on Beauvillier's goal back in the first.

The Pens still won more face-offs and near equaled Long Island in hits.  However, Ilya Sorokin was a man possessed.  Pittsburgh took 22 more shots on goal than the Islanders.  In fact, Islanders centermen generated ten shots on goal, while Pittsburgh centermen alone loaded up with 21 shots on goal.  Ilya Sorokin faced 50 shots on goal, stopping all but two, including five saves on special teams and 43 saves at even strength.  He shut out the Penguins from the 7:37 mark of the second period onward.  Penguins' defensemen accounted for another twelve shots.  Sorokin earns his third victory of the series and now has the Islanders positioned to attempt one more win with two chances for getting it done.

The Islanders lead the series 3-2; they steal back the home-ice advantage and head back to the Uniondale Barn for game six.

OTD 5/25/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Drop Double-Header to Chicago American Giants at Ebbets Field

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York)

May 24, 1935

The soon-to-be 36-year old infielder Dick Lundy is traded from the Newark Dodgers to the Brooklyn Eagles in exchange for pitcher Bun Hayes, and third baseman Eugene White.  Lundy is best known for his days with the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants for whom he batted .322 in over 500 games, and more recently the Baltimore Black Sox where he batted .336 in over 200 games.  He made his professional debut in 1916 with Atlantic City and for the Brooklyn Royal Giants.  Lundy enters his twentieth season with a career batting average above .300 and more than 100 stolen bases.  

 

The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York), May 25, 1935

After posting a 5-5 record in Negro National League play, Ben Taylor is out as Brooklyn Eagles manager, replaced by the 26-year old first baseman, George Giles, who becomes the youngest manager in the league.

  

⚾

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE II

Chicago American Giants

vs.

BROOKLYN EAGLES

FROM
EBBETS FIELD

The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York), May 25, 1935

GAME ONE:

Saturday, May 25, 1935

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

May 25, 1935

Game One features the matchup of left-hander Willie Foster for Chicago opposed by Brooklyn right-hander Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe.  The American Giants jump out to a 3-0 lead in the first, and Foster makes it stand.  He limits Brooklyn to a pair of runs on six hits, including a double from Rap Dixon and a triple from newly named manager George Giles.  Shortstop Bill Yancy drives home both Brooklyn runs.  Otherwise, Foster walks four and strikes out one for the win.  Ted Radcliffe takes the loss.  He settles down after the first, yielding just one run over the next seven innings.  But Chicago erupts for four more runs in the final frame en route to an 8-2 victory.  All told, Double Duty allows eight runs on 13 hits, including home runs off the bats of left fielder Mule Suttles and shortstop Willie Wells.  Center fielder Turkey Stearns goes 2 for 5 with two runs batted in.

GAME TWO: 

Saturday, May 25, 1935

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

May 26, 1935

Brooklyn ties the Chicago American Giants in the home ninth to send this game into extra innings.  But with the bases loaded in the top of the twelfth inning, left fielder Mule Suttles connects for a grand slam home run.  Brooklyn bows to Chicago, 9-5, at Ebbets Field.

The Chicago American Giants sweep both Saturday games.  The teams will play a doubleheader again on Sunday. 

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)