THE 1914 "MIRACLE" BRAVES
Larry Cheney tosses a one-hitter at the Braves

August 26, 1914 ... The Braves were beaten 1 to 0 in the final game of the series here in Chicago, and a brawl was an additional feature to the program. Lefty Tyler and Larry Cheney engaged in a pitcher's battle, with six hits being made off Tyler, one of which was a home run, that took care of business for the Cubs. Only one hit was made off Cheney, which accounts for the failure of the Braves to score at all.

There was a mix-up on the diamond and it was precipitated by Heinie Zimmerman, who has a record for pretty rough play generally, as well as a reputation for being hot tempered. His speech, elevates whatever situation he becomes involved in. The little diversions this afternoon was a pretty lively bout while it lasted. Zimmerman throttled Johnny Evers and began to rough him up. Rabbit Maranville got into the action like a torpedo boat attacking a battleship. He grabbed Zimmerman by the arms and took a swing at him. He then landed one on Zimmerman's jaw, badly cutting his lip. Butch Schmidt then ran over to act as mediator, and is Zimmerman was swinging, he made contact with Schmidt, who grabbed him and tried to restrain him. Zimmerman broke away however and tore into the crowd of players to get at Evers or Maranville. Schmidt grabbed him again, as the Cubs thirdbaseman was rushing through all of the players of both teams like a mad bull. Umpires Eason and Quigley were also in the mix up, trying to maintain order. Schmidt finally grabbed Zimmerman and held him until he calmed down. After order was reinstated, Zimmerman, Evers, Maranville and Schmidt were ordered out of the game. No one was apparently badly hurt although Zimmerman's split lip was the only casualty.

The crowd blamed Zimmerman entirely for the whole thing which came about just after Vic Saier hit a home run. Zimmerman singled to left and Connolly got the ball cleanly, and as Zimmerman tried to make two bases on the hit, Evers had gotten the ball long before he got within 10 feet of second base. Evers stood on the bag and with plenty of time stuck the ball down in front of the base to have Zimmerman slide into it, which he did and was ruled out. Zimmerman however, went in headfirst and just as he felt the ball touch him, he took a punch at Evers' arm to knock the ball loose. However he missed his arm and hit him in the stomach. At this point Johnny retaliated and brought the ball down hard on Zimmerman's head. Zimmerman popped up to his feet with fire in his eyes, and after a word or two shoved the palm of his hand into Evers' face and gave him a shove. Evers then came back and him and Zimmerman slugged him. It was like a mix-up between a battleship and a cruiser. Then the torpedo boat, in the person of Maranville shot himself into the melee. When it was over, Stallings sent Oscar Dugey into play second base and Possum Whitted to shortstop, with Otto Hess taking over at first base. Obviously the changes weakened the Braves considerably offensively.

The Braves did not make a hit off Larry Cheney until the seventh inning. The hit was a single to center by Hank Gowdy, the only hit made off him in the game. Cheney had given a base on balls to Maranville in the second inning, who stole second base. Maranville and Gowdy were the only two baserunners for the Braves to make it to second in the game.

It did not look as if the Cubs would be able to score either against Tyler. Although they were getting a hit occasionally, the majority of them were scratch infield affairs. In the seventh inning however, Saier was up first and got a ball to his liking that he smashed into the bleachers. Herbie Moran tried to make a jumping catch on it and came close to getting it, but it was a home run.

With one out, Tyler drew a base on balls in the ninth, and was replaced by Josh Devore, who was sent in to run for him. Oscar Dugey flied to center and Joe Connolly tried to connect for a home run, but the ball went foul. He tried again and Wilbur Good made a nice catch up against the bleacher fence for the third out.

The Giants and the Cardinals split a doubleheader in St. Louis and so the Braves end of just where they were in the standings, in second place. The Braves left here tonight for St. Louis where they will open a four-game series with the Cardinals tomorrow.

In St. Louis, the Giants and the Cardinals broke even in a doubleheader, with the Cardinals winning the first game by a 1 to 0 score, when a wild pitch by Rube Marquard permitted Miller Huggins to score from second base in the first inning. The New Yorkers did not get a hit off Bill Doak until one was out in the seventh. New York came back and won the second game 4 to 0, through Christy Mathewson's excellent pitching performance and timely hitting.