Connie's Choice

Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack, who knew something about the World Series, claimed the 1929 Fall Classic was the “greatest he ever saw.” Such superlatives are usually reserved for series that go the full seven games especially those blessed with a memorable finale.  The 1929 series, however, only went five games, just one more than the minimum, hardly, at least on the surface, the stuff baseball legends are made of.  But when the Chicago Daily News collected and published baseball oral histories during World War II, five participants chose a game from the Athletics-Cubs series.  Over the next few weeks, we’re going to look at four of those eyewitness accounts, three of which probably haven’t been published since they appeared in the Chicago newspaper over 80 years ago. 

Considering the quality of the competing teams, the 1929 series had plenty of potential for memorable baseball.  Making their first appearance in over a decade were Joe McCarthy’s Chicago Cubs.  In winning the National League pennant by 10 games, the Cubs had a team batting average of over .300.  Leading the way was the outfield of Riggs Stephenson, Hack Wilson and Ki-Ki Cuyler, all of whom hit over .345.  None of the three, however, had the highest batting average on the team, much less the National League.  That honor went to Rogers Hornsby who hit .380, third highest in the league.  Chicago’s pitching staff was headed up by Pat Malone, (22-10), followed closely by Charlie Root (19-6) and Guy Bush (18-7).  Led by future Hall of Fame manager McCarthy, the Cubs were a worthy representative of the senior circuit.

The 1929 Chicago Cubs

Chicago was without question the best National League team in 1929. Some consider Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics worthy of an even higher honor. In a 1996 Sports Illustrated article, entitled “The Team that Time Forgot,” William Nack speculated that the Athletics, not the 1927 Yankees, were greatest team of all time.  There was no argument about which team was better in 1929.  Even though eight Yankee players were Cooperstown bound, the Athletics not only won the pennant, they finished a hard to fathom 18 games ahead of a Yankee team with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.  

With Al Simmons, Mickey Cochrane and Jimmy Fox in the lineup along with Lefty Grove on the mound, Philadelphia didn’t lack for future Hall of Famers.  As the first game of the Series at Chicago’s Wrigley Field approached, it seemed Connie Mack’s only decision was whether to start Grove or the Athletics other ace, George Earnshaw.  That decision is the subject of our first 1929 World Series memory, that of Connie Mack himself.

The 1929 Philadelphia Athletics

Mack’s story has two parts, how he chose Howard Ehmke to start the first game and Ehmke’s performance itself.  The accuracy of the first part has been questioned by baseball historians and it’s certainly possible Mack engaged in some revisionist history to tell a better story. What’s beyond question is that Ehmke was a surprise choice and no wonder.  The veteran pitcher was at the end of a 15-year major league career of almost exactly .500 pitching, ultimately finishing with 166 wins and 164 losses.  In 1929, he had a solid 7-2 record, but his need for long periods of rest between appearances made him of questionable value in a short series.  The press certainly wasn’t impressed with Ehmke. H. I. Phillips dubbed him an “aged pitcher with a name like a typographical error.”  Such, however, is the stuff that legends are made of.

Connie Mack

I’ve been fortunate enough to have seen some great baseball in my days. It is wonderful to remember pitchers like Matty and Walsh and Waddell and Johnson and Dean and Grove for more than 50 years.  But to me the most thrilling World Series ever played was between the Cubs and the Athletics in 1929 and I’ll never forget the performance of Howard Ehmke.  You see, Howard and I sort of put a fast one over on everybody and an old man likes to enjoy a chuckle at the expense of a younger generation. Only the two of us knew, two weeks ahead of time, that he was going to pitch the opening game, October 8.

Hall of Fame Manager - Connie Mack - Philadelphia Inquirer

We were leaving on the final western trip of the regular season when I called Howard up to my office in Philadelphia.  We had the pennant pretty well in hand by then and so did the Cubs, so we could make plans.  Ehmke came in and sat down and I watched him for a few minutes while we just chatted and finally I said: “Howard, there comes a time in everybody’s life when he has to make a change.  It looks like you and I finally must part.”

