A Lot (500) of Posts

About ten years ago, four-year-old Sophie Zinn was regaling Carol and me with the story of her visit to a bookstore with her parents.  First, she proudly told us that she got three books. Then she paused and, clearly getting her parents' message, said "And that's a lot of books!"  How many is a lot?  It's a relevant question today because this post is the 500th since A Manly Pastime began over 14 years ago.  If the average post is 800 words that’s the equivalent of about four books which is also "a lot of books."  Although the initial subject matter was limited to early New Jersey baseball, the focus expanded to include the Neshanock and other baseball history topics.  One such topic baseball’s greatest games, a favorite of mine, is the subject of this 500th post.

Tyler Kepner - Senior Writer for the Athletic

Thanks to the seventh game of last year's World Series, a classic, if there ever was one, the subject has gotten more attention. Especially interesting is Tyler Kepner's four criteria for evaluating the greatness of such games.  To be great:

The game must go into extra innings

The winning team must overcome at least a three-run deficit

One team must lose the lead in the ninth inning or later

There is at least one “golden pitch”

Developed by Wade Kapszukiewicz, a golden pitch occurs when, in the seventh game of a World Series, either team can win the game on that pitch.  Once Toronto had two men on with one out in the bottom of the eleventh, the Blue Jays could win by scoring twice or the Dodgers could win by making a double play.  Each pitch from that point was a golden pitch.

Although these criteria are for World Series games, they can also be applied to regular season contests. This came to mind while working on Hall of Famer “Ki-Ki” Cuyler’s “Biggest Baseball Day” story. (Ki-Ki supposedly comes from repeating the first syllable of his last name). Cuyler chose the August 31, 1932, Cubs-Giants game, a contest also picked by Cubs manager Charlie Grimm.  Not only does the game meet all of the above criteria, the story is enriched even further by a bizarre development in the last inning.

The 1932 Chicago Cubs were a talented team that struggled under manager Rogers Hornsby.  Only 53-46 on August 2nd, the Cubs took off under new manager Charlie Grimm.  By August 31, the resurgent Chicago team had won 12 straight and 22 out of their last 27.  Unsurprisingly, they were in first place a full 7 ½ games ahead of second place Pittsburgh and on their way to winning the National League pennant.  

On August 31, the Cubs played the New York Giants, managed by Hall of Famer Bill Terry, in the last game of a five-game series.  Hoping to finish a series sweep, Grimm chose his ace pitcher Lon Warneke who was looking for his 20th win.  Seldom did a strategy backfire so quickly.  The Giants jumped out to a 3-0 lead and Warneke was knocked out of the game without retiring a batter.  New York added two more runs, but the Cubs got three back and trailed 5-3 as the game headed to the bottom of the eighth.

Grimm, who also played first base, brought the Cubs to within one run with a double and then inserted Stan Hack in his place as a pinch runner.  Next Marv Gudat pinch hit for catcher Gabby Hartnett and made the third out of the inning.  As the Cubs took the field, Gudat stayed in the game at first base while Zach Taylor went behind the plate and took Grimm/Hack’s place (sixth) in the batting order (this will prove to be important). 

Zach Taylor

 

After keeping the Giants off the scoreboard in the top of the ninth, the Cubs tied the game at 5-5 on Cuyler’s single, his fourth hit of the day.  But the Cubs couldn’t push the winning run across as Johnny Moore, the fifth batter in the order, grounded out to end the inning.  At this point the game had met two of Kepner’s four criteria – it was headed to extra innings, and the Giants had blown in a lead in the ninth.

Having come back all the way to tie the game, Grimm brought in Charlie Root, a starting pitcher who was also usually effective in relief.  Like the decision to start Warneke, the move blew up in the manager’s face.  It had begun raining and Root had problems with the wet ball, walking one batter and hitting two.  Two hits and a wild pitch later, the Giants had a four-run lead.  A large enough cushion that Terry intentionally made out on the bases to move the game along and avoid a rainout.

