- Old Sol Wasn’t Shining but Dolan Lost Ball in the Sun
- It Helped Beat Cards
- Mathewson and Bill Doak in Duel at the Polo Grounds Today
- Result of the Game May Find the Cardinals in Second- Place – and Then Again
August 11, 1914 Age 23
By W. J. O’Connor. Of the Post-Dispatch Sporting Staff.
NEW YORK, Aug. 11. THE ninth defeat in 14 games on the current road trip was suffered by the Cardinals yesterday at the Polo Grounds, and today the pennant aspirants who swear allegiance to Manager Huggins are in fourth place.
However, a victory this afternoon, when Lumbago Bill Doak hooks up with Chris Mathewson, is liable to land the Cards in second place, a berth that they might have had yesterday had they won.
Until this series is over it will be impossible to say just where the cards are destined to finish. It still is possible to take three out of four. Likewise it is within the realms of possibility that three defeats will be the Cards’ portion of the melon now being cut at the Polo Grounds. But there was little hope of ever beating Tesreau. The Cards can handle the Big Bear in St. Louis, but he always has been able to beat them on his home grounds. He won in a gallop yesterday, 8-2.
It was a nice game until Cozy Dolan lost a fly ball in the sun. There was a lot of interest in Dolan’ s muff because he “lost the ball in the sun,” even though the sky was cloudy and rain threatened. There were upwards of 8,000 fans in the Brush stadium yesterday, players and all, and Cozy was the only man who knew the sun was shining in the eighth inning. If it were put to a vote we believe 7999 of those present would have voted that the sun was obscured by a big black cloud. But Cozy says it was the sun, so it must have been the sun. This fly, a tall lift by Meyers, would have been the third out, but before the side was retired the Giants scored four runs, making the score very decisive.
“Warm” Reception for Dolan.
That the Cardinals are hustling to win and fighting for every game was evinced by the reception that Dolan got when he reached the Cards’ bench. A lot of things which were said would not bear repetition here, but enough was heard to make those in the press box crane their necks to watch developments. Perritt and Cozy had it out hammer and tongs, while Magee jibed in with a few suggestions on how to play left field, according to Spalding’s guide.
The argument is indicative of one thing: The Cardinals are trying to collect that bonus money which has been offered them by Owner Britton, and they take to task any man who in the least way impedes their progress up the pennant ladder.
The game, as a game, was the worst the Cardinals have played on the whole trip. They were beaten, and beaten decisively, with absolutely no excuse to offer. Hub Perdue “thrun” his pals down hard, blowing up like a toy balloon pricked with a pin in the fourth inning. Hug then was forced to call in Perritt, much against his better wishes, as he wanted Polly for today’s game. Now it is up to Doak, with Sallee slated for the final clash Wednesday.
Snyder Flags Six.
One bright feature of the Cards’ playing was the throwing of Frank Snyder. The big catcher was given the noisiest reception ever accorded an alien performer on the Polo Grounds, when he flagged Davy Robertson in the sixth inning. Robertson was the sixth runner who had tried for second only to find the ball there ahead of him in this series.
The Giants have run so wild and with such disastrous effect that every time a New York runner reached first the fans yelled: “We dare you to steal. Just try It!” Snyder nailed them all. Today the Cardinals are 6 1/2 games behind the Giants and less than one-half game out of second place. The Cards have played seven more games than the Giants, which means that they have less space in which to overhaul the leaders, if such a thing ever is to happen. The Cards have played five more games than Boston and if either the Braves or Giants should win while the Cards are idle, It will be more ground lost by the locals.