Appendix: Supporting Documentation for Correction of Detroit Tigers Run-Scored Errors in the Official Records

Appendix for Herm Krabbenhoft’s article on errors in the runs-scored records of Detroit Tigers players (1920-44.)

Here is the online Appendix to Herm Krabbenhoft’s article, “Additional Corrections in the Official Records (1920–44) of Runs Scored for Detroit Tigers Players,” in the Fall 2013 Baseball Research Journal.

 

July 26, 1935—Detroit at Cleveland—Detroit scored 8 runs

Second inning—Detroit scored 1 run

DFP—“Goslin opened the scoring for the Tigers, blasting a double to the right field screen after one was out in the second and scoring on Rogell’s one-baser to center.”

DN—Nothing at all.

DT—“Greenberg chased Averill back to deep center for his line drive. Goslin banged Lee’s first pitch on the top of the right field screen for a double. Rogell singled through the box, scoring Goslin. Phillips muffed Fox’s foul and then Fox struck out, swinging at the next pitch. Owen forced Rogell, Knickerbocker to Berger.”

NYWT&S—“Greenberg flied to Averill. Goslin doubled to right. Rogell singled to center, scoring Goslin. Phillips was given an error when he dropped Fox’s foul. Fox then struck out. Owen forced Rogell, Knickerbocker to Berger.”

Third Inning—Detroit scored 1 run

DFP—“Auker put a run beside that one in the third when he beat out a bounder to Hale and went to second when that worthy threw the ball into the stands in attempting to toss him out at first. White advanced Auker with a sacrifice and Gehringer scored him by forcing Cochrane at second after Cochrane had walked.”

DN—“The other gift run came in the third where Hale threw into a field box on Auker’s slow roller past Lee. Auker reached second and was sacrificed to third by White and scored on Gehringer’s grounder after Cochrane walked.”

DT—“Auker beat out a slow bounder past Lee. Hale raced up to field it and then threw wild past first into the field boxes, Auker taking second on the error. White sacrificed such a swell bunt that Hale had to hustle to throw him out. Cochrane worked Lee to a three and two count and then walked on a high pitch. Gehringer forced him, but Auker scored from third on the play.”

NYWT&S—“Auker beat out a hit to third and went to second when Hale threw wild to first. White sacrificed, Hale to Berger. Cochrane walked. Gehringer forced Cochrane, Knickerbocker to Berger, Auker scoring. Greenberg bounced out, Hale to Trosky.”

Sixth Inning—Detroit scored 3 runs

DFP—“It was a double down the left field foul line by Greenberg that launched the game-winning rally in the sixth. One was out when Greenberg blasted out his hit, and Goslin made it two when he lined to Averill in center. But Rogell adopted a watchful waiting policy and drew a base on balls after working the count to three and two. Fox then blasted a long triple down the left field foul line, scoring both runners and followed them home when Owen singled to center.”

DN—Nothing at all.

DT—“But in the sixth the Tiger attack really unlimbered. After Gehringer grounded to Trosky, Greenberg whaled a double past Hale into the left field corner. Goslin lined to Averill. Rogell walked. Fox tripled to the left field corner, scoring Greenberg and Rogell. Owen singled, scoring Fox.”

NYWT&S—“Gehringer grounded to Trosky. Greenberg doubled to left. Goslin lined Averill. Rogell walked. Fox tripled to the left field corner, scoring Greenberg and Rogell. Owen singled to center, Fox scoring. Auker flied to Averill.

Seventh Inning—Detroit scored 2 runs

DFP—“White opened this inning by singling to right. He advanced to second on Cochrane’s sacrifice. After Phillips muffed Gehringer’s easy pop fly in front of the plate Gehringer and White added insult to injury by working a double steal as Phillips held the ball. That put them in position to score when Greenberg singled to center.”

DN—“White led off this inning with a single and Cochrane sacrificed him to second. Gehringer hit a pop fly in front of the plate. Phillips stepped forward and waited for the ball. It landed in his mitt and bobbed out again. White and Gehringer executed a double steal. The infield was then pulled in and Knickerbocker failed to stop Greenberg’s smashing grounder. It was a single that scored two runs.”

