April 23rd, 1908: Boston (AL) at Washington

I just got done revising my Japanese History research paper, and decided to reward myself with another 1908 Co-op game. By the way, for fans of 1908, I recommend you sit back and read this account of a 1908 APBA replay. JIMSCE sure wrote up a nice, readable replay, even though it is almost 2000 posts.

April 23^rd, 1908

WASHINGTON – Fred Burchell is synonymous with clutch pitching. With the bases loaded and the game on the line, Burchell induced Nationals leadoff hitter Milan to swing at a bouncing pitch, striking him out to end the game.

Burchell had no one to blame but himself for his predicament. With a two run lead in the bottom of the 9^th and one out, Fred proceeded to hit Warner with a pitch. After moving to second on McBride’s ground ball, Fred then proceeded to hit Shipke and give up a single to pinch hitter Altizer. What looked like a disaster was barely averted, thanks to Milan’s impatient batting.

Bonehead play by Delahanty almost destroyed Washington’s chances. First, a crucial error in the top of the 6^th inning allowed Boston to score their first run of the contest, destroying Burns’ whitewashing. Then, after reaching first on a single with one out, Jim foolishly tried to run before pitcher Burchell threw a pitch. Delahanty was thrown out in a rundown. On the very next play, yesterday’s hero Clymer hit a monstrous triple. Oh Jim, why couldn’t you wait? Were it not for Jerry Freeman’s seeing-eye single, Otis’ efforts would have been for naught.

Clymer later made his bid for the title of defensive hero, with a sliding nab of Burchell’s slicing line drive in the top of the 7^th. Unfortunately, it was not enough to stop the scoring barrage of the visiting Beantowners, who came up with 3 in their half. In the end, it was Heinie Wagner’s incredible nab of pinch hitter Ollie Pickering’s line drive that earned play of the day honors.

Click here for boxscore.