Thursday, May 1, 2014

World Series: Did You Know?

Game 2 of the 1921 World Series set a record for fewest hits, both teams combined. The all-New York World Series saw the Giants get just two hits and the Yankees three. It was a great pitcher's duel between Art Nehf and Waite Hoyt. But both pitchers would have some control problems.

Hoyt had a 1-2-3 top of the first for the Yankees, but Nehf was not so lucky. He walked the first batter, then got Roger Peckinpaugh to ground out. Elmer Miller, who had walked, was now on second. Now came the moment the Giants feared. The mighty Babe Ruth was next. Nehf pitched carefully to him, but ended up walking him. A line drive double-play got Arthur out of there.

Hoyt had a 1-2-3 top of the second for another easy inning. Neft walked the first batter, but got the next two men. The inning ended when Mike McNally was caught stealing second. So through two innings, the game had still not had a hit. Nehf looked ready to be pulled at any moment, however.

Johnny Rawlings got the game's first hit in the top of the third, but Hoyt got the next three batters out. Nehf looked like he'd have an easy bottom of the frame. Waite Hoyt was on first with the Yankees' first hit, but there was two outs after Miller flew out. However, Peckinpaugh and Ruth proved to be too much for Arthur to handle. By walking both, Nehf had loaded the bases with two outs. Art was up to five walks in 2 2/3 innings pitched. But he got Bob Meusel to pop out.

Hoyt had his third 1-2-3 innings in the top of the fourth. Wally Pipp was out on a fly to right as Nehf started the bottom of the fourth. But Aaron Ward singled, and then McNally reached on an error. Schang drew Nehf sixth walk. Hoyt grounded out, scoring Ward with the game's first run. McNally tried to come home from second, but was thrown out.

Irish Meusel drew a walk with one out in the top of the 5th, but Hoyt continued his 1-hitter by getting the next two batters out. Nehf retired the first two batters in the bottom of the inning, and then Ruth made it interesting. The Bambino drew a walk, then turned on the jets twice. Arthur was up to seven walks in 4 2/3 innings. Ruth stole second, and then third. What, The Big Guy wasn't fast? In stealing third, Ruth scraped his elbow quite severely. He stayed in there. Alas, Bob Meusel grounded out.

Hoyt, up 1-0, walked his mound opponent in the top of the 6th, but settled down to retire the next three batters. Arthur then finally had his first 1-2-3 inning.

Again, in the 7th, it was Hoyt walking the first batter. But again, he got the next three. And again, it was a 1-2-3 bottom of the frame by Neft.

Hoyt, clinging to his one-run lead, got the first two batters out in the top of the 8th. But it was George Burns who drew a walk. It was the fourth straight inning the Giants had been issued a free pass. However, Burns was caught stealing. In the bottom of the frame, the Yankees finally put this game out of reach.

Peckinpaugh reached on an error by third basemen Frankie Frisch. Ruth could only hit into a fielder's choice. Bob Meusel singled to center. The Babe again showed his speed by beating the throw to third, and Meusel pulled up into second. This proved to be a crucial play. Pipp grounded out, but Ruth scored to make it 2-0, Yankees. Meusel then showed his speed by stealing home! 3-0 for the Bronx Bombers! Ward fouled out to first.

Frisch sort of atoned for his error by getting the second and last hit of Hoyt with one out in the top of the 9th. And then, for the 5th straight inning, a walk by Hoyt. This was bad timing, as the tying run was at the plate. But High Pockets Kelly grounded into and game-ending 5-4-3 double play. Hoyt had the shutout!

The Bronx Bombers had their second straight shutout of the 1921 World Series, but ultimately lost five games to three. However, if anything, this game showed off the Yankees great overall skills. They won the game without the long ball. Ruth failed to get a hit. But some timely walks, combined with some base swipes and clutch hits, made then victorious on this day.

And there was the pitching in this game. Hoyt was the winner. 9IP, 0R, 2H, 5K, 5BB. Nehf took a hard loss, but the seven walks proved costly. 9IP, 3R, 3H, 0K, 7BB.


References


Enders, Eric. 100 Years Of The World Series. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 2005. Print.

Neft, David S., Richard M. Cohen. The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 1992. 12th ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. Print.

Nemec, David et all. 20th Century Baseball Chronicle: A Year-by-year History of Major League Baseball. Collector's Edition. Lincolnwood, Ill: Publications International, 1993. Print.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 01 May. 2014.

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