Well, he didn’t say a word for the longest time, it seemed, just twiddled his hat and then he looked right at me and said “All right, Mr. Mack, if that’s the way it has to be.  You’ve been fine to me and I haven’t been much help to you this year.  Lucky you haven’t needed me.  But I’ve been up a long time and I’ve always had the ambition to pitch in a World Series . . . anywhere, even for only an inning.  Honestly, I believe there’s one more good game left in this arm . . ." and he held it up to me like a prize fighter showing his muscle.

I couldn’t help smiling.  Howard of course, had no way of knowing what I thought of him.  Really he was one of the most artistic pitchers of all time.  He was bothered with a sore arm most of his major league career, but he had a great head on him and studied hitters. He might have been a fine pitcher.  So I asked him: “You mean you think you could work a World Series game?”  He told me: “Yes, Mr. Mack. I feel it.”  Then I explained what I had in mind.  “So do I,” I said. “I only wanted to see how you felt about it.  Now you stay home this trip.  The Cubs are coming in.  Sit up in the stands and watch them.  Make your own notes on how they hit.  You’re pitching the first game, but don’t tell anybody. I don’t want it known.”

Howard Ehmke

After he’d gone I sat thinking about Howard.  Maybe he never realized how close he came to not pitching at all.  If he hadn’t talked the way he did . . . if he’d said for instance: “I realize I’m all through . . . my arm is gone” and accepted what he thought was dismissal, I wouldn’t have worked him even though I had no intention of letting him go anyway.

Finally the big day came in Wrigley Field.  Funny part of it was that none of my players not even the newspapermen, bothered to ask me who’d start.  They all took it for granted it would be Grove or maybe Earnshaw.  Since then people have asked me why I didn’t start Grove, but that’s a secret.  I can’t tell, but there was a reason.  Anyway we were in the clubhouse before the game and somebody asked Grove if he was working and I heard him say: “The old man didn’t say nothin’ to me.”  Mose probably figured it was Earnshaw.  When we got outside, they all threw the ball around.  Ehmke must have had a sudden doubt that his dream was coming true because he came up to me on the bench and whispered. “Is it still me, Mr. Mack?”  I said. “It’s still you . . .” and he was smiling as he walked away.

Chicago Tribune - October 8, 1929

When it was time for the rival pitcher to warm up, Ehmke, naturally, took off his jacket and started to throw.  I made sure I was where I could look along our bench and you could see mouths pop open.  Grove was looking at Earnshaw and George was looking at Mose.  Al Simmons was sitting next to me and he couldn’t stop himself in time. “Are you gonna pitch him?” he asked in disbelief.  I kept a straight face and looked very severely at him and said: “Yes, I am Al. Is that all right with you?”  You could sense him pulling himself out of his surprised state and he replied quickly: “If you say so, it’s all right with me, Mr. Mack.”

Voices were muttering down the dugout.  Phrases like “the old man must be nuts” and “Hell, the guy’s only finished two games all year” trailed off for fear that I’d hear ‘em.  But I heard.  I’ve often wondered what they’d thought of me if we’d been beaten with Grove and Earnshaw and Walberg on the bench.  Bob Quinn, who was president of the Red Sox then, was in a box behind our dugout and he said he almost swooned when he saw Ehmke peel off his coat.  I supposed the fans and you gentlemen of the press thought old Connie was in his dotage at last.  But I was certain about Howard, although if he’d had any trouble early I would have had Grove in the bull pen.  We didn’t want to lose.

Chicago Tribune - October 9, 1929

It was beautiful to watch. I don’t suppose these old eyes ever strained themselves over any game as much as that one.  Ehmke was smart.  He was just fast enough to be sneaky, just slow enough to get hitters like Wilson and Hornsby and Cuyler, who like to take their cuts, off stride.  If you recall, he pitched off his right hip, real close to his shirt.  He kept the ball hidden until just before he let it go.  The Cubs never got a good look at it and, when they did, it was coming out of those shirts in the old bleachers.  Charley Root was fast himself and by the end of the sixth inning neither team had scored.  Then Jimmy Foxx hit over Wilson’s head into the stands, and we led 1-0.

