LOOKING BACK AT THE 1914 "MIRACLE" BOSTON BRAVES ...
THE GREATEST COMEBACK IN MLB HISTORY ... 110 YEARS AGO
In January, Braves president, James Gaffney, sent word that he had
signed pitcher Dick Rudolph for the 1914 season.
Rudolph was a large component of the pitchers that helped lead the
Braves to their miraculous pennant and World Series sweep. He was
the bellwether of the pitching staff and unlike the hard-throwing
Bill James and Lefty Tyler, he relied on his great curveball and
spectacular control. He also threw a spitball, which was about the
best there was.
He was traded to the Braves in 1913 and was an immediate success
posting a 14-13 record and 2.92 ERA. Many considered him one of the
smartest pitchers who ever toed the rubber.
During the miracle season of 1914, Rudolph won a total of 26 games,
including 12 consecutive victories. On Labor Day he beat Christy
Mathewson, 5-4, in the first game of a morning-afternoon
doubleheader that moved the Braves into first place after spending
the first half of the season in dead last.
Then in the World Series against the A's, he beat Chief Bender, 7-1,
in Game #1, and Bob Shawkey, 3-1, in Game #4.
Over the three years from 1914-16, Dick Rudolph was one of
baseball’s best and most durable pitchers, hurling over 300 innings
each season.