DT—“White led off with a single. Cochrane sacrificed. Gehringer hit a high pop fly into that stabbing sky. He stood there watching Phillips stagger around underneath it when a sudden yell from the bench made him realize that the ball might land fair, so he took off for first. It was well he did. Phillips muffed it, right in front of the plate. Well there was White on second and Gehringer on first with one out when there should have been two. Phillips let White get such a break that White and Gehringer pulled a double steal without Phillips even attempting to throw. The Cleveland infield had to play in for Greenberg to cut off a play at the plate. Greenberg hit an ordinary grounder which would have been an ordinary out if Knickerbocker was playing in his regular position. But he wasn’t. The best he could do was make a frantic dive and miss. The grounder went past him for a single, which scored White and Gehringer.”

NYWT&S—“White singled to right. Cochrane sacrificed, Lee to Berger. Gehringer reached first when Phillips muffed his pop fly. White and Gehringer worked a double steal. Greenberg singled past short, scoring White and Gehringer. Goslin fouled to Berger. Rogell popped to Berger.”

Ninth Inning—Detroit scored 1 run

DFP—“The tally was the result of a double to right by Gehringer and a double to left by Greenberg.”

DN—Nothing at all.

DT—“After two are out in the ninth, Gehringer and Greenberg double practically simultaneously and there is another run.”

NYWT&S—Nothing at all.

SUMMARY of the runs scored by the Tigers

1 (Second Inning)—Goslin scored on a 1-RBI single by Rogell.

2 (Third Inning)—Auker scored on a 1-RBI fielder’s-choice-force-out by Gehringer.

3 (Sixth Inning)—Greenberg scored on a 2-RBI triple by Fox.

4 (Sixth Inning)—Rogell scored on a 2-RBI triple by Fox.

5 (Sixth Inning)—Fox scored on a 1-RBI single by Owen.

6 (Seventh Inning)—White scored on a 2-RBI single by Greenberg.

7 (Seventh Inning)—Gehringer scored on a 2-RBI single by Greenberg.

8 (Ninth Inning)—Gehringer scored on a 1-RBI double by Greenberg.

BOXSCORE Run-Scored information:

DFP—White 1, Gehringer 2, Greenberg 1, Goslin 2, Fox 1, Auker 1. NOTE: Rogell not listed.

DN—White, Gehringer 2, Greenberg, Goslin, Rogell, Fox, Auker.

DT—White, Gehringer 2, Greenberg 1, Goslin 1, Rogell 1, Fox 1, Auker 1.

NYT—White, Gehringer 2, Greenberg, Goslin 2, Fox, Auker. NOTE: Rogell not listed.

CONCLUSIONS:

• Rogell actually scored 1 run, not 0 runs as shown in the official baseball records.

• Goslin actually scored 1 run, not 2 runs as shown in the official baseball records.

 

June 12, 1938—Detroit at Washington—Detroit scored 18 runs

Fourth Inning—Detroit scored 1 run

DFP—“The Tigers got a run in their half of the fourth on a double by Gehringer, a single by Greenberg, and a force-out.”

DN—“Detroit picked up a run in the fourth on Gehringer’s double, Greenberg’s single, and an infield out.”

DT—Nothing at all.

WP—Nothing at all.

Sixth Inning—Detroit scored 10 runs

DFP—“After Gehringer sounded the call with a homer in this session, Greenberg walked and York homered, scoring him. A double by Fox, a single by Laabs, and fly by Christman netted another run and a single by Piet, batting for Wade, and another by Rogell scored a fifth. Manager Harris recalled Ferrell at that point, Kelley coming to the firing line. White welcomed him with a single that scored Piet after which Gehringer doubled to right, scoring Rogell. White went to third on this hit and continued on home when Myer fumbled the throw from the outfield. Appleton replaced Kelley then and after being touched for a triple by Greenberg, on which Gehringer scored, retired the side.”

DN—“Gehringer opened the sixth by hitting the top of the fence in right with a line drive. It bounced over for a home run. Greenberg walked and York hit a home run nearly to the top of the left-field pavilion. Fox doubled, Laabs singled, Christman flied out to score Fox, and Piet, batting for Wade, singled to left. Rogell and White singled. Gehringer, up for the second time, doubled to right and when Myer let Wright’s throw get away everybody scored and Gehringer went to third. York drove him in with a fly to Stone and Fox fanned.”

DT—No chronological details; it was mentioned that York hit his homer with Greenberg on base and that Gehringer hit a homer; both homers were hit off Ferrell.

