The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-27
Chicago Tribune,

The most remarkable thing that ever
happened on ball field is, by common
consent, the batting streak which Ed
Delehanty. left fielder for the Phillies,
showed in game with the Chicago nine
out on the West Side grounds in '97.
"Adonis Bil'' Terry was pitching for
Chicago. Altogether the Philadelphia
made just eight hits off Terry, and OF the
eight Delehanty made no less than five
out Of five times at bat.
The first time up Delehanty lines out
home run to the left field bleachers. Tho
second he hit for four bases to right
field. On his third effort he sent
sizzling liner out into 'Bullhead' Dahlen's
territory. Dahen got under it and struck
up his hands, but the ball going SO
fast that it almost amputated both his
fins. Delehanty got to first on It,
The fourth time to bat Delehanty sent
one right straight for center and cantered
clear around to home without trouble.
When he walked to the plate for the fifth
time the fans were all crazy with excite
ment. = --...,,.r... -. ..-.-- 2
Another home run, Dell they shouted,
and, by way Of humoring the crowd, big
Bill' LANCE went away out between the
two clubhouses in center and waved his
hands derisively.
Delehanty hit the first ball that was
pitched. 1t went sailing out into left, hit
the roof Of the clubhouse on that side,
and bounded off on to the roof of the
other. Meanwhile Del walked leisurely
around the bases and scored his fourth
home run.
But In spite Of Delehanty's marvellous
record Of four home runs and single out
of five times at bat his team lost the
game by score Of to s.
Elmer Foster must always be borne in
mind when one Is relating the wonders
Of baseball. Late in the afternoon, as
fans will remember. the shadow of the
grandstand falls over the field at the West
Side park and makes it impossible for
the outfielders to see hit until 1t has
Travelled beyond the shadow.
Back in '94 one of the eastern teams was
playing Chicago on the west side with
Foster in center field. The man at bat
made a terrific swfpe at the ball and hit
| it. The shadow was deep over the in
| field and Foster could not see the ball
| He started to run out into far center, SO
as to be prepared.
AS a matter of fact the ball was only
! a bunt: The shortstop caught it and
threw the batter out at first. But Foster
kept on Notwithstanding like mad
Look at Foster yelled the crowd in
| the bleechers. What does he think he is
after?"
| Foster ran at the top of his speed almost
| to the center field fence. Then he jumped
high up into the air, threw up his left
hand, and came down to the ground with
an English sparrow tightly clutched in
! his fist.
The score was to 1 In favor OF New
York. 1t was the ninth inning and Chi
cago had two men out. The game was
being played on the polo grounds in New
York.
AS you will remember there was a fence
about the outfield at the polo grounds and
| ho he oy.r;or
| to be drawn up, so that their occupants
| could watch the game. On this particular
day in 80 Digby Bell, the actor, was sit
| ting in his high trap, in the midst of the
crowd On the seat beside him sat an
English bulldog.
AS above related Chicago was in,
| there were two men out, two men on
bases, the score was 3 to l in favor OF
New York, and it was the last half OF
| the ninth inning.
"Bullhead'' Dahlen came to bat The
first two balls that were pitched the UNI
pire called as strikes The third bal
"Bullhead" hit a mighty wallop. 1t sailed
/ far out over the fence and struck Digby
Bells bulldog fairly in the head
| When the excitement cleared away II
was discovered that Dahlen had chased
home the two winning runs, while Digby
Bell was mourning the accidental and I'm
! expected death of one imported canine.
In Boston the left field fence backs on
railroad track. AS consequence lot O.
empty tin cans and other debris are Otter
found about the bottom of the fence.
Cleveland was playing the Boston nine
Jim McAleer came to bat for the Ohis
/ city He. knocked long liner to lef
] field and the ball rolled up under the
fence and straight into an empty tomato
can.
4 Hugh Duffy was fielding the left
i garden for the Beaneaters. He grabbed
the can and tried wildly to dig the bal
/ out. Meanwhile, McAleer was running
I to second and finally, growing desperate
/ Duffy threw can and all over to third
base, from which McAleer had jus,
started for home. The third basemar
i hurled the can inclosing the ball in to the
catcher and the latter touched the rur.-
ner with it.
There was a loud protest from the
/ Cleveland nine and the umpire finally de-
cided that McAleer was safe and the
run must count, because the rules provide
/ that the runner must be touched by the
| ball.
/ The longest hit on record was one which
/ carried the ball from Staten Island tc
Liverpool. tho all the wide Atlantic rolled
between