|
SPORTING TIMES — April 12, 1912
By Arthur H. Leland
RED SOX TAKE 12-INNING THRILLER AS RED SMITH BATTERS HIGHLANDERS’ PITCHING
Boston Third Baseman Collects Six Hits in Rampaging Display
April 12th, 1912 — The season is scarcely underway, yet Red Smith of the Boston Red Sox has already made his presence thunderously known. In only the second contest of the young campaign, the hard-hitting third baseman delivered a performance for the books, going 6-for-7 in Boston’s 8–5 extra-inning triumph over the New York Highlanders on the road.
The Red Sox, now off to a bright 2–0 start, needed every one of Smith’s blows as the game pushed into the 12th inning. Smith recorded singles in the 1st, 5th, 7th, and 9th, then lashed a double in the 11th, before capping the day with a decisive two-run single in the 12th that sealed the victory. He also reached on an error in the 3rd inning, giving him seven total times aboard.
For this early stage of the season, Smith’s striking form has given him a magnificent .727 average, a figure certain to turn heads across the league.
Speaking after the contest, Smith offered a modest reflection on his remarkable showing:
“I was seeing the ball clean all afternoon. Any man can have a good day, and I’m glad mine helped the club when we needed it most.”
Red Sox manager Bob Lozano praised his third baseman’s timely heroics:
“Smith gave us the spark every manager hopes for in a tight game. Six hits in one afternoon—well, that speaks loudly enough. The boy kept us alive and then finished the job.”
With such an early flourish, Boston supporters may well look to Smith as a bellwether of promising days ahead.
|