By Ron Griffitts
Contributing columnist
In fall 1913, the New York Giants (101-51-4) managed by John McGraw met the Philadelphia Athletics (96-57) managed by Connie Mack in the World Series.
The Giants were led on offense by Jack Meyers (.312 BA), Fred Merkle (69 RBI, 78 RS, 12 3B, 35 SB), Larry Doyle (.280 BA, 73 RBI, 67 RS, 38 SB), Art Fletcher (.297 BA, 71 RBI, 76 RS, 32 SB), Fred Snodgrass (.291 BA, 27 SB) and George Burns (.286 BA, 81 RS, 40 SB, 173 H).
Their pitching staff was led Christy Mathewson (25-11, 2.06 ERA), Rube Marquard (23-10, 2.50 ERA), Jeff Tesreau (22-13, 2.17 ERA), Al Demaree (13-4, 2.21 ERA) and Art Fromme (11-6) in the bullpen.
Philadelphia was led by Stuffy McInnis (.324 BA, 90 RBI, 79 RS), Eddie Collins (.345 BA, 73 RBI, 125 RS, 13 3B, 55 SB), Jack Barry (.275 BA, 85 RBI). Home Run Baker (.337 BA, 12 HR, 117 RBI, 116 RS, 190 H, 34 SB), Rube Oldring (.283 BA, 101 RS, 40 SB) and Eddie Murphy (.295 BA, 105 RS, 21 SB).
The Athletics’ pitching staff was led by Charles Bender (21-10, 2.21 ERA), Eddie Plank (18-10, 2.60 ERA), Carroll Brown (17-11, 2.94 ERA), Joe Bush (15-6) and Byron Houck (14-6).
Game one was at the Polo Grounds in the Manhattan Borough of New York City with Rube Marquard opposing Charles Bender for the Athletics. Both teams scored a few runs but a two-run home run by Frank Home Run Baker in the top of the fifth with one batter on base propelled the A’s to a 6-4 win and 1-0 series lead.
Game two featured Christy Mathewson pitching against Eddie Plank in a game that was scoreless going into the tenth inning with both starters still pitching. Mathewson helped his own cause as he singled in pinch runner Eddie Grant for the game’s first run and then held the Athletics scoreless in the bottom of the inning for a 3-0 victory to tie the series at 1-1.
In game three, the A’s got out to an early 5-0 lead. With the help of two triples from Eddie Collins and a home run from Wally Schang, the A’s went on to an 8-2 win behind Joe Bush’ s complete game pitching. The Athletics went up 2-1 in the series.
In game four at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, the A’s got out to a 6-0 lead only to have the Giants close the gap with five runs in the seventh and eighth innings. But the A’s held behind Charles Bender as he pitched his second complete game of the series and the Athletics won 6-5. Fred Merkle contributed a home run for the Giants.
Game five had Christy Mathewson back against Eddie Plank but the Athletics got three early runs and Plank made them stand up as he allowed only one run and Philadelphia won the game 3-1 and the World Series.
The Athletics returned the next year to the Fall Classic while the Giants were back in 1917.
Christy Mathewson was considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time as he compiled a 373-188 lifetime won- lost record, winning 30 or more games four times and 20 or more 13 times.
Statistics for the article were from baseball-reference.com.
