Friday, January 20, 2012

The 1884 Maroons: At Least The Game Was Short


The weather to-day was a little warmer than that of yesterday, but still was favorable for good playing.  As to the grounds, their condition was very greatly improved.  About 1,000 people turned out to see the sport.  The contest was close, but it lacked spirit, and was therefore devoid of brilliant features.  There were no earned runs, no two-base or three-base hits, and not a home run.  On the other hand, there were neither wild pitches nor passed balls.  After entering upon the play both sides were speedily retired through the first two innings.  It was in the third inning that the only run in the first seven innings was made.  Whitehead had been put out of the way and Hodnett was given his base on calls.  Then a hit by Dunlap gave him second, and after that he got home on Dickerson's single and Burnes' interference with an assist to him from Harbidge.  After the third the retirements on both sides were rapid until the eighth inning, when a base on calls, a fumble by Rowell, Dickersons out, Rowe's sacrifice and Taylor's single secured two more.  In the ninth inning the St. Louis Club brought up their score to four on a fumble by Jones, a single and Sylvester's juggle.  The home club made their solitary run in the ninth on Whitehead's wild throw, Burnes' out and Powell's single.  Both nines fielded rather loosely.  Quinn and Dunlap made the only double play of the game.  Four men were struck out by Taylor and five by Burnes.  The game was short, only one hour and forty minutes.  Holland's umpiring gave general satisfaction.
-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 17, 1884

No comments: