Keith Olberman on Fred Merkle's boner, 105 years later

[the 'stache]

Finally, I have a reason to watch ESPN again. Keith Olberman, long known as a passionate collector within our hobby, is back at it on ESPN with his hour-long show (10 PM Eastern on ESPN2). Last night, he led off the show with a look back at the circumstances surrounding the most infamous call in baseball history.

This is a must watch, unless you're a Cubs fan. Then you might want to avoid it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QVcGJwiO54

In honor of Fred Merkle, let's see those Merkle T202, T205, and T206s, etc! And ok, let's see those Johnny Evers cards, too. Maybe we can undo the curse, Cubbie fans!

[h2oya311]

I saw that last night too...cool story. I hadn't heard that story before.

I don't have any Merkle's, but here's my Evers Helmar Stamp to get things started:

[t206blogcom]

[mattsey9]

Great account. I love his new show.

Christy Mathewson wrote about the incident in detail in his book, Pitching in a Pinch. I got a Kindle copy free from Amazon and I'm sure it's still available there.

[atx840]

Sean, this is your moment

[CMIZ5290]

Merkle's boner doesn't compare to Lonnie Smith's in the 1991 World Series (Braves vs. Twins)

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

I saw that last night too...cool story. I hadn't heard that story before.

I don't have any Merkle's, but here's my Evers Helmar Stamp to get things started:

Very cool Evers, Derek. Now I need/want to learn about Helmar stamps. According to Jefferson Burdick, these are T332s.

I'd heard the Merkle story before, but I had not heard the part about the fan writing into the Chicago Tribune. Holy cow, either Olberman has some full time researchers chained up in his basement, or he's got a photographic memory.

Originally Posted by t206blogcom

On any other forum, a thread titled "Fred Merkle's boner 105 years later" might necessitate an immediate edit by a mod.

Nice white border example. That's one of the T206s I need to add early on in my quest.

Originally Posted by mattsey9

Great account. I love his new show.

Christy Mathewson wrote about the incident in detail in his book, Pitching in a Pinch. I got a Kindle copy free from Amazon and I'm sure it's still available there.

Hi Mike. I, too, love his show. I've set my DVR to record all his new shows going forward. I just hope Keith can behave. I don't want him getting kicked off the "mother ship" again. It's really the only thing on ESPN I look forward to. He talks about topics you won't find on any other sports talk show, and his semi-sardonic wit and love of the game makes for really interesting television.

I'll see if I can get that Matty book. If it's available in print, I'll buy it.

By the way, I just saw that Merkle was born in Watertown, Wisconsin, not far from where I grew up (Waukesha).

/wave good morning, Chris.

[Zach Wheat]

You can also listen to Fred Snodgrass' account of the incident in the audiobook "The Glory of Their Times". Snodgrass sticks up for Merkle, stating that in those days, the umps opened the gates so spectators could get on the field immediately after the game. He states this was the reason Merkle ran to the dugout after McCormick crossed the plate.

Listening to the ball players relate stories in the 1st person, brings the accounts to another level. You really get a feel for what a joker Chief Myers was, how Hans ("Little Hans") Lobert was taken under the wing by Honus Wagner or how Rube Marquard hitched rides on rail road cars rode for 3 days for a shot at playing pro ball. One of my favorite stories was of Victory Faust and how he became the team mascot.

This is the only book I where I prefer the audio version over the printed version. You can hear the enthusiasm they had for early baseball.


Z Wheat

[GoldenAge50s]

Just wanted to add my raw Merkle Port into the mix. Didn't see the show.

[sycks22]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Merkle's boner doesn't compare to Lonnie Smith's in the 1991 World Series (Braves vs. Twins)

Knoby saved the series for us

[Sean]

Originally Posted by atx840

Sean, this is your moment

Chris, I'm in San Diego. I'll post them tomorrow.
I saw the show. I loved it, even though Keith is wrong. Hank O'Day made the correct call. - Full disclosure: I'm a Cubs fan.
And their 105 years of bad baseball is not due to karma or curses, or anything but bad management. Okay, that Bartman thing could be curse-related.

