On October 10, 1926, After pitching a complete Game 6, 39-year-old Grover Cleveland Alexander appears from the bullpen Through the cold, misty fog that had descended upon the field, the 38,000 plus in attendance and the Yankee bench were surprised to see the great Pete Alexander appear. Most assumed Alexander would be unable to pitch…
1926 – Babe Ruth hits three home runs to lead the Yankees to a 10 – 5 victory over St. Louis in Game 4 of the World Series. His 1st-inning curtain-raiser is a majestic 395-footer, exiting Sportsman’s Park over its right field bleacher roof. Home run number 2 clears the roof in right center, carrying 515 feet, breaking a window on the other side of Grand Avenue. Ruth’s final foray, however, is the main attraction, carrying deep into the never-before reached centerfield bleachers, far beyond the 430-foot mark. Estimated at 530 feet, it is deemed the longest home run in World Series history. Ruth, however, not content to dominate offensively, also delivers a crucial outfield assist, cutting down a runner at the plate, ending the Cardinals’ 3rd-inning rally. In the words of broadcaster Graham McNamee, “Babe Ruth nor no other man ever made a better throw. Babe shot it like an arrow and Hank Severeid did not have to move for it.” If all this weren’t enough, this also is the game during which the Babe makes good on his alleged pre-game promise to hit a home run for the bedridden young Johnny Sylvester.
1926 – In Game 3 of the World Series, Jesse Haines pitches a five-hit shutout as the Cardinals beat the Yankees, 4 – 0, to take a 2-1 lead in the Series.
On October 3, 1926.00 After the Yankees score twice in the 2nd inning, Grover Cleveland Alexander sets down the last 21 batters, striking out 10, in Game 2 of the World Series. Billy Southworth and Tommy Thevenow collect three hits each for a 6 – 2 Cardinals win.
On October 3, 1926 Thirty years before Don Larsen would accomplish the feat, Claude “Red” Grier of the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants pitches a post-season no-hitter against the Chicago American Giants, walking six and striking out eight in Baltimore’s Maryland Park. Grier had been shelled in the 2nd inning of Game 2 the day before,…
The Browns beat the Yankees twice, 6 – 1 and 6 – 2, in a total time of two hours, seven minutes, a major-league record for a twinbill. The second game is the fastest in American League history: 55 minutes. The Yanks total 19 hits, while the Browns collect 26 in the two games. Babe Ruth has one at bat, then sits, and misses reliever George Sisler, who tosses two scoreless innings to finish for the Browns in the second game and, when the Browns score four in the 8th, picks up the victory. Ruth has 47 homers – twice as many as the runner-up, and also leads the AL with 139 runs, 155 RBI, and 144 bases on balls. Browns coach Jimmy Austin, 46 years old, participates in the nitecap and contributes to the win by knocking in a run with a double and then stealing home. He is not the oldest to steal a base (Arlie Latham, 50, in 1909), but he is the oldest to steal home. The Yankees use Fred Merkle in his final game. Merkle replaces Lou Gehrig at 1B in the 6th.
The Yankees take two from the Browns to nail down the American League flag, winning the opener, 10 – 2, behind Herb Pennock. Babe Ruth’s grand slam is the big blow. In the nitecap, Lou Gehrig homers in the 3rd inning, off Milt Gaston, while Ruth matches him with a two-run home run in the 6th off Win Ballou. Ruth adds a solo shot in the 9th, his 46th, off Joe Giard to seal Waite Hoyt’s 10 – 4 victory. Despite the score, the game is played in a new AL record 55 minutes. The National League record is 51 minutes, on September 28, 1919.
9/25/1926 – The Senators and White Sox played two games in Chicago. The visitors mixed up their batting order in the second contest which they won, 3-2 to split the twin bill. In the seventh frame, Stuffy Stewart was sent in to run for catcher Muddy Ruel, who was batting in the eighth hole in the lineup. Bennie Tate pinch hit for pitcher Stan Coveleskie. When Washington took the field, Tate stayed in the game in the ninth spot and caught while the new pitcher, Firpo Marberry, assumed the eighth place in the lineup. In the top of the ninth inning, Tate batted out of order in the eighth place but neither team discovered the mistake until the frame was over. He had made an out so it didn’t matter anyway.
1926 – At the Polo Grounds, the Cardinals clinch the pennant by beating the Giants, 6 – 4, behind Flint Rhem and Bill Sherdel. Billy Southworth homers to help beat his old teammates, negating Bill Terry’s three-run home run off Rhem. The Cards are now ahead of Cincinnati by three games with two to play. The Reds lose to the Phillies today, 9 – 2.
VINTAGE BASEBALL MEMORABILIA Vintage Baseball Memorabilia September 22, 1926 – The St Louis Cardinals‚ led by Les Bell’s ML record-tying 3 triples and a double‚ roll by the Dodgers‚ 15-7‚ to increase their 1st place lead of Cincy to 2 1/2 games. Tommy Thevenow and Jim Bottomley chip in with home runs. For Thevenow‚ it…
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