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BABE RUTH |
BACK-TO-BACK WORLD
SERIES CHAMPS
Babe Ruth over Walter Johnson
June 1, 1916 ...
Mike McNally made the Babe Ruth vs Walter Johnson pitching duel a winning one for the Red Sox. McNally pulled some of the stuff that made Ty Cobb famous, scoring from second base in the eighth inning. The score was 1 to 0 and was one of the best
played games of the year, highlighted by McNally's dash to home, to make it four straight wins over the first place Nats.
McNally had been the star over the last couple of games, but today he faced Walter Johnson and his first experience against him was of being struck out. Then he came up in the eighth inning with one out. Mike went after the first pitched and
smashed it over second base into right field, running along to second base when McBride bobbled a ground ball from Duffy Lewis. Hobby then hit a hot one down to McBride who knew it was a perfect doubleplay ball. He tossed it over to Ray Morgan forcing Duffy at second, and
then, instead of going to first to complete the twin killing, went after McNally, who was rounding third and heading home. Morgan hesitated and fired to the catcher, Eddie Ainsmith, but McNally slid in under the throw and the Red Sox had broken the stalemate.
The advertised pitching duel was supposed to be the big event, and it was all that the fans expected, with both Ruth and Johnson going head to head and not budging an inch. Babe fanned six, whiffing Walter once when there were two out and two on base.
Johnson passed only two men, but throughout the game was quite effective in tight places. It was a hard game for the great one to lose, but it was a great day for the Red Sox. |