By the way, how cool is it that Keith has the ball used to force out Merkle?

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Merkle's boner doesn't compare to Lonnie Smith's in the 1991 World Series (Braves vs. Twins)

Oh, so now we're comparing boners?

How about this Jose Conseco assisted home run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLs0pjWnzTY

Not an historic, game-changing boner but certainly one of the funniest.

[T206Collector]

I'd love a signed T206 of Fred Merkle. Gosh, who wouldn't?!

But until one is found, I will have to settle for my signed T206 of Al Bridwell, who later said he wished he never got that hit because it ruined poor Fred Merkle's life....

[GasHouseGang]

I thought it was interesting how Evers never would have gotten that call from the ump if the identical situation hadn't occurred earlier in the season setting the stage for the call to be made by Hank O'Day. Good excuse to show off the Evers I just picked up.

[Exhibitman]

"Keith Olberman on Fred Merkle's boner"

That is so wrong...As was this card:



And yes, as my wife frequently observes, I do have the emotional maturity of a 12 year old.

[Peter_Spaeth]

There is an interesting write up of the incident in the great book "The Celebrant."

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Merkle's boner doesn't compare to Lonnie Smith's in the 1991 World Series (Braves vs. Twins)

That reminds me of my first visit to a nude beach, but Merkle's was more embarrassing...probably.

[andy]

T206 Evers portrait from a Cubs fan.

[MMarvelli]

Hank O'Day 1922 Press Photo (Sun and NY Herald Syndicate)

Press Photo O'Day, Hank LowRes F only.jpg

[CardTarget]

This just happened in the minors in July:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fr8mjRo544

[Edwolf1963]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

I thought it was interesting how Evers never would have gotten that call from the ump if the identical situation hadn't occurred earlier in the season setting the stage for the call to be made by Hank O'Day. Good excuse to show off the Evers I just picked up.

How did that E98 Evers get a 1.5..? Beautiful front for sure!

[mattsey9]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

I thought it was interesting how Evers never would have gotten that call from the ump if the identical situation hadn't occurred earlier in the season setting the stage for the call to be made by Hank O'Day. Good excuse to show off the Evers I just picked up.

And after Evers, who was a player/manager for the Cubs by that time, was shipped off to Boston guess who Chicago hired to be their new manager?

Hank O'Day

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by Edwolf1963

How did that E98 Evers get a 1.5..? Beautiful front for sure!

You're right Ed, it's a beauty. Unfortunately just a bit of paper loss on the back makes the technical grade correct. Here's the back.

[Big Ben]

That was a great segment by Keith last night. My first T206 card was this Fred Merkle that I purchased at an antique shop years ago for $2. I had no idea who Merkle was at that time, but that purchase led me to do some research where I found the story about the "Merkle Boner". I wish that I had run across more T206's back then. I am also posting a T205 Evers with hopes that this Cubs fan can reverse the curse. (somehow)

[Edwolf1963]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

You're right Ed, it's a beauty. Unfortunately just a bit of paper loss on the back makes the technical grade correct. Here's the back.

Wow, not a lot at all. David, that is one beautiful (and truly undergraded!) card!

[xcgrammer]

I am actually going to the Cubs game tomorrow with my Dad. We will probably go to Merkle's Bar which is a bar and grill in Wrigleyville. Great burgers on game day... 6 bucks comes with fries and the fries are awesome!!!

[conor912]

of course Keith would have the actual ball.....

[t206blogcom]

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Merkle's boner doesn't compare to Lonnie Smith's in the 1991 World Series (Braves vs. Twins)

Kevin, refresh my memory please. I watched the series, but don't remember that particular play. I could just look it up, but I'd rather hear it from a fan's perspective.

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

You can also listen to Fred Snodgrass' account of the incident in the audiobook "The Glory of Their Times". Snodgrass sticks up for Merkle, stating that in those days, the umps opened the gates so spectators could get on the field immediately after the game. He states this was the reason Merkle ran to the dugout after McCormick crossed the plate.

