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CHICK SHORTEN |
BACK-TO-BACK WORLD
SERIES CHAMPS
The Sox take down Walter Johnson
during their last at bat
August 12, 1916 ...
The Champion Red Sox
celebrated their return to Fenway Park by fighting stubbornly against Clark Griffith's Senators, who worked hard to lower the colors of the American League leaders. Sixteen thousand fans sat on the edge of their seats and went wild with delight when
the Sox pulled out a victory in the ninth inning by a score of 2 to 1.
With the score 1 to 0 in favor of Washington, the Nats sent in Walter Johnson in the eighth inning and the Sox countered by scoring two runs off him to give them an important victory. Bill Carrigan used all his cards by playing 17 men and changing his infield
at shortstop and first base. It was Carrigan who gave the Sox a victory by using Chick Shorten to pinch hit and the youngster responded by dropping in a Texas Leaguer to center, driving in the winning run.
The one run made by Washington came in the fourth inning. Boston got the first man on base in seven innings but doubleplays killed their chances. In the ninth, with Johnson pitching in relief, the count went to three and two on Dick Hoblitzell, when
Hobby laced a beautiful single to center. Tilly Walker then laid down a bunt, and Johnson muffed the toss from Rip Williams. Larry Gardener laid down another bunt, and Johnson threw the ball by Eddie Foster at third, letting Hobby score the tying run and moving the runners
to second and third. Pinch Thomas was sent up to bat and passed intentionally to load the bases. Carrigan sent up young Chick Shorten and with two strikes on him, he sent a short fly to center that landed just out of Clyde Milan's reach, allowing Walker to score the
walk-off winning run.
Smiles were all around Fenway Park. President Lannin remarked that he not seen finer ball played all year and Bill Carrigan assured everyone that the team was in great condition and should be in fine shape to hold their own for the stretch run. |
