Chavez: How the 1908 Cubs were helped by Merkle’s Boner
From Chris Chavez at Sports Illustrated on September 23, 2016:
Everyone knows the Cubs last won the World Series in 1908. What people often forget is the bizarre episode that helped Chicago win the pennant that season and ultimately prevented their World Series title drought—now nearing 108 years—from being a year longer.
Late in the 1908 season, the New York Giants and Cubs met with the pennant race in its closing stages. On Sept. 23 at the Polo Grounds, the Giants had a chance to lock up the pennant.
Enter Fred Merkle. The 19-year-old rookie Giants first baseman was called in as a late replacement for Fred Tenney.
Read the full article here: http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/09/23/fred-merkle-boner-1908-chicago-cubs-new-york-giants-tie-game
Originally published: September 26, 2016. Last Updated: September 26, 2016.