by Scott Fennessy
Chicago, IL
8/7/1905
As mentioned in my previous update that while there is still a good amount of schedule left, that I felt that the entire season is on the line starting today, as the first place New York Giants come to town, and should they win this series I feel that it’s all over but the crying at that point.
Unlike last time when the Giants were in the midst of a torrid streak where they were virtually unstoppable, the Cubs were playing some mediocre baseball, and had several players on the DL. Both clubs come in today at full strength, and while the Giants are playing merely like a juggernaut, the Cubs had shown some big improvements, and in the pre-game interviews both John McGraw and Frank Chance felt this was a must win game one.
So here we go, as both teams look to make a statement in this first game. The G-men send “Iron Man” Joe McGinnity (from the Galena area I believe) with a record of 23-5 to face the best “unknown” pitcher in the NL in Jake Weimer who has a 21-3 record and a no hitter. I don’t expect much in the way of offense today. So get your popcorn, beer (or coke for you nondrinkers) and settle in as we are ready to get underway.
As third baseman Art Devlin steps in, I can’t help but remember how despite the fact that he and Sam Mertes have struggled most of this year at the plate that they have consistently crushed Cub pitching this year, and Devlin slips a grounder just out of the reach of third baseman Jim Casey on the very first pitch. With one out and the NL’s best hitter at the plate he’s off. Chance calls for the pitch out, and Johnny Kling’s throw is a good one, Tinker with the sweep tag, and he is safe! The tag was just a little high and Devlin is in. Weimer shuts the inning down however and the Giants don’t score. Unfortunately as expected McGinnity is looking very strong and neither team does anything through two innings.
“Bad Bill” Dahlen rips a leadoff double to start the third and Weimer needs to shut this down right now, With one out and still on second, sure enough Devlin slaps a screaming liner over Chance’s glove at first, and this one rolls all the way to the corner. Frank Schulte corrals this one, but Devlin is in with a stand up triple, his fourth of the year, and just his 12th extra base hit of the year, and although Weimer does end the inning with no trouble, but visitors have a one run lead, and as good as McGinnity has been this season it could be enough.
This does indeed look to be enough as the bottom of the fifth comes along with the score still 1-0 Giants. Schulte gets a single up the box with one out, and Chance decides with himself at the plate to send the runner. After several pick off attempts Schulte’s off with the pitch. McGinnity must have seen him go out of the corner of his eye, as the fastball that was supposed to be high and tight comes right down the middle and Chance does not miss. This one sails high and deep into the center field seats for his fourth homer of the year, and the Cubs suddenly have a 2-1 lead. Joe looks very unhappy, and makes the next two hitters pay and the inning is over.
Weimer and McGinnity continue to dominate and neither team does much, but the Cubs get an insurance run with a two out error by Dahlen allows Schulte to reach base. He then steals second, and scores easily when Chance gets his 21st double of the season, and when the inning is over the Cubs lead 3-1. And with Weimer retiring the final 3 hitters that is how it ended.
A terrific game by both teams, and other than the error in the 8th the Giants played great defense, turning three double plays early that kept them in front. Weimer looked amazing again and he needed every bit of it as Joe McGinnity made just the one mistake. The comeback continues and the Cubs are now just 4 games out of first.
Giants 63 23 .733
Cubs 61 27 .693