Listening to the ball players relate stories in the 1st person, brings the accounts to another level. You really get a feel for what a joker Chief Myers was, how Hans ("Little Hans") Lobert was taken under the wing by Honus Wagner or how Rube Marquard hitched rides on rail road cars rode for 3 days for a shot at playing pro ball. One of my favorite stories was of Victory Faust and how he became the team mascot.

This is the only book I where I prefer the audio version over the printed version. You can hear the enthusiasm they had for early baseball.


Z Wheat

Keith touched on the fans rushing the field back then. I think Merkle got a bad rap. If I were a 19 year old kid in the Majors, and I knew thousands of rowdy fans were going to be running my direction, I'd get the hell out of there, too. It was the league's fault for allowing the fans to rush the field, not Fred's.

I'll have to check out that audio book. Good suggestion!

Originally Posted by GoldenAge50s

Just wanted to add my raw Merkle Port into the mix. Didn't see the show.

Beautiful card, Fred. Thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by Sean

Chris, I'm in San Diego. I'll post them tomorrow.
I saw the show. I loved it, even though Keith is wrong. Hank O'Day made the correct call. - Full disclosure: I'm a Cubs fan.
And their 105 years of bad baseball is not due to karma or curses, or anything but bad management. Okay, that Bartman thing could be curse-related.

By the way, how cool is it that Keith has the ball used to force out Merkle?

Sean, the call was right, absolutely. But like I said, I can't blame Merkle for getting the heck out of there.

We all need to go knocking on Mr. Olberman's front door. Maybe if we bad mouth ESPN enough, he'll let us in to see his collection.

Originally Posted by auggiedoggy

Oh, so now we're comparing boners?

How about this Jose Conseco assisted home run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLs0pjWnzTY

Not an historic, game-changing boner but certainly one of the funniest.

Rob, I was watching that game when it happened. I was down in Houston at the time, watching it on the tube in my hotel room. I couldn't believe what I saw. I still can't.

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

I thought it was interesting how Evers never would have gotten that call from the ump if the identical situation hadn't occurred earlier in the season setting the stage for the call to be made by Hank O'Day. Good excuse to show off the Evers I just picked up.

That's a gorgeous card, and a perfect example of how a technical grade can be very misleading. There really should be a way of taking eye appeal into consideration when grading, but I suppose that's completely subjective.

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

"Keith Olberman on Fred Merkle's boner"

That is so wrong...As was this card:



And yes, as my wife frequently observes, I do have the emotional maturity of a 12 year old.

It is wrong, Adam, lol. But I must admit, it is better than some of the alternatives I considered:

"Olberman revisits Merkle's boner 105 years later."
"Olberman waxes enthusiastically about Merkle's boner."

There's just no title I could come up with that wouldn't elicit a guffaw of some sort. As for the maturity level comment, I'm right there with you.

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

There is an interesting write up of the incident in the great book "The Celebrant."

I'll seek that out, too, Peter. Thank you for the suggestion.

My reading list is becoming longer.

Originally Posted by Runscott

That reminds me of my first visit to a nude beach, but Merkle's was more embarrassing...probably.

I guess it depends on your perspective, Scott. Were you a viewer, or a participant?

Originally Posted by andy

T206 Evers portrait from a Cubs fan.

Great card, Andy.

Originally Posted by CardTarget

This just happened in the minors in July:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fr8mjRo544

Wow, somebody on the other team was very quick thinking.

Originally Posted by Big Ben

That was a great segment by Keith last night. My first T206 card was this Fred Merkle that I purchased at an antique shop years ago for $2. I had no idea who Merkle was at that time, but that purchase led me to do some research where I found the story about the "Merkle Boner". I wish that I had run across more T206's back then. I am also posting a T205 Evers with hopes that this Cubs fan can reverse the curse. (somehow)

If you happen to have any old Milwaukee Brewer T206s, please post them as well. We're only at 43 years without a World Series title, but I'm getting up there in years, and I'd like to see the beer flow in Milwaukee before I croak.

Originally Posted by xcgrammer

I am actually going to the Cubs game tomorrow with my Dad. We will probably go to Merkle's Bar which is a bar and grill in Wrigleyville. Great burgers on game day... 6 bucks comes with fries and the fries are awesome!!!

