1914 – Declining to remain with the Chicago Cubs as a player after being fired as manager, second baseman Johnny Evers is traded to the Boston Braves for second baseman Bill Sweeney and cash considerations. Evers will have one good season left, leading the “Miracle Braves” to the National League pennant and winning the Chalmers Award for Most Valuable Player. Meanwhile, Sweeney will sour in Chicago.
Rube Marquard’s record goes to an amazing 18-0 as he tops Boston for New York’s 12th straight win over the hapless Braves.
1912 – In a change of outfielders, the Boston Braves send Mike Donlin to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Vin Campbell. After one season with Pittsburgh, Donlin will be waived to the Phillies but will refuse to report and elect to retire.
The Boston Rustlers (formerly the Doves) are bought by New York politician James E. Gaffney and former player, now attorney, John Montgomery Ward. The team will be called the Braves because of Gaffney’s Tammany Hall connections.
24-yer-old Grover Alexander, winning a rookie-record 28 games, pitches the Phils to a 1 – 0 win over Boston’s 44-year-old Cy Young. Alex gives up just one hit. Alexander’s 31 complete games, 367 innings pitched, and 7 shutouts lead the National League. The American League has its own rookie sensation, lefty Vean Gregg, who breaks in for Cleveland with a 23-7 record and miserly 1.81 ERA. Gregg will win 20 his first three years, then win just 28 in the next 12 years.
On May 22, 1911, at the South End Grounds III (Boston) Clifford Curtis of the Boston Doves (Braves) sets a major league record by losing his 23rd consecutive game. A 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Curtis had begun the streak by losing a game on June 13, 1910. Curtis will finally win a…
At the age of 24, Grover Cleveland Alexander makes his major league debut, losing a 5-4 decision to the Rustlers on an unearned run in the tenth inning at Boston’s South End Grounds. The Philadelphia rookie who will become known as ‘Old Pete,’ will go on to post a 28-13 (.683) record, which will include seven shutouts and 31 complete games.
1911 – The Chicago Cubs acquire second baseman Dave Shean from the Boston Rustlers for third baseman Scotty Ingerton and pitcher Big Jeff Pfeffer. This is the second time that Boston has traded with the Cubs for Big Jeff.
It’s a day for thievery as the Cubs steal home three times in a game at Boston, tying a major league mark. They waste no time, as Johnny Evers and Del Howard do it in the 1st inning, and Solly Hofman in the 2nd. Chicago wins, 11 – 6.
At Boston, the leading Giants sweep two from the Beaneaters, winning 3 – 1 and 7 – 1. In the opener, Christy Mathewson wins his 10th straight, beating Irv Young, who allows just three hits. Boston notches eight off Matty.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!