Q. As a 28-year-old Cubs fan, I cannot imagine what it was like the last time the Cubs won the World Series. Who were the stars of the 1908 Cubs?
A. Believe me, 1908 was well before my time as well. The Cubs and Detroit Tigers won their respective league pennants for the second straight year in 1908, and both races came down to the last game of the season.
The Cubs, Giants and Pirates battled for the NL title. On Sept. 23, the Cubs and Giants met at the Polo Grounds and were tied 1-1 in the ninth. The Giants had Moose McCormick on third with rookie reserve Fred Merkle on first. Al Bridwell was at the plate with two outs.
Bridwell singled to center for the apparent game-winning hit. But Merkle didn’t run all the way to second. The Cubs alerted the umpires and forced Merkle out.
National League President Harry Pullman ruled the game would be replayed, if necessary, at the end of the season. Sure enough, at the end of the season, the Giants and Cubs finished tied and had to make up the game. Cubs starter Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown outdueled Christy Mathewson 4-2, and the Cubs won the pennant.
The Tigers (90-63) won the AL pennant over Cleveland (90-64) by .004, the smallest first-place margin in big-league history. The Cubs won the World Series 4-1. Brown did not allow an earned run in 11 innings.
Q. Is Mike Davis in danger of losing his job as head basketball coach at Indiana?
A. After 18 straight NCAA tournament appearances, the Hoosiers probably will be on the sidelines this year. But Indiana officials insist Davis is not in danger of losing his job. He has four years left on his contract.
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