Cubs Manager Charlie Grimm

With the outlook far from brilliant, Chicago came to bat with Zach Taylor, the sixth-place hitter, due up.  Grimm sent Billy Jurges up to pinch hit, but he was retired as was Gudat, who was hitting seventh.  Down four runs with two out, nobody on and the rain falling, it’s hard to visualize more dismal prospects.  But in baseball so long as there is an out left there is hope.

Mark Koenig, the eighth hitter, homered to bring the Cubs within three runs.  Next up was the pitcher’s spot.  Zach Taylor batted and singled, as did the next two batters.  With the bases loaded, Cuyler, looking for his fifth hit of the day, was at the plate.  Since there were two outs and the winning run at the plate, each of Sam Gibson’s pitches was a golden pitch.  With the count 2-1, Cuyler swung and hit one “through the swishing rain drops and the gathering dusk” beyond the desperate reach of Giants center fielder, Fred Lindstrom into the center field bleachers for a game winning grand slam home run.

Wrigley Field as it looked in 1932.  Cuyler's game winning grand slam to center field traveled about 440 feet.  The outfield was reconfigured in 1937 reducing the distance to center field to 400 feet.

  

With Cuyler’s bases clearing blast, we have an extra inning game, a more than three run rally (with two outs and no one on), a blown lead in both the ninth and tenth innings as well as four golden pitches.  How’s that for a great game?  

But we’re not done because the last four runs should not have counted.

Did you notice who pinch hit for the ninth place hitting pitcher with two out in the tenth?  

It was Zach Taylor, who was batting sixth after entering the game in the ninth inning.  And to make matters worse, Taylor had been taken out of the game earlier in the inning. Not only did Taylor bat out of turn, but he also did so after he had been removed from the game.  How can that be? Only because the entire Giants team, especially manager Bill Terry, didn’t notice.  

Once Taylor singled, if the Giants had appealed, he would have been out for batting out of order and the Giants would/should have won 9-6.  Equally in the dark was Cubs manager Grimm who many years later admitted that “Taylor did bat out of turn – and I as manager of the ball club didn’t know it either.”

Chicago Tribune - September 1, 1932

None of this, of course, was Cuyler’s problem. He had earned every moment of his greatest day in baseball. In fact, he could have claimed the whole five-game series since he went 12 for 23 with four homers and 14 RBIs.  But it was special for the future Hall of Famer for another reason.  In the Cubs dugout was his young son who by the time Cuyler told the story in 1945 was a pilot in World War II.  He was now, said Cuyler, “having thrills of his own. But like me, he’ll never forget that day in 1932.”  Nor should we – a great game by any standard.

We Can/Will Work It Out

Sunday's visit to Ringwood Manor State Park was the second stop on the Neshanock's Semiquincentennial tour of New Jersey Revolutionary War sites.  During the revolution, iron mined near Ringwood was used to make the great chain the Continental Army stretched across the Hudson River.  Located on an important military supply route, Ringwood was a "strategic location" throughout the war as evidenced by at least five visits from George Washington.  Playing at Ringwood Manor State Park has been a long tradition for the Neshanock, but in recent years, the weather has consistently gotten in the way.  While Sunday was cool, it was more than manageable, and we were very glad to be back.

The Flemington Neshanock Club doesn't have a motto, but if we did, for the last two events it would be "We can work it out."  Once again Flemington was shorthanded and, once again, the Neshanock, with some help, figured out a way to give a large and appreciative crowd some enjoyable baseball.  Making today work involved the aged scorekeeper taking on the additional role of aged umpire for the first game. I've always said that umpiring 1864 baseball is easy - until it isn't!  And that once again proved true today.  Thanks to both teams for being understanding about my errors of omission and commission.  The Neshanock also got some on the field help from Chris "Duffy" Dyer of the Enterprise Club of River Edge and Luka, an enterprising young man who helped out both teams.

