[Nick Soulis]

Broadcast For This Series:
Red Barber



GIANTS OF 1907 STAND TALL
McGann, Mathewson Lead New York to Win in Game 7



Game 1
At Polo Grounds
2021 Minnesota Twins 8
1907 New Yok Giants 1
WP: J. Berrios (1-0) LP: C. Mathewson (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Jose Berrios (9 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 116 P)
2021 Twins Lead Series 1-0

Well now, friends, this one at the Polo Grounds was a corker — though not the kind the hometown folks were hopin’ for. The calendar may say October, but the temperature on the field for the visiting Minnesota Twins from 2021 was just right — and Jose Berríos, well, he cooked up a masterpiece of a ballgame.
Let’s start with the man on the mound for the Twins — Berríos was sharper than a barber’s straight razor today, I’ll tell ya. He had the New York Giants, those fellas from 1907, slicing at air and beating balls into the dirt. A complete game effort, three hits, just one run, and never once did he let the home crowd get the best of him. He worked quick, worked smart, and worked clean — 116 pitches, 78 of ‘em strikes. That, folks, is what we call a dandy day’s work.
Now Christy Mathewson — yes, that Christy Mathewson — took the hill for the Giants, and I’ll say this, even legends have their off days. The big inning came in the eighth when the Twins exploded for seven tallies. That was the end of the story right there, and it turned this old yard quiet as a church on Monday morning. Mathewson was hittin’ his spots early, but things unraveled when errors reared their head — and I’ll remind you, three errors in a ballgame is no way to win in any century.
Luis Arraez came off the bench and made a mess of the Giants’ hopes, knockin’ in a pair and tallying two hits. Byron Buxton doubled in a big run, and even Berríos himself helped his own cause with two runs batted in. That’s what we call doin’ it all.
As for the Giants? Only three hits to their name, one of 'em a tidy triple by Sammy Strang, and they left just one man on base. That tells you about all you need to know. The 2021 Twins played crisp, clean baseball — good fundamentals, patient hitting, and airtight defense. The 1907 Giants? Well, they looked like they’d just come out of the clubhouse from a century ago — and in this series, that might just be the case.
It’s only one game in this best-of-seven, but momentum — well, she’s a funny gal. The Twins have her in their dugout now, and they’ll look to ride that wave again tomorrow right here at the Polo Grounds.
This is Red Barber speakin’ from New York City, remindin’ you: baseball may span the centuries, but good pitching and smart baseball? That never goes outta style. So long, everybody.

Game 1
At Polo Grounds
2021 Minnesota Twins 0
1907 New Yok Giants 1
WP: H. Wiltse (1-0) LP: K. Maeda (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Hooks Wiltse (9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 129 P)
Series Tied 1-1

Well now, how do you do, friends, and welcome back to the Polo Grounds, where this grand old ballpark—flanked by stone and ivy and echoes from yesteryear—played host to a fine pitcher’s duel here in Game 2 of Season 221. The New York Giants of 1907, oh those scrappy boys in cream and black, turned back the clock and shut the door on the heavy bats of the Minnesota Twins from 2021. Final score: New York 1, Minnesota 0."
Yes indeed, folks, Hooks Wiltse was the story of the day, and you can write that in bold print. The southpaw from Hamilton, New York, carved his name into the pages of this Field of Dreams series with a sparkling shutout. Nine innings, five hits, four strikeouts, not a single run crossing that plate. He was cooler than the wind blowing out to center field.
Wiltse had them dancing like they were on marbles—curveballs that dipped like a swallow, fastballs with late hop, and enough nerve to fill the Empire State Building.
And let me tip my straw hat to his adversary, Kenta Maeda of the 2021 Twins. Eight innings, seven hits, and but a single blemish—a booming home run off the bat of Dan McGann in the bottom of the eighth, a swing so clean it cut through the chill like a hot knife through butter.
You knew it the moment the ball left the bat, friends. That horsehide had wings. It soared out toward the flagpole in dead center, and with it, the deadlock was broken. The Twins had their chances, don’t think they didn’t. Josh Donaldson smoked a double in the eighth with two outs, but Wiltse dug deep, cooler than the flip side of the pillow, and got Nelson Cruz to strike out on a high hard one. In all, the Twins stranded six men, and the Giants turned two tailor-made double plays to quell any rally.
Behind the plate, Roger Bresnahan handled Wiltse like a violinist with his Stradivarius—never a note out of place. The outfield ran down balls in the alley. Sammy Strang, Spike Shannon, and George Browne each chipped in with key plays and timely knocks. But it was McGann’s solo shot and Wiltse’s quiet domination that earned the headlines.
This ballgame had the kind of rhythm only old New York knows—a little tension, a little chill in the air, and a lot of leather meeting horsehide."
So now, with the series tied 1-1, we pack up and head west to Minneapolis, where the young men from the North Star State will host Game 3. Will the Giants' century-old magic travel? Or will the Twins’ modern might return with fury?
We’ll find out soon enough. From the Polo Grounds, this is Red Barber, signing off and saying: Sit back, relax, and enjoy it folks… because these old ghosts still know how to play some ball."

