Norwich bulletin., 1914-10-10
Rudolph Bewi|dered The Athletics
Nationals Gave Philadelphia Americans Decisive Defeat in Opening Game of the Worlds Series-Score Ito Braves Crushed Chief Bender in Sixth Inning Gowdy Featured at the Bat-Bany Made Sensational Catch-Gate Receipts Amounted to $43,639

bench, a feat no other club ever achieved against one of Connie Mack's twirlers in a worlds series.
 Fully 25.000 spectators saw the downfall of the Athletics and while the defeat shortened the odds in the bet ting it has not shaken the faith of the average local fan in the ability of the Mackmen to come from behind and conquer their younger and presump- tuous rivals. The official attendance figures gave the paid admissions at 20,562, while close to 5000 additional spectators must have witnessed the play from points of vantage surround ing Shibe park. The gate receipts amounted to 49,639. of which the na- tional commission took S4,963.90: the players 6,s05, and the clubs $17,S70.- 10.
 Rudolph, at His Best.
 In the distribution of individual honors, the lions share went to Pitch CT Rudolph for it was due in great part to his masterly manipulation of the ball that the Boston club emerged victor.
 With the exception of two short periods during the contest he had ab- solute control of his. delivery and a hypnotizing effect on the Athletic bat swingers. He mixed speed, curve and slow balls in a bewildering fashion. cutting the corners of the plate and feeding his opponents his Hloater" when danger threatened. It was this slow, deceptive delivery that proved the Mackmen's undoing, for they are notoriously weak on this service and Rudolph was at his best in this re- spect today.
 Bender Appeared Weak.
 Bender, who opened for the home club, appeared unusually weak against the Braves and once they had seen his offerings they took liberties with the Indians delivery that astonished the thousands of Athletics supporters who thronged the stands. Sizzling singles, doubles and triples rang off their bats. flashing over or through the infield, the chief to give way to Wyckon. and thus broke the record of never having removed a pitcher from a worlds se- ries. Ceombs' withdrawal from the box in the 1911 series against the Giants was due to an injury and not to any faltering in his pitching game.
 After the contest Manager Mack said that Bender did not seem to be right and that he had little or noth- ing on the ball. Mack pointed out that the Athletics did little work with the stick themselves and said that, while he looked forward to a hard se- ries, he and his players were not a bit discouraged over the initial set back He was asked if he thought his club would hit any better against the other Boston pitchers and came back with the characteristic answer: won't.'
 Manager George Stallings of the Braves was greatly elated over the victory of his players. He said:
 Well. the boys did exactly what I expected of them and won on their 1,4k v%Tr11 1,o f1lI rrr1y stuff. but I guess that the fans are beginning to realize now that we have got a ball club of real class. When we started our rush in nid-season it was generally predicted that we couldn't keep up the pace. The mourn ever since the end of July, but I guess that we can stand the strain of win ming for few days more at least"
 Gowdy Batted for Thousand.
 Certain 1t is that the Boston players held to their task manfully, both in the field and at bat. Catcher Gowdy obtained a triple. a double, a single and free pass in four trips to the plate. Connolly got one hit and a and Maranville each secured two hits, but Deal, who took Smiths place at third, while fielding well, hit into three double plays in four times at bat.
 Strunk was the Athletics heaviest hitter with two singles in four chances, while Oldring and Barry each famed twice. Shortstops Maranville and Barry divided the fielding hon. ors each making great running catch well out of their regular territory. stailinss Smashed an Iceman.
 Manager Stallings got into an alter cation with an iceman, who wanted to place a bet on the Athletics in the lobby of a hotel shortly before the game, and the iceman was handed a stinging blow on the jaw. At this juncture other members of the Bos- ton team interfered and hustled their manager into an elevator. The iceman left the hotel, vowing vengeance on Stallings.
 All the players of both teams were on the field before one o'clock witt the exception of Chief Bender, who did not emerge from the Athletics dugout until fifteen minutes before the game started. He warmed up slowly stopping occasionally to oIblige a pho- tographer by posing for pictures. Af- ter the usual prolonged conference oi the u1npires and Captains Evers ant Thomas, play was called at 2:05 m First Inning.
 Moran, of Boston, the first man up let Bender's opening pitch go by fol | a strike. The second pitch was a fou | strike, the third ball, the fourth 2 foul and then he sent up high fou | fly to McInnis, and the Athletic root CTS cheered. Captain Evers was giver 1 a hand by the crowd as he stepped tc \ the plate and shot 8. high fly to Collins who had to step backwards to get it