Ehmke's deceptive pitching motion - Chicago Tribune - October 9, 1929

Jimmy touched home plate and came back to the bench and Ehmke said: “Thanks, Jim” and I knew he’d made up his mind maybe that’s all the runs he’d get and it would have to do.  Only in the third had Howard been in a jam when McMillan singled and English doubled with one out and Hornsby and Wilson were up.  Some of my players looked at me as if to say: “Better get somebody warmed up . . . here’s where Ehmke goes,” but he stood there calm and unhurried and struck out the last two men on seven pitches.  You could tell the crowd had caught the melodrama of what was going on; I don’t believe I ever felt as happy in my life as when he fanned Hornsby and Wilson.  Very few pitchers would have done as well in such a tense situation.  He justified my faith in him right there.

In the seventh, after Foxx’s hit, Cuyler and Stephenson each singled and Grimm sacrificed. Joe McCarthy decided on pinch hitters.  He had Cliff Heathcote hit for Zach Taylor and Simmons took care of a short fly for the second out.  Then Gabby Hartnett batted for Root and I was tempted to have Howard put him on and take a chance on the next man, but I said to myself.

Drawing by Gene Mack - Boston Globe - October 9, 1929 - In 1947, Mack created a legendary series of drawings of major league ball parks for the Sporting News

“No. This is his game. He asked for it and I gave it to him.”

He struck out Hartnett and we got two runs in the ninth on fumbles by English.  I relaxed a little then, but we weren’t quite out of the woods.  The Cubs got the tying runs on base in the ninth, with two out and Charlie Tolson up to pinch-hit.

If Ehmke fanned him, he’d break the strikeout record for world series play set by Ed Walsh against the Cubs in 1906 when he fanned 12.  Howard had already struck out Hornsby, Wilson, Cuyler and Root twice each.  It happened. Tolson went down swinging too, for Howard’s 13th strikeout and the battle was over.  He has lived on that game ever since.  So have I.

Weekend in Maryland

This past weekend the Neshanock closed out the 2025 campaign in Rising Sun, Maryland.  The occasion was the National Association of Historic Base Ball Club's inaugural National Championship Tournament.  Thanks to the Association for creating this fine event. Since the aged scorekeeper wasn't present, pictures will summarize the final games of our twenty-fifth season. 

All pictures by Mark Granieri

If it's a tournament, there has to be a bracket

Field Captain Chris "Lowball" Lowry goes over the ground rules and the lineup before the Neshanock took on the Providence Grays at the Bard Cameron Sports Complex

Ernie "Shredder" Albanesius at the striker's line.  Providence prevailed 15-8 in a game that saw Flemington lose the one and only Ken "Tumbles" Mandel to an injury.  At least he has the entire off season to recover

In the second game, Flemington played the Harrisburg Club.  Jim "Jersey" Nunn is poised to send the runner on third across the plate

"Lowball" drives in another Flemington tally

This is an extremely rare photo of Bobby "Melky" Ritter on the bases.  It's slightly blurred because the camera wasn't able to keep up with Melky

Joe "Mick" Murray takes his turn at bat

Flemington wins 

For Sunday's games, the scene shifted to the Dove Valley Winery.  Although Flemington lost to the Gettysburg Generals 10-9 and the Mutuals of New York, 16-7, there was one major accomplishment.  Don "Splinter" Becker, pictured above, played the entire weekend without getting hurt.

One final "Three Cheers and a Tiger" and it's on to 2026

Season's end gives me the opportunity to thank everyone who makes Neshanock baseball possible.  Like every season, 2025 had its challenges but finding an umpire wasn't one of them.  We were extremely fortunate to have Sam Bernstein work all of our games, special thanks to Sam for always being there.  Another mandatory part of any baseball game is the opponent.  That may seem obvious, but no one who has made up a schedule ever takes it for granted.  This season, Flemington played teams from as far away as Michigan and as close as Lambertville.  We're grateful to all of them.  Baseball games are always fun, but especially so when played before interested and enthusiastic fans.  The Neshanock are blessed in that regard by the organizations that host our games.  We provide the baseball; they provide the fans.  A great deal for us.  

For a change, Mark "Gaslight" Granieri is on the other side of the camera

Saving the best for last, I want to acknowledge the entire Flemington Neshanock community.  I choose the word "community" intentionally because it's not just about the players.  Without the support of our families, no Neshanock season would be possible.  Sometimes that support means attending games, but present or not, we're grateful for our families understanding of how much baseball means to us.  One person whose physical presence is essential is Mark Granieri.  Mark's photographic wizardly helps tell the story of each match far better than words alone ever could.  Special thanks also to Field Captain Chris "Lowball" Lowry who makes every game happen in ways that aren't always obvious.  Finally, I want to thank everyone who played for the Neshanock in 2025. Whether it was every game or just one, I'm very grateful for your participation and look forward to seeing you again in 2026.