WP—“The first thing he Ferrell did in the sixth was to pitch a home run to Gehringer who knocked the ball on the top of the right-field fence. And the next thing he did was to walk Greenberg. Next he pitched York a home run, a terrific blast into the left-center seats. Then he pitched a double to Fox, singles to Laabs and Pinch Hitter Piet, and a single to Rogell. Kelley came in at this point and helped to complete the damage by hurling a quick single to White and another to Gehringer. At that point Appleton got the job and Greenberg greeted him with a triple to left that cut the Nats’ lead to 11-10. Then York tied the score with a long fly.”

Ninth Inning—Detroit scored 7 runs

DFP—“Appleton opened the inning by walking Greenberg and York and then pitched successive doubles to Fox and Laabs, two runs scoring. Christman then lined to center and when Almada muffed, Laabs scored and Christman went to second base. After Bridges sacrificed, Rogell and White singled to right, Christman scoring on Rogell’s blow. That ended an unhappy day for Appleton who turned the task of stopping the Tigers over to Krakauskas. Gehringer cracked a single to right which scored Rogell, after which Greenberg flied to Almada, scoring White. York then flied to Almada, putting an end to the sad spectacle.”

DN—“Appleton, apparently afraid Greenberg would park one into the stands to tie the score, pitched to the corners and walked him. York sent a terrific drive against the left field fence less than a foot foul and then also walked. Manager Cochrane came in to talk to Fox and the Senators’ infield dashed in for the orthodox sacrifice hit, but Fox slammed a double to right that scored Greenberg and sent York to third. Laabs bounced another double over Bonura, putting Detroit ahead by two. Christman drove hard to center and the usually sensational Almada erred, Laabs scoring. Bridges sacrificed Christman to third and then Rogell, White and Gehringer singled to run the score to 18. Sometime during this hub-bub, Krakauskas came in to relieve Appleton. He finally got the side out when Greenberg and York flied to Almada.”

DT—Nothing at all.

WP—“Appleton walked Greenberg and York, the first two men to face him, and the winning rally was on. Fox doubled to right. Laabs singled to right. Almada made a two-base muff of Christman’s line drive. Rogell and White singled and the Tigers had five runs. Immediately after Krakauskas relieved Appleton they had two more on Gehringer’s fourth hit of the day and York’s long fly.”

SUMMARY of the runs scored by the Tigers

1 (Fourth Inning)—Gehringer scored on a 1-RBI fielder’s-choice-force-out by a player whose name was not stated in text accounts; consideration of box scores suggests Fox was the batter.

2 (Sixth Inning)—Gehringer scored on a 1-RBI homer by Gehringer.

3 (Sixth Inning)—Greenberg scored on a 2-RBI homer by York.

4 (Sixth Inning)—York scored on a 2-RBI homer by York.

5 (Sixth Inning)—Fox scored on a 1-RBI sacrifice fly by Christman.

6 (Sixth Inning)—Laabs scored on a 1-RBI single by Rogell.

7 (Sixth Inning)—Piet scored on a 1-RBI single by White.

8 (Sixth Inning)—Rogell scored on a 1-RBI double by Gehringer.

9 (Sixth Inning)—White scored (from first base) on double by Gehringer coupled with a fielding error (botched catch of throw-in) by second baseman Myer.

10 (Sixth Inning)—Gehringer scored on a 1-RBI triple by Greenberg.

11 (Sixth Inning)—Greenberg scored on a 1-RBI sacrifice fly by York.

12 (Ninth Inning)—Greenberg scored on a 1-RBI double by Fox.

13 (Ninth Inning)—York scored on a 2-RBI double by Laabs.

14 (Ninth Inning)—Fox scored on a 2-RBI double by Laabs.

15 (Ninth Inning)—Laabs scored (from second base) on a fielding error (dropped flyball) by center fielder Almada; the batter Christman was safe on the fielding error.

16 (Ninth Inning)—Christman scored on a 1-RBI single by Rogell.

17 (Ninth Inning)—Rogell scored on a 1-RBI single by Gehringer.

18 (Ninth Inning)—White scored on a 1-RBI sacrifice fly by Greenberg.

BOXSCORE Run-Scored information:

DFP—Rogell 2, White 2, Gehringer 3, Greenberg 4, York 1, Fox 2, Laabs 2, Christman 1, Piet 1.

DN—Rogell 2, White 2, Gehringer 3, Greenberg 4, York, Fox 2, Laabs 2, Christman, Piet.

