Black Sox Blog

Former White Sox starter Nick Altrock was recently in the spotlight at the Hardball Times.  In the Friday Annotated Week in Baseball History, Richard Barbieri focus was on Nick Altrock, who you all might recognize from my 1906 White Sox diary.  Good stuff.

1906 World Series – Game Six
October 14, 1906 at South Side Park
White Sox 8, Cubs 3  White Sox Win Best of Seven Series 4-2

The White Sox made short work of Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown.  In two innings, the White Sox tagged Brown for seven runs on eight hits.  Brown left with two outs in the second inning and the Cubs never recovered.

In the first inning, Ed Hahn led off with a single and he was forced by Fielder Jones.  Frank Isbell singled and then George Davis drove home Jones with a double.  George Rohe hit into a fielder’s choice and Isbell was gunned down at the plate.  Rohe then stole second to put two men in scoring position and Jiggs Donahue cleared the bases with a two run double to give the White Sox a 3-1 lead.

The second inning was even more brutal.  Billy Sullivan grounded out to start things out and then Doc White grounded out to the pitcher.  Two walks and four singles later and the White Sox had busted this game open with a four run inning, all with two outs.  The Cubs scored single runs in the first, fifth and ninth, but they never came close to mounting a comeback off of Doc White.

White gave up three runs on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts.  Davis and Donahue each drove in three runs and Hahn had four hits and he scored twice.

The White Sox were World Series champions.  Unfortunately for the franchise, they’d have to wait 11 more years for the next one.

1906 World Series – Game Five
October 13, 1906 at West Side Grounds
White Sox 8, Cubs 6  White Sox Lead Best of Seven Series 3-2

In the first four games, the White Sox scored six runs total.  In game five alone, they scored eight runs and they needed every one of those runs because Ed Walsh was touched up for six runs.  The White Sox almost lost this game on the field because they made six errors which led to five unearned runs.

The White Sox didn’t waste much time in this one.  In the top of the first, Ed Hahn led off with a single and he moved to second on Fielder Jones bunt.  Frank Isbell then doubled him home and just like that, the White Sox had a 1-0 lead on Cubs starter Ed Reulbach.

The Cubs answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning.  Solly Hofman singled and then he moved to second on a bunt.  Frank Schulte then hit an infield single to put runners at first and second before Frank Chance was hit by a pitch to load up the bases.  Harry Steinfeldt then forced Chance but a throwing error by Frank Isbell allowed Hofman and Schulte to scamper home.  Joe Tinker then laid down a bunt but Walsh threw it away and that allowed Steinfeldt to score.  So just like that, an inning had gone by and it was already 3-1 Cubs.

The White Sox picked themselves back up in the third inning.  Isbell doubled again and he scored on George Davis’ double.  Jack Pfiester came in to reliever Reulbach and while he struck out George Rohe, he then hit Jiggs Donahue to put runners at first and second.  Patsy Dougherty forced Donahue to put runners at the corners with two outs and then Davis stole home (Dougherty stole second for a double steal) to tie the game up 3-3.

In the top of the fourth, the White Sox struck again.  Walsh led off with a walk and he was forced out by Ed Hahn.  Fielder Jones singled and Hahn moved to second and then Isbell doubled for the third time today to drive home Hahn to give the White Sox a 4-3 lead.  Davis then cleared the bases with a double of his own and before you knew it, the score was 6-3.  Orval Overall came in to pitch for Pfeister and he walked Rohe, then Donahue doubled and Davis scored to cap off a four run inning.

Tinker scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 7-4.  The White Sox then added some insurance in the sixth inning.  Isbell doubled for the fourth time in the game and he scored on Rohe’s RBI single.  Shulte’s two run double in the bottom of the sixth made it 8-6, but that was the closest the Cubs would get. 

The White Sox were one win away from the franchise’s first World Series win.  And if they did it tomorrow, they’d get it done in front of their home crowd.