Game 3
At Target Field
1907 New York Giants 4
2021 Minnesota Twins 8
WP: M. Pineda (1-0) LP: J. McGinnity (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Trevor Lamach (3-4, 2 RBI, 2 R)
2021 Twins Lead Series 2-1

Well now, friends, pull up a chair and lend me your ears because we had ourselves a right proper ballgame down at Target Field this afternoon. This one saw the hometown boys, the 2021 Minnesota Twins, square off against the old-timey stalwarts, the 1907 New York Giants — and the Twins gave their faithful something to cheer about, yes they did, winning it by a final count of 8 to 4. That gives Minnesota a 2-games-to-1 advantage in this best-of-seven affair, and the Giants are feeling the pinch.
Now let’s talk turkey about the hero of the day: Trevor Larnach. The young man went 3-for-4, smacked three singles, crossed home twice, and drove in two runs. He was sharper than a tack out there — Player of the Game honors rightly go to him. You give a fella like that good wood on the ball, and the scoreboard starts to look mighty pretty in a hurry.
In the fifth inning, things turned in earnest. With one out and the game in the balance, catcher Mitch Garver lined a 2-run single off Joe McGinnity — yes sir, the Iron Man himself — to put the Twins up 5 to 1. That broke the Giants’ backs and got the Twins up on their haunches. They’d never trail again.
McGinnity, for all his reputation, looked out of sorts. He gave up 9 hits and 6 runs in just four and two-thirds innings. It was more smoke than fire this time for the spitballer from back in the day. Meanwhile, Michael Pineda — the big right-hander for Minnesota — he went the distance. That’s right, a complete game in this modern age. He scattered 8 hits over 9 innings, struck out a pair, walked three, and kept the Giants from getting anything brewing for too long. A strong effort on a day when the wind was howling out toward right field at 12 miles an hour.
And give a nod to Byron Buxton, too. The man showed off the cannon in center field, nailing a would-be base stealer with a pinpoint throw to second. That boy covers more ground than a front-page scandal.
For the Giants, there were some moments. Cy Seymour had a pair of hits and drove in a run, and Dan McGann doubled and scored twice. But they committed three errors in the field — that’s a recipe for heartache, folks, no matter the era.
So we’ll tee it up again tomorrow with Game 4 here in Minneapolis. The Giants will be looking to even the series, but the Twins — well, they’re feeling their oats, and they’ve got the wind at their backs.
From the broadcast booth above home plate, this is Red Barber signing off. Oh doctor, the ol’ Twin Cities crowd went home happy today!

Game 4
At Target Field
1907 New York Giants 2
2021 Minnesota Twins 5
WP: J. Berrios (2-0) LP: C. Mathewson (0-2) S: T. Rogers (1)
HR: N. Cruz (1)
POG: Nelson Cruz (2-3. HR, 2B, 4 RBI, R)
2021 Twins Lead Series 3-1

