Shibe Park
The first two games of the 1914 World Series were played in Philadelphia, Shibe Part on 9 and 10 October. The home team Athletics were overwhelming favorites to defeat the National League’s Boston Braves. Games one and two would set the tone for the entire Series.
Game 1
The first game was the only blowout of the Series. Boston’s Dick Rudolph pitched a complete game giving up five hits, walking one, and striking out eight. The Braves scored on a second inning walk to outfielder “Possum” Whitted, a one out double by Hank Gowdy plated Whitted. Hall of Fame shortstop Rabbit Maranville then singled bringing home Gowdy. In the bottom of the second, Stuffy McInnis walked, went to second on an Amos Strunk single, then scored when Braves right fielder Herbie Moran threw the ball away. Strunk got to third, but didn’t score. From there on out it was the Boston bats and Rudolph that dominated the game. In the top of the fifth, Gowdy tripled and scored on a Maranville single. Then Boston tacked on three more in the sixth. Johnny Evers singled, Joe Connolly walked, then Whitted tripled sending both runs home. Butch Schmidt singled home Whitted and that brought Connie Mack to the mound to lift starter Chief Bender. Back to back singles and a Schmidt steal of home in the eighth finished off the scoring. Boston won 7-1 and shelled Mack’s ace, Bender. Every Braves starter except Moran had a run, hit, or RBI, including Rudolph. Gowdy had three hits, scored two runs, and furnished an RBI to take game hitting hero honors.
Game 2
The second game in Philly was a pitching masterpiece by both teams. Boston star Bill James squared off against Hall of Fame lefty Eddie Plank. For eight innings they matched zeroes. Through eight, Plank had given up five hits, walked three, and struck out five. James was even better. Through eight he gave up two hits, one walk, and struck out seven. With one out in the top of the ninth, Charlie Deal doubled, then stole third. James struck out for the second out, but Les Mann singled to center scoring Deal. After another walk, Plank got out of more damage by inducing a ground out. In the bottom of the ninth, James walked two, but a strikeout and a double play ended the threat and the inning. James had given the Braves a two game lead with the World Series heading to Boston.
The Series would resume in Boston for two more games. It appears that MLB used a two-two-one-one-one formula for the World Series in this era (although none of them went seven except 1912) meaning that the Braves would have to return to Philadelphia for any game five. (This seems to be the pattern for the era, but I’ve been unable to find anything that states this for certain.)
Tags: Amost Strunk, Bill James, Charlie Deal, Chief Bender, Dick Rudolph, Eddie Plank, Hank Gowdy, Herbie Moran, Les Mann, Possum Whitted, Rabbit Maranville
Verdun2's Blog 
October 14, 2014 at 7:24 am
I’ve always preferred the 2-2-1-1-1 format in every sport (would be awesome in football). Is it some kind of cost savings to travel less? I don’t see how money would matter when they’re making millions and millions.
October 14, 2014 at 12:24 pm
You know, if this was a table game, and you’d started two HOF pitchers against guys who weren’t exactly immortals and found yourself down 2-0, I think you’d be shreddinig cards and pulverizing dice and ripping up scoresheets by now.
October 14, 2014 at 1:01 pm
In my opinion (and it’s strictly an opinion) the 3 greatest upsets in World Series history occur in 1903, 1906, and 1914. I’m sure other people would disagree.
v
October 14, 2014 at 10:41 pm
I always loved the way Shibe Park looked. I had never been there. It’s so unique from the outside. It’s too bad the A’s moved to Kansas City and to OAKLAND.
Glen