SHOCKER AND COLLINS RIGHT THEMSELVES AFTER SLOPPY FOUR-INNING FESTIVAL
By Calvin J. Butterworth
Detroit Free-Enterprise
April 20, 1924
With an ample Sunday gathering at Navin Field primed for a riot, the Detroiters survived a hideous contest with a 6-5 squeak-win over St. Louis. Rip Collins, eager to prove his dexterity following his Opening Day lambasting, was touched for single runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings, with the help of a Rigney gaffe in the third frame. But then the Brownie defense misplaced their real rawhide gloves, for Ken Williams dropped an easy fly by Collins to open the Tiger 3rd, and after a Cobb run-plating single, the sure-handed Sisler kicked another one. Bassler then singled, Heilman stroked a sacrifice fly, Blue singled, Manush walked, and Pratt drove home the fourth tally with a single.
Yet the shenanigans were just beginning. Pratt threw wide Gerber's infield hit in the 4th, which led to three Browns runs to take the lead right back, thanks to a vicious three-sack hit by Baby Doll Jacobson. Urban Shocker was determined to out-stink everyone, however, as Cobb, Rigney, Bassler and Heilman all hit safeties to begin the Tiger 4th and reclaim the advantage once again.
It was then that the game became an Arabian hookah dream, as both Shocker and Collins clamped down their leaking hit pipes and allowed nothing but two singles apiece the rest of the day. The tension remained but the climax had already occurred. Manager Cobb certainly appeared relieved afterward, and spoke to reporters without one shred of blue language.
After the final two games with St. Louis, the Tigers will make their first road journey down to League Park for a three-game skirmish with the Indians, then return to Navin to grapple with the surprising White Sox.
STL 011 300 000 — 5 9 4
DET 004 200 00x — 6 10 2
Other Amercian League results:
YANKEES 5-10-0, SENATORS 1-6-1
Big Train Walter Johnson is derailed by Yankee lumber, as two triples, a double, and a late Meusel homer contribute to the too-easy win. Herb Pennock is almost untouchable as he is 2-0 to begin the season.
INDIANS 2-5-0, WHITE SOX 1-8-1
Chicago suffers its first defeat, but nothing is decided until the last pill is chucked. Glenn Myatt clouts a 1st inning home run off Sloppy Thurston and Sherry Smith takes the helm from there, allowing eight scattered Sox hits while leaving virtually none of them on the diamond.
Up in Boston, the Atheltics and Red Sox enjoyed their spiritual day off.
| AMERICAN LEAGUE through Sunday, April 20 | ||||
| Chicago White Sox | 5 | 1 | .833 | — |
| New York Yankees | 5 | 1 | .833 | — |
| Washington Senators | 4 | 2 | .667 | 1 |
| Detroit Tigers | 3 | 3 | .500 | 2 |
| Cleveland Indians | 3 | 3 | .500 | 2 |
| Philadelphia Athletics | 2 | 4 | .333 | 3 |
| St. Louis Browns | 1 | 5 | .167 | 4 |
| Boston Red Sox | 1 | 5 | .167 | 4 |
This is why I tune in: "Yet the shenanigans were just beginning. Pratt threw wide Gerber's infield hit in the 4th, which led to three Browns runs to take the lead right back, thanks to a vicious three-sack hit by Baby Doll Jacobson. Urban Shocker was determined to out-stink everyone, however, as Cobb, Rigney, Bassler and Heilman all hit safeties to begin the Tiger 4th and reclaim the advantage once again."
ReplyDeleteYou just don't read such sportswriting these days. You have definitly mastered your craft.
By the way, my alliances will be with the Indians and the Cardinals during this season.