Ubiquitous
07-15-2007, 02:08 PM
At the close of play on September 15th, 1891 the Chicago Cubs (yes I know they are not the Cubs yet but I will refer to them as the Cubs to save time) are in front with a 6.5 game lead over the Beaneaters who they have just taken two in a row against. Boston would play 19 more games, the Cubs 15 games. Boston up until that point is 69-50 with a .580 winning percentage while the Cubs are 76-44 with a .633 winning %. Improbably the Beaneaters would go 18-1 the rest of the way while the Cubs would go 6-9 and finish 3.5 back of the late charging Beaneaters. In fact Boston would win 18 in a row before losing their final game.
But like almost everything from that era there were charges of corruption and possible throwing of games. Near the end of the streak there was a 5 games series against the Giants in which Boston would sweep and move in front for good for the pennant. The Giants went into the series without Amos Ruse, John Ewing, Dick Buckley, Danny Richardson and Rogor Connor (Though I believe Connor and Richardson did play some). Amos Rusie was their best pitcher, John Ewing their second best pitcher, and Rogor Connor was their best hitter. Dick Buckley was their catcher and Richardson was their second basemen. Instead the Giants start Coughlin twice, Sullivan twice, and Welch once. Together they give up 56 runs in 5 games and lose all 5 games. Coughlin would never pitch in the majors again, and Sullivan would bounce around for a few more years. Almost immediately there are charges of laying down and game fixing being thrown about. The Giants are owned by Freedman who is one of the most hated men in baseball and is part of the corrupt Tammany Hall political machine. Some speculate that the Giants didn't bring there best players along because they wanted an east coast team to win the pennant, others say it is because the owner wanted to stick it to Cap Anson who was a ringleader in the failed Players League the year before.
To add to the controversey when the Giants get to Boston they decide to play two more games against each then originally scheduled.
Here are some articles on it as it unfolded: You be the judge, was it sour grapes or was their something to it:
But like almost everything from that era there were charges of corruption and possible throwing of games. Near the end of the streak there was a 5 games series against the Giants in which Boston would sweep and move in front for good for the pennant. The Giants went into the series without Amos Ruse, John Ewing, Dick Buckley, Danny Richardson and Rogor Connor (Though I believe Connor and Richardson did play some). Amos Rusie was their best pitcher, John Ewing their second best pitcher, and Rogor Connor was their best hitter. Dick Buckley was their catcher and Richardson was their second basemen. Instead the Giants start Coughlin twice, Sullivan twice, and Welch once. Together they give up 56 runs in 5 games and lose all 5 games. Coughlin would never pitch in the majors again, and Sullivan would bounce around for a few more years. Almost immediately there are charges of laying down and game fixing being thrown about. The Giants are owned by Freedman who is one of the most hated men in baseball and is part of the corrupt Tammany Hall political machine. Some speculate that the Giants didn't bring there best players along because they wanted an east coast team to win the pennant, others say it is because the owner wanted to stick it to Cap Anson who was a ringleader in the failed Players League the year before.
To add to the controversey when the Giants get to Boston they decide to play two more games against each then originally scheduled.
Here are some articles on it as it unfolded: You be the judge, was it sour grapes or was their something to it: