Ruth Homers, Tigers Collapse, and Grantland Rice Sings of Swat - Detroit Free Press, May 1926
Yankees Collect 19 Hits Off Three Tiger Hurlers and Win Game, 13 to 9
TRIO OF HOME RUNS FACTORS IN RESULT
Ruth Lands One of Them, His Eighth of Season—Hugmen Get to Gibson and Barfoot for Six Runs in Sixth and Are Never Headed Off After That—Wells Is Finishing Pitcher.
BY HARRY BULLION. - Detroit Free Press May 11, 1926
NEW YORK, May 10.—Close investigation of what took place in the Yankee stadium this afternoon wasn’t necessary to cite proof that the Tigers undertook something they couldn’t finish when they endeavored to make it three straight over the Clan of Miller Huggins.
In another one of those rough and tumble affairs where success is measured by the volume of hitting because the pitching is poor, the Yankees smothered the Bengals and won eased up, 13 to 9.
The Yankees kicked the Tigers until the Tigers kicked back, but the best work was done by the once-time world champions on the bases. The Yankees hit and ran, and, while the Tigers did some hitting and running on their own account, they couldn’t keep pace.
Three Bengal pitchers were mauled for 19 hits, including three home runs, five doubles and a triple. The Tigers drove Herb Pennock off the rubber and amassed 10 hits. But they neglected to put them together properly and, besides, limited their extra base blows to two doubles.
Can’t Hold Lead.
Once the Tigers had a lead of two runs, but a shade of an inning later the Yankees counted off victoriously and yet won more position in their attack on Lil Stoner, who got the heaviest drubbing and the damage never was repaired.
Manager Ty Cobb had the hunch that he would be able to win with front pitchers and they betrayed him. When one group of pitchers fill and another for a total of 19 hits that netted 35 bases there must be something wrong with the training methods and nothing could excuse the deficiency of the Tiger hurlers this afternoon.
As the ninth inning brought on a decidedly Detroit collapse, but in that result the Yankees appeared little if at all the more tiring of them collapsing from exhaustion from their efforts.
Errors Hurt Tigers.
The Hugmen popped Frank Gibson for two runs that were helped by a stupid error in the first inning and thereafter scored additional tallies all the way. Two runs that crowned the ninth effort of the Tigers in the fourth tied up the score and put the fight neck and neck from what promised to be a leisurely lead.
Three runs in the fifth gave the Yankees a lead which they never again surrendered. At the half of the same inning Detroit was within a run of a tie and in the next round three doubles, two singles and another home run took care of Gibson but among the Yankees counters and consequently ended the Tiger’s hopes of reclamation. Once more, loaded with misery the Bengals gave two runs in the seventh and then contemplated at the plate the impossibility of the task before them. One of the ways the Tigers have one thing to be thankful for is, and that is neither Gibson nor Barfoot pitched to Babe Ruth in the same inning because the Bambino slammed one into the seats. All balls with good eyes in the major leagues were aimed at nobody was reported missing as result.
Get to Gibson Early.
Frankie got the Detroit start under way by letting the only two Yankees in the first inning, whereupon the Yankees rushed into action.
Off Keating Gibson, Kamm singled to right and Manush sacrificed when Pennock fumbled the leather and Kamm took the chance and scored on the play. Two out and Cobb retired in a flash in an effort to score, Frank hooked another peg and Heilmann made a perfect peg to the plate.
The Tigers scored in the second on a pass to Cobb, a single by which Cobb scored and Heilmann sprinted to third base, and Stoner’s single tied the count.
Plenty of action marked the first and second time Ruth for the Tigers and three for the Yankees. Now wicked and otherwise scattered on single past Koenig. Rather Bill threw wild, which enabled to left, scoring Neal and O’Rourke.
Warner Also Scores.
Cobb held second while Koenig threw out Heilmann and then raced fast from home when singled to center, catching Warnie Warner off third before he recovered the ball Warner scored.
The third home run of the three Yankee runs in this inning after Koenig popped to third enabled. Ruth hit a home run into the bleachers becoming some share of him after following with another of the same value in the same place.
