September 27, 1930: Brooklyn’s Eddie Moore hits last ‘bounce’ home run in National League history

Rule 48, Sec. 2: “A fair batted ball that goes over the fence or into a stand shall entitle the batsman to a home run …”1

On the second-to-last day of the 1930 season, the Brooklyn Robins hosted the Boston Braves in a doubleheader at Ebbets Field, and a key hit in Brooklyn’s opening-game 8-2 win was veteran Eddie Moore’s third-inning, leadoff homer. The home run, which triggered a game-deciding five-run outburst, was a line drive to left field that bounced over a three-foot-high outfield fence and landed in the bleachers – a round-tripper under a longstanding National League rule.

Less than three months later, the NL altered its rulebook to award a batter only two bases on a ball that bounced out of play after landing in fair territory, just as the American League had done two years earlier.2 The change replaced the “bounce” home run with the universal ground-rule double,3 making Moore’s home run on September 27, 1930, the last known bounce homer in NL or AL history.4

Moore rose to prominence in 1925 as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting second baseman, helping the Bucs win their first pennant and World Series championship since 1909. With the Pirates trailing the Washington Nationals three-games-to-two in the Series, Moore slammed the decisive (over-the-fence) homer in Game Six, and then doubled, walked, and scored three runs in a thrilling Game Seven comeback win against Walter Johnson.

Midway through the 1926 season, Moore got into a dispute with Pirates coach Fred Clarke,5 and Pittsburgh sold his contract to the Braves. Moore was used mainly in a backup role during 2½ uneventful seasons in Boston, and in May 1929 the Robins purchased his contract and made him their primary second baseman. The next season the diminutive 31-year-old was relegated to a utility role, playing six different positions.6

The much-improved Brooklyn team was about to break a string of five consecutive sixth-place finishes, but its season had taken a sour turn in the final two weeks.7 The Robins had occupied first place with just 10 games to play, before a seven-game losing streak, including a costly three-game sweep by the St. Louis Cardinals, scuttled their World Series aspirations. Brooklyn came into its September 27 twin bill in fourth place, 6½ games behind the Cardinals, who had clinched the NL title the previous day.

The doubleheader was not entirely meaningless. The 84-67 Robins trailed the third-place New York Giants by just a half-game, so a bigger share of World Series revenue was up for grabs. In addition, Brooklyn right fielder Babe Herman was second in the batting race with a .393 average, 11 percentage points behind Bill Terry of the Giants.8

The Braves, with a 69-82 record, were guaranteed to finish sixth. Twenty-five-year-old southpaw Ed Brandt got the start for Boston in the first game of the twin bill. Brandt had been pitching with a sore arm for most of the season and came into the game with a 4-10 record and a 4.72 ERA.9

Wilbert Robinson, in his 17th of 18 seasons as Brooklyn’s manager, sent ace righty Dazzy Vance to the mound. The 39-year-old Vance was enjoying the last great season of his illustrious career, and his 2.49 ERA led the league by a comfortable margin.10 He was second in the NL with 161 strikeouts, 16 behind the Cardinals’ Bill Hallahan, and would have been within striking distance of the pitching Triple Crown were it not for the poor run support that saddled him with a 16-15 record.11

Moore, playing center field for an injured Johnny Frederick,12 led off the bottom of the first with a sharp single off Brandt.13 He moved to second on a fielder’s choice and scored on shortstop Glenn Wright’s two-out single.

Vance retired the first nine batters he faced, striking out five, including rookie phenom Wally Berger and Boston’s sixth- through ninth-place hitters.14

Brooklyn broke the game open in the third. Moore led off by lining a ball into the left-field corner that bounced over the short wall and into the bleachers for a solo homer.15 It was his first – and last − four-bagger with the Robins and just his 12th circuit clout in 682 career games.16

Wally Gilbert and Herman singled and advanced 90 feet on Wright’s sacrifice. Both runners scored on a double by first baseman Del Bissonette, giving him 112 RBIs for the season.17 Left fielder Hal Lee singled,18 scoring Bissonette and knocking Brandt out of the game.

Veteran righty Bob Smith came on in relief and had Lee picked off, but first baseman Johnny Neun’s throw to second went into center field for an error and Lee advanced to third.19 Rookie second baseman Neal Finn’s single brought Lee home and Brooklyn led, 6-0.

Neun followed up his error by sparking a mild rally in the fourth. He reached on a single and scored on veteran shortstop Rabbit Maranville’s double. After Maranville advanced to third on a fielder’s choice, he scored on a wild pitch by Vance, cutting Brooklyn’s lead to 6-2.

