Great Baseball

On Friday, the Neshanock played a rare night game under artificial lighting.  While the lights lacked historical accuracy, it was an opportunity to support two worthy organizations and teach baseball history to a new audience.  The hosts for Friday's game were the Lawrence Historical Society and the Lawrence Little League.  Thanks to Joe Ciccone and Paul Alfieri, the respective presidents of both organizations and their members for hosting the game.  Thanks also to Scott "Snuffy" Hengst and Tristan of the Logan Club of Lambertville who helped out the Maidenhead team, organized for this event.  Maidenhead was the original name of Lawrence Township when it was formed in 1697. 

All photos by Mark Granieri

Predicting how well any baseball game will be played is difficult, but it's especially true of vintage contests with a local town team almost all of whom are playing 1864 baseball for the first time.  But it didn't take long on Friday night to realize the local players adapted very quickly.  Flemington managed only one tally in the first two innings while the Maidenhead team scored five times in the second for an early 5-1 lead.  Fortunately, the Neshanock rallied for three runs in the top of third thanks to a clutch hit by Mark "Gaslight" Granieri.  But Maidenhead kept adding runs while limiting the Neshanock's offensive production and led 8-5 as the game went to the top of the seventh.  

Jeff "Duke" Schneider welcomes back Meshack "Shack" Desane

In their half of the seventh, Flemington rallied for four runs, keyed by another clutch hit, this time from Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta.  Maidenhead tied the game in the bottom of the inning and after neither team scored in the eighth, the game went to the ninth knotted at 9-9.  Flemington broke the tie when Rene "Mango" Marrero's double sent Chris "Sideshow" Nunn across the plate.  Another clutch hit by "O'Neill" added a second run, but a two-run lead is seldom safe in 1864 baseball.  Fortunately, for Flemington, Derek "Marqui's" Schneider's insanely well-placed hit, added two more tallies for the Neshanock.  The runs were badly needed as Maidenhead threatened in their last at bat, but Flemington was able to hold on for a 13-10 win.

Umpire Sam Bernstein waits to see if Chris "Lowball" Lowry's hit is fair or foul

The Neshanock had a well-balanced attack featuring three players with three hits each and six with two.  "Sideshow," "Mango," and Ken "Tumbles" Mandel were the three hit contributors.  "Tumbles" joined by "Mango" also provided plenty of ancillary entertainment besides their contributions at the striker's line.  The two-hit group was led by "Gaslight," followed by Meshack "Shack" Desane, "O'Neill," Jeff "Duke" Schneider, "Marqui" and Bobby "Melky" Ritter.  "Melky" handled the pitching responsibilities while Chris "Lowball" Lowry gave another solid performance at first base.

A regular post-game feature of every Neshanock game - kids get a chance to hit with a wooden bat

The prior post explored the characteristics of great baseball games - one of my favorite topics.  Watching Friday's game shortly after writing that post helped me appreciate what happened on the field in Lawrence Township.  The game didn't meet any of the criteria for a great game, but it was still great baseball.  Great, because it was friendly competition with equal emphasis on both ""friendly" and "competition."  Both teams took the game seriously and played to win. But the players also treated each other not just with respect, but the friendship that comes from the enjoyment of playing in a close and exciting baseball game.  Played that way, no matter the game's significance, we experience the essence of baseball, what makes it so special, indeed what makes it the greatest game of all. 

  

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.