If This is Monroe Township

For obvious reasons, the Neshanock's web site lists scheduled matches by month.  How else could anyone interested in an August match know when and where the game is being played? In the case of team members, however the reverse can also be true.  If, for example, we're playing at Ringwood State Manor Park, it's obviously May.  Or if we're at historic New Bridge Landing, it's clearly July.  One venue though tells us even more than the month.  When the Neshanock make our annual visit to the Dey Farm in Monroe Township, we know that not only is it September, it's also almost the end of the season.   Such was the case again this past Saturday when the Flemington and Logan Clubs met for a match played under ideal baseball conditions.

All photos by Mark Granieri

Monroe Township has hosted this game at least as far back as 2011 and it's always an enjoyable day, played before attentive fans.  Interestingly, as I mentioned to one person, unlike other venues, I don't think the game has ever been canceled or even hindered by bad weather.  The Neshanock have hosted a number of different opponents at Dey Farm, and we were pleased to invite the Logan Club of Lambertville for their initial visit.  Under the leadership of Sam "Ewing" Ricco and Scott "Snuffy" Hengst, the Logan Club has made great progress at a time when new vintage clubs are badly needed in New Jersey.

One of many fruitless Neshanock attempts to reach base

Saturday's match was a close, low scoring game.  In all but one of the two team's 17 at bats, no more than one tally was scored.  Unfortunately, for the Neshanock, the one exception was the bottom of the third inning when the Logan Club scored five times.  Since Flemington managed only three tallies, the Lambertville team emerged victorious by a final score of 6-3.  The Neshanock's limited offensive production was largely due to "Ewing's" solid pitching and a Logan defense that didn't allow a single Flemington striker to reach base due to a muff.

Ready to cheer for a worthy opponent

And that's a wrap until 2026

All told, the Neshanock had eleven hits, but two players accounted for seven of them.  Matt "Fly" Nunn led the way with a four-hit clear score, followed by Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner who had three hits.  Four other Neshanock strikers had a single hit, too little offensive production to win the game.  Defensively, other than the third inning, the Neshanock did well, shutting out the Logan Club in their last five at-bats.  It wasn't enough, however, and the Logan Club earned their victory.  While it's never fun to lose, it was a good day at a fine venue.  Flemington still has one more event, the NA tournament next weekend, but for now, thanks to Monroe Township for once again being such good hosts.  God willing, we'll return to Dey Farm in 2026 and once again, we'll know that if it's Monroe Township, it must be September. 

In the Footsteps of Zane Grey

Over the past 25 seasons, the Neshanock have played at many different venues, but Saturday may have been the first with little or no cell phone service.  It wasn't a problem during the game, but the beginning of the trip home without Google Maps had some initial anxiety. The field, near the Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen, PA, is located in a valley, thus the limited service. More about Lackawaxen and Zane Grey later.  It couldn't have been a nicer day for baseball, pristine blue skies, temperatures in the low 80s and an interested and attentive crowd of about 150.  Saturday was also the latest renewal of New Jersey's oldest vintage baseball rivalry between the Neshanock and the Elizabeth Resolutes for two seven-inning games by 1864 rules.  Thanks to Craig Combs and the Resolutes for making the trip.

All Pictures by the Aged Scorekeeper

Having lost the coin toss, Flemington went to the striker's line and, as per usual, got off to a fast start, tallying seven times.  This time, however, the Neshanock didn't stop scoring, adding eight more runs for a 15-4 victory.  Leading the Flemington offense was Chris "Sideshow" Nunn with four hits, followed by Thomas "Hawk" Prioli, who had three.  It was a balanced attack after that, as Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta, Bob "Riverboat" Smith, Joe "Mick" Murray, Jeff "Duke" Schneider and Chris "Lowball" Lowry each contributed two.  In addition to his two hits, "Duke" had two walks for a clear score that saw him tally all four times.  He also fulfilled an old baseball tradition, making a fine rolling catch to end a Resolutes rally in the bottom of the fifth and then leading off the sixth.  Although Bobby "Melky" Ritter only had one hit, it was memorable as he beat out an infield hit without the benefit of a pinch runner. Yes, you read that correctly.

