G is for Gabby
Charles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett(HOF)
1900-1972
1900-1972
Cubs, (NY)Giants
Gabby Hartnett hit 231 homers for the Cubs from 1922 to 1940 which puts him 7th all time with the club. The 6 time all star and 1935 NL MVP is best remember for 1 specific homer, The homer in the gloaming which took place 9/26 1938. Before I get to the significance of the homer , let me explain how baseball in 1938 from the baseball we understand.
1. Until the late 60's there were no playoff series prior to the World Series. Each year the best team in the National League would play the best team in the American League in the World Series. The entire season was played to determine which team would win the pennant and play in the World Series.
2. While the first MLB night game was played in 1934, night games were still not common in 1938 and not played at Wrigley Field until 1988.
The Pittsburgh Pirates led the NL for most of the 1938 season but started to unravel in September. When they came into Chicago for a 3 game series , the Cubs were only 1 1/2 games behind the Bucs. Dizzy Dean who was traded from the Cards to the Cubs in 1938 beat the Pirates in the first game. In the 2nd game the score was tied 5-5 as the Cubs came to bat in the 9th. Because Wrigley had no lights the umpires decided that the 9th inning would be the last which would cause the entire game to be replayed the next day.
The Cubs were down to their last out and Hartnett was 0-2 in the account. As twilight descended Hartnett homered into the left center bleachers and the crowd erupted. The Cubs essentially won the pennant on that home run.
Hartnett hit all but 5 of homers for the Cubs but his walk off in 1938 put the immortal touch on an already HOF career,
1. Until the late 60's there were no playoff series prior to the World Series. Each year the best team in the National League would play the best team in the American League in the World Series. The entire season was played to determine which team would win the pennant and play in the World Series.
2. While the first MLB night game was played in 1934, night games were still not common in 1938 and not played at Wrigley Field until 1988.
The Pittsburgh Pirates led the NL for most of the 1938 season but started to unravel in September. When they came into Chicago for a 3 game series , the Cubs were only 1 1/2 games behind the Bucs. Dizzy Dean who was traded from the Cards to the Cubs in 1938 beat the Pirates in the first game. In the 2nd game the score was tied 5-5 as the Cubs came to bat in the 9th. Because Wrigley had no lights the umpires decided that the 9th inning would be the last which would cause the entire game to be replayed the next day.
The Cubs were down to their last out and Hartnett was 0-2 in the account. As twilight descended Hartnett homered into the left center bleachers and the crowd erupted. The Cubs essentially won the pennant on that home run.
Hartnett hit all but 5 of homers for the Cubs but his walk off in 1938 put the immortal touch on an already HOF career,
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2 comments:
What a story! A movie could be made, so classic.
Interesting post, great to read a little of the back story :)
Debbie
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