1906 World Series – Game Four
October 12, 1906 at South Side Park
Cubs 1, White Sox 0  Best of Seven Series Tied 2-2

The Cubs returned the favor today when Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown completely shut down the White Sox offense.  Brown had a no hitter going with two outs in the sixth before Ed Hahn broke it up with a single.  The only other White Sox hit came in the eighth when Patsy Dougherty led off the inning with a single. 

Nick Altrock was almost as good but he yielded the one run that ended up being the difference.  In the seventh inning, Frank Chance led off the inning with a single and he moved to third on two different bunts.  Then Johnny Evers singled to left to drive home Chance for the game winner.

1906 World Series – Game Three
October 11, 1906 at West Side Grounds
White Sox 3, Cubs 0  White Sox Lead Best of Seven Series 2-1

Ed Walsh was nearly perfect as the White Sox took a one game lead in their series with the Cubs.  Walsh gave up a single and a double in the first inning, but the proceeded to get the next nine batters out before giving up a walk to Frank Chance.  Walsh then mowed down the next thirteen batters out before Doc Gessler reached on an error by Frank Isbell.  Gessler actually made it to third base when he moved to second on a ground out and then to third on a wild pitch, but Walsh buckled down and struck the final two batters out to end the game.  In all he gave up on the two hits and one walk and he struck out twelve Cubs.

The White Sox scored all of their runs in the sixth inning.  Lee Tannehill led off with a single and then Walsh drew a walk.  Ed Hahn was hit by the pitch to load the bases up and then Fielder Jones made the first out on a pop up to the catcher.  Frank Isbell struck out and it looked like the Cubs might get out of the inning unscathed, but George Rohe came through with a huge bases clearing triple to give the White Sox the three runs they needed.

1906 World Series – Game Two
October 10, 1906 at South Side Park
Cubs 7, White Sox 1  Best of Seven Series Tied 1-1

The Cubs came back and whalloped the White Sox to tie up the 1906 World Series at one game a piece.  Doc White was hit hard and he gave up three unearned runs in the second and one more in the third before he got pulled.  Frank Owen pitched the final six frames but even he didn’t go unscathed.  he gave up three runs on six hits and three walks with only two strikeouts.

The White Sox managed only one hit the entire game as Ed Reulbach completely shut them down.  They didn’t score until the fifth inning and they did that without getting a hit.  Jiggs Donahue led off with a walk and he was forced out on Patsy Dougherty’s fielders choice.  Dougherty moved to second on a wild pitch before Billy Sullivan popped out to the catcher.  Lee Tannehill then reached base on Joe Tinker’s error and Dougherty came around to score for an unearned run.

The only hit of the game for the White Sox came in the seventh inning.  Jiggs Donahue singled to center.

1906 World Series – Game One
October 9, 1906 at West Side Grounds
White Sox 2, Cubs 1  White Sox Lead Best of Seven Series 1-0

The White Sox spent their whole season making up for poor hitting with great pitching, hence the nickname “The Hitless Wonders.”  The Cubs, on the other hand, won a National League and franchise record 116 games with both hitting and defense.  They not only led the National League in runs scored, but they also had an amazing team ERA of 1.75.  Led by Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, Frank Chance, and Johnny Evers, few people in Chicago probably expected much from the surprising White Sox in both team’s first World Series.  Of course that’s why they play the games.

Brown got the game one start for the Cubs while Nick Altrock threw for the White Sox.  True to form, the White Sox pulled it out with just enough hitting, some great pitching and a break or two along the way.

Both Brown and Altrock were unhittable early in the game.  It wasn’t until the bottom of the fourth when Frank Schulte singled that either team got a hit.  And even that “rally” was cut short when Schulte was gunned down trying to steal second base.

The White Sox finally got things started in the fifth inning.  George Rohe led off with a triple for the White Sox first World Series hit.  Jiggs Donahue struck out and then Patsy Dougherty reached first on a fielders choice and Rohe scored on Johnny Kling’s error at the plate.  Kling then allowed Dougherty to reach second on a passed ball before Brown got Billy Sullivan and Lee Tannehill to ground out.