DFP—Rogell 2, White 2, Gehringer 3, Greenberg 3, York 2, Fox 2, Laabs 2, Christman 1, Piet 1.

WP—Rogell 2, White 2, Gehringer 3, Greenberg 4, York 1, Fox 2, Laabs 2, Christman 1, Piet 1.

NYT—Rogell 2, White 2, Gehringer 3, Greenberg 4, York, Fox 2, Laabs 2, Christman, Piet.

CONCLUSIONS:

• York actually scored 2 runs—not 1 run as shown in the official baseball records.

• Greenberg actually scored 3 runs—not 4 runs as shown in the official baseball records.

BOXSCORE RBI information:

DFP—Fox 2, Gehringer 3, York 3, Christman, White, Greenberg 2, Laabs, Rogell.

DN—Fox 2, Gehringer 3, York 3, Christman, White, Greenberg 2, Laabs, Rogell.

DT—Rogell 2, White 1, Gehringer 3, Greenberg 2, York 3, Fox 2, Laabs 1, Christman 1.

WP—Gehringer (3), Greenberg (2), Fox (2), York (3), Laabs, Christman, Rogell.

NYT—Fox 2, Gehringer 3, York 3, Christman, White, Greenberg 2, Laabs, Rogell.

CONCLUSION:

• Rogell actually had 2 RBIs—not 1 RBI as shown in the official baseball records.

• Laabs actually had 2 RBIs—not 1 RBI as shown in the official baseball records.

COMMENTARY—With regard to the run-scored errors/corrections presented here, the following comments should also be put forth:

The Tigers scored their 18 runs in three different innings—the fourth (1 run); the sixth (10 runs); and the ninth (7 runs). In order for any player to have scored 4 runs, that player would have to have scored at least 2 runs in one inning and 1 run in each of the other two innings. Thus, for Greenberg to have scored 4 runs—as shown in the official DBD records and the box scores in the NYT, DFP, DN, and WP—BUT NOT in the DT—he would have had to have scored the Tigers only run in the fourth inning, 2 runs in the sixth inning, and 1 run in the ninth inning. NOTE: It is logistically impossible for a player to score 2 runs in a single inning when his team scores 7 or fewer runs in that inning. Therefore, Greenberg did not score 2 runs in the ninth inning.

As described in the text accounts in the DFP and the DN, it appears that Gehringer scored the Tigers run in the fourth inning:

DFP—“The Tigers got a run in their half of the fourth on a double by Gehringer, a single by Greenberg, and a force-out.” It is not stated specifically that Gehringer scored the fourth-inning run; nor is it stated what Tigers batter hit into the force-out that permitted the run to score.

DN—“Detroit picked up a run in the fourth on Gehringer’s double, Greenberg’s single, and an infield out.” Again, it is not stated specifically that Gehringer scored the fourth-inning run; nor is it stated what Tigers batter hit into the infield out that permitted the run to score.

So, let’s try to come up with a scenario in which Greenberg—not Gehringer—scores the fourth-inning run. First, here’s a piece of additional relevant information from a sidebar in the DN, “Ferrell got York on a third strike that cut the outside corner in the fourth.” Second, in order for Greenberg to be the scorer of the Tigers’ fourth-inning run, Gehringer, who doubled immediately before Greenberg got on base with his single, must be retired (on the bases).

OK, here’s a “possible” sequence of events—

Gehringer doubles.

Greenberg singles, Gehringer out on the bases (e.g., out at the plate, trying to score); Greenberg advancing to second on the throw.

York strikes out.

Fox gets on base—according to the official records, Fox got on base 3 times with hits (2 doubles and a single); Fox did not reach base safely in his other 2 plate appearances. According to the DFP and DN (and WP), Fox hit his two doubles in the sixth and ninth innings. Since neither the DFP nor the DN mention Fox getting a hit in the fourth inning, it is reasonable to presume that for Fox to have gotten on base in the fourth inning, he must have gotten on via a fielding error or a fielder’s choice. Regardless Fox must have gotten on base; otherwise he would be the inning-ending third out. So, when Fox got on base in the fourth, Greenberg advanced to third. This affords the situation of runners on first (Fox) and third (Greenberg)—the situation needed for Greenberg to scored on a force-out/infield out. BUT, this situation also requires 2 outs (Gehringer and York having been put out). Therefore, this situation precludes Greenberg scoring on a force-out/infield out—because the force-out/infield out would be the inning-ending third out.

