Pattee's Blunder
Superbas at Doves, May 4, 1908
Pattee’s Blunder
Remember Harry Pattee? No? If you don’t, you should check out this post I made about him:
Who Was Harry Pattee?
Who Was Harry Pattee? No, this isn’t the story of a boy living in a cupboard at #4 Privet Drive — that’s the wrong Harry. This is about Harry Pattee, the 1908 Brooklyn second baseman who played a single season in the major leagues and then vanished.
He’s one of my favorite players. But, as fast as he was, he simply wasn’t a great player.
Brooklyn came into the top of the 9th inning in this game down by a single run. The score was 1-0, and Pattee was the batter, with Gus Dorner on at first base and one out.
I called for a hit and run, expecting that Harry would at least make contact.
Boy, I was wrong.
Not only did Pattee strike out, but the runner was caught trying to steal, ending the game right then and there.
Tough luck, Harry.
Pattee, of course, wasn’t the only player who didn’t get a hit. However, his failure seemed to count more than anybody else’s mistakes.