- The Crowd Evidenced a Rare Interest in Bill Doak, the Hitter
- Rickey Tests Five Recruits
Game Date: September 15, 1923 Age: 32
By Joseph F. Holland St Louis Post Dispatch
Bill Doak, 33 years old and slightly, just slightly, bald, found himself surrounded by recruits nearly a decade younger than himself yesterday afternoon, but he dropped the mantle of unbecoming age from his shoulders long enough to subdue the Phils in the second game of a double-header with three hits, and thereby gain an even break for the Cards. Bill’s 6-0 victory came after Cards had lost the first game.
Four youngsters started the game with Bill and a fifth entered the lineup before the ninth inning was concluded. The recruits all played well but it was the ancient veteran of eleven years in the National League who drew the applause.
Only Two Real Hits For Phils.
It was easy for Bill after that, although the fact that he had an early lead did not detract from the merit of his performance. The Phils made only two real hits and were never in what might be construed as a threatening position. Only one man reached third base, one attained second base and five saw the surrounding terrain from the unfamiliar first base territory.
The crowd evidenced a rare interest in Bill Doak, the hitter. The German mark, an overworked article of comparison, is the only thing in modern history that compares with Bill’s batting average. Each time Bill appeared at the plate the crowd begged for a hit and was more insistent than ever when he appeared at the plate the last time after having fanned in three previous trips. This time the crowd roared at his devastating, knock-out wallop, a demure, bounding tap to the Phlllie pitcher.
More Sports News from 9/15/1923….
