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WALLY SCHANG |
THE LAST ONE FOR 86 YEARS
Wally Schang with a walk-off for the Red Sox
April 17, 1918 ...
Pinch hitter Wally Schang, with the Red Sox one run behind, the bases loaded and no one out in the last inning, drove in the winning run that gave the speed boys a walk-off 5 to 4 victory at Fenway Park. It was 4 to 2 in favor of Philly when the Sox came
to bat for their last chance.
Dutch Leonard, who was unsteady all afternoon, had paved the way for the A's runs, blowing a 1-0 lead in the eighth and allowing two runs in both the eighth and ninth innings. Stuffy McInnis was the first batter in the ninth and singled to left.
Bill Adams, who had pitched a good game, could not get the ball over the plate and walked George Whiteman. Everett Scott came to the plate and firstbaseman George Burns smelled a bunt. Playing in, he was right. He grabbed the bunt but threw the ball over secondbaseman Red
Shannon's head into right field as he was trying to cover first base. McInnis scored and Scotty and Whiteman went to second and third. Babe Ruth, who was pinch hitting was walked and Schang did the rest.
Dutch Leonard pitched some good innings. He fanned nine and hurled himself out of some tight jams. Adams pitched well also, but was pulled by Connie Mack and Scott Perry was brought in to pitch to Schang.
"Honey" Fitz was on hand to speak on behalf of the Fort Devens Baseball Fund. The Navy Yard band played the "Star Spangled Banner" while Ernie Shore and Herb Pennock came over and looked on. |
