WALLY SCHANG

"CURSED" - BABE RUTH IS SOLD ...
Wally Schang's clutch hit
paves the way for a comeback

March 5, 1920 ... Wally Schang came back to the lineup and brought his punch with him. He got into his first game of the season today, when he pinch-hit for Roxy Walters in the ninth-inning and laced out a screeching two base hit, which drove in the tying run and giving the Red Sox a chance to win a game, that had appeared to be hopelessly lost. They won it in the 13th inning by a score of 4 to 3. It was over the Philadelphia Athletics at Fenway Park.

Philadelphia appeared to have the game won in the ninth-inning, when the score was 3 to 1 in their favor with two outs. Kid Foster had started something with a single and was allowed to take second without any opposition. The Philly pitcher, Walter Kinney didn't pay any attention to him and didn't hold him on first base, not pitching from the stretch. Foster saw that and stole second. Then, he stole third without a throw. Kinney's full attention was getting the batter, Everett Scott. The strategy worked because Scott lofted a fly ball out to Tillie Walker in left field. Unfortunately for the Athletics, Walker dropped the ball. Foster scored and Scotty made it to second base. Now the Red Sox for only one run down. The fans started cheering and clapping their hands in a rhythm to motivate the team.

Wally Schang, who up to this time had not appeared in a game the season, sitting out because a contract dispute. But he reached an agreement with the team on Tuesday and was trotted out to bat in place of Walters. Sam Jones meanwhile was put in to run for Scott at second base. With two strikes against him, Schang lined a base hit into right field, that went between George Burns and Amos Strunk. He ended up on second base while Jones trotted home with the tying run. The Fenway crowd went into a frenzy because the winning run was now on second base. They cheered for five minutes as pinch-hitter Mickey Devine came up to bat for Joe Bush. Kinney was finally able to get out of it and send the game into extra innings.

Herb Pennock came into pitch and Hob Hiller trotted out to play shortstop. Connie Mack's troops were not able to do anything with Pennock for four innings. Then came the 13th inning. Mike McNally led off with a sizzling single to right, and as Jimmy Dykes and Ivy Griffin moved in to head off a bunt, Mike Menosky crossed them up by popping the ball over their heads for a single. Tim Hendryx then sacrificed them over and Foster came up with a sacrifice fly that put McNally over with the winning run.

Joe Bush started the game for the Red Sox and was not quite right, having been ill and trying to recover his strength. He had a couple of bad innings, while Kinney pitched a great game. But the Sox had lady luck on their side. The weather was a little cold and only 3100 fans came out to see this thriller.

The Red Sox scored the first inning when Harry Hooper led off the game with a single. Tim Hendryx got a base hit to center, and the throw to third trying to get Hooper, got away from Jimmy Dykes, allowing Harry to score the first run.

The Athletics got on the board in the third inning with two of their own to take the lead. Chick Galloway, the first batter up, doubled to the scoreboard in left and Kinney brought him home with a single to right. Dykes sacrificed and Strunk brought Kelly home with the go-ahead run, putting Philly in the lead 2 to 1.

They scored their third run in the eighth inning as Dykes drew a base on ball and Strunk laid down a bunt in front of the plate for the sacrifice, but Walters elected to try and throw all Dykes it second. His throw was late and both runners were safe. Walker then advanced them both with a sacrifice and George Burns grounded to Scott who threw out Dykes at the plate. Joe Dugan knocked one into right field to score Strunk and put Burns on third. With the A's now up 3 to 1, Burns and Dugan tried to work a double steal, but Walters was able to throw out Dugan at second for the third out. And that's the way it stood until the bottom of the ninth-inning.