1908 New York Giants season
Encyclopedia
The New York Giants
season was a season in Major League Baseball
. The Giants finished second in the National League
.
Paced by Turkey Mike Donlin
, the offense scored the most runs in the league. Donlin led the team in nearly all batting categories and was second in batting to Honus Wagner
.
Future Hall of Famer
Christy Mathewson
had another incredible season for New York, winning the pitching triple crown with 37 wins, 259 Ks, and a 1.43 ERA. However, he lost the last game of the season to Three Finger Brown
of the Chicago Cubs
, and the Giants finished one game back in the pennant
race.
That one-game playoff became necessary after Giants rookie Fred Merkle
failed to touch second base at the end of a previous contest, costing them a win. In addition, they were beaten by another rookie, Phillies
pitcher Harry Coveleski
, three times in five days late in the season. Coveleski was subsequently nicknamed "The Giant Killer."
. The Giants took five of their first six games of the season. The home opener at the Polo Grounds
was the biggest in club history, as the Giants attracted over 25,000 fans. The Brooklyn Superbas
took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth. Fred Merkle pinch hit for Christy Mathewson and got a ground rule double. Merkle safely advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt. Fred Tenney
hit a grounder and Merkle was caught off third. Captain Donlin hit a two run home run over the right field wall to win the home opener for the Giants by a score of 3-2.
On July 4, Hooks Wiltse
had a perfect game heading into the ninth inning. With two out in the ninth, the perfect game was still intact. George McQuillan
was hit by a pitch and Wiltse lost the perfect game. on August 27, the Giants won 18 of their last 23 (including four in a row versus the Pittsburgh Pirates) to take the lead in the National League for the first time since April. During the Giants four game sweep of the Pirates in late August, the electric scoreboard made its debut in New York. The first electric scoreboard was outside Madison Square Garden, and there was another near the Gotham Theatre on 125th Street.
committed a base running error that later became known as "Merkle's Boner," and earned Merkle the nickname of "Bonehead."
In the bottom of the 9th inning
, he came up to bat with two outs
, and the score tied 1-1. At the time, Moose McCormick
was on first base. Merkle singled
, and McCormick advanced to third
. Al Bridwell
, the next batter, followed with a single of his own. McCormick went home, apparently scoring the winning run of the game. The fans in attendance, under the impression that the game was over, ran onto the field to celebrate.
Meanwhile, Merkle, trying to escape the mob of people, ran to the Giants' clubhouse without touching second base. Cubs second baseman
Johnny Evers
noticed this, and after retrieving a ball and touching second base, he appealed to umpire Hank O'Day
to call Merkle out. The validity of the ball was disputed - numerous accounts have Giants pitcher Joe McGinnity intercepting the real ball before Evers could get it. However, since Merkle had not touched the base, the umpire called him out on a force play
, and McCormick's run did not count.
Since the run was nullified, the Giants' victory was erased, and the score of the game remained tied. Unfortunately, the thousands of fans on the field (as well as the growing darkness in the days before large electric light rigs made night games possible) prevented resumption of the game, and it was declared a tie
. The Giants and the Cubs would end the season deadlocked atop the standings and would have a rematch at the Polo Grounds
, on October 8. The Cubs won this makeup game, 4-2, and thus the National League pennant
.
Giants manager John McGraw
never blamed Merkle for the second-place finish. However, the rookie was hounded by the New York press and fans for years thereafter.
Mike Donlin
Larry Doyle
Christy Mathewson
Cy Seymour
Fred Tenney
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
season was a season in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The Giants finished second in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
.
Paced by Turkey Mike Donlin
Mike Donlin
Michael Joseph Donlin was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals , Baltimore Orioles , Cincinnati Reds , New York Giants , Boston Rustlers , and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, the offense scored the most runs in the league. Donlin led the team in nearly all batting categories and was second in batting to Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
.
Future Hall of Famer
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
Christy Mathewson
Christy Mathewson
Christopher "Christy" Mathewson , nicknamed "Big Six", "The Christian Gentleman", or "Matty", was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire career in what is known as the dead-ball era...
had another incredible season for New York, winning the pitching triple crown with 37 wins, 259 Ks, and a 1.43 ERA. However, he lost the last game of the season to Three Finger Brown
Mordecai Brown
Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown , nicknamed "Three Finger" or "Miner", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher at the turn of the 20th century. Due to a farm-machinery accident in his youth, Brown lost parts of two fingers on his right hand and eventually acquired his nickname as a result...
of the Chicago Cubs
1908 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Cubs winning their third consecutive National League pennant, as well as the World Series...
