The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-09-25
MAJORS HAVE
STAGED MANY
GREAT RACES
This Years Pennant Struggle
Recalls Close Battles Of
Other Seasons
(BY BILLY EvANS)

(BY BILLY EvANS)
The remarkable race that is being
staged in the National League this
summer, in which six clubs at one
time figured. recalls to mind the SEN
satiOna campaign of 1908 which
stands as unique in the annals Of
baseball.
The National League race Of 1908
ended in Il tic. New York failed to
finish in front because Of the failure
Of Fred Mcrklc to touch second base
in q game which the Giants should
have won from the Cubs.
Chicago won the pIayoff The
many disputes that arose over the
unexpected situation almost wrecked
the National League because of the
discord it created.
But to get back to the race for a
minute and save The recital Of the
most discussed game in the history
Of baseball for n later time.
The Early Stages
During the early stages OF the race,
Pittsburgh and Chicago stood oat as
the real pennant contcnders. New
York, away to a bad start, was in the
second division most Of the first two
months.
Early in June the New York Giants
hit their stride and began an uphill
fight that finally carried them into
the first division.
by the Fourth Of July the Giants
were conceded to have a real chance.
The race had pretty much narrowed
down to battle between Pittsburgh,
Chicago and New York.
On August 90, Of that year, New
York, after thrilling battle from a
l0wly position in the second division,
went into first place only for day.
Giants Gain Lead
Oustcd by Pittsburgh, which hell
the lead for three days, New York
rcgained it on August "a. The Giant $
then proceeded to hold it continuous
". until Sept. &c. practically six
weeks.
During that period while the Giants
were out in front, Pittsburgh and
Chicago alternated IN holding second
place.
Back home in September with 4
comfortable lead and month Of play
at the Polo Grounds, the Giants look
ed like Il certainty for the pcnnant.
Throughout the season the Giants
had been favored by good pitching;
McGraw banked on his hurlcrs to go
the route.
Pitching Staff Blows Up
Almost overnight the New York
pitching staff appeared to go to
pieces and for three weeks the brunt
of the burden was carried by the late
Christy Mathcwson.
In the third game Of the final ser
les with Chicago. occurred the pla!
that ultimately cost the Giants thu
pennant.
With the score tie in the ninth
and two out, New York had McCOr
mick on third and Mcrklc on frs
with Birdwell up. base hit, j
seemed, would win the ball game.
Birdwell delivered, hitting safel!
and Mccormick, apparently. score.
the winning run. Merkle, it seemed
failed to run to second. starting TO
the club house when within shOr
distance Of the base, regarding TIL
game as over.
Ecvers, playing second for Chicago
recovered the ball, claiming force
out ut second, thereby erasing Me
Cormick's run. The crowd believin,
the game over had swarmed on tn
field.
Claim Allowed
Umpire O'Day allowed the claim o
Evcrs, retiring Merkle, which mad
the score tie. 1t was impossible t
clear the field and in few minute
darkness had settled over the parl
the game being called.
New York protested the decision
Chicago insisted the game be playe
off on the following day, the fina
one of the series. New York refuse
and Chicago claimed forfeit.
President Pullian, then tho head G
the National League, sustainc
Umpire O'Day's decision hut refuse
TO allow Chicago's claim Of forfeit.
The morale Of the New York clu
seemed to be disturbed at the sudde
turn Of events and the Giants wer
into a slump.
A Peculiar Situation
With three days of the schedul
remaining, the following unprec eden'
ed situation confronted the content
crs, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Ne
York.
Pittsburgh and Chicago were fir.
and second with one game remainin
TO 10 played between themsclve
New York was good third, wit
three games still to be played wit
Boston.
Chicago defeated Pittsburgh, s.
thereby eliminating the Pirate
Three victories for New York ov'
BOSTON. would give the Giants t
with Chicago. If the protested gan
was awarded McGraw's team it meal
the pennant.
The board of directors Of the N
tional League decided the protest.
game should be played off at u
close Of the regular season.
This created the possibility Of
very unusual complication. II Nc
York lost one Of its three gaines wi
Boston and then won the play-Off
the protested game triple
would then exist between New Yor
Chicago and Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh, having finished its sc
SON and believing it was out Of Il
pennant fight, had dishanded.
Ends In . Tie
Luckily New York won all thr
games with Boston, putting the Clan
and the Cubs in tie for the Nation
League championship.
The play -off of the game on viii
hinged the National Leagnue pcnna
was staged Oct. at the Polo Groun
IN which Mordecai Brown be
Mathewson. giving Chicago the cha
Wine the 1926 struggle in the n
ticnal League is hectic affair, It
very doubtful II the finish provid
the thrills furnished by the 1908 RAJ
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