Altrock put the Cubs down in order in the fifth and the sixth looked like it might be a big inning for the White Sox.  Altrock drew a walk and he moved to second on Rohe’s bunt.  Fielder Jones then singled but Nick Altrock was gunned down at the plate.  Jones moved to second on the play at the plate and then he moved to third on Kling’s second passed ball of the game.  Frank Isbell then singled home Jones to make it 2-0 lead.

The Cubs didn’t lay down though.  Kling reached base on a walk and moved to second on Brown’s single.  Solly Hofman moved them both over with a bunt before Kling scored on Altrock’s wild pitch.  The next two Cubs went down in order and the rally was squelched, but the Cubs had cut the White Sox lead to just a single run.

Fortunately for the Sox, Altrock settled down and threw the final three innings without much of a threat.  The Cubs did get a man over to second in the eight, but it was two outs.  Altrock finished the game and gave up only four hits and a walk with three strikeouts.

October 7, 1906 at South Side Park
Tigers 6, White Sox 1  (93-58)

The White Sox went out on a losing note in a meaningless game against the Tigers today.  Lou Fienne picked up the start and went the distance.  He gave up six runs on ten hits and four walks with four strikeouts.

Patsy Dougherty was the only White Sox to get it done with the bat.  He had two hits and scored the only run of the game.

The White Sox got only one day off before they had to square off against the best of the senior circuit.  The Chicago Cubs won a record 116 during the season and they were the favorites in best of seven series.

October 6, 1906 at South Side Park
Naps 5, White Sox 3  (93-57)

The White Sox four game winning streak came to an end in the series finale against the Cleveland Naps.  Frank Owen lasted only five innings and he took the loss.

The White Sox racked up thirteen hits but only three of those baserunners crossed the plate.  Jiggs Donahue had three hits and George Rohe singled and scored twice.

October 5, 1906 at South Side Park
White Sox 9, Naps 5  (93-56)

The White Sox won for the ninth time in the last ten games in their third to last game of the season.  Ed Hahn had four hits and two runs and Jiggs Donahue scored twice in the blow out win.

Doc White and Frank Smith split time in this one.  White was hit hard through five innings but Smith picked him up the rest of the way.

October 4, 1906 at South Side Park
White Sox 3, Naps 1  (92-56)

The White Sox clinched the American League pennant today with a win over the Cleveland Naps and a New York Highlanders loss.  The White Sox will go up against their cross town rivals the Chicago Cubs in a intracity battle for the World Series.

Lou Fiene picked up the win as Fielder Jones tried to rest some of his starters for the big series next week.  Jiggs Donahue homered and scored a run and Fiene doubled.  The White Sox managed only four hits but they made them count.

October 2, 1906 at St. Louis
White Sox 4, Browns 0  (91-56)

The White Sox magic number was down two for their first ever American League pennant after Frank Owen shut out the Browns on only four hits.  He walked two and struck out five.

Back up catcher Frank Roth had a big day at the plate.  He singled and tripled and scored one of the White Sox runs.  Ed Hahn doubled, singled and scored a run.

October 1, 1906 at St. Louis
White Sox 1, Browns 0  (90-56)

In typical White Sox fashion, Nick Altrock was phenomonal and threw twelve shutout innings.  The White Sox didn’t score until that twelth inning.  Patsy Dougherty scored the only run of the game for the White Sox after he doubled.

Altrock gave up only six singles and one walk the entire game.  He struck out five.

September 30, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 8, Senators 5  (89-55)

The White Sox won their fifth straight game in the opener of a double header with the Washington Senators.  Frank Owen gave up the lead in the fifth inning but the White Sox stormed back and Ed Walsh picked things up nicely out of the pen.  Walsh didn’t give up a hit and walked two batters in 4 2/3 shutout innings.

George Rohe had a big day at the plate.  He singled three times and scored twice.  Ed Hahn walked twice, singled and scored three runs.

