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LEFTY TYLER |
THE 1914 "MIRACLE" BRAVES
The Braves shine in the home opener
April 23, 1914 ... The Boston Braves played their opening game of the season at their home ballpark starting correctly, winning from Brooklyn. It was quite a compliment that 6000 fans came out to welcome them,
because the weather was very unfavorable, with low temperatures and high winds. But the fans saw a good game in many respects, and they also saw something they are not likely to see again in a long time, if ever. That was the giving of four bases on balls, having a passed ball and a stolen base, all-in-one inning with no run
being scored. The Braves had the luck to get away from that in the third inning and it was no surprise to therefore see them win the game. Another thing that fans are not likely to see again was one pitcher giving out 11 bases on balls and not having one run scored against him in nine full innings.
That pitcher was lefty Tyler, as he passed the first man to face him on four straight balls with the next batter up hitting a fly ball that the wind carried over they head of Tommy Griffith, scoring the runner and giving Brooklyn a quick 1 to 0 lead. That would be the only run made by the
Robins, which shows one thing at least, that Tyler's support never weakened.
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MANAGER STALLINGS HONORED |
There were the usual opening day ceremonies, the band concert, the parade of the players, the raising of Old Glory in center field, and the opening of the game by Mayor Fitzgerald, who threw out the first ball. Just before the game started manager Stallings received a cluster diamond pin and
a gold buckle belt on behalf of his players, from Captain Johnny Evers. Evers was cheered when he first came to bat as was Rabbit Maranville.
Manager Wilbert Robinson selected Pat Ragan as his opening pitcher, and the Brooklyn starter lasted only five innings, while Tyler pitched the whole game. The high wind made it almost impossible for fielders to judge fly balls, with the ball being carried all over the field. Many flies were
missed altogether, and one such resulted in the only run scored by Brooklyn.
In the fourth inning, down 1 to 0, the Braves began their offensive work. Rabbit Maranville shot a grounder through shortstop and Evers followed with a double to left. With Maranville on third and Evers on second, Joe Connolly lined one to Zach Wheat in short left field, so that the Rabbit
had to hold at third base. Tommy Griffith then beat out an infield hit on which Maranville scored. Butch Schmidt hit one past Dick Egan for a single and Evers came home. Griffith then went to third and Schmidt to second on Les Mann's out at first base. They both scored when Charlie Deal
struck a fine single to right field, giving the Braves a 4 to 1 lead.
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MAYOR FITZGERALD |
There was nothing doing until the seventh when Bull Wagner replaced Ragan on the mound. Maranville and Evers drew passes off the new pitcher, and both scored on Connolly's triple to right-center, making it 6 to 1. Jeff Pfeffer then came in to pitch the eighth and three more runs were worked,
when Butch Schmidt walked, Mann sacrificed, Deal dropped in a wind aided Texas leaguer in short center, that brought Schmidt home and put Deal on second base. The wind also helped Gowdy, when he hit a ball to left field, getting a base hit, but Deal was thrown out at third by Wheat. Tyler
singled past Smith and Wheat's throw to the plate to get Gowdy's went wild. Hank was safe and Tyler got around to third when the ball got by the catcher, Lew McCarty. Lefty scored the third run of the inning and the ninth of the game, when Maranville's single went through into right field.
Final score was 9 to 1 in favor of the Braves. |
