Third Time's The Charm

Naps at White Sox, May 10, 1908

Third Time’s The Charm

This one felt like a classic 1908 problem.

The White Sox went into the bottom of the 9th inning of this tied ballgame and promptly loaded the bases. With the bases loaded, nobody out, and the score 1-1, it seemed certain that the White Sox would score.

Up first was Billy Sullivan:

The Cleveland infield was able to get the force out at the plate. One out.

Next came Lee Tannehill. Tannehill is having a hard time hitting anything so far. I thought about bunting with him, but decided to swing away instead:

Now there were two men out, and it was starting to look like we were going to need extra innings.

Up next came pitcher Frank Smith. I decided to let Frank hit for himself, since he was still going strong. I figured we were going for extra innings no matter what, and that the White Sox might as well keep their good pitcher in there.

Well, that’s the way it is sometimes. Smith got a rare hit and an RBI, and the game was over.

This really was a classic 1908 game: low scoring, few hits, and lots of defense.