Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-09-12
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ), FRANCIS srAuu
OF MerkIe and MoqIie

THE OTHER DAY THERE was a squb in the papers
saying that If the Yankees win the pennant Sal Mage
will become the only player to play pennant
winners all three New York clubs This is not precisely
true. Somebody forgot Fred Merkle
The oversight forgivabe because Merkle played
only games the Yankees back in 1925 and only
one in 1926 when they the flag. He old
garter of 81 So and with Waly Ppp already playing
second fiddle to smuggling youngster named Lou Gehrig
there chance for Merkle to see much action.
Anyway, Merkle's fame was such that he was ndeli-
bly, associated with the Giants not the Yankees and the
Dodgers with whom he played sparingIy in 1916 when
Brooklyn won and in 1917 when the Flatbushers reeed
into seventh place. eff
For that matter. nothing Merkle did good young
first baseman-outhelder the Giants winning
teams of 1911l213 the otorety the young
from WATERFOWL Wis., did in 1908 when the Giants did
not win.
MOST VETERAN FANS won't need their memory
refreshed concerning the Merkle boner the close
of three-cub among the Cubs Giants and Pirates
On September 20 at the Polo Grounds the Cubs and Giants
tied at % the New Workers to bat in the
ninth inning
they began tag Jack The Giant Killer Pfeister
Three hits. by the l9yearold Merkle apparently
broke up the game but after the third hit by Al Brdwe
the youngser turned from his dash from first to second
base and ran for the clubhouse.
This was a common practice in those days. A ball
not the that had been in playwas retrieved by the
Cubs, who claimed forceout at second base After much
wranglng the game ordered repayed and the Cubs
took the decision, Az and with it the pennant.
1t was cruel break for young Merkle, who went
through the rest of his playing days Bonehead
Merke His manager, John McGraw, defended Fred and
claimed the nag stolen a technicality. Even so
the Giants could have except that in the week after
the Merkle game husky efthanded coal miner named
Harry Coveleskie, rookie with the Phies defeated the
Mccrawmen three times to end the season in a tie.
MERKLE PLAYED IN ONLY % games for the Dodgers
in 1916 and in 1918 ded to the Cubs and thence to the
Yankees with whom he wound up his But he did
play for all three New York clubs during when
they won remnants.
Mage, who first came up to the Giants in 1943 then
voluntarily retired returned in l945 and then
pended from organized ball for four because he had
jumped to the Mexican League His best year with the
Giants when they in 1851 That year he posted
1876 record.
The Barber another Giant winner in "a, a
during which he had 1916 record.
Mages acquisition by the Dodgers via Cleveland last
set the stage for Sal to pitch for the second of the
New York teams His brilliant work in winning 10 Of
10 decisions probably meant the difference between the
flag and second or third place finish
Now he Is wearing Yankee uniform and only the
biggest kind Of upset prevent Magle from match
ing Merke mark although Sal won't be eligible to pitch
in the World Series because he didn't join the champions
until after midnight Of September l.
Still, it's nice work that Sal got Not many ball
players voluntarily retire. then get kicked out for
years and still play four pennant winners The fact
that they the three teams in Greater New York
just icing the cake One thing certain: Now that
the Giants committed to San Francisco it'll 90 down In
history coy little two-man Observation-Disclosures and
Maglie.