 

With the Resolutes shorthanded, Zane Grey himself filled in, manfully playing without a glove

A portion of the crowd

After a brief break for rest and rehydration, the Neshanock took the field for the second game.  The Resolutes threatened in the top of the first, but were unable to take the lead.  Flemington tallied once in their half and added three more in the second.  The game was close until the late innings, but like the first game, the Neshanock didn't stop scoring and earned a 9-1 win.  "Sideshow" again led the offense, this time with three hits and a clear score.  Four other Neshanock contributed two hits apiece.  Special mention and thanks to Derek "Marquis" Schneider, who did very well in his Neshanock debut, earning his first hit in the second game.  His father, "Duke," did a solid job at catcher, including retiring the side in one inning on two foul-bound outs and one fair-bound out.  "Melky" contributed another solid pitching performance.

Zane Grey's residence, now the Zane Grey Museum

Grey's office, where he wrote, among other things, Riders of the Purple Sage

Why were New Jersey's two senior vintage clubs playing in Lackawaxen, PA?  It's a pleasure to answer that question, especially for new blog readers, because it illustrates the broad range of New Jersey baseball.  Today's games were sponsored by the National Park Service, which operates the nearby Zane Grey Museum, where Grey lived from 1905 to 1918.  Grey is best known, of course, as the author of very popular westerns, but he also had his own baseball career.  After college success at the University of Pennsylvania, he played both minor league and semi-pro baseball in New Jersey.  Some of those experiences were the basis for his two young adult baseball novels - The Shortstop and The Young Pitcher.  Saturday was a day to honor Grey's New Jersey baseball connections.  The Neshanock and the Resolutes are very grateful to the National Park Service and the Zane Grey Museum for the opportunity. 

So Cool

A few years ago, Henry Zinn, my ten-year-old grandson, gave me a guided tour of his dinosaur collection, which he categorized by their degree of "coolness."  Some were “very” cool, others “extremely” cool, with a few receiving the highest accolade of "insanely" cool.  I was reminded of the many possible levels of coolness after Saturday's game in Washington when Darryl Wright, coach of the Warren Hills team, said the day had been "so" cool.  While it's not a category I've heard Henry use, it was very appropriate for two reasons.  First, we were fortunate to play on a historic field, more on that later.  Second and more important, was enabling local high school players to learn how baseball was played in the 1860s.  Learning not by listening to one of my perhaps not entirely gripping lectures, but by actually playing baseball the way it was played well over 100 years ago.  

The historic grandstand at Washington - all photos by Mark Granieri

The Neshanock played the Warren Hills High School team two years ago, but this was an entirely different group of players. That made Saturday even more impressive because these young men learned very quickly.  Especially noteworthy was how fast they adjusted to playing without gloves.  The game began with both teams tallying three times in the first inning, but Flemington tallied six more times over the next three innings while the local club added just one run.  Flemington's 9-4 lead proved to be short-lived, however, as Warren Hills scored 11 runs over the last five innings while shutting out Flemington in the process for a 15-9 victory.

Jim "Jersey" Nunn at the striker's line

The Neshanock offense was led by Scott "Snuffy" Hengst and Jason Blazakis with four hits apiece.  Both came up one at bat short of a clear score.  Special thanks to Jason, a member of the Logan Club of Lambertville, who helped us field a team.  Right behind Jason and "Snuffy" was Chris "Sideshow" Nunn with three hits.  "Sideshow's" younger brother, Matt "Fly" Nunn, was next with two hits and Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta led a number of Neshanock who had one hit each.  Jim "Jersey" Nunn, the final (and oldest) Nunn in the Neshanock lineup, contributed a fine defensive play at first, as did "Snuffy" at third.  As usual, Bobby "Melky" Ritter and Bob "Riverboat" Smith pitched effectively while local resident Mark "Gaslight" Granieri handled the catching.

The Warren Hills High School baseball team

The field at Washington is unique because of the covered grandstand.  There was a time when almost every community in New Jersey had such a field.  To my knowledge, there are only two others left - Gebhardt Field in Clinton and Case Field in Holland Township.  Not only were these fields used by local teams, legendary major league players sometimes played there. Ty Cobb, for example, played in Washington in 1911.  Sadly, as I understand it, very few games are played there today.  Saturday was, therefore, even more important for the local high school players.  Not only did they get to play on a historic field, it was one in their own community. I'm confident that even by his highest standards, Henry Zinn would have agreed that the day was indeed "so cool."

