I wish the grounds crew ran on the field and gathered the bases and put them in the equipment shed. Then, Merkle is supposed to go in the shed and figure out which base is second base? Maybe he would touch all the bases in the shed just to play it safe? Hope he got in there before Evers who would also have to touch all the bases in the equipment shed. When does the game end? When THOUSANDS of people are pouring onto the field to exit the ballpark?
Yes good for Evers. Smart play which no doubt, McGraw would have done in a second if he thought of it and had the opportunity. It is very unlikely though that Evers had the game ball when he touched 2nd base. So when does the game end? Everyone thought the game was over except Evers and O'Day.
If this technicality was going to be enforced, it shouldn't have been done in such an important game without informing both teams. Let them know when they present the lineup cards before the game. I believe the NL and umpire O'day had it in for McGraw and the Giants. McGraw was hated by umpires and league officials. They found a way to punish the Giants and used it.
AWESOME Merkle collection BTW
