A Resolutes win tonight would extend the series to a fifth and final game; a Haymakers win would give the league's most dominant franchise yet another trophy for their hoard. Last year, the Resolutes were in exactly the same situation against the Blue Legs, and back-to-back shutouts by Christy Mathewson and John Clarkson allowed them to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Tonight, would Mathewson turn in a season-saving performance once again as he faced all-time wins leader Cy Young?
This time, there would be no shutout for Mathewson. In the top of the second, Bobby Wallace tripled and then scored moments later on a single by Bid McPhee. The Haymakers' lead was short-lived, however; in the bottom of the frame, Connie Mack doubled home Fred Clarke and John McGraw to give the home team a 2-1 edge.
The Resolutes' lead didn't last, either. In the top of the third, Joe Kelley singled and stole second. He scored on Cap Anson's booming double. The next inning, Deacon White crushed Mathewson's breaking ball for a solo home run to make it 3-2 for the Haymakers. They extended their advantage in the fifth when Kelley singled, swiped second yet again, and raced home on Sam Thompson's double.
Down by two runs in the seventh, the Resolutes lifted Mathewson for pinch hitter Jim O'Rourke, but failed to capitalize. Rube Waddell took over in the eighth and tossed two scoreless frames, continuing his masterful postseason performance.
Young, meanwhile, was cruising. His only blemish was Mack's two-run double back in the second. He sent the Resolutes down in order in the bottom of the eighth, and no manager -- indeed, no force of nature -- could have prevented him from coming out in the ninth to finish the game.
Now three outs away from a championship, the Haymakers made a few defensive adjustments to reduce the chances of a late-game collapse. They pulled iron-gloved slugger Jesse Burkett from left field, moved so-so center fielder Kelley to left, and brought in elite defender Ned Hanlon to patrol center.
The Resolutes, however, weren't going to relinquish their title without a fight. Clarke singled with one out and hustled to third on Frank Grant's base knock. Now with runners at the corners and only one out, the Resolutes had the tying run on base and the winning run at the plate.
And the man at the plate just happened to be Old Muggsy himself, John McGraw, last year's winner of the Playoff MVP trophy. McGraw needed to avoid hitting the ball on the ground, as a double play would end the Resolutes' season. Muggsy lofted the ball to right field, allowing Clarke to score on a sacrifice fly.
Now it was 4-3, but the Resolutes were down to their final out. Grant was like a coiled spring on first, ready to run on contact. Connie Mack stepped up with a chance to be a hero. Mack has absolutely owned Young; in fact, the only home run of his career was a grand slam off of Young a couple of years ago. Young went right after Mack, dialing up his legendary heater. Mack connected but was late on his swing, and the ball screamed toward first. Cap Anson lunged and snagged the liner for the third out.
Game over! The Haymakers are champions again! With titles in Season 2, 3, 5, and 7, they are truly this league's version of the Yankees. Now, all that remains for Season 7 is to hand out the individual awards!
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