Season Wrap-up
The Cubs had their big winning streak in the first half of the season. This time, it was the Dodgers' turn. After a mediocre 12-12 July, the Dodgers went 20-7 in August including a 13-game winning streak to put them squarely in first. Unfortunately, they then dropped 10 of 12 in early September. Going into the final week of the season, the Dodgers were a half game behind the Cubs and the defending champion Phillies were 3.5-games out.
The Phillies dropped 2-of-3 in Pittsburgh, then on the following day while the Phillies were off, the Cubs lost to St. Louis. That put the Cubs and Dodgers in a tie for first and the Phillies 3 games back... with only 3 games left. The Dodgers won 2-of-3 from the Braves to finish the season and the Cubs won 2 of the final 3 games in their 4-game set with the Cardinals. That left the two teams in the first-ever tie for first place.
The Cubs and Dodger played a single game two days later in Los Angeles to determine the pennant. The teams went into the 8th inning tied 2-2. Both teams scored 2 runs in the 8th, and Cubs went down 1-2-3 in the 9th. In the final frame of the game, Dodger right fielder
Bob Caruthers reached base on an error by second baseman
Ross Barnes. The next batter, left fielder
Walt Wilmot, hit a 3-2 pitch to right field for a pennant-winning triple.
For those like me who are interested in the careers of the veteran Cubs I have discussed in earlier posts this season,
Cap Anson had his best season in four years hitting .288 with 23 HR and 76 RBI. He also now has 2440 career hits, which puts him on pace to reach 2500 next season.
Ross Barnes hit just .297 this season, but he once again led the league with 211 hits, putting him at 3135 lifetime. He also leads the league in career doubles with 663.
Al Spalding went 14-10 with a 3.76 ERA, putting his career numbers at 235-122 with a 3.22 ERA.
Standings
Batting Leaders
Pitching Leaders