The Robins tacked on two more runs in the fifth. Herman smacked a leadoff double for his second hit in three at-bats, and Wright followed with an RBI double. Wright scored on Finn’s second successive RBI single.

Vance held the Braves in check for the remainder of the game. The only other times Boston threatened were in the seventh, when catcher Al Spohrer hit a two-out triple, and the eighth, when Vance surrendered a two-out single and walk, although he escaped unscathed both times.

At least two Brooklyn sportswriters believed that Vance was approaching Hallahan for the NL lead in strikeouts, which may explain Vance’s performance late in the game.20 After eight innings, he had struck out nine Braves and allowed just six hits and one walk.

Vance struck out the three Boston batters he faced in the ninth and ended the game with 12 punchouts. Both the Brooklyn Daily Times and the Brooklyn Citizen erroneously reported that Vance had regained the NL strikeout crown that he had won seven consecutive times from 1922 to ’28.21 The official records show Hallahan finishing the season with 177 strikeouts to Vance’s 173.22

Brooklyn split the final two games against Boston, and the Giants won their last two contests, so the Robins finished fourth with an 86-68 record, six games behind the Cardinals.23

As of April 2026, almost all sources on the internet credited Brooklyn’s rookie catcher Al López with hitting the final bounce homer in NL/AL history.24 While López did hit one at Ebbets Field on September 12, 1930, Herman also turned the trick on September 23. Four days later, Moore did it for the final time.

According to Retrosheet data, 20 bounce home runs were hit in the NL in 1930.25 As of April 2026, Retrosheet did not indicate that Moore’s round-tripper in the first game of the September 27 twin bill bounced before leaving the yard, which means there were at least 21 bounce homers in 1930.

Sixteen of the 21 known bounce home runs were hit at Ebbets Field,26 an indication of the ballpark’s unique configuration. All 16 bounce homers were hit to left or left-center field, which had a wall that was just three feet high.27 According to the Seamheads Ballparks Database, it was 384 feet down the left-field line and 374 feet to straightaway left field. Renovations in 1931 reduced both distances to 353 feet and increased the height of the wall to 10 feet.

The Cubs’ Hack Wilson set a new NL record with 56 homers in 1930, a mark that stood until 1998.28 Only one of Wilson’s 56 round-trippers is known to have been of the bounce variety, and it was hit at Ebbets Field against Brooklyn’s veteran righty Johnny Morrison on June 7.29 Only three players hit more than one bounce homer in 1930: López, Herman, and 29-year-old Chicago Cubs rookie Clarence “Footsie” Blair, each with a pair.

Babe Ruth didn’t play in a regular-season game at Ebbets Field until 1935,30 which helps explain why, as of 2026, there was no evidence that any of his 714 round-trippers bounced before leaving the playing field.31

Bounce home runs had played a role in deciding the outcome of several important games over the years, including Hank Gowdy’s pivotal homer for the Miracle Braves in the bottom of the 10th in Game Three of the 1914 World Series and another at Ebbets Field by Gabby Hartnett to crush Brooklyn’s pennant hopes in 1924. Two bounce homers were also hit in Game Seven of the 1912 World Series.32

Moore batted .281 in 1930 with one homer and 20 RBIs in 76 games played. That offseason he was dealt to the PCL’s Oakland Oaks along with veteran backup catcher Hank DeBerry and $50,000 in return for future Hall of Fame backstop Ernie Lombardi.33 Moore returned to the big leagues for brief stints with the Giants in 1932 and the Cleveland Indians in 1934.

Moore wrapped up his 10-year major-league career with a .285 average − and just 13 homers − in 2,474 at-bats. Despite his lack of power, two of the most notable moments in his playing career were his round-tripper to win Game Six of the 1925 World Series and his bounce home run on September 27, 1930.34

Acknowledgments

The author thanks SABR’s Kurt Blumenau and Cassidy Lent of the Giamatti Research Center at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown for their research assistance. John Fredland and Blumenau provided valuable feedback on an earlier version of this story.

This article was fact-checked by Carl Riechers and copy-edited by Mike Eisenbath.

Photo credit: Eddie Moore, Trading Card Database.