The irrefutable bottom-line conclusion here is—Greenberg could not have scored in the fourth inning on a force-out/infield out. It is logistically impossible for Greenberg to have scored in the fourth inning on a force-out/infield out.

Therefore, since the text accounts in the DFP and the DN clearly state that the Tigers’ fourth-inning run was scored on a force-out/infield out, Greenberg did NOT score the Tigers’ fourth-inning run AND Greenberg did NOT score 4 runs in the game as shown in the official records and the box scores provided in the NYT, DFP, DN, and WP.

So, it is clearly evident that Gehringer did indeed score the Tigers’ sole fourth-inning run, most likely according to this sequence of events:

Gehringer led off and doubled.

Greenberg singled, advancing Gehringer to third base.

York struck out.

Fox hit into a fielder’s-choice force-out, Greenberg being retired at second base while Gehringer scored.

This scenario gives credit for the fourth-inning RBI to Fox. This is entirely consistent with the official records (and the box scores in all of the relevant newspaper accounts) which show Fox with 2 RBIs for the game—1 RBI in the fourth inning (batting in Gehringer) and 1 RBI in the ninth inning (batting in Greenberg).

Moreover, the text accounts in the DFP, DN, and WP clearly describe that Greenberg actually scored 3 runs—2 runs in the sixth inning and 1 run in the ninth inning.

Furthermore, the text accounts in the DFP, DN, and WP clearly describe that York actually scored 2 runs—not 1 run as shown in the box scores provided in the NYT, DFP, DN, and WP. York scored 1 run in the sixth on his homer and 1 run in the ninth, when he was batted in by Laabs’s double.

Moving on now to the RBI-error involving Rogell, the DFP account clearly states that Rogell batted in 2 runs—1 run in the sixth inning and 1 run in the ninth inning:

DFP (ninth inning)—“After Tommy Bridges sacrificed, Rogell and White singled to right, Christman scoring on Rogell’s blow.”

DFP (sixth inning)—“… and another single by Rogell scored a fifth run, tallied by Laabs.”

 

June 29, 1944—Detroit at Washington—Detroit scored 4 runs

Eighth Inning—Detroit scored 2 runs

DFP—“The Tigers clubbed Wynn for eight hits, including York’s homer, a smash into the left-field stands in the eighth inning. After York’s homer the Tigers added another run in the eighth when Sullivan threw wide to first on Cramer’s grounder and Orengo doubled to right.”

DN—“It was York’s wallop into the vast open stand back of the left field at the outset of the eighth inning that broke up a torrid pitching duel between Newhouser and Wynn. Following York’s homer in the eighth, an error put Cramer on and Orengo doubled across the second run.”

DT—“York’s eighth homer of the season in the eighth inning broke up a pitching battle between Wynn and Newhouser. Cramer scored on Orengo’s double in the eighth.”

WP—Nothing at all.

Ninth Inning—Detroit scored 2 runs

DFP—“In the ninth inning the Tigers collected another pair of runs when Outlaw led off with a single. Higgins followed with a sacrifice, and Mayo delivered a single to center to register Outlaw. York and Cramer singled in succession, scoring Mayo with the final Detroit run.”

DN—“In the ninth singles by Outlaw, Mayo, York, and Cramer accounted for two more tallies.”

DT—“… and the Detroit boys got two more runs in the ninth. Outlaw singled, Higgins sacrificed, and the former came home on Mayo’s hit. York and Cramer singled and brought home Mayo.”

WP—Nothing at all.

SUMMARY of the runs scored by the Tigers

1 (Eighth Inning)—York scored on a 1-RBI homer by York.

2 (Eighth Inning)—Cramer scored on a 1-RBI double by Outlaw.

3 (Ninth Inning)—Outlaw scored on a 1-RBI single by Mayo.

4 (Ninth Inning)—Mayo scored on a 1-RBI single by Cramer.

BOXSCORE Run-Scored Information:

DFP—Outlaw, York 2, Cramer.

DN—Outlaw 1, York 2, Cramer 1.

DT—Outlaw, York 2, Cramer.

NYT—Outlaw 1, York 2, Cramer 1.

CONCLUSIONS:

• Mayo actually scored 1 run—not 0 runs as shown in the official baseball records.

• York actually scored 1 run—not 2 runs as shown in the official baseball records.