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5/26/1932 – The Dodgers had trouble with their lineup in a game at the Polo Grounds. The official sheet had George Kelly batting seventh and Al Lopez eighth. The latter batted one spot early but struck out to end the second inning. Kelly then started the third inning out of turn but also struck out. Then pitcher Watty Clark made an out as an out of turn batter. The second trip through the lineup the three batsmen strode to the plate in the same incorrect order. This time Kelly homered to left but no protest was made by the Giants. With two out in the sixth inning after Tony Cuccinello doubled and Glenn Wright was passed, Lopez singled to center to score Cuccinello with Wright thrown out trying for third. The McGrawmen protested to umpire Cy Rigler. He called Kelly out and wiped the run off the board. The Giants tied the score in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings. Brooklyn won the game in twelve innings, 3-2 when Lopez scored the winning run on Johnny Frederick’s base hit.

ByTom

5/26/1932 – The Dodgers had trouble with their lineup in a game at the Polo Grounds. The official sheet had George Kelly batting seventh and Al Lopez eighth. The latter batted one spot early but struck out to end the second inning. Kelly then started the third inning out of turn but also struck out. Then pitcher Watty Clark made an out as an out of turn batter. The second trip through the lineup the three batsmen strode to the plate in the same incorrect order. This time Kelly homered to left but no protest was made by the Giants. With two out in the sixth inning after Tony Cuccinello doubled and Glenn Wright was passed, Lopez singled to center to score Cuccinello with Wright thrown out trying for third. The McGrawmen protested to umpire Cy Rigler. He called Kelly out and wiped the run off the board. The Giants tied the score in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings. Brooklyn won the game in twelve innings, 3-2 when Lopez scored the winning run on Johnny Frederick’s base hit.

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4/15/1931 – The was a lot of confusion during a Dodgers game in Boston. in the top of the fifth inning, Ike Boone pinch hit for the pitcher, Earl Mattingly. Boone then went to right field in place of Babe Herman, who was said to be having trouble in the sun. Herman had been in the third slot in the batting order, so the new pitcher would be placed there on the double switch. However, before the bottom of the fifth got started, Alta Cohen was sent out to right in place of Boone, thus Cohen would be in the ninth spot in the batting order. In the top of the sixth, when the third spot in the order came up, Cohen stepped to the plate and singled but was left stranded on the bases. The Braves did not protest. In the top of the seventh, Cohen batted in his proper ninth spot in the order and singled again. This hit was part of a two-run inning but the Braves prevailed, 9-3.

ByTom

4/15/1931 – The was a lot of confusion during a Dodgers game in Boston. in the top of the fifth inning, Ike Boone pinch hit for the pitcher, Earl Mattingly. Boone then went to right field in place of Babe Herman, who was said to be having trouble in the sun. Herman had been in the third slot in the batting order, so the new pitcher would be placed there on the double switch. However, before the bottom of the fifth got started, Alta Cohen was sent out to right in place of Boone, thus Cohen would be in the ninth spot in the batting order. In the top of the sixth, when the third spot in the order came up, Cohen stepped to the plate and singled but was left stranded on the bases. The Braves did not protest. In the top of the seventh, Cohen batted in his proper ninth spot in the order and singled again. This hit was part of a two-run inning but the Braves prevailed, 9-3.

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8/2/1930 – The Phillies were in Boston for a double header against the Braves. Their batting order for the first contest showed Don Hurst fifth, Pinky Whitney sixth and Tommy Thevenow seventh. In the top of the second inning, Whitney strode to the plate in Hurst’s spot and struck out. Hurst then grounded out. Both were out of order. Thevenow followed Hurst and was also out of order. The Phillies repeated this incorrect order in the fourth. In the seventh frame, Chuck Klein reached on an error, Whitney singled Klein to third and Hurst hit a sacrifice fly. The Phillies realized their mistake in the ninth and batted in the proper order, with Hurst reaching on an error after Klein doubled. The Braves argued that Hurst had batted out of order this time but was told that they were actually batting correctly. The Braves won the contest, 3-2.

ByTom

8/2/1930 – The Phillies were in Boston for a double header against the Braves. Their batting order for the first contest showed Don Hurst fifth, Pinky Whitney sixth and Tommy Thevenow seventh. In the top of the second inning, Whitney strode to the plate in Hurst’s spot and struck out. Hurst then grounded out. Both were out of order. Thevenow followed Hurst and was also out of order. The Phillies repeated this incorrect order in the fourth. In the seventh frame, Chuck Klein reached on an error, Whitney singled Klein to third and Hurst hit a sacrifice fly. The Phillies realized their mistake in the ninth and batted in the proper order, with Hurst reaching on an error after Klein doubled. The Braves argued that Hurst had batted out of order this time but was told that they were actually batting correctly. The Braves won the contest, 3-2.