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, the author consulted Baseball-Reference.com, Retrosheet.org, Stathead.com, Seamheads.com, and the SABR biographies of Ed Brandt, Ernie Lombardi, and Ebbets Field. Unless otherwise noted, all play-by-play information for this game was taken from the article “Vance Fans 12 as Robins Win Opener, 8 to 2” on page 1 of the September 27, 1930, edition of the Brooklyn Standard Union.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO193009271.shtml  

https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1930/B09271BRO1930.htm    

Notes

1 The full text of the rule in effect in 1930 was as follows: “A fair batted ball that goes over the fence or into a stand shall entitle the batsman to a home run unless it should pass out of the ground or into a stand at a less distance than two hundred and fifty (250) feet from the home base, in which case the batsman shall be entitled to two bases only. In either event the batsman must touch the bases in regular order. The point at which a fence or stand is less than 250 feet from the home base shall be plainly indicated by a white or black sign or mark for the umpire’s guidance.” In 1931 it was replaced by Rule 41, Section 3: “A fair hit ball that bounds into a stand or over a fence shall be a two-base hit.”

2 The rule was likely changed because fans and the media began to view bounce home runs as illegitimate. Terms used to describe these homers included “freak,” “trick,” and “fluke” home runs. Associated Press, “Baseball Bans Sacrifice Fly,” San Antonio Express, December 13, 1930: 11; Thomas Holmes, “Ban Is Put on Freak Home Runs Made by Bounces into Stands,” Brooklyn Eagle, December 13, 1930: 12.

3 Members of the media typically refer to it as a “ground-rule double,” which is incorrect since the rule applies in all ballparks. The more accurate term is “universal ground-rule double” or “rule-book double.”

4 The Negro Leagues also featured bounce home runs for a time; the author was unable to determine when they were eliminated. David Vincent, Home Run: The Definitive History of Baseball’s Ultimate Weapon, (Washington, D.C.: ‎ Potomac Books Inc., 2007), 73; John Fredland, “July 9, 1921: Columbus Buckeyes Surprise First-Place Detroit Stars with Comeback Win,” SABR Games Project, accessed May 20, 2026.

5 Clarke criticized Moore for “indifferent play” and the pair had a heated verbal exchange. James Forr and David Proctor, Pie Traynor: A Baseball Biography, (Jefferson, North Carolina: ‎ McFarland & Company, 2010), 92.

6 Moore was 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds. He played every position in 1930 other than pitcher, catcher, or first base. Moore also had played the same six positions with the 1927 Braves.

7 A big reason why the Robins improved from 70 wins in 1929 to 86 wins in 1930 was their outstanding pitching. The addition of rookie Ray Phelps (14-7), the acquisition of veteran Adolfo “Dolf” Luque (14-8) in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, the selection of Rule 5 hurler Hollis “Sloppy” Thurston (6-4), and an improved Dazzy Vance (17-15, 2.61 ERA) gave Brooklyn the best pitching staff in the NL or AL.

8 Terry won the batting title with a .401 average; Herman finished second with a .393 mark.

9 NL pitchers combined for a 4.97 ERA in 1930. As of 2026, the only NL season with a higher ERA was 1894.

10 Vance’s teammate Jumbo Elliott was second in the NL with a 3.72 ERA at the start of play on September 27.

11 Brooklyn scored two runs or less in 12 of Vance’s 31 starts in 1930. Pat Malone of the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh’s Ray Kremer co-led the NL with 20 wins.

12 Frederick injured his leg in a September 13 game and was out for the remainder of the season. Thomas Holmes, “Flock One Point Away from First Place by 4-3 Win Over Reds,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, September 14, 1930: C-1.

13 Lee Scott, “Dazzy Vance Shatters Dodgers’ Losing Streak in First Game; Berger and Moore Hit Homers,” Brooklyn Citizen, September 28, 1930: 11.

14 Berger’s 38 home runs in 1930 smashed the NL/AL record for most home runs by a rookie (the previous record was 25). Berger’s record was tied by Frank Robinson in 1956 and was not surpassed until Mark McGwire hit 49 round-trippers in 1987. As of 2026, Pete Alonso held the rookie record of 53 home runs, set in 2019. Berger also set a NL rookie record with 119 RBIs in 1930. He retained the mark until Albert Pujols drove in 130 runs in 2001.

15 “Braves Lose, 8-2, and Win, 7-1,” Boston Herald, September 28, 1930: 24; Scott, “Dazzy Vance Shatters Dodgers’ Losing Streak in First Game; Berger and Moore Hit Homers”; “Berger Hits 38th as Braves Divide,” Boston Sunday Post, September 28, 1930: 17.

16 In 598 career at-bats with Brooklyn, Moore did not hit a single home run that left the ballpark on the fly.

17 Bissonette set career highs in several statistical categories in 1930, including RBIs (113), hits (192), doubles (33), and batting average (.336).

