SURPRISE FINISHERS

Through out the years, you have heard of the miracle finish of one team after another, and every so many years it seems to happen now that we lose sight of it as an event of note.

Teams are always coming from behind, late in July or early August and surprise the world. They go on winning streaks, or the team that led goings on a nosedive and someone back into the top spot: and goes on to win it all!

Here are some teams through out the years that are the most notable in the long and exciting history of baseball.

1914 MIRACLE BOSTON BRAVES

Early July of 1914 everything seemed to be in order. The New York Giants had a grip of First Place and the Boston Braves had a grip of last place, with a 26 and 40 record. Having just been swept in a double header to extend their losing streak to 5 games, they shuffled off to Buffalo to play their minor league affiliate, and lost that game: 10-2! Yes, the Braves of Boston were in fine shape. But by October, a totally and surprising scenario would be written by this group of perennial losers.

The 1914 Boston club managed by George Stallings would guide the team out of last place that season. Two major things happened that year to reverse the Braves fortunes: signing Evers from the Cubs and casting off veterans that Stallings felt were on the team for too long. The team went on a 16 game road trip, winning 12 games and suddenly they were in 4^th place. A 14 game home stand produced 12 more victories and the team suddenly was in 2^nd place, right behind the Giants, who were getting ready for a showdown.

The 1914 New York Giants were sitting in first place, 6 ½ games ahead of the Braves, and not feeling too good. Their play happened to be off as they were vying for their 4^th straight NL title! Rube Marquard, their ace was in a tailspin after a 21-inning stint against the Pirates in July, and at the plate, everyone was looking for someone else to do it. McGraw, playing his hunch that the Giants were too tight, figured correctly, as the Braves swept the Polo Grounds with the NY Giants, the last game being a 10-inning win over Christy Mathewson.

By September, the Braves had fought their way into a tie for first place with the Giants as the New Yorkers showed up in Boston for a return engagement.

The city of Boston was now hyped up for the showdown and the Red Sox lent out Fenway for the balance of the Braves season, holding three times the amount of seats than the rickety old wooden structure the Braves played in, in the South End Grounds, park. The Braves won 2 of 3 and sole possession of first place, which at the end of the season would be a shocking 10-game lead over the Giants.

It was timely hitting form below average hitters that won the season for the Braves, along with timely and unpredicted pitching. Dick Rudolph and Bill James, Stallings two best pitchers and un-herald before the season both won almost 20 games each after the disaster in Buffalo!

But the ride seemed to be over, as the 99-game Philadelphia Athletics sat atop the pack in the American League, having won their fourth league title in five years. Led by Eddie Collins and Home Run Baker and pitchers Eddie Plank and Chief Bender, while piloted by the Great Connie Mack, no one would bet against the Athletics who was in their right mind. The Braves swept the Athletics in 4 straight games! The miracle was complete!

That’s all I wrote, folks!