Fred Merkle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fred Merkle |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Merkle in 1908
|
|||
| First baseman | |||
| Born: December 20, 1888 Watertown, Wisconsin, U.S. |
|||
| Died: March 2, 1956 (aged 67) Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| September 21, 1907, for the New York Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 26, 1926, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .273 | ||
| Home runs | 61 | ||
| Runs batted in | 740 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
Carl Frederick Rudolf Merkle (born December 20, 1888 – died March 2, 1956) was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball. He played from 1907 to 1926. Even though he had a long career, many people remember him for a famous mistake he made as a young player. This mistake was a controversial base-running error, which earned him the nickname "Bonehead".
Contents
Fred Merkle's Baseball Career
Fred Merkle was born in Watertown, Wisconsin. His parents were Ernst Merkle, who was from Switzerland, and Amalie Thielmann Merkle, who was German. Fred grew up in Toledo, Ohio.
Early Years in Baseball
Merkle played his first Major League game when he was just 18 years old. This was in 1907 with the New York Giants. In 1908, he was still the youngest player in the National League. At that time, he was mostly used as a pinch hitter, which means he would bat in place of another player.
Becoming a Regular Player
By 1910, Merkle became the Giants' regular first baseman. He helped the team win three straight pennants (league championships) from 1911 to 1913. In August 1916, he was traded to the Brooklyn Robins. That year, he played in his fourth World Series.
In April 1917, the Robins sold Merkle to the Chicago Cubs. This was the same team against whom he made his famous mistake in 1908. He continued to play as the regular first baseman for the Cubs until 1920. In 1918, Merkle played in his fifth World Series in eight years with the Cubs. However, he never won the championship.
Later Career and Retirement
From 1921 to 1925, Merkle was the regular first baseman for Rochester in the International League. He returned to the Major Leagues in 1925 when the New York Yankees acquired him. But he only played in a few games for the Yankees in 1925 and 1926.
After playing one more year in the International League as a player-manager for Reading in 1927, Merkle decided to retire from baseball. In 1953, Fred Merkle was honored by being inducted into the International League Hall of Fame.
The Famous "Boner" Play
On September 23, 1908, when Fred Merkle was only 19 years old, he made a mistake during a game. He was playing for the New York Giants against the Chicago Cubs. This base-running error became known as "Merkle's Boner" and led to his nickname "Bonehead".
What Happened During the Game
It was the bottom of the 9th inning, and the score was tied 1–1. There were two outs. Merkle came to bat and hit a single. This moved Moose McCormick, who was on first base, to third base. The next batter, Al Bridwell, also hit a single. McCormick ran home, and it looked like the Giants had scored the winning run.
Many fans thought the game was over and ran onto the field to celebrate. But Merkle, thinking the game was finished, ran straight to the Giants' clubhouse without touching second base.
The Umpire's Decision
Cubs second baseman Johnny Evers noticed that Merkle had not touched second base. Evers got a ball and touched second base himself. He then asked the umpire, Hank O'Day, to call Merkle out. Since Merkle had not touched the base, the umpire called him out on a force play. This meant that McCormick's run did not count.
The Giants' winning run was canceled, and the score remained tied. Because thousands of fans were on the field, and it was getting dark, the game could not continue. It was declared a tie.
The Pennant Race
The Giants and the Cubs ended the season tied for first place. They had to play an extra game at the Polo Grounds on October 8. The Cubs won this game 4–2, and because of that, they won the National League pennant.
Different Stories About the Play
People have told different versions of this famous play. Some say that Johnny Evers ran to the outfield to get the exact ball used in the play. Others say that a ball was quickly passed to him from the Cubs' dugout. There are also stories that Giants pitcher Joe McGinnity threw the game ball into the stands. If that happened, the ball Evers used would have been a different one.
At that time, it was common for players to leave the field without touching a base if they thought the game was over. The rule about a force play after a potential game-winning run was not widely known. However, Evers knew the rules well. He had tried the same play a few weeks earlier in Pittsburgh with the same umpire, Hank O'Day. In that earlier game, the umpire didn't see if the runner touched the base, so he didn't call the out. But in the New York game, he was ready for it. This incident made sure everyone knew the rule from then on.
What Happened After
Giants manager John McGraw was very upset with the league. He felt his team was cheated out of a victory and a championship. But he never blamed Merkle for his mistake.
The Cubs went on to win the 1908 World Series. After that, the Cubs had a very long time without winning a championship, for 108 years! They finally won the World Series again in 2016.
Fred Merkle was sad about the events of that game. He mostly stayed away from baseball after his playing career ended in 1926. But in 1950, he finally came back for a Giants old-timers' game. When he appeared, he received a huge standing ovation from the fans.
Fred Merkle is remembered in his hometown of Watertown, Wisconsin. The main high school baseball field there is named Fred Merkle Field. Also, a special plaque honoring him was put up in the park on July 22, 2010. Another plaque in Watertown is located at the Octagon House. There is also a place called Merkle's Bar and Grill in Chicago, named after him.
Fred Merkle's Family Life
Fred Merkle and his wife, Ethel Cynthia Brownson Merkle, were married for a long time. They were together from 1914 until Fred's death in 1956. The Merkles had three daughters named Marjorie, Jeannette, and Marianne. His grand-nephew, Ralph Merkle, is a famous computer scientist.
Other Sports Fred Merkle Played
In 1906, before his baseball career, Merkle also played football. He played as an end for the Toledo Athletic Association. That season, his team lost a game to the Canton Bulldogs with a score of 31–0.
Fred Merkle's Death
Fred Merkle passed away in Daytona Beach, Florida, when he was 67 years old. He was buried there in Bellevue Cedar Hill Memory Gardens. His wife, Ethel, also died in Daytona Beach, Florida, in December 1976.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
