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HARRY HOOPER SCORES THE WINNING RUN |
WORLD CHAMPS AGAIN
1915 WORLD SERIES, GAME #3
Duffy Lewis with a ninth inning
walk-off single, gives the Sox the win
October 11, 1915
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In the presence of the largest crowd ever to see a baseball game, the Red Sox won the third game of the World Series by a score of 2 to 1, Duffy Lewis sending Harry Hooper over the plate with a sharp single to center, with two
outs. The game was extremely interesting from first to last, keeping the players and the crowed keyed with a very high tension, as inning after inning went by with no letup in splendid defense on both sides.
The magnificent new ball field was fully appreciated by the great crowd coming to see the game from all parts of the country. The field was in great condition, while a bright sun lit up two thirds of the playing space,
furnishing a delightful setting to see these two great teams in action.
Grover Cleveland Alexander was selected to attempt to get his second victory over the Red Sox, and the Red Sox countered with Dutch Leonard who proved to be more effective than his highly touted opponent. Alexander started
the game displaying great speed and worked the Red Sox to the limit for two thirds of the game. Then the hard grind, coming only after two days rest, commenced to take it's toll on his strength and nerve. Leonard pitched a phenomenal game after Ed Burns scored a run off him in
the third inning from a single off the bat of Dave Bancroft. This gave them the Phillies the lead, coming from two singles and a sacrifice, these being their only clean hits of the game, and the first one being the result of Tris Speaker losing a fly ball in the sun. After
this inning Leonard tightened his game and never even issued a simple pass, thus turning in the greatest game of his professional career. Starting with the last out of the third inning, he retired 20 Philly batters in order with four strikeouts.
The ninth inning was one that will be long remembered. Harry Hooper opened up with a single to right field. Everett Scott fouled off two balls in trying to sacrifice bunt. Instead of hitting away with two
strikes, he laid down another bunt perfectly toward second base and almost beat the throw to first base. With Hooper on second, Tris Speaker, who already had two hits came up and was intentionally walked. Dick Hoblitzell followed and hit a slow grounder to Bert Niehoff at
second base. Niehoff had no play other than to throw out Hobby at first, allowing the Sox baserunners to move up. Duffy Lewis came to the plate, with the band playing "Tessie" and the crowd cheering madly. Alexander shot a fast ball to him on the first pitch and Duffy
hit a shot over second base with Harry Hooper jogging across the plate for the walk-off win.
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