, and the Giants finished one game back in the pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
race.
That one-game playoff became necessary after Giants rookie Fred Merkle
Fred Merkle
Frederick Charles Merkle , also known as "Bonehead" Merkle, was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball...
failed to touch second base at the end of a previous contest, costing them a win. In addition, they were beaten by another rookie, Phillies
1908 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Phillies finished fourth in the National League with a record of 83 wins and 71 losses.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
pitcher Harry Coveleski
Harry Coveleski
Harry Frank Coveleski was a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Detroit Tigers. Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, he began his career with the Phillies in 1907...
, three times in five days late in the season. Coveleski was subsequently nicknamed "The Giant Killer."
Season summary
The Giants opened the season on the road with a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies1908 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Phillies finished fourth in the National League with a record of 83 wins and 71 losses.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. The Giants took five of their first six games of the season. The home opener at the Polo Grounds
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
was the biggest in club history, as the Giants attracted over 25,000 fans. The Brooklyn Superbas
1908 Brooklyn Superbas season
The Brooklyn Superbas suffered through another poor season, finishing in seventh place. After the season, manager Patsy Donovan was fired.- Offseason :* December 17, 1907: Tommy Sheehan was purchased by the Superbas from the Pittsburgh Pirates.- Roster :...
took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth. Fred Merkle pinch hit for Christy Mathewson and got a ground rule double. Merkle safely advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt. Fred Tenney
Fred Tenney
Frederick Tenney was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Beaneaters/Doves/Rustlers and New York Giants .-See also:...
hit a grounder and Merkle was caught off third. Captain Donlin hit a two run home run over the right field wall to win the home opener for the Giants by a score of 3-2.
On July 4, Hooks Wiltse
Hooks Wiltse
George Leroy "Hooks" Wiltse was a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1904 to 1915. He was the brother of pitcher Snake Wiltse....
had a perfect game heading into the ninth inning. With two out in the ninth, the perfect game was still intact. George McQuillan
George McQuillan
George Watt McQuillan , born in Brooklyn, New York, was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Reds , Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians ....
was hit by a pitch and Wiltse lost the perfect game. on August 27, the Giants won 18 of their last 23 (including four in a row versus the Pittsburgh Pirates) to take the lead in the National League for the first time since April. During the Giants four game sweep of the Pirates in late August, the electric scoreboard made its debut in New York. The first electric scoreboard was outside Madison Square Garden, and there was another near the Gotham Theatre on 125th Street.
The Merkle Game
On Wednesday, September 23, against the Chicago Cubs, 19 year old Fred MerkleFred Merkle
Frederick Charles Merkle , also known as "Bonehead" Merkle, was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball...
committed a base running error that later became known as "Merkle's Boner," and earned Merkle the nickname of "Bonehead."
In the bottom of the 9th inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
, he came up to bat with two outs
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
, and the score tied 1-1. At the time, Moose McCormick
Moose McCormick
Harry Elwood "Moose" McCormick , was a professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball between 1904 and 1913 for the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia Phillies...
was on first base. Merkle singled
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
, and McCormick advanced to third
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
. Al Bridwell
Al Bridwell
Albert Henry Bridwell was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the a number of teams in the early 20th century, most notably the New York Giants, when the team was managed by John McGraw. Bridwell hit the single which caused the crucial "Merkle boner" running error of the...
, the next batter, followed with a single of his own. McCormick went home, apparently scoring the winning run of the game. The fans in attendance, under the impression that the game was over, ran onto the field to celebrate.
Meanwhile, Merkle, trying to escape the mob of people, ran to the Giants' clubhouse without touching second base. Cubs second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Johnny Evers
Johnny Evers
John Joseph Evers was a Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1946...
noticed this, and after retrieving a ball and touching second base, he appealed to umpire Hank O'Day
Hank O'Day
Henry Francis O'Day was an American right-handed pitcher, umpire and manager in Major League Baseball who worked as a National League umpire for 30 years between 1895 and 1927, and was the only person in major league history to appear as a player, manager and umpire. His 3,986 total games as an...
to call Merkle out. The validity of the ball was disputed - numerous accounts have Giants pitcher Joe McGinnity intercepting the real ball before Evers could get it. However, since Merkle had not touched the base, the umpire called him out on a force play
Force play
In baseball, a force is a situation when a baserunner is compelled to vacate his time-of-pitch base—and thus try to advance to the next base—because the batter became a runner. A runner at first base is always forced to attempt to advance to second base when the batter becomes a runner...
