On October 24, 1911, the New York Giants and Philadelphia A’s resume the World Series after six consecutive rainouts. Philadelphia’s “Chief” Bender outlasts Christy Mathewson, 4-2, in a matchup of future Hall of Famers. The victory gives the A’s a three-games-to-one lead in the Series.
1911 – The Philadelphia Athletics score twice in the 11th inning to beat the New York Giants, 3 – 2, in Game 3 of the World Series. Frank Baker hits a home run in the 9th inning off Christy Mathewson to tie the score, 1 – 1. Baker will be tagged with the nickname “Home Run” Baker for his exploits.
1911 – The Philadelphia Athletics go into the World Series minus their star rookie first baseman Stuffy McInnis. The veteran Harry Davis replaces him and drives in the first run as Chief Bender tries again to outpitch Christy Mathewson. The New York Giants are dressed in the same black uniforms they wore in their 1905 conquest of the Athletics, and this Series starts as their last meeting ended: Mathewson wins it, 2 – 1. The largest crowd ever to watch a ball game – 38,281 – is at the Polo Grounds. Gate receipts are $77,379.
1911 – Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers and Wildfire Schulte of the Chicago Cubs win the newly established Chalmers Awards, which go to the league’s most valuable players. Cobb batted .420 with an American League-leading 127 RBI, while Schulte led the National League with 21 home runs and 107 RBI. Using a point system – 8 for a first-place vote, seven for second, and so on – the eight voting writers give Cobb the maximum 64 points. Winners receive Chalmers automobiles.
John C. Bender, brother of Philadelphia great Chief Bender, dies the same month he played his final minor league game; it is frequently mistakenly reported as taking place on the baseball diamond for nearly a century.
1911 – After 41 straight shutout innings, Grover Alexander is scored on by the Cards in the 6th inning.
Cy Young wins his 511th and final career game when he blanks the Pirates at Forbes Field, 1-0. The 35-101 Rustlers have won only three contests in 22 attempts against Pittsburgh this season, with two of the victories coming on shutouts thrown by the 44 year-old veteran right-hander, who was obtained by Boston on waivers from Cleveland in late July.
In Chicago, the Phils’ Grover Alexander fires his 4th straight shutout, beating the Cubs’ Ed Reulbach, 4 – 0. Alex also had shutouts on the 7th, 13th, and 17th.
At Forbes Field, Rube Marquard, with relief from Christy Mathewson, beats the Pirates, 6 – 2. Before the game the Giants’ mascot, Victory Faust, strikes out Honus Wagner on three pitches, to the delight of the 20,000 fans.
Boston’s Smoky Joe Wood and rookie Buck O’Brien toss back-to-back shutouts to beat Cleveland. Wood wins, 6 – 0, and O’Brien follows with a 3 – 0 win. O’Brien, who relieved in his last appearance, will finish all five of his starts, going 5-1.
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