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DUTCH LEONARD |
BACK-TO-BACK WORLD
SERIES CHAMPS
The
Tigers and the Sox split
before the year's largest crowd
July 22, 1916 ...
President Joe Lannin received a letter from Joe Wood, saying his arm is fine and that he would like to rejoin the team. Wood has been holding out since he was offered a contract for $5000 which is $2500 less than his old contract.
At Fenway Park, a thrilling two part baseball drama unfolded with the Tigers taking the first game and the Red Sox emerging victorious in the second game. In the first game Ernie Shore started and did not show much, being relieved by Carl Mays who
pitched well until he was lifted for a pinch hitter. The Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on two Red Sox mistakes, a slow throw to second base by Hick Cady, and a muffed ground ball by Del Gainor. Duffy Lewis made a great catch going up the bank in left
field for one Red Sox highlight, while Harry Hooper threw out Ty Cobb at home for another great play.
In the second game Dutch Leonard pitched an outstanding shutout of the the Tigers. The nearest Detroit came to scoring was in the second inning when Duffy Lewis threw out Ossie Bush at the plate, following Ty Cobb's single to left. The Sox scored their
lone run in the second inning when Dick Hoblitzell drew a pass, went to second on a hit by Tilly Walker and scored on a two outs. From then, until the close, the Sox batters could do nothing against Bill James and Jean Dubuc. The ninth inning was the most exciting part of the
afternoon. Cobb led off and lined a single to left field. Bobby Veach laid down a perfect bunt to Larry Gardner who threw him out, but when Cobb saw third base open he out-raced Everett Scott to the bag. Leonard, knowing Cobb would score on any grounder or fly ball,
forced Harry Heilman to hit a weak pop to Hobby at first base. Ralph Young left Cobb at third with a lazy fly ball to Duffy Lewis to end the game.
The Tigers left for home after the game, while the Red sox headed to Syracuse, and eventually will make their way to Cleveland. |