Well now, howdy-do from the Twin Cities, and let me tell ya—on a crisp October afternoon, with the wind dancing out to right field and the shadows inchin’ their way across the Target Field diamond, the fellas from 2021 Minnesota have gone and put themselves just one win away from glory in this Field of Dreams series. They beat the ol’ 1907 New York Giants today by a score of 5 to 2, and the hometown folks sure got their money’s worth.Now you can’t say enough about the job Jose Berríos did on the bump. Eight-and-a-third innings, eight hits, two earned, and the man even took a few bruises, plunkin’ three batters, but never breakin’. At one point, I counted 97 strikes outta 157 pitches—mercy! That’s workin’ like a steam engine with no brakes. And when things got a bit hairy in the ninth, the Twins called on Taylor Rogers, and he cleaned it up nice and tidy. Got himself a save and a tip of the cap.
But let’s not beat around the bush, friends—the story of this game was Boomstick himself: Nelson Cruz. You talk about comin’ up big! He doubled in two right off ol’ Christy Mathewson in the first inning—yes, the Christy Mathewson, Hall of Famer and toast of the National League. That swing sent the crowd into a tizzy. Then later, with two outs in the eighth, he turned on a Matty fastball and kissed it goodbye. That one left no doubt, up into the Minnesota sky and out toward the right field bleachers, wind or no wind. That was his fourth RBI of the day and he scored another to boot. And I gotta say, Mathewson, though valiant and poised, just didn’t have his usual magic today. Gave up eight hits and five earned, and now he’s wearin’ a tough-luck 0-and-2 record in this series. Sometimes even the legends can be humbled by the march of time.
Luis Arraez chipped in three hits for the Twins—quick hands, sharp eyes, that boy’s been a thorn in the Giants’ side all series long. And Byron Buxton? Smooth as ever in center, and drove in a run with a sac fly that helped pad the lead.
As for the Giants? They put runners on, sure, but stranded ten and couldn’t deliver that big hit. Roger Bresnahan had a rough go, leavin’ eight men aboard, and poor Bill Dahlen’s bat has gone as cold as the wind comin’ off Lake Minnetonka.
So here we are, Minnesota up three games to one, and the modern boys are sniffin’ champagne—or maybe somethin’ a little more refined, this bein’ the Field of Dreams and all. One more win, and they’ll punch their ticket to the next round.
Game Five comes tomorrow, same place, and if the Giants got any fight left in ‘em, they best bring it. But as it stands now, it’s the Twins with the edge, and the crowd here in Minneapolis can feel the magic.
This is Red Barber speakin’ from the catbird seat—pullin’ for sunshine and a good ballgame come tomorrow. So long, everybody!

Game 5
At Target Field
1907 New York Giants 4
2021 Minnesota Twins 1
WP: H. Wiltse (2-0) LP: K. Maeda (0-2)
HR: None
POG: Hooks Wiltse (9 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 113 P)
2021 Twins Lead Series 3-2

Well now, friends, we’ve got ourselves a series again. The New York Giants of 1907 came into Minneapolis with their backs against the wall and, by gum, they left Target Field with a win in their pocket. Hooks Wiltse — the southpaw from Hamilton, New Jersey — was the story today. He pitched as if the season itself was riding on his every throw, and in many ways it was. From the very first inning, Wiltse looked sharp — changing speeds, painting corners, and keeping the Minnesota bats guessing. The Giants struck early, two runs in the top of the first, thanks to a double from Art Devlin and a timely knock by George Browne. That set the tone and let Wiltse work with a cushion.
Kenta Maeda pitched gamely for the Twins, going the distance himself, but the Giants scratched out just enough offense — single runs in the eighth and ninth — to salt it away.
Minnesota managed only one run on five hits, a lonely RBI from Andrelton Simmons in the fifth. The big bats that had carried them earlier in the series were silent; Nelson Cruz went hitless, Byron Buxton struck out once and left two men on, and Josh Donaldson’s struggles continued.
Hooks Wiltse, the iron man, threw 113 pitches for the complete-game victory, allowing just that single tally. Now, this series is headed back to the Polo Grounds, the Giants trailing just 3 games to 2. Folks, we’ve got drama brewing in New York.

