Today in History
Baseball’s Greatest Dispute, Anniversary, September 23, 1908. In the decisive game between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Giants, the National League pennant race erupted in controversy during the bottom of the ninth with the score tied, 1-1, at the Polo Grounds, New York, NY. New York was at bat with two men on. The batter hit safely to center field, knocking in the winning run. Chicago claimed that the runner on first, Fred Merkle, seeing the winning run scored, headed toward the dugout without advancing to second base, thus invalidating the play. The Chicago second baseman, Johnny Evers, attempted to get the ball and tag Merkle out but was prevented by the fans streaming onto the field. Days latter Harry C. Pulliam, head of the National Commission of Organized Baseball, decided to call the game a tie. The teams were forced to play a postseason play-off game, which the Cubs won, 4-2. Fans used the terms “boner” and “bonehead” in reference to the play, and it has gone down in baseball history as “Merkle’s Boner.”
From: Chase’s Calendar of Events. Chase’s Calendar of Events is the most comprehensive and authoritative reference available on special events, holidays, federal and state observances, historic anniversaries, astronomical phenomena, and more. Published since 1957, Chase’s is the only guide to special days, weeks, and months.
Fred Merkle, circa 1918. Merkle was an American baseball player whose 16-year career (1,637 games) was overshadowed by his classic bonehead play in 1908. Image courtesy of Encyclopædia Britannica, ImageQuest. Web. 23 Sep 2015.