Also essential to making Sunday's games possible was the support of Craig Combs and the rest of the Elizabeth Resolutes.  The first seven inning game, by 1864 rules, began with the Resolutes at the striker's line.  After six innings, the Resolutes led 7-5, but Flemington scored twice sending the game to the last inning, tied 7-7.  Elizabeth then tallied once in their half of the seventh. The Neshanock got the tying run to third with two out, but the Resolutes retired the last striker for a well-earned win. Don "Splinter" Becker led the Flemington attack with three hits while "Duffy," Ken "Tumbles" Mandel, Jeff "Duke" Schneider and Chris "Lowball" Lowry had two each.  "Tumbles" also contributed a very manly catch of a line drive in the first inning. Bobby "Melky" Ritter handled the pitching chores while "Duke" played admirably at catcher.

Part of the crowd

After a break full of fan questions and comments, the Neshanock went to the striker's line to start the second game.  Flemington led early 3-0, but the Resolutes quickly took a 4-3 lead.  Elizabeth still led 8-6 going to the top of the sixth, but Flemington batted around, tallying six times in route to a 13-10 win.  "Splinter" once again had three hits while playing solid defense in center - we are very grateful to have him back injury free.  "Duffy" and "Duke" also had three hits each.  "Duke" started the Neshanock six run rally with one of his patented fair/foul hits.  "Melky," Luka, "Tumbles" and Ernie "Shredder" Albanesius contributed two hits each.  "Shredder" also played solid defense in right field as did "Lowball" at first. 

A listing of some nineteenth century rules differences and when the "modern" rules took effect

As per usual Saturday's games were well attended with plenty of fan interaction. And also, as per usual most of the questions were about when the modern rules and practices come into effect.  Questions like when did players start to wear gloves?  The early 1870s.  When did foul balls become strikes?  1901 in the National League (always leading the way) and 1903 in the American League.  When did overhand pitching start?  It became legal in 1884.  There are more, but those are some typical questions.  

Keeping score Henry Chadwick style

Every so often fans are also interested in my scorebook and the scoring system I use.  This was especially true a few weeks ago in Morristown.  The book is a replica of one created by Henry Chadwick, known as the "Father of Baseball" for his tireless promotion of the early organized game.  Chadwick's method is completely different from the modern system other than the use of the letter "K" for a strikeout.  It comes from the last letter of the word "struck," and, no, he didn't use a reverse "K" for a called third strike. What was so impressive about the group in Morristown was the diversity of age, gender and ethnicity.  I've had thought keeping score was dying out so it was refreshing to see otherwise.  Keeping score is an enjoyable part of the ballpark experience. And, who knows, if you do it often enough, you might be lucky enough to score a no-hitter as I did 23 years ago last week - Kevin Millwood of the Phillies.

Happy Sesquicentennial

One of my earliest Nineteenth Century baseball writing projects was four essays for Inventing Baseball: The 100 Greatest Games of the Nineteenth Century, published by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) in 2013.  How little I knew about nineteenth century baseball can be seen by my volunteering to write an article about a June 3, 1851, game between the Knickerbocker and Gotham Clubs of New York City.  Little did I know that the game was only available because the surviving information was limited to inning-by-inning totals of run scored.  Fortunately, I figured something out.

There was, however, another game I volunteered to write about, knowing full well what I was doing.  It was the story of a game played 150 years ago today, the first game in National League history and thereby the first major league game ever played.  I'm not sure if it's part and parcel of being a Brooklyn Dodger fan, but I was, and still am, a National League fan.  Writing about the senior circuit's first game was too good an opportunity to pass up.   Since today marks the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of that game, I'm using this post to share the link to that story. I hope it's enjoyable reading. 

