BASEBALL MONTHLY
World Series Edition 1897
Cleveland Foil Chicago Again
One of the most storied seasons by a team has come to an appropriate end as the Cleveland Spiders won their second consecutive championships beating the Chicago Colts again in five games just as they did last year. The Spiders fought all season long and took the pennant on the last day of the season in a thrilling playoff win and carried their momentum through.
George Davis batted .400 in the series while Joe Corbett won two games. Veteran Charlie Ferguson closed out the series as the Spiders won it on their own field giving their fans the dynasty they have always been hoping for.
For Chicago, the inability to win the "big one' has haunted them again. Critisism came down on manager Al Spalding as the started Al Orth only once in the series and opted instead to start Amos Rusie twice. Orth was a 22 game winner on the season and was the starter in the only Chicago win against Cleveland. Charlie Geggus who started game one and game four also couldnt get a win.
All credit to the victors however, who are the kings of the game once again.
Game 1 at West Side Park
| Friday, August 27th, 1897 |
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Cleveland Spiders | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Chicago Colts | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
WP: Joe Corbett
LP: Charlie Geggus
Joe Corbett pitched a great opening game striking out six and getting the Colts to hit into three double plays. Corbett allowed only one run and Roger Conner drove in two of the three runs for the Spiders in what was well pitched and played game.
Game 2 at West Side Park
| Saturday, August 28th, 1897 | | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | | Cleveland Spiders | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 0 | | Chicago Colts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| |
WP: Will Sawyer
LP: Amos Rusie
Will Sawyer was even better in game two in one of the best pitching efforts we have seen in a World Series game. Sawyer struck out six and was in complete control, the Colts hadnt been shutout all season. Bill Joyce hit a long home run to cap the win and the Spiders took complete control.
Game 3 at League Park
| Monday, August 30th, 1897 |
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Chicago Colts | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 3 |
| Cleveland Spiders | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 4 |
WP: Al Orth
LP: Will Sawyer
Sawyer had alot less luck in this start as the Colts broke out 17 hits and ran away with an easy win. A five run third inning and a good effort by Al Orth never had Cleveland in this game. Rookie Fred Clarke scored two and drove in another two.
Game 4 at League Park
| Tuesday, August 31st, 1897 |
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Chicago Colts | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| Cleveland Spiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | X | 5 | 7 | 2 |
WP: Joe Corbett
LP: Charlie Geggus
The best game of the series and a heartbreaker for the Colts. Chicago was up by 4 runs cruising behind Geggus who had a shutout into the 6th. The Spiders rallied and scored five straight runs including three in the bottom of the 8th with Roger Conner delivering the go ahead RBI single. Cleveland never gave in and won a crucial game as they seem to always do.
Game 5 at League Park
| Wednesday, September 1st, 1897 |
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Chicago Colts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 5 |
| Cleveland Spiders | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | X | 7 | 10 | 1 |
WP: Charlie Ferguson
LP: Amos Rusie
The Spiders go to their most experianced arm to close things out. Cleveland scored five runs in the first two innings as Eddie Burke hit a two run home run. The Colts made five errors and didnt show the fight of a champion when they needed it.