Our Giants
Plus Day In Review, May 2, 1908
Our Giants
Sometimes what doesn’t happen is more interesting than what does.
That was the case in this one. New York staked out a 4 run lead heading into the top of the 9th. It was Giants 5, Phillies 1, and the Phillies needed all the help they could get.
Second baseman Otto Knabe singled, but I didn’t pay much attention. Even when catcher Fred Jacklitsch singled to move Knabe to second, I thought little of it. I’d seen these small rallies before, and knew that it was bound to be short-lived.
Roy Thomas then pinch hit for pitcher Tully Sparks, and promptly smacked another base hit.
And that’s when it got interesting.
John Titus came up next, rolling a 15 for an 11, driving home two runners and stealing second base. The score was now 5-3 in favor of the Giants, and there were runners on second and third.
Kitty Bransfield struck out for only the first out of the inning.
That brought up Mickey Doolan. I decided that it was probably best to walk him intentionally. I figured it was best to try for a double play rather than giving him the chance to get a hit, no matter how poor his average has been.
That brought up Ernie Courtney, who had entered the game earlier in place of the injured Eddie Grant at third:
The bases were loaded, and the Giants were really sweating now. Out went Hooks Wiltse, and on came the little known Bill Malarkey. A Giants loss here was not necessarily going to destroy their season, but they simply can’t afford to lose too many games like this — particularly games in which they’ve had big leads.
And up came Sherry Magee:
And that’s how it ended - on a 5-2-3 double play. What an ending!
I bet you expected that all of these 1908 games would have 5 hits or so per side with no excitement to speak of, right? You’d better look again.
Other Action
Doves 5, Superbas 1: At Boston, the Doves enjoyed a big victory.
Cardinals 1, Cubs 0: At Chicago, the Cubs lost a heartbreaker in the top of the 9th. Watch the game here. Read the summary here.
Tigers 3, White Sox 0: At Detroit, Ed Walsh was pounded for 10 hits and 3 runs. Meanwhile, Wild Bill Donovan kept his control, earning a 4-hit shutout victory. Watch the game here.
Giants 5, Phillies 4: At New York, see above.
Athletics 4, Red Sox 2: At Philadelphia, the Athletics are quietly moving up into contention for the American League pennant. Watch the game here.
Reds 1, Pirates 0: At Pittsburgh, the Reds won their second in a row against the Pirates. Watch the game here.
Naps 6, Browns 0: At St. Louis, Addie Joss threw a 6-hit shutout. Watch the game here.
Highlanders 5, Senators 1: At Washington, New York scored 4 runs in the last 2 innings to break open an otherwise close game. Watch the game here.
Standings
It’s still not clear who will contend in the American League. Honestly, at this point any one of the 8 teams has a chance.