Weston Fisler

Two prominent New Jersey players, Andy Leonard and Weston Fisler played in that game as did two future Hall of Famers George Wright and Jim O'Rourke.  But perhaps the most interesting participant was Boston outfielder Bill Parks.  All of the players on the field that day were playing in their first major league game.  Parks, however, was also playing in his only major league game - the briefest major league career possible, putting him in the same category, if not league, with the legendary "Moonlight" Graham.  

Saturdays In Morristown

It was "altogether fitting and proper" for the Neshanock to visit historic Morristown on Saturday during the 250th (Semiquincentennial) anniversary of the American Revolution.  Justly known as the military capital of the Revolution, Morristown hosted the Continental Army for three winters including 1799-80, a far worse winter than the one spent at the better-known Valley Forge.  Once again, we played at the Fosterfields Living History Farm where Allie Simakowicz and the rest of the staff were gracious hosts.  And, as usual, there was a good crowd of interested and engaged fans.  We were also glad to have Craig Garretson and Kim Juhase of the Elysian Fields Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) with us.

All Photos by Mark Granieri

We were fortunate to have the Mountain Athletic Club of Fleischmann's, New York join us for two seven-inning games of 1864 baseball.  The original M.A.C. was founded in 1895, and the current team is actually the second reincarnation of the original club.  A number of future major leaguers played for the New York team including three who would go on to play for the 1906 World Campion Chicago White Sox.  After the first reincarnation of the M.A.C. was cut short by Hurricane Irene, the team got back on the field in 2017.  Under the leadership of Collin Miller, the team from the Catskills has become one of the top clubs in the game.  

Collin Miller

Playing a top team is always difficult, doing so shorthanded has a predictable outcome.  In the first game, the Neshanock benefitted from the assistance of two members of the M.A.C., "Umbro" and "Sawmill."  Also helping out was Jeremy, a muffin in his first game of 1864 baseball.  The New York club went to the striker's line first and put three tallies across the plate.  Flemington got one back, but it would be a long time before the Neshanock threatened again.  The M.A.C. added four tallies over the next three innings before breaking the contest open with a six run sixth inning in route to a 13-3 triumph. Flemington managed only five hits, led by Ken "Tumbles" Mandel with two.  The other positive note was a stellar defensive performance by Mark "Gaslight" Granieri who retired six strikers on foul bound outs.

Game action with Dave "Illinois" Harris at the striker's line

After a brief break, with plenty of fan interaction, the second game began with Flemington at the striker's line.  By this point the Neshanock had received some reinforcements beginning with Sam "Ewing" Ricco.  Also helping out were Jessica Nunn and Charlie Hoepfner making their Neshanock debuts.  The second game was much closer, but the M.A.C. prevailed 10-6.  "Gaslight" led the Neshanock attack with three hits, losing a clear score in his last at bat.  "Ewing" and Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner each had two hits while Jim "Jersey" Nunn and Chris "Lowball" Lowry had one each.  Bobby "Melky" Ritter and Dave "Illinois" Harris handled the pitching.  Jess Nunn filled in admirably in right field and Charlie Hoepfner had two hits while handling five bound outs flawlessly in left.  This is not the first time Charlie has been mentioned in this blog.  Back in 2020, at the age of 7, Charlie found an error in the Baseball Hall of Fame's yearbook.

The Mountain Athletic Club of Fleischmann's, New York

Visiting Morristown on a Saturday is nothing new for me.  In fact, non-baseball visits date back about 70 years when I was only a little older than Charlie.  When I first became interested in reading, my father introduced me to juvenile fiction he grew up with in the 1920s.  Understandably those books weren't available in traditional bookstores or even libraries.  Somehow, he learned about the Old Book Shop in Morristown, and we made many enjoyable Saturday visits there.  Surprisingly, although now at a different Morristown location, the Old Book Shop still exists.  And since I collect vintage juvenile fiction, I still go there looking for the same kinds of books I read all those years ago.  While many haven't stood the test of time, I've found that authors like William Heyliger and Beth Bradford Gilchrist still have something meaningful to say.  I hope to write about them at some point, but it was nice today just to remember those Saturdays in Morristown so many years ago.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

