Guy Hecker has exploded onto the scene as the National's newest star. The Red Stockings' rookie pitcher/first baseman won 26 games in '82, as well as batting .347. In Game 4 of the Cup Final, he pulled Cincy even with a brilliant performance, scattering five hits in a 4-1 win, to even the Final at two games apiece.
The fifth game of the Cup Final was also the last contest to be held in Philadelphia for the season, and it was looking like the Red Stockings would complete a three-game sweep in Centennial Park, abusing Bud Fowler and racing to a 6-2 lead in the fifth. But the A's fought back with two in the bottom of the fifth, then cut the lead to 6-5 in the seventh as Andy Parker singled, advanced on a passed ball, moved to third on a groundout, then scored on an error. In the ninth, Jim Whitney (playing left field to-day) knocked a ball over George Gore's head and came all the way around to score, tying the game at six! Free base ball!
But, hold on: the Reds took the lead in the tenth as the Freshest Man on Earth, Mr. Arlie Latham, singled and later came home on Gore's hit. But...hold on some more! Ed Duffy led off the bottom of the frame with a triple, followed by a game-tying double by Andy Parker. Two batters later, Wes Fisler hit an easy ground ball to Cincy 2B George Wright...but the legendary 35-year-old booted the ball, allowing Athletic to win, 8-7, putting Philly in the driver's seat with a 3-2 Cup Final lead.
Game 6 at the Palace of the Fans, with another record crowd, and Whitney facing Hecker. It was quiet for four innings, until both teams put a trio of runs on the scoreboard, thanks to two-run doubles by Fowler (Philly) and Gore (Cincy). The A's went ahead in the seventh on George Lines' RBI single scoring Ed Duffy, and maintained that 4-3 lead until the bottom of the ninth.
Now, with their backs
truly up against the wall, the Reds had to respond. The tiring Whitney promptly gave up a leadoff double to Jim O'Rourke and a game-tying single by Cal McVey. Three batters later, the bags were loaded with McVey at third and Hecker batting. Whitney proceeded to uncork a wild pitch, giving the Red Stockings a 5-4 win and forcing a seventh game.
And what a finale it was! Everyone was thrilled with Game 7 -- except the hurlers, Tim Keefe for Athletic and Hugh Campbell for the Red Stockings, both of whom were cashiered before the contest ended, as both team's batters put on a show. Through five and a half, Athletics was on top, 8-6, but in the bottom of the sixth, Keefe came completely apart before being replaced by Bobby Mathews. But Mathews was no help, allowing a bases-clearing triple to Gore to give Cincy a 12-8 lead. Athletic's George Lines cut the lead to 12-10 with a two-run double, and Jimmy Buck got on in the ninth, but the Reds' James McDermott -- the 37-year-old who'd spent most of his career with the woeful Kekionga club -- struck out Ed Duffy to give Cincinnati the Cup! What a series! What a comeback! What a glorious game, this sport of base ball...!
