Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-09

the 'fans," bat staid business and profess
sional men. laid aside all their engagements
for the day and devoted their time and at
tention exclusively TO the discussion Of
prospects" and to an attempt to obtain
for themselves advantageous places in the
grand stands and bleachers at the Polo
grounds.
Aside from the weather. which could not
have been moro favorable, chief interest, OF
course. centered in the two teams which
were to ngsge in the battle royal.
Many night workers early this morning
went directly from their places Of employ
ment to the grounds. Many persons went
to the grounds at 8 and 6 o'clock this
morning and thus obtained a good position
on the line. The gates opened at noon
and were closed hong before the game
started at 3 O'Clock.
Murphy Confident of Victory.
President Murphy OF the Chicago team
said that there was no question in his mind
as TO the outcome Of the championship
game this afternoon. He already had pre-
dlcted that Chicago would win by a score
Of s to 8, he said. and he was standing
by that prediction. The boys we're never
in such a condition of fitness as they are
today" said he. They always fight bet
ttr away from home, and the unjust de-
cision OF the directors on the tie game has
stirred up every particle Of fighting blood
in their bodies. 1 believe Chicago has the
greatest nine that ever played. While 1 have
no bitter feeling against McGraw or Presl-
dent Brush, l I'm strong in my assertion
that II the tie had to be played off It should
heve been settled by a series of three games.
This custom obtains in all departments OF
sport, and in a precarious contest like base
ball 1t is unfair for a team to be obliged
to rush out of the west and play one de-
Gliding game, 1 believe as do all the Chi
cago followers, that the tie should have
been awarded to us by the board OF d.
rectors on the merits of the case"
story of Tie Game.
The tie game which was responsible for
today's sensational play-off has been looked
upon from every side as one of the most
unfortunate incidents of an extraordinary
base ball season. New York and Chi
cage were tied with a score Of l to 1 in the
ninth inning of the game played at the
Polo grounds on September %. 1t was the
last half Of the ninth inning, Chicago
having been retired without breaking the
tie. Two of New York's men were also
out.
Their was two men on bases, Mccormick
on third and Merkle on first and Bridwell
was at bat. Bridwell smashed a single
to center and reached first base safely,
scoring Mccormick and forcing Merkle
off first base
A dispute arose as to whether Merkle
touched the second base. Manager Chance
protested, declaring that Merkle did not
touch the second base, but ran from the
first base to the club house and the crowd
which rushed on the field prevented the
Chicago players from getting the ball
Merkle always has maintained that he
completed the play by touching second
base before running to the club house.
After hearing the reports of the two UNI.
pires. President Pulliam of the national
league declared the game a tie, and his
decision was upheld by the board OF d.
rectors of the league. Both New York and
Chicago team managers have expressed
extreme dissatisfaction with the decision
each maintaining that the game shoulC
have been credited to their club