- Record Now 7-1
- Whiffs Rabbit Maranville Three Times
- Changed Signs After Detecting Runners Were Stealing Signals
Career Game 305
| Start Quality | Game Score | Team | Opponent | Result (Score) | Decision (Record) | IP | Hits | ER / (ERA) | BB | SO | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.5/5 |
67 | @St. Louis Cards | PIT | W (6-2) | W (7-1) | 9 | 6 | 2 /(3.81) | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Game Date: May 26, 1922 – Age 31
By Chilly Doyle, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Doak has won seven games this season with only one setback against his name. The fair-haired son of Allegheny county has long been a big star in the National League. Bill is one of the few remaining pitchers in the majors who are allowed to use the spitball.
Light showers which fell several times had the Cardinals worried, as wet weather and spitball pitching do not mix. However, Bill was able to keep the ball in good condition. He used a slow pitch with effect, but Doak gave the dope pitch a rest after Maranville had smacked one for a single which drove in a run.
Doak squared matters with Rabbit by whiffing him three times. Rabbit made a violent protest when McCormick called him out in the seventh. He was so forcible in his gestures that he was lucky to remain in the game, but he seemed to have a kick coming. It is a hard matter to whiff Maranviile as a rule, but Doak had the ugly spitter breaking low on the outside corner to the right-hand batters.
The Knoxville boy was severe with Pittsburgh batting averages in general. He stopped Maranville, Carey and Bigbee, although Rabbit had a single and Carey was struck with a pitch.
Thursday’s game produced a very interesting feature that was sensed only by the contending athletes. When Bert Shotton went in to bat for Pertica in the fifth inning with Heathcote on second and none out, the Cardinal pair tried to swipe the Pittsburgh battery signs in order that Shotton would find it easier to hit.
Heathcote, on second, got a glimpse of a sign and flashed it to Shotten. The Pittsburgh kid battery detected what had happened and immediately the pair of smart youngsters proceeded to set the stage for a clever bit of baseball. Pitchers and catchers, as a rule, have switch signals. When they feel that the opposition has “stolen” their silent talk, they switch to another set. In this particular instance, the Bucco pair, through another secret sign, reversed their “fast ball” and “curve” signs. The quick switch was made without the knowledge of the foe and it pulled the ground out from under Shotton and Heathcote.
Shotton had two strikes when the Bucs gave the former star and his “accomplice” the “works.” Gooch flashed what had been the “fast ball” sign for a “curve.” Johnny was watching Heathcote and made sure that he exposed his hand sufficiently for the runner to read it.
Heathcote immediately made a gesture to Shotton, that meant the speed pitch. Glazner and Gooch were watching him as were several of the Buccos on the bench. Glazner then broke one of the prettiest curves imaginable right through the groove and the nonplussed batter was called out. It probably will be a long time before Shotton will let Heathcote steal signs for him again.