On July 27, 1935 — In the first game of two at Wrigley Field, the Reds started the top of the fifth with the pitcher due up. Instead, the batter at the top of the lineup, short stop Billy Myers, hit instead and singled. According to the next day’s Chicago Tribune, the “radio announcers caused quite a commotion in an effort to arouse [manager Charlie] Grimm, but to no avail.” Lew Riggs then stepped to the plate and once a pitch had been made to him, it was too late to protest the hit by Myers. Riggs struck out, Myers stole second and Babe Herman singled to left with Myers moving to third. Now Grimm came out to protest the batting out of turn – two batters too late! The Tribune’s account said: “Umpire [Cy] Rigler suggested to him that it might aid his pennant drive if he would try reading a rule book.” Jim Bottomley then knocked in the run that should not have scored. However, the Cubs swept the double header, so only marginal damage was done by this event.
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