South End Grounds I
South End Grounds I Boston, MA, US
The Miracle Braves play an AM – PM Double Header at Fenway
The Braves and Giants play an A.M.-P.M. twin bill in Boston on Labor Day. To accommodate the crowds, the Braves have moved their home games to Fenway Park, courtesy of owner Joe Lannin: Fenway has triple the seating capacity of the South End Grounds. The two contests draw 74,163 on the day. The Braves, down 4 – 3 to Christy Mathewson in the 9th, storm back for two runs to win the opener. Josh Devore scratches a single, Herb Moran doubles into the crowd ringing the outfield, and Johnny Evers slaps a single that eludes George Burns to drive home the tying and winning runs. Jeff Tesreau wins the nitecap, 10 – 1, and the Giants pile on Lefty Tyler. In the Giants’ 4-run 6th, Fred Snodgrasstakes a pitch on the sleeve to reach first base, thumbing his nose at Tyler along the way. Lefty retaliates by acting out Fred’s 1912 World Series muff. When Snodgrass returns to CF, the crowd is merciless to the point that Boston Mayor James Michael Curley rushes on the field and demands the umpires eject the Giant player. McGraw, worried that Snodgrass might incur an injury, replaces him.
Pete Alexander pitches the Phils to a 1 – 0 win over Boston’s 44-year-old Cy Young
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.
Grover Cleveland Alexander makes his major league debut, losing a 5-4 decision to the Rustlers
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.
Tommy Leach leads the Bucs to a 5 – 1 win over Boston with three great catches and a steal of home.
Pittsburgh CF Tommy Leach leads the Bucs to a 5 – 1 win over Boston with three great catches and a steal of home.
At Boston’s Southend Grounds, Boston Beaneater Wiley Piatt the 28 year-old southpaw, known as Ironman to his teammates becomes the only 20th century pitcher to lose two complete games in one day, falling to Pittsburgh, 1 – 0 and 5 – 3. Piatt allows 14 hits in the two games while striking out 12. Pirate player-manager Fred Clarke takes a pitch in the stomach, and will take a couple more hits tomorrow. Pittsburgh now leads the National League by 2 1/2 games.
On June 25, 1903 At Boston’s Southend Grounds, Boston Beaneater Wiley Piatt the 28 year-old southpaw, known as Ironman to his teammates becomes the only 20th century pitcher to lose two complete games in one day, falling to Pittsburgh, 1 – 0 and 5 – 3. Piatt allows 14 hits in the two games while striking out 12. Pirate player-manager Fred Clarke takes a…
Little Tommy Leach of Pittsburgh, hits two home runs at Boston
1902 – Little Tommy Leach of Pittsburgh, hits two home runs at Boston. He will close out the season with only 6, all inside-the-park, but it is enough to give him sole leadership of the National League, which totals only 99. Leach’s leading number is the lowest since Paul Hines hit four in a 60-game schedule in 1878.
John W. Taylor goes the distance but takes the loss The right-hander’s start begins a remarkable streak of 187 consecutive complete games
John W. Taylor goes the distance but takes the loss when the Beaneaters defeat the Orphans at Boston’s South End Grounds. The right-hander’s start begins a remarkable streak of 187 consecutive complete games that end in August of 1906, when he is relieved by another pitcher, after amassing an incredible 1,727 innings of work that includes finishing up 15 games in relief.
In the aftermath of a fierce fight between Baltimore’s John McGraw and Boston’s Tommy Tucker in the 3rd inning, a devastating fire starts in the RF stands at Boston’s South End Grounds
In the aftermath of a fierce fight between Baltimore’s John McGraw and Boston’s Tommy Tucker in the 3rd inning, a devastating fire starts in the RF stands at Boston’s South End Grounds. The fire destroys $70,000 worth of equipment as well as the park, the only truly double-decked grandstand Boston would ever have. The fire spreads to adjacent blocks and eventually destroys or severely damages 170 buildings. The team moves to the Congress Street ballpark for several months before returning to the rebuilt Walpole Street park.
The Brooklyn Bridegrooms, who will later be known as the Dodgers, play their first National League game
The Brooklyn Bridegrooms, who will later be known as the Dodgers, play their first National League game. At South End Grounds, the former American Association club loses to the host Boston Beaneaters, 15 – 9. Brooklyn would go on to win the pennant in their first season in a new league, following their title in a different major league the previous season.