September 30, 1906 at Southside Park
Senators 3, White Sox 0  (89-56)

The White Sox five game winning streak came to an end in the second game of a double header with the Washington Senators.  As they’ve done through out the season, the White Sox hardly hit the ball.  They managed only three singles and one walk without scoring a run.

Ed Walsh was bounced after he gave up three runs in the fourth inning.  Frank Smith held the Senators in check the rest of the way but the White Sox couldn’t get their bats going to come back.

September 27, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 4, Senators 2  (88-55)

The White Sox came one step closer to their first American League pennant when they beat the Washington Senators 4-2 at home today.  Frank Owen was solid in the win and he gave up two runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts.

The win was a team effort for the offense.  No batter had more then one hit (the team had five total), more then one run or more then one walk (again, five for the game).  The big inning of the game was the sixth inning, in which the White Sox scored three runs.

September 26, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 2, Americans 0  (87-55)

The White Sox extended their American League lead to two games with third straight win over the Boston Americans.  Ed Walsh pitched another shutout and he gave up only six hits in an outstanding pitching performance.

George Davis had the only extra base hit of the game.  He doubled and scored a run.  George Rohe singled twice in the win.

September 25, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 3, Americans 2  (86-55)

The White Sox won their second straight game and with the Highlanders losing, they moved back into first place in the American League.  Nick Altrock picked up his second win in as many days when he relieved Ed White in the third inning.

Fielder Jones made the play of the game.  On a deep fly ball to centerfield, Jones made a tremendous diving catch to not only make the out, but to save an extra base hit.    Americans second baseman Chet Chadbourne never expected the catch to be made and he was already around third when Jones made the catch.  Jones then walked the ball in and completed the double play unassisted by touch second base.

George Davis had the big day at the plate.  He had three hits and a run in the tight win.

September 24, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 4, Americans 1  (85-55)

The White Sox once again tied the Highlanders for first place in the American League with a win over the Boston Americans.  Nick Altrock pitched the White Sox to victory and he gave up only a single run on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts.

The White Sox not only racked up eight hits, but they drew eight walks as well.  Patsy Dougherty had two hits and a run and Jiggs Donahue walked twice, singled and scored a run.

September 23, 1906 at Southside Park
Highlanders 1, White Sox 0  (84-55)

The White Sox lost their final game against the Highlanders in a solid pitchers dual.  The loss put them a game back of the first place New York Highlanders with about two weeks left in the season.

The White Sox were completely shut down on offense.  They managed only two hits the entire game and a great start by Ed Walsh went to waste. He gave up one run on five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.

September 22, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 7, Highlanders 1  (84-54)

The White Sox won in a big way against their American League nemisis.  By blowing out the Highlanders 7-1, the White Sox moved back into a tie with the Highlanders for first place in the American League.

Doc White held the Highlanders to a single run on five hits.  He struck out five and walked nobody in the win.

On offense, Fielder Jones and Frank Isbell led the way.  Fielder Jones was three for three with a homerun and Isbell tripled, singled and scored two runs.

September 21, 1906 at Southside Park
Highlanders 6, White Sox 3  (83-53)

The White Sox lost to the Highlanders in the first game of their doubleheader and in the process, slipped into a tie with New York for first place in the American League.  Ed Walsh took a 3-3 tie into the ninth inning only to yield three more as the Highlanders doubled up the Sox.  Walsh struck out seven batters.

Walsh did help out his own cause at the plate because he led the way with the bat.  He singled twice and scored two of the White Sox three runs.

September 21, 1906 at Southside Park
Highlanders 4, White Sox 1  (83-54)

The White Sox were held to a single run on only three hits as they were swept by the now first place New York Highlanders.  This game lasted only six innings due to rain.

Frank Owen was knocked around to the tune of four runs on ten hits.  Patsy Dougherty scored the only run of the game for the White Sox.

