Chicago Cubs’ famed double play combination of “Tinker to Evers to Chance” makes its final appearance together in a major league game

Chicago Cubs’ famed double play combination of “Tinker to Evers to Chance” makes its final appearance together in a major league game

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 12, 1912, the Chicago Cubs’ famed double play combination of “Tinker to Evers to Chance” makes its final appearance together in a major league game. The triumvirate of shortstop Joe Tinker, second baseman Johnny Evers and first baseman Frank Chance are in their positions for a 3-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. While…

At Chicago, manager Frank Chance figures to rattle Giants rookie Otis “Doc” Crandall and elects to bat the Cubs first (this option for the home team will only be stricken from the rules in 1951). But Crandall is a rock and nurses a 4 – 1 lead into the last of the 9th. After one out, Christy Mathewson, warming in the bullpen, decides the game is well in hand and goes into the clubhouse to shower. Crandall promptly walks three straight, wherein John McGraw looks in vain for Matty. The Giants’ ace quickly dries off, throws on a uniform, and puts his street shoes on. By the time he arrives on the mound, reliever Joe McGinnity has walked in a run. Matty gets a ground out, then a strikeout, and the Giants win, 4 – 3. Ed Reulbach takes the loss for Chicago.

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Chicago, manager Frank Chance figures to rattle Giants rookie Otis “Doc” Crandall and elects to bat the Cubs first (this option for the home team will only be stricken from the rules in 1951). But Crandall is a rock and nurses a 4 – 1 lead into the last of the 9th. After one out, Christy Mathewson, warming in the bullpen, decides the game is well in hand and goes into the clubhouse to shower. Crandall promptly walks three straight, wherein John McGraw looks in vain for Matty. The Giants’ ace quickly dries off, throws on a uniform, and puts his street shoes on. By the time he arrives on the mound, reliever Joe McGinnity has walked in a run. Matty gets a ground out, then a strikeout, and the Giants win, 4 – 3. Ed Reulbach takes the loss for Chicago.

19th Century Chicago Cubs superstar Cap Anson is on the mound, delivering the traditional ceremonial “first ball” of the season

19th Century Chicago Cubs superstar Cap Anson is on the mound, delivering the traditional ceremonial “first ball” of the season

ByThis Day in Baseball

Opening Day at West Side Park in Chicago, in front of 18,000 fans on April 22, 1908. Retired 19th Century Chicago Cubs superstar Cap Anson is on the mound, delivering the traditional ceremonial “first ball” of the season. The Cubs will beat the Reds 7-3 Johnny Evers scores 2 and drives in 2, Chick Fraser…

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ed Reulbach wins an 18-inning marathon duel with the Cards’ Jack Taylor, 2 – 1, in St. Louis. First baseman Frank Chance has 27 putoutsand two assists for Chicago.

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ed Reulbach wins an 18-inning marathon duel with the Cards’ Jack Taylor, 2 – 1, in St. Louis. First baseman Frank Chance has 27 putoutsand two assists for Chicago.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ed Reulbach wins an 18-inning marathon duel with the Cards’ Jack Taylor, 2 – 1, in St. Louis. First baseman Frank Chance has 27 putoutsand two assists for Chicago.

Tinker,_Evers,_and_Chance

“Baseball’s Sad Lexicon,” better known as “Tinker to Evers to Chance” plays their first game

ByThis Day in Baseball

Johnny Evers, acquired to replace second baseman Bobby Lowe, who broke his ankle, joins shortstop Joe Tinker and first baseman Frank Chance on the Chicago infield, marking the first time the three Cubs’ infielders have played together. The legendary double play trio will be immortalized in Franklin Pierce Adams’ baseball poem, “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon,” better known as “Tinker to Evers to Chance”.