Pitching Duel

Naps at Athletics, May 21, 1908

Pitching Duel

I know that it’s not necessarily surprising to see a pitching duel in 1908.

The cool thing about low scoring games, however, is that a single mistake can make a huge difference. Either team can come out on top, and the difference between winning and losing becomes very small.

If you’ve never played a 1908 game, you really should watch this video. this game is an excellent example of what it’s like.

The Naps and Athletics came into the top of the 7th with no score. Jay Clarke, catcher for Cleveland, singled, after which Bill Hinchman was hit by a pitch.

Normally, you’d think that Philadelphia starter Jimmy Dygert might be running into problems. But this is 1908, of course.

Joe Birmingham advanced both runners with a sacrifice fly. Unheralded Cleveland shortstop Joe Perring then hit another sacrifice fly, scoring Clarke. And then Naps pitcher Glenn Liebhardt struck out.

In other words, you had a single, a hit by pitch, two sacrificies, and a strikeout — and that’s how the first run came across.

Glenn Liebhardt had pitched well up to this point, but he then started to fall apart.

Ossee Schreckengost, one of those players notable for his name, doubled with one out in the bottom of the 7th. The ageless Jimmy Collins then came up to bunt, and managed to be safe at first after Liebhardt inexplicably tried to catch Schreckengost at third.

And that’s when Liebhardt fell apart.

Glenn walked Jack Coombs, the 8th hitter, to load the bases. He then walked Jimmy Dygert, of all people, to allow the tying run to score.

Eddie Collins hit a sacrifice fly to put the Athletics ahead by one.

Liebhardt did manage to get out of the inning, but the damage was done.

We saw 3 runs scored in that 7th inning off of a grand total of 2 hits, 1 by each team. There were 3 sacrifices in total, as well as a fielders choice on a bunt that wound up not being counted as a sacrifice in the end.

That’s what 1908 is all about.

Liebhardt gave up only 4 walks in this game, but 3 came in the bottom of the 7th. Sometimes the dice just don’t roll your way.

Meanwhile, this American League pennant race keeps getting better. The Naps and Athletics play each other tough every time out.