On this page we will look back at life in the city during the war years. Here we will provide the visitor with the stories making the news, what was happening in sports and entertainment, city politics, the social scene and the prominent people at the time. We will also recount the events occurring in the war on that day. So, check back each day for new editions.
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TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1915
SPECIAL WORLD SERIES EDITION – GAME 4
Fans lined up for tickets at Braves Field starting last night. The crowds were unruly at times and Boston’s mounted police were called a number of times to get control. When the windows opened at 9:00am fans clawed, kicked, bit and punched their way to the front to make their purchase. Eventually, 41,096 fans got inside to see a hard fought and well-played game. Those that couldn’t get inside the park climbed up on the center field wall and straddled precariously, while others perched themselves on telephone poles outside (shown below). Also the large armory east of the field accommodated several thousand spectators on its roof.
It was a clear day over Braves Field. The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky. The temperature was near 70° with a warn gentle breeze from the north. It was more like a June afternoon than one in October. It seemed nature was favoring the Red Sox. And, if it was, it worked as the game went to Boston with the score of 2 to 1.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Phillies as all the breaks seemed to go to the Red Sox. There was good fielding on both sides but the bounces seemed to always favor Ernie Shore today. Shore had a strong season for Boston with 19 wins and 8 losses. He lost his first World Series appearance to Alexander last Friday. But today he made up for that. George Chalmers pitched for the Phillies. George had a poor season with just 8 wins and 9 losses. But today he pitched a fine game. Unfortunately his batsmen couldn’t back him up with consistent hitting.
Milt Stock led off for the Phillies and started the game with a line drive single to left field. But he tried to stretch that into a double and was thrown out at 2nd. That was the way it seemed to go all day for the Phillies. There were 4 long drives hit by the Phillies today, 2 by Gavvy Cravath, which at National League Park would have been home runs but here they were just long outs.
The first run for the Red Sox came in the 3rd. Jack Barry walked to start the inning. Big Forrest Leroy “Hick” Cady bunted to move Barry over. The ball was misplayed and he also reached 1st safely. Ernie Shore then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners. Next up was Harry Hooper who chopped a high single to 2nd scoring Barry.
The Red Sox scored next in the 6th. Dick Hoblitzell cracked a single to center. Duffy Lewis who has played a wonderful series both in the field and at the plate cracked a double to the left field fence scoring Hoblitzell. Chalmers then retired the side. The Phillies scored their only run in the 8th. With 2 outs Gavvy Cravath smacked a line drive to center which bounced over Tris Speaker’s head. Gavvy easily made it to 3rd. Fred Luderus was up next and smacked a single to center scoring Cravath. But that was all the Phillies could drive across the plate today and Boston took the victory.
The Red Sox lead the series 3 games to 1 and play returns to Philadelphia tomorrow. The Phillies must put the hits together and win or their season is over. Manager Pat Moran (shown below conferring with Pete Alexander) blamed “the breaks” and not his players for the way the series has gone thus far. Moran said he still believes his Phillies will come back and win the Series. Red Sox manager Carrigan on the other hand stated bluntly the series was as good as won for his team.
In anticipation of tomorrow’s game two brothers, John and Joseph Turner of 2565 Mole Street, are taking up their positions tonight at 15th & Huntingdon Avenue just outside the entrance to the bleachers. John, 12 years old and Joe, his little brother, simply must see their heroes victorious and they intend to get inside early. Unless of course, they are offered a substantial financial inducement in exchange for their place in line.
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