September 19, 1906 at Southside Park
Athletics 4, White Sox 3  (83-52)

The White Sox seven game winning streak came to an end today with both teams having late inning flurries.  With the A’s up 2-1, they scored two runs in the top of the ninth, only to have the White Sox respond with two in the bottom of the ninth.  Unfortunately, the Sox couldn’t complete the come back and they lost their first game in a week.

Nick Altrock gave up four runs on eight hits in the ball game.  He struck out three and walked one.

All the White Sox could manage were five hits in the loss.  Ed Hahn had a solid game leading off.  He went one for two with two walks and a run.

September 18, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 7, Athletics 0  (83-51)

The White Sox won their seventh straight game with some solid hitting and great pitching.  Frank Owen pitched a five hit shutout and for the Hitless Wonders, that normally might have been neccesary for a win.  Fortunately, the White Sox gave Owen plenty of runs, and they gave them to him early.

George Rohe had a big day at the plate.  He went three for three with a walk and run.  Owen doubled twice and scored and Jiggs Donahue walked four times in the win.

September 17, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 5, Athletics 4  (82-51)

The White Sox made it six straight wins in their series opener with the A’s.  Ed Walsh was roughed up and gave up four runs on eleven hits in eleven innings, but fortunately the White Sox offense picked things up and scored in the bottom of the eleventh to win the game.  Walsh struck out an amazing 12 batters.

George Davis singled and scored two runs.  Jiggs Donahue had two hits and a run in the win.

September 16, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 2, Tigers 0  (81-51)

The White Sox won their fifth straight game behind a five hit shutout by Nick Altrock.  Altrock didn’t yield a single walk and he struck out one.

Ed Hahn had two hits including a double.  George Rohe and Altrock scored the two White Sox runs and the entire team only managed four hits in the game.

September 15, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 6, Browns 4  (80-51)

The White Sox needed to get their bats going to secure their fourth straight win over the Browns.  The win put the White Sox in first place for the American League pennant with a little over three weeks to play.

Frank Owen was roughed up for four runs but the offense picked him up and he walked away with the win.  George Davis had two hits, including a triple and he scored twice.  Jiggs Donahue singled, walked and scored two runs in the big win.

September 14, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 4, Browns 3  (78-51)

The White Sox edged the Browns in game one of their doubleheader. George Davis led the way at the plate.  He had two singles and he scored one of the White Sox runs.

Nick Altrock was just good enough to walk away with the win.  He gave up three runs on seven hits.  Things looked shaky after he gave up a run in the eighth but he buckled down and finished the game out for the win.

September 14, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 3, Browns 0  (79-51)

The White Sox won their third straight game, swept their doubheader against the Browns and moved into a tie for first place with the New York Giants.  Ed Walsh was awesome and he pitched a three hit shutout to secure the win.

Jiggs Donahue got things done with the bat.  He had two singles and he scored one of the White Sox’ three runs.

September 13, 1906 at Southside Park
White Sox 0, Browns 0  (77-51)

Browns starter Barney Pelty and White Sox starter Frank Owen put on a show for the fans as they dueled for ten innings.  Neither pitcher yielded a run and the game was called questionably because of darkness.

The White Sox were held to five hits and they were all by different players.

September 12, 1906 at South Side Park
White Sox 13, Browns 5  (77-51)

The White Sox matched a season high by scoring thirteen runs in a game against the St. Louis Browns.  George Davis had a huge day at the plate.  He had four hits and he scored four times in the blow out win.

Nick Altrock coasted to an easy win. He gave up five runs on ten hits in the win.  The win put the White Sox one game back of the New York Giants for the American League pennant.

September 11, 1906 at South Side Park
Browns 7, White Sox 3  (76-51)

The White Sox were blown out by the St. Louis Browns for their second straight loss.  Frank Owen gave up three runs in the first inning and he was pulled after that in favor of Frank Smith. 

The White Sox scored two of their three runs in the first inning.  Ed Hahn singled twice and scored to lead the White Sox with the bats.