Game 6
At Polo Grounds
2021 Minnesota Twins 0
1907 New Yok Giants 7
WP: J. McGinnity (1-1) LP: M. Pineda (1-1)
HR: None
POG: Joe McGinnity (9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 117 P)
Series Tied 3-3

From high atop the Polo Grounds, lookin’ down over the emerald green and the dusty brown paths that crisscross this grand old ballpark, I can tell you, folks — this was a day for the history books. The New York Giants, 1907 edition, came into Game 6 with their season hanging by a thread. One bad inning, one missed pitch, and their Field of Dreams journey could’ve ended right here.
But if you’ve followed this club at all, you know they have a man who thrives on pressure — Joe ‘The Iron Man’ McGinnity. He’s a wiry fellow, not the biggest arm you’ll see, but his durability and command are the stuff of legend. And today, with 61-degree skies above and a breeze pushing out to deep center, McGinnity authored a shutout of the highest order.The Giants struck first in the opening frame — a walk, a sharp single, and Roger Bresnahan lifting a sacrifice fly to bring in the run, followed by Dan McGann slapping one past the diving first baseman for another tally. That quick 2–0 lead was like a warm quilt for McGinnity — he wrapped himself in it and never let it go.
For six innings, the Twins fought him tooth and nail, managing only the occasional single. Jorge Polanco had one, Byron Buxton another, but there was no sequence, no rhythm, nothing that could sustain an inning. McGinnity’s pace kept them off balance — you could almost see the modern hitters fidgeting, not used to a pitcher who never gave them time to breathe.
Then came the seventh — oh, friends, that seventh inning. Two outs, the Polo Grounds crowd humming but anxious. Christy Mathewson leaned against the dugout rail, knowing the next few moments could define the day. Cy Seymour shot a grounder past short to make it 3–0. Then Bresnahan, bat cocked, ripped a double deep into right-center, two more runs home, and the grandstand shook with cheers. Dan McGann followed with his own RBI hit, and by the time the dust cleared, it was 7–0.
From there, McGinnity was all business. A comebacker, a pop fly, and finally, a lazy grounder to Bill Dahlen at short to end it. Caps came off, fans spilled into the aisles, and the Giants walked off knowing they’d earned the right to fight another day.
Tomorrow, it’s Game 7 right back here — and if you thought this yard was loud today, well, you just wait.

Game 7
At Polo Grounds
2021 Minnesota Twins 4
1907 New Yok Giants 12
WP: C. Mathewson (1-2) LP: J. Berrios (1-2)
HR: None
POG: Dan McGann (4-4, 3 RBI, R, BB)

Well, friends, the old Polo Grounds has seen its share of history — and today, she got another page in the big book. Clear skies overhead, a brisk wind out to right, and twelve thousand throats in full voice to watch the 1907 New York Giants bring home their first Field of Dreams championship in a convincing 12–4 victory over the 2021 Minnesota Twins. The Giants didn’t just win — they overwhelmed. It was a tense first two innings, the Twins grabbing a quick run in the first. But the Giants struck back in the third — a ringing double from Cy Seymour, Dan McGann following with a shot into the gap to bring in two. That 3–1 lead felt like a turning point. Yet the real dagger came in the eighth inning. Already up 5–3, New York turned the Polo Grounds into a madhouse with seven runs — the rally featuring clutch two-out RBI from McGann, Browne, and Dahlen.
And speaking of McGann, what a performance — four hits, three RBI, the heartbeat of this ballclub all series long, and your Series MVP. The big first baseman hit over .500 for the series, slugged the team’s only home run, and drove in nine runs. Christy Mathewson, so much the story early for his struggles, found redemption here — a complete-game, 151-pitch effort that showed every bit of his grit and guile.
For the Twins, Byron Buxton was magnificent again — four hits today, three RBI — but Minnesota’s bullpen cracked in the most inopportune moment. Taylor Rogers was battered for seven runs in just one-third of an inning, and the Twins could never recover.
So, here in upper Manhattan, the champagne is uncorked, the Polo Grounds crowd is roaring, and the 1907 New York Giants will carry the Season #221 trophy back to the annals of the Field of Dreams. From this perch above home plate, this is Red Barber, tipping my hat to the victors, saluting the valiant, and saying good evening from the big ballpark.”

1907 New York Giants Win Series 4-3
Series MVP:

(.524, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 2 2B, 1 SB, .607 OBP)