fb-pixelJoe Cronin homers his way in history books - The Boston Globe Skip to main content
From the archives | June 17

Joe Cronin homers his way in history books

Yesterday, before about 7,700 paying Bunker Hill Day customers, the Red Sox were lucky enough to get an even break against Connie Mack’s Athletics.

It took a three-run shot into the left field screen by the “Skipper” [Joe Cronin], and two later errors by Hall and Seibert to land the opener by a 5-to-4 count.

The lambasting “Skipper” duplicated his brilliant performance in the later game, again with two men on base; but after his second blast, also good for three counters, the Sox were still one run shy. They never did get that one.

Following the intermission the Macks had punched their way merrily to a four-run headway against Dick Newsome, and after the Sox had closed it to within one run, the bombardment continued against Anton Karl and in a measure against Mike Ryba. The second game count was 8 to 7.

Advertisement



Some Free Hitting

For the day it was 21 hits for the Soxers and 25 for the opposition. Nine each in the curtain raiser, with the McGillicuddys out-hitting the Yawkeys, 16 to 12, in the windup.

Two great battles they were. Everything mixed into em -- but those over-the-fence plugs by Cronin were the chief ingredients.

The Sox threatened to win the second game in the final stanza as they did the first one. Trailing 7 to 8 in the ninth, the spectators were electrified when Pete Fox opened with a triple against the left field wall. But Lupien rolled out, Tabor hit to Eddie May to make a setup the rundown Fox. Wolff was doing the pitching. And at the finish he got Doerr in for two strikes and finally a roller down to Suder.

A Gift Game

The first game was a gift to the Red Sox, although one very much influenced by Joe Cronin, who, as on Tuesday, plugged a three-run four-sticker over the left field wall with two men on base. Eleven hits for Joseph this year, and 15 runs driven across the five-sided platter.

Advertisement



However, the Cronin wallop only served to tie the count. At the time the lofty Russ Christopher was running ahead, 4 to 1, at the expense of Looie Lucier of Pawtucket. But the real blow-off occurred in the ninth, which Roy Partee inaugurated with a two-base “life” when Irv Hall took his bouncer and then threw into the Red Sox dugout.

Newsome drew a pass from Everett, Fagan, who had relieved Christopher, and Bill Conroy put down a fine pinch-hit bunt on which Fagan was all confused.

With the bases crowded the customers groaned when both Miles and Fox put up easy pops respectively for Pete Suder. After that, Tony Lupien worked himself into a three-and-two count before bounding the final next pitch towards first base.

It sure looked like the old “soft touch” for the Macks to get out of the deep hole, but Dickey Selbert played Ulysses’ ball carelessly and it got away from him. That was the finish.

Second Game

The Sox again had plenty of handicap in the second game. The A’s quickly established a 4 to 0 lead at the expense of Dick Newsome for Donald Black and the right-hand 18-game winner for Petersburg, Va. last year. Newsome gave way to Andy Karl in the opening inning following the Mack’s third base hit.

Advertisement



Mr. Black, however, did not enjoy his eggs very long, as in the third the Sox got three runs back on their own cocked hat of bingles, the most important of which was Jim Tabor’s fine crack to center, which sent a pair of red legs across the plate.

Opportunity again knocked at the Sox’ door in the fourth; but after hits by Doerr and Newsome and a pass to Conroy filled the bases neither Karl nor Miles could develop a run. It was right after that the Mack’s did two-run business on four hits against Karl before he was relieved by Mike Ryba. Then at Mike’s expense the A’s made it a three-run rally, thus regaining their original lead at half time.