True Once More

On Saturday, the Neshanock opened the 2026 season at Heritage Park in Allentown, New Jersey.  Unlike most matches which are intentionally scheduled at historical sites, Allentown was chosen for its relatively central location. We learned, however, that the town has a rich history of its own. Located near the park is the Union African American Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery, the final resting place of Civil War veterans George Ashby and James Woby Like more than 2900 of their New Jersey black brothers, Ashby and Woby served in segregated units.   When Ashby died in 1946 at age 102, he had the distinction of being New Jersey's last surviving Civil War veteran.  

All photos by Mark Granieri

Saturday's matches were a three-team event with a slightly different approach.  The Atlantic Club of Brooklyn played both the Neshanock and the Newtown Strakes, but the Flemington and Newtown didn't play each other.  As a result, we avoided the long wait one team is subject to if each team plays two games.  The arrangement met all three teams needs and is, I think, worth trying again.  First up was the Atlantic - Neshanock match, not exactly an easy way for Flemington to open the season.  The Atlantics are one of the top teams in the country and they had already played and won four games.  Not only did the Long Island team beat the opposition, but they also defeated the weather, playing four games in March, a month not usually conducive to outdoor sports.

Jeff "Duke" Schneider biding his time before advancing on the bases

Flemington went to the striker's line first, tallied two runs and then held the Atlantics to one in their first at bat.  But after blanking the Neshanock in the top of the second, the Long Island team scored four times taking a lead they would never relinquish.  The match was still competitive at 7-3 as the Atlantics came to bat in the bottom of the sixth.  At that point, however, Brooklyn sent 13 strikers to the line, nine of whom tallied.  Although Flemington rallied for three runs in the eighth, it wasn't nearly enough as the Atlantics prevailed 21-6.  

Chris "Lowball" Lowry awaits Frank "Shakespeare" Van Zant pitch to catcher Anthony "TC" Cannino.  Ready on defense is shortstop Dean "The Dream" Emma and centerfielder Phil "Old Soul" Reece.  All under the watchful eye of umpire Sam Bernstein

Six members of the Neshanock had two hits beginning with Thomas "Hawk" Prioli, joined by Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner, Mark "Gaslight" Granieri, Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta, Jeff "Duke" Schneider and field captain, Chris "Lowball" Lowry.  Bobby "Melky" Ritter and Dave "Illinois" Harris handled the pitching duties.  "Thumbs" and "Gaslight" each earned a "well-played" on defense.  "Thumbs," playing first base, made a nice catch of a ball on the bound with his back to the plate.  Although "Gaslight's" speed may have diminished, there's nothing wrong with his reflexes as he made a fine play on a foul bound out.

Coin toss before the Atlantics-Strakes game

After a brief break, the Atlantics took on the Newtown Strakes.  It was back and forth early on with some heavy hitting by both teams, but the Atlantics again took control on their way to a 30-14 triumph.  With two more wins under their belt, the Long Island club is once again on their way to a fine season.  A special word of thanks to the Strakes. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find opponents and the Newtown team's willingness to help out means a great deal.  Thanks to Kevin O'Shea and all the members of the Newtown team.  We look forward to our annual Memorial Day visit to Newtown 

Both games ended with the traditional speeches and cheers

2026 marks the 160th anniversary of the original Neshanock's first season. There are a lot of differences between that team and today's Neshanock, beginning with the greater on-the-field prowess of the modern version.  We've had our share of bad days, but we've never given up over 70 runs in a game, a dubious distinction the first Flemington team "accomplished" not once but twice.  But there is one thing that I am certain both the 1866 and 2026 teams share.  On the day of the first game, everyone was glad and grateful to be on the field, in uniform, playing baseball.  I'm not certain of many things, but I am in this case because it's something baseball players share across the centuries.  And on Saturday, it was true once more.