LOOKING BACK AT THE 1914 "MIRACLE" BOSTON BRAVES ...
THE GREATEST COMEBACK IN MLB HISTORY ... 110 YEARS AGO
Manager Stallings has great hopes for his pitching staff, especially
Lefty Tyler, who threw batting practice at spring training today.
Lefty was especially known for his grit in low-scoring games. He had
a great changeup and used an overhand crossfire delivery. His
unorthodox style allowed him to hide the ball longer, making his
fastball more effective and aiding his curve.
In 1909 Lefty ran off a string of 34 consecutive shutout innings for
the Derry, New Hampshire town baseball team, including a
17-strikeout game. Those feats attracted the attention of the Lowell
team in the New England League. He made his professional debut with
Lowell later that year, splitting his time between starting and
relieving.
His 19-16 record with fourth-place Lowell in 1910 earned Lefty a
late-season look with the Boston Braves, who purchased his contract.
He reported to Boston and made two relief appearances without a
decision but pitched well enough to go to spring training camp with
them the next season.
He was originally slated to be sent to the Southern League for
seasoning, but the Braves' pitching staff was too thin for him to be
farmed out. Lefty went 7-10 with a 5.06 earned-run average in 1911
and 12-22 with a 4.18 ERA in 1912, leading the majors in losses.
Things started to change for Lefty in 1913. He led the National
League with 28 complete games while lowering his ERA to 2.79 and
posting a 16-17 record.
Lefty Tyler would eventually go 16-13 with a 2.69 ERA during the
great 1914 "miracle" championship season, putting together a string
of 23 consecutive shutout innings during the second-half stretch
run.