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8/9/1929 – The Giants confused their batting order at the start of this game in the Polo Grounds. The order was supposed to be Doc Farrell third, Mel Ott fourth, Bill Terry fifth and Travis Jackson sixth. With two out in the first inning Terry came to the plate ahead of Ott and made the last out of the frame. Ott led off the second out of order but also made an out. Jackson then batted out of order and walked. The Reds never spoke up about this. In the third inning, Ott strode to the plate after Farrell singled. There was an outcry from the fans in the stands that he was batting out of turn. It was explained by Terry that manager John McGraw had reversed Ott and Terry in the lineup and that now they were hitting in the proper order. It is interesting that the opponents said nothing either time but that the New York fans spoke out about the batting order. The Giants won, 7-1.

ByTom

8/9/1929 – The Giants confused their batting order at the start of this game in the Polo Grounds. The order was supposed to be Doc Farrell third, Mel Ott fourth, Bill Terry fifth and Travis Jackson sixth. With two out in the first inning Terry came to the plate ahead of Ott and made the last out of the frame. Ott led off the second out of order but also made an out. Jackson then batted out of order and walked. The Reds never spoke up about this. In the third inning, Ott strode to the plate after Farrell singled. There was an outcry from the fans in the stands that he was batting out of turn. It was explained by Terry that manager John McGraw had reversed Ott and Terry in the lineup and that now they were hitting in the proper order. It is interesting that the opponents said nothing either time but that the New York fans spoke out about the batting order. The Giants won, 7-1.

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5/18/1929 – In the first game of two in Boston, Braves manager Judge Fuchs moved Joe Dugan up one spot in the batting order based on his recent improved batting. Evidently the batters did not know about the change. The official lineup had Dugan hitting fifth, Earl Clark sixth and Freddie Maguire seventh. In the second inning Clark and Dugan reversed their order with Clark making an out, Dugan singling to left and Maguire making an out. The Giants said nothing here. In the third, Clark batted one spot early again and made the last out of the inning. Dugan led off the fourth with a single to left. New York’s acting manager Schalk spoke with umpire Quigley who wiped out the base hit and called the proper batter, Maguire, out. During the course of this discussion Braves coach Johnny Evers was ejected. Dugan drove in the game-winning run in the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly to beat the Giants, 5-4.

ByTom

5/18/1929 – In the first game of two in Boston, Braves manager Judge Fuchs moved Joe Dugan up one spot in the batting order based on his recent improved batting. Evidently the batters did not know about the change. The official lineup had Dugan hitting fifth, Earl Clark sixth and Freddie Maguire seventh. In the second inning Clark and Dugan reversed their order with Clark making an out, Dugan singling to left and Maguire making an out. The Giants said nothing here. In the third, Clark batted one spot early again and made the last out of the inning. Dugan led off the fourth with a single to left. New York’s acting manager Schalk spoke with umpire Quigley who wiped out the base hit and called the proper batter, Maguire, out. During the course of this discussion Braves coach Johnny Evers was ejected. Dugan drove in the game-winning run in the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly to beat the Giants, 5-4.

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8/6/1928 – The Yankees were in Chicago and played a 15-inning game. In the top of the eighth, Lou Gehrig reached on a force out and Cedric Durst pinch ran for the Iron Horse in the fourth spot in the lineup. Durst went to 1B in the bottom of the frame and Wilcy Moore took the mound, batting ninth. Catcher Johnny Grabowski, batting eighth, struck out to end the top of the ninth. Durst came to bat to start the tenth, but he was out of turn, as the batter should have been Moore. After Durst made an out, Earle Combs, in the first lineup spot, came to the plate, also out of turn. The Yankees continued to swap the #4 and #9 hitters into the 15th inning, when the White Sox pointed out the mistake to Umpire Bill Dinneen. However, Dinneen said Durst had a right to bat where he was, prompting the White Sox to file a protest in case the Yankees won the game. Chicago scored a run in the bottom of the 15th to end the contest, 5-4.

ByTom

8/6/1928 – The Yankees were in Chicago and played a 15-inning game. In the top of the eighth, Lou Gehrig reached on a force out and Cedric Durst pinch ran for the Iron Horse in the fourth spot in the lineup. Durst went to 1B in the bottom of the frame and Wilcy Moore took the mound, batting ninth. Catcher Johnny Grabowski, batting eighth, struck out to end the top of the ninth. Durst came to bat to start the tenth, but he was out of turn, as the batter should have been Moore. After Durst made an out, Earle Combs, in the first lineup spot, came to the plate, also out of turn. The Yankees continued to swap the #4 and #9 hitters into the 15th inning, when the White Sox pointed out the mistake to Umpire Bill Dinneen. However, Dinneen said Durst had a right to bat where he was, prompting the White Sox to file a protest in case the Yankees won the game. Chicago scored a run in the bottom of the 15th to end the contest, 5-4.

