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In the first Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony without a living inductee in 48 years, Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert, 19th-century backstop Deacon White, and umpire Hank O’Day are inducted in Cooperstown, after being elected by the Pre-Integration Veterans Committee in December. The last time there weren’t any living inductees to be honored occurred in 1968, when Pud Galvin, the game’s first 300-game winner, was enshrined 63 years after his death.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the first Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony without a living inductee in 48 years, Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert, 19th-century backstop Deacon White, and umpire Hank O’Day are inducted in Cooperstown, after being elected by the Pre-Integration Veterans Committee in December. The last time there weren’t any living inductees to be honored occurred in 1968, when Pud Galvin, the game’s first 300-game winner, was enshrined 63 years after his death.

The Veterans Committee elects three candidates from the pre-integration era to the Hall of Fame: owner Jacob Ruppert helped build the New York Yankees into the most successful franchise in the major leagues; Hank O’Day was an outstanding umpire who called the shots for the first-ever World Series game; and Deacon White was the first great catcher in baseball history, with one of the longest careers of the 19th century. The three will be inducted next July.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Veterans Committee elects three candidates from the pre-integration era to the Hall of Fame: owner Jacob Ruppert helped build the New York Yankees into the most successful franchise in the major leagues; Hank O’Day was an outstanding umpire who called the shots for the first-ever World Series game; and Deacon White was the first great catcher in baseball history, with one of the longest careers of the 19th century. The three will be inducted next July.

National League president Harry Pulliam
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Harry Pulliam upholds Hank O’Day’s delayed decision and declares the previous day’s controversial game between the Giants and Cubs a tie

ByThis Day in Baseball

Harry Pulliam upholds Hank O’Day’s delayed decision and declares the previous day’s controversial game between the Giants and Cubs a tie, a decision nobody likes. The Cubs demand the game be forfeited to them as the crowd prevented play from continuing, although darkness would have soon ended it. Both teams appeal. Pulliam sees no inconsistency with the September 4th incident that was similar to Merkle’s Boner and claims he has merely upheld his umpire on a question of fact in each case. Meanwhile, the Giants beat the Cubs, 5 – 4, after almost blowing a 5 – 0 lead. Hooks Wiltse is relieved by Christy Mathewson, and the official scorer awards the win to Matty. The loss goes to Three Finger Brown, his first loss to Mathewson since June 13, 1905.

Fred Merkle NYG
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Merkle Bonner – Fails to touch second base as winning run scores

ByThis Day in Baseball

test On September 23, 1908, Fred Merkle of the New York Giants commits one of the most famous gaffes in baseball history. In a crucial game against the Chicago Cubs, Merkle’s failure to touch second after an apparent game-winning hit by Bridwell scoring McCormick from third costs the Giants a 2-1 win over the Cubs….

In Game 2 of the World Series played at Chicago’s West Side Grounds, Tigers third baseman Bill Coughlinusing the hidden ball trick

In Game 2 of the World Series played at Chicago’s West Side Grounds, Tigers third baseman Bill Coughlinusing the hidden ball trick

ByThis Day in Baseball

In Game 2 of the World Series played at Chicago’s West Side Grounds, Tigers third baseman Bill Coughlin tags out Jimmy Slagle, who is leading off the base, using the hidden ball trick. The Cubs center fielder is the first victim ever to be deceived about the location of the ball during the Fall Classic.

In an effort to prevent hitters from rubbing out chalk lines, National League umpire Hank O’Day suggests white rubber strips be used to mark out the batter’s box

In an effort to prevent hitters from rubbing out chalk lines, National League umpire Hank O’Day suggests white rubber strips be used to mark out the batter’s box

ByThis Day in Baseball

In an effort to prevent hitters from rubbing out chalk lines, National League umpire Hank O’Day suggests white rubber strips be used to mark out the batter’s box. The former right-handed hurler and future Hall of Famer will interrupt his 30-year umpiring career to manage the Reds in 1912 and the Cubs in 1914, becoming the only person ever to play, manage, and umpire for a full season in the major leagues.