Jason, having never been to Wrigley unfortunately (hard to believe as I grew up in Milwaukee, and spent a lot of time in Chicago growing up), is the bar within the confines of the ball park, or just outside of it? Again, I could look it up, but it's always more fun to learn from somebody who has been there, and enjoys it. I hope you took some pictures.

Originally Posted by conor912

of course Keith would have the actual ball.....

As I said earlier in my post, Conor, I would kill to see his collection.

[xcgrammer]

Bill, it is actually just south of Wrigley about two blocks on Clark St. The logo is I believe from one of Merkle's card portraits, and they have several t206 cards framed on the wall and one larger one that is a blown up copy. I will see if I can get some pictures tomorrow and post them in this thread. Bill you really, really, should make it there to Wrigley, if you are a Brewers fan I bet you have been to old Comiskey from the Brew Crew's AL days, which I missed out on and kick myself over to this day although it was really out of my control since it was torn down when I was 10 years old. Two true cathedrals of baseball. Also the courthouse in my hometown Kankakee IL was designed by the architect who designed Wrigley and Comiskey, Zachary Taylor Davis who is known as the "Frank Lloyd Wright of Baseball."

[the 'stache]

That would be great, Jason, thank you.

If my back doc comes through for me, I'm going to take a trip back up north with my folks. I want to catch a ballgame at Miller Park with my dad. We'll also drive back down to Chicago, as we have family just outside the city. And I absolutely take in a ballgame at Wrigley (though I might just explode gorging myself on Chicago style hot dogs!). If I make it out of the ol' ballpark alive, then I'll check out Merkle's Bar.

There are three places I want to take in a game in my bucket list: Lambeau Field (I've flown over it, but have never seen the Packers there. I always saw them at the old County Stadium in Milwaukee when they played a few home games there each year). And then, of course, Fenway Park and Wrigley. In my opinion, those are the three Meccas in professional sports. Unfortunately, I never made it to old Yankee Stadium.

By the way, guys, I just wanted to say thank you. It's always interesting to me the direction discussions can go on Net 54, and this one is living up to expectations. In this case, the knowledge is just pouring out.

The suggested readings/listening are appreciated.

[xcgrammer]

Bill, you've gotta do it. Hope your back is fixed up soon. There is really nothing more American than baseball with your dad. Moments that you can't put a price on, worth whatever it takes to make it happen.

[Mikehealer]

Three Evers T cards.

[slipk1068]

"The Unforgettable Season" is a book about the 1908 pennant race. It is written 100% from newspaper accounts of the day. Read that book and you will feel like you are living through the 1908 season.

Am I seriously the only person here who has read this book?

[ZenPop]

Originally Posted by Sean

Chris, I'm in San Diego. I'll post them tomorrow.
I saw the show. I loved it, even though Keith is wrong. Hank O'Day made the correct call. - Full disclosure: I'm a Cubs fan.
And their 105 years of bad baseball is not due to karma or curses, or anything but bad management. Okay, that Bartman thing could be curse-related.

By the way, how cool is it that Keith has the ball used to force out Merkle?

LOVE Keith's show and that clip was AWESOME! THANK YOU for posting, Bill!

Sean has generously provided me with an awesome book called "The Unforgettable Season" about that year and I'm just starting it now... (CHEERS, SEAN!!!)

Even though I'll probably disagree with Sean's O'Day call, I'm going to love this book! ...but remember... NO SPOILERS!!!

[ZenPop]

Originally Posted by slipk1068

"The Unforgettable Season" is a book about the 1908 pennant race. It is written 100% from newspaper accounts of the day. Read that book and you will feel like you are living through the 1908 season.

Am I seriously the only person here who has read this book?

Oops, Slip! Only read your post after posting that one! That book has been read by Sean... and is currently being read by yours truly!

[slipk1068]

Originally Posted by ZenPop

Oops, Slip! Only read your post after posting that one! That book has been read by Sean... and is currently being read by yours truly!

Awesome John, you will love it. I found it somewhat tough to get started because of the florid language that was used back then but once I got into it, it was like going back in time.

[Sean]

I want to begin by saying: Mike, that Evers/ Hindu is one heck of a card.