August

In the world of baseball, the beginning of August means more than just the start of a new month.  At the major league level, with the trading deadline past, rosters are basically set and there are roughly 60 days left to determine who will make the playoffs. Far, far below the majors is vintage baseball, but here again, August is a significant point in the season.  For most teams, the season is in the home stretch.  After yesterday's two games with the Logan Club of Lambertville, the Neshanock have only four dates left before we bring down the curtain on the 2025 season.  Since no one knows what the future brings, it's even more important to enjoy and treasure each game.

Both the Neshanock and the Logan Club are grateful to the Lambertville Historical Society and the City of Lambertville for hosting the game for the third consecutive year. Photo by Sam Ricco

Founded by Sam "Ewing" Ricco and Scott "Snuffy" Hengst of the Neshanock, the Logan Club is New Jersey's newest 19th-century baseball team.  The first of two seven-inning games by 1864 rules got started with Flemington at the striker's line.  The Neshanock struck quickly and tallied three times before the side was retired.  Unfortunately for Flemington, the lead didn't last long. Four straight Logan hits tied the score, with the local team threatening to do more damage.  Setting the tone for the day, however, the Neshanock defense rose to the occasion. First, shortstop Thomas "Hawk" Prioli started a double play. Then Mark "Gaslight" Granieri retired the side with another of his renowned plays on a foul bound-out.

As always, Ken "Tumbles" Mandel is at the center of the action.  Like most of us, Scott "Snuffy" Hengst isn't quite sure what to do with him.  Unless otherwise noted all photos by Mark Granieri

After a scoreless second inning, Flemington tallied five times in the third and added two more in the sixth on the way to a 10-3 win.  The Neshanock attack was led by Chris "Sideshow" Nunn and Rene "Mango" Marrero with three-hit clear scores.  "Gaslight" added a two-hit clear score of his own, although it wasn't exactly a thing of beauty.  For new blog readers, a clear score means the player didn't make a single out in the game, either at bat or on the bases.  Also adding two hits were Joe "Mick" Murray and Ken "Tumbles" Mandel.  Equally important to the win was the errorless defense behind pitchers Bobby "Melky" Ritter and Dave "Illinois" Harris.  Dan "Sledge" Hammer had a three-hit clear score for the Logan Club.

The Neshanock are delighted to welcome the newest member of our community - Levi Nunn, seen just below his older sister's left elbow.  Left to right Jessica Nunn, Matt Nunn, Chris Nunn (Dad), Chelsea Nunn, Jim "Jersey" Nunn, Lauren Marchese Nunn (Mom) and Mary Nunn

The end of the first game was followed by a feature of every Neshanock game, which I don't think I've mentioned before.  Neshanock players stayed on the field and gave the kids in the crowd a chance to hit with a wooden bat - perhaps one of the few times they'll have that opportunity.  When the second game began, the Logan Club tallied once in the top of the first. However, the Neshanock answered with two in their half, keyed by a prodigious double by "Hawk" that would have been a home run had it not been for the ground rules.  Flemington added two runs in the third, thanks to a crucial contribution from the bottom of the order.  After "Tumbles" and Jim "Jersey" Nunn singled, Chris "Lowball" Lowry hit a long bound out to right that allowed both runners to score. The Neshanock needed those runs as the Logan Club scored twice in the top of the seventh before Flemington held on for a 4-3 win.  

Sam "Ewing" Ricco and the Logan Baseball Club

What was really of note in both games was the Neshanock defense.  Flemington committed just one muff while allowing only three runs in each contest. In the outfield, "Sideshow" combined his speed with two of the best hands in vintage baseball to handle everything that came his way.  "Tumbles," Matt "Fly" Nunn and Ernie "Shredder" Albanesius shared the duty in center and right, using good positioning to run down balls on the bound.  The left side of the infield put in a dominant performance with "Mick" and "Hawk" catching everything they could reach and then unleashing throws that "Mango" and Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner handled flawlessly at first.  "Lowball" and "Jersey" were efficient at second while "Gaslight" and "Thumbs" took care of any foul balls.  Part and parcel of the solid defense was the stout pitching of "Melky" and "Illinois."