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7/26/1928 – The Reds batted out of turn in the ninth inning at Philadelphia and scored the game-winning runs during that frame. In the eighth inning, Pinky Pittinger had pinch run for Bubbles Hargrave (in the seventh spot in the lineup) and remained in the game. In the top of the ninth, the Reds had one run in and two runners on when it was Pittinger’s turn to bat. Val Picinich, who had entered the game in the eighth spot in the previous half inning, strode to the plate instead of Pittinger. After Picinich fouled out, the proper batter, Pittinger, was called out. Now it really was Picinich’s turn. Instead, Pid Purdy pinch hit for Picinich and walked. Eventually, Hughie Critz doubled home three runs to claim the contest for Cincinnati. The Phillies gained nothing by pointing out that Picinich had batted out of turn since he was already out.

ByTom

7/26/1928 – The Reds batted out of turn in the ninth inning at Philadelphia and scored the game-winning runs during that frame. In the eighth inning, Pinky Pittinger had pinch run for Bubbles Hargrave (in the seventh spot in the lineup) and remained in the game. In the top of the ninth, the Reds had one run in and two runners on when it was Pittinger’s turn to bat. Val Picinich, who had entered the game in the eighth spot in the previous half inning, strode to the plate instead of Pittinger. After Picinich fouled out, the proper batter, Pittinger, was called out. Now it really was Picinich’s turn. Instead, Pid Purdy pinch hit for Picinich and walked. Eventually, Hughie Critz doubled home three runs to claim the contest for Cincinnati. The Phillies gained nothing by pointing out that Picinich had batted out of turn since he was already out.

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6/30/1928 – In the top of the fifth of the second game, Walt Lerian who had struck out to end the fourth, came up to start the inning and singled. (Perhaps since the Robins had scored six in the bottom of the fourth, Lerian, the catcher, had lost track of things.) He eventually scored on a single three batters later. Brooklyn protested that the run should not count, but the home plate ump, Cy Rigler, correctly pointed out that the objection was made too late and the Phillies had batted in the correct order after Lerian’s hit. Since Brooklyn was ahead 12-3 at the time, they really did not care.

ByTom

6/30/1928 – In the top of the fifth of the second game, Walt Lerian who had struck out to end the fourth, came up to start the inning and singled. (Perhaps since the Robins had scored six in the bottom of the fourth, Lerian, the catcher, had lost track of things.) He eventually scored on a single three batters later. Brooklyn protested that the run should not count, but the home plate ump, Cy Rigler, correctly pointed out that the objection was made too late and the Phillies had batted in the correct order after Lerian’s hit. Since Brooklyn was ahead 12-3 at the time, they really did not care.

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5/23/1928 – The Washington Senators had two regulars out of the lineup as they played the Athletics in Philadelphia. This was the third contest with George Sisler substituting in left field and Joe Judge at first base. In the previous two contests, Judge batted third with Sisler after him. However, the lineup card turned in on this day had the two players reversed in the order. The first time through the lineup both players made outs. In the third inning, the Nats had the bases loaded with two out. Judge batted out of turn and walked for an apparent run. Philadelphia manager Connie Mack pointed out to umpire Bill McGowan that Judge hit in Sisler’s place. Sisler was called out and the run nullified. The Athletics won the game, 4-2.

ByTom

5/23/1928 – The Washington Senators had two regulars out of the lineup as they played the Athletics in Philadelphia. This was the third contest with George Sisler substituting in left field and Joe Judge at first base. In the previous two contests, Judge batted third with Sisler after him. However, the lineup card turned in on this day had the two players reversed in the order. The first time through the lineup both players made outs. In the third inning, the Nats had the bases loaded with two out. Judge batted out of turn and walked for an apparent run. Philadelphia manager Connie Mack pointed out to umpire Bill McGowan that Judge hit in Sisler’s place. Sisler was called out and the run nullified. The Athletics won the game, 4-2.

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7/26/1927 – In the first game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, the Browns sent four batters to the plate in the first inning. Then in the next frame the number five and six batters made outs. The next scheduled hitter was catcher Steve O’Neill but Wally Gerber, in the number eight spot in the lineup, came to the plate and ended the inning with a fly out. The fact that Gerber batted out of turn was discovered before the Browns came to the plate in the third inning. The next proper hitter according to the rules would be the ninth person in the order, pitcher Milt Gaston. However, the umpires told Gerber to bat again at his “proper” time. This time Gerber grounded out and Gaston followed him to the plate. The Browns then proceeded through the lineup in proper order. The Yankees won the game, 15-1, led by Babe Ruth’s two home runs off Gaston.

ByTom

7/26/1927 – In the first game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, the Browns sent four batters to the plate in the first inning. Then in the next frame the number five and six batters made outs. The next scheduled hitter was catcher Steve O’Neill but Wally Gerber, in the number eight spot in the lineup, came to the plate and ended the inning with a fly out. The fact that Gerber batted out of turn was discovered before the Browns came to the plate in the third inning. The next proper hitter according to the rules would be the ninth person in the order, pitcher Milt Gaston. However, the umpires told Gerber to bat again at his “proper” time. This time Gerber grounded out and Gaston followed him to the plate. The Browns then proceeded through the lineup in proper order. The Yankees won the game, 15-1, led by Babe Ruth’s two home runs off Gaston.