Okay Bill, since you asked us to post Merkles, here they are:

scan0004.jpg

scan0005.jpg

[Sean]

scan0006.jpg

scan0007.jpg

[Sean]

scan0008.jpg

scan0009.jpg

[Sean]

scan0010.jpg

scan0011.jpg

[Sean]

Okay, so for the two or three members who haven't already seen them, I hope you like the set.

And for the rest of you: I'm still missing the T213 Type-3 and the Red Cross, so if anyone wants to sell them at an exhorbitant price, you know where to reach me.

[ullmandds]

Wow, Sean...can't be many runs out there that include t215 pirates...good luck on the last 2...they'll come someday.

[the 'stache]

Holy God, Sean. Count me as one of the three people that hadn't seen it yet.

What an incredible collection. Thank you for sharing. I'm glad I asked.

[mattsey9]

Originally Posted by Sean

Okay, so for the two or three members who haven't already seen them, I hope you like the set.

And for the rest of you: I'm still missing the T213 Type-3 and the Red Cross, so if anyone wants to sell them at an exhorbitant price, you know where to reach me.

Seen 'em before, but always enjoy looking at them. Thanks for posting them again, Sean.

[mattsey9]

Originally Posted by ZenPop

LOVE Keith's show and that clip was AWESOME! THANK YOU for posting, Bill!

Sean has generously provided me with an awesome book called "The Unforgettable Season" about that year and I'm just starting it now... (CHEERS, SEAN!!!)

Even though I'll probably disagree with Sean's O'Day call, I'm going to love this book! ...but remember... NO SPOILERS!!!

What struck me about the Giants outrage is that making the claim is something McGraw would have done in a heartbeat if the roles were reversed. He was an old Baltimore Oriole, and those guys used every trick in the book to win a game.

[tbob]

I love KO's new show, watch it every night.
Obviously Keith read Gordon Fleming's and Lawrence Ritter's book The Unforgettable Season which is THE best account of the 1908 season and thoroughly covers the Merkle Boner game through all the newspaper accounts of the day.
Interestingly, Christy Mathewson swore absolutely to anyone who would listen that he saw Merkle touch second base. The Christian Gentleman lied to support his teammate. Merkle never made it even close to the bag. On the flip side, the ball KO has may really be the ball Evers tagged the bag with while holding, but the original batted ball, according to many witnesses, was ultimately recovered by third base coach Joe MicGinnity who threw the ball in to the stands because he knew exactly what Evers was trying to do. The infield and outfield were a madhouse because of the many thousands of fans who poured on the field to celebrate the great win (they thought).
Fred Bridwell later said that he wished he had struck out (he singled in the winning run) and spared Merkle a life of infamy.

[CaramelMan]

no love for the T201?

[Sean]

Originally Posted by mattsey9

What struck me about the Giants outrage is that making the claim is something McGraw would have done in a heartbeat if the roles were reversed. He was an old Baltimore Oriole, and those guys used every trick in the book to win a game.

It's true, McGraw is considered a great manager because he looked for, and in some cases created, any possible advantage for his team. But the one time the tables are turned the Giants never stopped complaining. Some like KO are still doing it to this day.

[tbob]

Fred Merkle, a rookie, only started one game all year, this one. Regular first baseman Fred Tenney had lumbago and did not start this one game. It should be pointed out that Merkle years later ended up being the captain of the Giants and had a decent career. Merkle did nothing that other players didn't do at that time, but he was forever taunted by fans, media and others as "Bonehead" Merkle.
Fred Snodgrass in a Game 7 of the World Series years later, dropped an easy fly ball in the 9th inning against the Red Sox. Snodgrass was an excellent defensive outfielder and later that inning made a tremendous catch of a line over his head but when the Red Sox rallied to win, Snograss was the goat. In his obituary some 70 years later, it said "Fred Snodgrass dies, muffed fly ball in Series."
Both played for John McGraw who also witnessed the famous 9th inning foul pop which Chief Meyers muffed when he thought Matty was going to take it which resulted in Mathewson being denied a 7th Game win and a championship. The Giants were truly cursed....