Brad "Brooklyn" Shaw - "Founder of the Feast"

The Logan Club played well in both games, especially on defense.  "Ewing" and "Snuffy" have the Lambertville team off to a good start.  Although Flemington won both games, today was really a victory for New Jersey vintage baseball.  The enthusiastic and attentive crowd is solid evidence of the demand for games like this. We need teams like the Logan Club to make this happen.  Brad "Brooklyn" Shaw, founder of the Neshanock and a mentor to the Logan Club, was at the games along with his wife Phyillis.  At the end of the second game, he talked about how proud he is of both teams.  We're equally proud and grateful to him.  Let's hope that while August may mark the beginning of the end of the 2025 season, it's also laying the framework for a stronger New Jersey vintage baseball world.

Weekend in Gettysburg

It's not uncommon for families to spend part of every summer at a favorite destination. Some families, for example, go to the New Jersey shore for the first two weeks of July, while others make an August visit to Cape Cod.  Since 2010, the Flemington Neshanock family has spent the third weekend of July in Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania.  While these visits have included the historic battlefield, the primary purpose of the trip is to participate in the Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival.  Founded and operated by the Elkton Eclipse Club, the event has grown from six teams to one of the largest vintage baseball gatherings in the country, this year featuring 25 clubs.  

This year's t-shirt honoree was Tom "Schoolboy" Duffy of the Elkton Eclipse - well played and deserved, sir! (Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Mark Granieri)

Perhaps equally impressive as the number of participants is the festival's broad geographic reach, attracting clubs from as far away as Michigan, Tennessee and Maine.  Having teams from so many different parts of the country enables the organizers to design a schedule where the Neshanock, and the other participating clubs, play opponents they wouldn't, and probably couldn't, play anywhere else. But while Flemington has typically played four different teams each year, the games tend to fall into one of several categories.  It seems worthwhile, therefore, to look at the Neshanock's 2025 Gettysburg experience from that point of view.    

Left to right - the aged scorekeeper, Chris "Lowball" Lowry, Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta, Rene "Mango" Marrero, Matt "Fly" Nunn, Danny "Lefty" Gallagher and Ken "Tumbles" Mandel.  Photo courtesy of the Kingston Guards Base Ball Club

Every year, there seems to be a game with a team playing at Gettysburg for the first time.  This year's opener against the Kingston Guards from Ulster County, New York, was such a contest.  The Kingston club's name comes from the 120th New York Infantry, a Civil War regiment that served with distinction at Gettysburg, not far from the site of Saturday's match.  Flemington got off to a fast start, tallying nine times in the first three innings en route to a 13-4 victory.  Flemington was led at the striker's line by Rene "Mango" Marrero and Matt "Fly" Nunn both of whom earned four-hit clear scores.  Danny "Lefty" Gallagher and Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta each had three hits, with "Lefty" hitting his first, but far from last, home run of the weekend.

The legend of Ken "Tumbles" Mandel grew over the weekend as he not only played four games but also helped another team short of players and umpired another contest.  In addition, he "contributed" an unforgettable, but hopefully never to be repeated, base-running maneuver.  As seen here, by Sunday, he had learned not to stray too far off third base.

Mark "Gaslight" Granieri had two hits for Flemington but was even more productive at catcher, recording seven putouts on foul balls.  Wilely veteran that he is "Gaslight" also pulled off a trick play on a foul bound out.  Since there are new readers to the blog this year, this seems like a good time to explain a major difference in 1860s baseball.  Simply put, baserunners cannot advance on a foul ball, but must return to their base or risk being put out.  This facilitates trick plays where, after a foul ball, a seemingly errant throw, tempts the runner to leave his base, only to learn to his chagrin that he is out because he cannot advance on a foul ball.  We hope this explanation is helpful to new readers, anonymous as they may be. 

