Game 1 in Boston, October 6th 1927
Satchel Paige (22-16, 3.19) v Dave Brown (22-16, 3.19)
That isn’t a typo—these two superb pitchers finished with identical records for the season. For Paige, that’s even more impressive given it was his rookie season.
But it is the more experienced campaigner who ends up showing the young upstart how it’s done, quelling the big Boston bats with a gutsy 7-hit shutout in which he uses all his guile to get out of numerous jams. The Bucs only manage 6 hits themselves, but runs in the 1st and 3rd hold up to earn them a crucial road win.
Pirates 2, Red Sox 0
BOX SCORE
Game 2 in Boston, October 7th 1927
Dazzy Vance (22-14, 3.01) v Willie Foster (20-17, 3.21)
Pirates lead series 1-0
Baseball really is a game of inches and the Red Sox are lucky to not be leaving home down 0-2 after they escape with a thrilling 12-inning win.
After a run surge in the middle innings, the home side looks home leading 6-4 entering the 9th. But Vance flags and the Bucs pounce, scoring twice to send the game into extras. It takes them another three tense innings to finally get the win, with Ed Taylor’s RBI double off Webster McDonald in the 12th walking it off for a 7-6 decision. The Bucs show plenty of mustard but will rue a couple of missed chances in those spare frames to put the Sox away.
Red Sox 7, Pirates 6 (12 innings)
BOX SCORE
Game 3 in Pittsburgh, October 9th 1927
Sam Streeter (19-12, 3.92) v Satchel Paige (0-1, 1.00)
Series tied 1-1
Mayer was scheduled to start this but ended up pitching in relief in Game 2. TO send out a rookie on just two days’ rest shows just how highly they regard Paige.
He doesn’t let them down, rewarding that faith with a gem – weathering a rain delay to end up pitching a 5-hit shutout. Foxx homers for the second time in the series and Wilson has a 2-run triple in a 4-run 9th that puts the hosts away as Streeter’s struggles resurface.
Red Sox 7, Pirates 0
BOX SCORE
Game 4 in Pittsburgh, October 10th 1927
Dave Brown (1-0, 0.00) v Dazzy Vance (0-0, 6.23)
Red Sox lead series 2-1
As can so often happen when you’re expecting dominance from two top-notch pitchers, this one ends up a slugfest, as the Bucs ride an 8-spot in the 6th to turn an early deficit into a 12-7 win. Beckwith leads the bats as he’s done all year and Brown chimes in with a bases-clearing triple to square the series at 2.
Pirates 12, Red Sox 7
BOX SCORE
Game 5 in Pittsburgh, October 11th 1927
Erskine Mayer (1-0, 0.00) v Willie Foster (0-0, 7.71)
Series tied 2-2
I’ve made myself pretty scarce since stepping down. A couple of dinners with Honus at which baseball was barely touched upon and that’s it. I just didn’t want to be a distraction. So when the club kindly offered me the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for this game, my first inclination was to turn them down. Thankfully – at the not-so-gentle prodding of my wife – I came to my senses and returned to Forbes Field for the first time all season. And I’m so glad I did, because I got to see the lads at their devastating best.
Mayer’s .857 regular-season winning percentage (18-3) is the best of all-time, so to have him at SP3 shows just how deep this BoSox staff is now. But it counts for little as the Bucs bats turn it on early, chasing him in the 2nd and eventually winning it in a canter by 9 to 1. Foster goes the distance and Cobb has 4 hits, with Beckwith’s second homer of the series – a 3-run job in the 1st – setting the tone for a big statement win. Lundy also goes deep and Traynor knocks in two with a 2nd-inning double.
Pirates 9, Red Sox 1
BOX SCORE
Game 6 in Boston, October 13th 1927
Satchel Paige (1-1, 0.50) v Sam Streeter (0-1, 6.23)
Pirates lead series 3-2
And so it rests upon the Sox’ star rookie to keep them alive in this series, with Streeter getting the chance to atone for his poor Game 3 showing and clinch it for the Bucs.
Once again, Paige comes up trumps, overcoming 8 walks issued by fanning 10 and giving up just 2 early runs on 4 hits over 8+. Streeter is in strife from the off as the hosts belt him about Fenway for 5 runs and 3 more in the 4th send him off for an early shower. Foxx homers again and drives in 3 to set up a dramatic finale once again between these two mighty teams, while former Pirate Ken Williams goes 4-for-5 and scores twice.
Red Sox 8, Pirates 2
BOX SCORE
Game 7 in Boston, October 14th 1927
Dazzy Vance (0-1, 9.00) v Dave Brown (2-0, 3.00)
Series tied 3-3
The 160 games that have preceded this one now fade into nothingness as the Game 4 combatants renew hostilities with everything on the line.
And it is the home fans who go home disappointed as Brown steps up once again, pitching his third complete game of the series and allowing just one run on 7 hits to earn the Pirates their fourth straight Championship and 11th overall. Series MVP Ty Cobb goes 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, as does Dick Lundy, with a 3-run 6th for the visitors the key inning, putting them 4 to the good. A solo shot by Andy High in the 8th raises the home fans’ hopes, but Brown won’t be moved and closes it out to add another chapter to his story of legend.
Pirates 4, Red Sox 1
BOX SCORE
PITTSBURGH WINS SERIES 4-3
SERIES MVP: Ty Cobb (Pittsburgh)
Sorry, forgot the Series stats screenshots...
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