Shenk: Phillies have allowed nine runs one inning before

Had there been a World Baseball Classic in 1900, Hall of Famer Nap Lajoie would have been eligible to play for Canada. His father Jean Baptiste was born in Quebec and then moved to Rutland, Vt. before moving to Woonsocket, RI where Nap was born Sept. 5, 1874.

April 1, 2023

Nine-Run Meltdowns

By Larry (Baron) Shenk

Philadelphia Phillies

Would you believe Thursday’s opening day nine-run inning against the Philadelphia Phillies happened before in franchise history?

The Texas Rangers have company.

“This Was Trying On The Nerves” is the one-column headline on page 6 of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Friday morning, April 20, 1900.

The Phillies won their season opener the day before, 19-17, in 10 innings over the Bean Eaters in Boston. “Boston Evens Things by Scoring Nine Runs in the Ninth Inning,” was the sub-headline.

Excerpts from the “Special to The Inquirer” story:

“Philadelphia began the base ball season here this afternoon by beating Boston 19 to 17 in a 10-inning game, before a big Patriots Day crowd. Judged by the quality of ball put up by the two teams Boston had absolutely no license to win.”

“It looked like a 100 to 1 shot for the Phillies when Boston came in for their ninth turn at bat, which proved one of the most exciting seen here in a long time. Thousands, grown tired of the slaughter of their pets, had left the grounds, when Slugger Freeman was sent up in the place of Bailey.”

Nine hits and one walk later, Boston tied game with a nine-run inning.

In the top of the 10th, a Phillies runner was thrown out at home plate. “The Boston rooters howled loud and long, but their hopes turned to dead sea fruit when McFarland hit to centre, sending in Lajoie and Flick with two runs, by which margin the game was won.”

Ed Delahanty was another member of the 1900 Philadelphia Phillies who wound up in Cooperstown.

Phun Phact

Game 2 for both teams was the next afternoon in Philadelphia. One has to assume they took a train from Boston. Both teams on the same train?

Box Score Nuggets

Despite being the home team, Boston is listed first including the linescore.

Boston had 25 hits, Phillies 19.

Errors: Boston five, Phillies two.

Boston three pitchers; two for Phillies.

Earned runs: Boston 11, Philadelphia 8.

A total of 11 walks, three batters hit by pitch, six strikeouts, two wild pitches, one passed ball; four doubles, two triples, two home runs, two stolen bases; one umpire; 10,000 attendance.

Without a pitch timer, time of game: 2 hours, 10 minutes.