Special thanks to Neshanock alumnus, Dan "Sledge" Hammer, right, for a splendiferously umpired match 

At the time of Saturday's second game coin toss, none of the participants could have foreseen what lay ahead

Typically, at least one game at Gettysburg is close, and it would have been difficult to have one closer than the Neshanock's second game on Saturday against the Addison Mountain Stars from western Pennsylvania.  We had the chance to watch the Addison team's first game and knew they were heavy hitters.  Once again, the Neshanock got off to a fast start and led 5- 1 after three innings.  There was, however, no way to shut down the Addison offense.  The Pennsylvania team tallied six times in the fourth and twice more in the sixth to lead 9-5.  Flemington rallied in their half of the sixth to tie the game at 9-9, but it didn't stay tied for long.  Addison tallied four times, but their lead proved equally short-lived as the Neshanock rallied again to take a 14-13 lead after seven innings.

Dave "Illinois" Harris

Flemington added a run in the eighth and held a two-run lead as the game went to the ninth.  To no one's surprise, Addison rallied again to tie the game and then kept the Neshanock off the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth.  Addison tallied once in the top of the tenth and had two runners on base with their dangerous leadoff hitter at the striker's line.  It was a classic pitcher-batter confrontation.  In the end, Neshanock pitcher Bobby "Melky" Ritter prevailed, striking out the batter after what seemed like endless foul balls kept the at-bat alive.  Down one, the Neshanock loaded the bases with two outs and came literally within inches of tying and perhaps winning the game, but Addison prevailed 16-15.  

Joe "Mick" Murray

"Mango" again led the Neshanock attack with four hits while "Lefty," "O'Neill," and Sam "Ewing" Ricco contributed three apiece.  Additional offensive support came from Chris "Sideshow" Nunn, "Gaslight," Joe "Mick" Murray and Jim "Jersey" Nunn, each with two hits.  On the defensive side, "Gaslight" exceeded his first game performance, recording ten putouts on foul-bound outs, a Neshanock record.  Again, for the benefit of new blog readers, batted balls, fair or foul, caught on one bounce are an out. 

 

The number of Flat Rock players participating in the coin toss anticipated their offensive production

The Gettysburg Festival attracts some of the country's best vintage baseball teams - teams that are fun to watch, but not necessarily to play.  Flemington was in that position on Sunday morning in a match against the Bear Clan Club of Flat Rock, Michigan.  Surprisingly, the Neshanock trailed only 3-2 after two innings, thanks in part to another "Lefty" home run.  In the bottom of the third, however, Flat Rock's heavy hitters took over.  When the dust finally cleared, the Michigan team had tallied 13 times and had more than enough runs for a 19-5 victory.  "Lefty" had one other hit besides his home run while "Mango," "Jersey," and "Fly" had two apiece.

Bobby "Melky" Ritter 

Not sure if it was a head or a tail, but Flemington won the toss

Everyone enjoys the Gettysburg Nineteenth Century Baseball Festival.  I've been to all but one and I've never heard anyone say they didn't have a good time.  But by the time the last game on Sunday rolls around, most players and families are paying as much attention to the clock as the scoreboard.  Flemington's final game was against the Westfield Wheelmen, and the team from Massachusetts took an early 2-0 lead.  

Danny Gallagher finishing off his sixth and final home run of the weekend

Flemington quickly responded, scoring four times in the first and adding five more in the third.  Westfield got four back in the top of the fourth, but the Neshanock matched that and prevailed 13-7 in a game shortened by the time restrictions.  "Lefty" had a three-hit, clear score with all three hits home runs, giving him six for the weekend.  "Sideshow," Mango," "O'Neill," "Jersey" and Chris "Lowball" Lowry each had two hit games.  "Mango" and "Lowball" earned clear scores in the process.  "Gaslight" finished up a memorable defensive weekend by short-circuiting a Westfield rally with the foul ball trick.

One final hurrah before the long ride home

I want to reflect a little more on the Neshanock's classic struggle with the Addison Club.  In my sixteen or so years of vintage baseball, I've been part of many close games.  Some were satisfying wins, while others were heartbreaking, if not bitter, defeats.  But I couldn't remember a game like the one on Saturday.  Like the others, it was obviously a very close game, but it was somehow different.  After a lot of thought, what stood out was the effort of both teams.  This is in no way to say there isn't plenty of effort in other games, but in my experience, in this one, the effort was off the charts.  I think the chances or opportunities for such memorable games are far greater at Gettysburg.  And that's one more reason all of us in the vintage baseball world should be grateful to the Elkton Club for making it happen, every year on the third weekend in July.