, and McCormick's run did not count.
Since the run was nullified, the Giants' victory was erased, and the score of the game remained tied. Unfortunately, the thousands of fans on the field (as well as the growing darkness in the days before large electric light rigs made night games possible) prevented resumption of the game, and it was declared a tie
Tie (draw)
To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. The word "tie" is usually used in North America for sports such as American football. "Draw" is usually used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations and it is usually used for sports such as...
. The Giants and the Cubs would end the season deadlocked atop the standings and would have a rematch at the Polo Grounds
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
, on October 8. The Cubs won this makeup game, 4-2, and thus the National League pennant
National League pennant winners 1901-68
Each season in Major League Baseball, the National League team with the best performance wins the league's pennant, signifying that they are its champion and winning the right to play in the World Series. In addition to the pennant, the team that wins the National League playoffs receives the...
.
Giants manager John McGraw
John McGraw
John McGraw may refer to:* John McGraw , , New York lumber tycoon, and one of the founding trustees of Cornell University* John McGraw , , Governor of Washington state from 1893–1897...
never blamed Merkle for the second-place finish. However, the rookie was hounded by the New York press and fans for years thereafter.
Notable transactions
- July 8, 1908: Bob SpadeBob SpadeRobert Spade was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played four seasons in the major leagues, from until , for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns.When Spade died in 1924 he was penniless, and fans raised the money to pay for his burial.-Sources:...
was claimed off waivers by the Giants from the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. - July 10, 1908: Bob Spade and $5,000 were traded by the Giants to the Cincinnati Reds for Jake WeimerJake WeimerJacob Weimer, nicknamed "Tornado Jake" , was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs , Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants . Weimer batted right-handed and threw left-handed...
and Dave BrainDave BrainDavid Leonard "Dave" Brain was an infielder/outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox , St. Louis Cardinals , Pittsburgh Pirates , Boston Beaneaters & Doves , Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants . Brain batted and threw right-handed...
.
Roster
| 1908 New York Giants | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager | ||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 140 | 449 | 127 | .283 | 1 | 54 | |
| 1B | 156 | 583 | 149 | .256 | 1 | 49 | |
| 2B | 104 | 377 | 116 | .308 | 0 | 33 | |
| 3B | 157 | 534 | 135 | .253 | 2 | 45 | |
| SS | 147 | 467 | 133 | .285 | 0 | 46 | |
| OF | 156 | 587 | 157 | .267 | 5 | 92 | |
| OF | 77 | 268 | 60 | .224 | 1 | 21 | |
| OF | 155 | 593 | 198 | .334 | 6 | 106 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 41 | 11 | .268 | 1 | 7 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | 390.2 | 37 | 11 | 1.43 | 259 | |
| 44 | 330 | 23 | 14 | 2.24 | 118 | |
| 32 | 214.2 | 12 | 12 | 2.93 | 77 | |
| 18 | 114.1 | 7 | 4 | 1.81 | 81 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 186 | 11 | 7 | 2.27 | 55 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7.94 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 2 |
Awards and honors
League top five finishers
Roger BresnahanRoger Bresnahan
Roger Philip Bresnahan , nicknamed "The Duke of Tralee" for his Irish roots, was an American player in Major League Baseball who starred primarily as a catcher and a player-manager...
- #3 in NL in on-base percentage (.401)
Mike Donlin
Mike Donlin
Michael Joseph Donlin was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals , Baltimore Orioles , Cincinnati Reds , New York Giants , Boston Rustlers , and Pittsburgh Pirates...
- #2 in NL in batting average (.334)
- #2 in NL in RBI (106)
- #2 in NL in slugging percentage (.452)
Larry Doyle
- #3 in NL in batting average (.308)
Christy Mathewson
Christy Mathewson
Christopher "Christy" Mathewson , nicknamed "Big Six", "The Christian Gentleman", or "Matty", was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire career in what is known as the dead-ball era...
- NL leader in wins (37)
- NL leader in strikeouts (259)
- NL leader in shutouts (11)
- NL leader in ERA (1.43)
Cy Seymour
Cy Seymour
James Bentley "Cy" Seymour was an American center fielder and pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1896 through , Seymour played for the New York Giants , Baltimore Orioles , Cincinnati Reds and Boston Braves...
- #3 in NL in RBI (92)
Fred Tenney
Fred Tenney
Frederick Tenney was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Beaneaters/Doves/Rustlers and New York Giants .-See also:...
- NL leader in runs scored (101)