18 Lee was playing left field for the injured Rube Bressler, who played his last game of the season on September 10. Thomas Holmes, “Vance Demonstrates the True Spirit of Brooklyn Baseball Club,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, September 12, 1930: 24.

19 Neun had taken over from 37-year-old George Sisler as Boston’s regular first baseman in early September. Sisler played the final game of his major-league career on September 22.

20 Vance may have also believed he still had a shot at passing Hallahan in strikeouts; five of the final six outs recorded by Vance were strikeouts. William McCullough, “Dodgers Split with Braves and Blow Chance for 3rd Place,” Brooklyn Daily Times, September 28, 1930: 69; Scott, “Dazzy Vance Shatters Dodgers’ Losing Streak in First Game; Berger and Moore Hit Homers.”

21 Pat Malone of the Chicago Cubs led the NL with 166 strikeouts in 1929.

22 Hallahan’s last outing of the season was on September 23. Vance’s complete-game victory on September 27 was his final appearance of 1930.

23 The Braves finished in sixth place with a 70-84 record. The Philadelphia Athletics defeated the Cardinals in the World Series in six games.

24 The only source the author could find that credited Moore with the last bounce home run was David Vincent’s book Home Run: The Definitive History of Baseball’s Ultimate Weapon.

25 As of April 2026, the 20 bounce home runs from 1930 listed on the Retrosheet web site were: Del Bissonette, 6th inning, May 7, Wrigley Field; Kiki Cuyler, 1st inning, May 28, Wrigley Field; Babe Herman, 4th inning, May 30 (Game 2 of DH), Ebbets Field; George Grantham, 8th inning, June 3, Ebbets Field; Charlie Grimm, 2nd inning, June 6, Ebbets Field; Hack Wilson, 3rd inning, June 7, Ebbets Field; Woody English, 4th inning, June 7, Ebbets Field; Clyde Beck, 6th inning, June 7, Ebbets Field; Riggs Stephenson, 7th inning, July 16 (Game 2 of DH), Ebbets Field; Neal Finn, 8th inning, July 17, Ebbets Field; Pie Traynor, 9th inning, July 23 (Game 1 of DH), Baker Bowl; Denny Sothern, 3rd inning, July 27 (Game 2 of DH), Ebbets Field; Al López, 5th inning, July 27 (Game 2 of DH), Ebbets Field; Bill Terry, 9th inning, August 4, Ebbets Field; Clarence “Footsie” Blair, 3rd inning, August 6, Sportsman’s Park; Clarence “Footsie” Blair, 4th inning, August 19 (Game 1 of DH), Wrigley Field; Glenn Wright, 1st inning, August 31, Ebbets Field; Pinkey Whitney, 9th inning, August 31, Ebbets Field; Al López, 4th inning, September 12, Ebbets Field; Babe Herman, 8th inning, September 23, Ebbets Field.

26 Wrigley Field, with three bounce homers, was the only other ballpark with more than one in 1930. The other two bounce homers were hit at Sportsman’s Park and the Baker Bowl.

27 According to the Seamheads Ballpark Database, the wall was three feet high in left and left-center field from 1924 to 1930.

28 Wilson’s record was broken in 1998 by Mark McGwire (70 homers) and Sammy Sosa (66). As of 2026, Giancarlo Stanton’s 59 home runs for the Miami Marlins in 2017 was the most hit in the NL outside of the Steroid Era.

29 It was the last homer surrendered by Morrison in his career. He made only one more appearance in the big leagues.

30 Ruth played two games at Ebbets Field in April 1935 when he was with the Boston Braves, but that was after the universal ground-rule double had been implemented. He went 0-for-6 with three strikeouts in those games. Games Three and Four of the 1916 World Series were played at Ebbets Field, but Ruth did not appear in those games. The fence was 20-feet high in left and left-center field that season.

31 Vincent, Home Run, 46. The author was unable to find any evidence that Ruth hit a bounce homer in the available Retrosheet data.

32 The bounce homers did not alter the outcome of the game. The homers were hit at Fenway Park by Larry Gardner of the Boston Red Sox and Larry Doyle of the New York Giants. The Red Sox won the Series in Game Eight on [Fred] Snodgrass’s Muff.

33 Lombardi spent 1931 as Al López’s backup before he was traded to Cincinnati in March 1932.

34 Moore went on to manage in the minor leagues for several years. He was player-manager of the Atlanta Crackers for four seasons, and he led them to back-to-back Southern Association pennants in 1935-36. The Crackers won the Southern Association’s postseason championship in 1935, but they were eliminated in the playoff semi-finals in 1936.