The Tigers got two runs in the seventh. Ken Williams doubled to left, Kamm singled to center, the former scoring, and Blue went to third. Kamm stole to the receiving peg. Collins hit into the Tigers’ double play, scoring Blue before Stoner retired Pennock and Koenig.
Barfoot Gets His, Too.
Barfoot, rushed off the mound, then tossed out Ruth. Three doubles in succession by Heilmann, Manush and Blue finished the rally with a tilt of six runs in the sixth in which both of the two hits scored at Barfoot when Koenig singled and Meusel hit a low score.
Billy moved to the line and place for everybody to take a hand in the fray. Stoner’s out coupled to open the seventh O’Rourke’s single, the sacrifice check of another Tiger and by Tony Lazzeri after which Koenig fired a shot to leftfield, and tied the score.
Warner subsequently lifted a long fly, scoring Koenig and Ruth, which Meusel made another score and recklessly slid home, scoring. Ruth again came up and took a mighty cut at the ball to hit for another home run, this time it was the effort to the field to hit for another home run, this time it was the effort to the field to hit for another home run, this time it was the effort to the field to hit for another home run, this time it was the effort to the field to hit for another home run.
Yanks Again Score.
The inning was nearly a run for the Yankees and completed the task any of the Bengals to let them spot collecting 19 hits and 35 bases.
Blue forced Warner, when the Yankees again collected. Koenig doubled by Ruth and the former came home on the double to center.
Wells faced the Bengals in the ninth and before he retired with one disappearing by the locals he filled too excessive bases but his sink took care of them. Heilmann forced to first, Manush flied to center, Blue was a fast runner and then Perkins popped to Lazzeri.
Cobb started the Tigers with a popping to Gehrig. Heilmann leveled to right and on this play Gehrig should have made a throw to Warner instead of to the plate. Heilmann scored. Then the side game ended when Woodall flied to Combs.
AI-enhanced box score from the Detroit Free Press detailing the Yankees’ 13–9 slugfest victory over the Tigers on May 10, 1926, powered by 19 New York hits and three home runs.
“Sport Light” column header by famed sportswriter Grantland Rice as printed in the Detroit Free Press sports section in May 1926.
Sport Light
By Grantland Rice - Detroit Free Press May 11, 1926
Songs of Swat.
NO. 1—THE COURTSHIP OF A SON OF SWAT.
They were seated in the parlor, And the light was burning dim— He was a major leaguer, she a fan, So far and trim; But they knew not as he opened up The game by murmuring: “Love, The paper war the umpire on the Battery just above.
“I like your form,” he led off first, “With me you’ve made a hit, Your curves are good, you’ve got The speed, and you are looking fit. Now, if with you my turtle dove, I make a hit likewise, Won’t you improve my single life And make a sacrifice?
“I promise to support you, dear, With all my skill and day; I’ll draft a pretty home for you and Fix it first away. If you’ll just call the game a tie, I Will no longer roam; And when I slide into the plate, Please call me safe at home.”
“First tell me, sir,” she pitched at Him, “how high you ranked last Fall; Show me your hitting average and How hard you hit the ball. In matrimonial bush league dumb Days are now of place; I’d like to know the dope before I Play too far off base.”
“Remember that the game is rough When pay days fail to come; Sometimes the salary skip is lame And the noodle on the bum. And don’t forget you’ll be reserved For life and held in line, But promise me you’ll never jump Your contract and I’ll sign.”
He started warming up at once, With victory in his eye; He shoved a fast one around her Neck, the other was a high. Then two umpires lifted the She said: “Go, father, please. There is nothing wrong for George— Is only showing to the squeeze!”
The old man gave an extra snort and Said: “I’ll help the fan By hooking George another play That’s called the hit and run.” He heaved the washer at his bent The sole umpire shouted: “The son of swat slid down the steps The umpire yelled: ‘You’re out!’”
1926 newspaper advertisement for Utica Club Pilsener featuring a diner praising the beer’s taste and “health and strength” qualities.
1926 Dr. A. Reed Cushion Shoes, 1566 Woodward Ave Detroit, MI, advertisement promoting “travel light” comfort footwear for weary feet in the Detroit Free Press sports section.
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