Work has begun on Book 3 of the Diamond Legacies series. The year for this volume is in a more recent era than the first two volumes, but still several decades ago.
Similar to the first two books, the MLB champion in the third volume is considered one of the all-time greatest teams in baseball history.
Stay tuned ... ⚾
Sportswriters in 1927 would have several candidates to consider when selecting the MVP of the series between the Yankees and the American Giants. My guess is that it would have gone to Waite Hoyt who recorded two wins and a solid 3.31 ERA over 16 1/3 innings.
Other pitching candidates include Herb Pennock, who tossed a three-hit shutout in his only start. Urban Shocker (1.93 ERA) and Bill Foster (1.06 ERA) also dominated from the mound, but their 1-1 records would have cost them some votes.
On the offensive side, Chicago's Pythias Russ likely would have won the MVP had his team prevailed in the series. The shortstop remained red-hot over the six games with a .520 avg, 13 hits, 7 runs scored, 3 RBI, 1 HR, and 5 stolen bases.
Lou Gehrig was the top offensive star for the Yankees, posting a .409 avg, 9 hits, 4 runs scored, 3 RBI, and 1 home run. Earle Combs batted just .250, but led all players with 8 runs scored. Chicago pitchers kept Ruth in check for the most part (.227), though the Babe did hit two home runs--the only player with multiple round-trippers.
Game 6: Yankees 7, American Giants 5
New York held off a late Chicago rally to close out the best-of-seven series. Starter Waite Hoyt appeared to be cruising to a complete game victory heading into the ninth leading 7-2. But two doubles, a walk, and a Koenig error allowed the American Giants to close the gap to two with only one out. With a runner on second and the tying run at the plate, manager Miller Huggins summoned Wilcy Moore from the bullpen. The star rookie struck out Dave Malarcher and retired John Hines on a ground out to put out the fire. Gehrig went 3 for 4 with a two-run homer and Combs reached base four times, scored twice, and drove in two to power the Yankee attack.
It was a competitive series between these two league champions. The American Giants' stellar pitching corps matched the Yankees staff, but the Murderers' Row offense provided the decisive advantage for New York.
Game 5: Yankees 4, American Giants 0
The bats cooled off again as starters Bill Foster and Urban Shocker matched each other with six scoreless frames. In the top of the 7th, Combs drew a leadoff walk and Koenig followed with a double. Ruth drove in the first run with a ground out and (following a Gehrig HBP) Meusel delivered the second tally with a sacrifice fly. In the ninth, Ruth cleared the right field wall at spacious Schorling Park to add two insurance runs. They were not needed. In a masterful mound performance, Shocker scattered six hits to shut out Chicago and give his team a 3-2 lead in the series.
The teams return to Yankees Stadium for Game 6.
Game 4: American Giants 8, Yankees 7
After being shut down the previous game, the bats on both teams heated up to combine for 30 hits. Yankee batters knocked around Chicago starter Webster McDonald to build a 7-4 lead in the sixth. But then the American Giants strung together five consecutive hits to tie the game and send New York starter George Pipgras to the showers. The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth when George Sweatt delivered a walk-off single to plate the winning run for the home team. Pythias Russ went 4 for 5 and Steel Arm Davis drove in 3 runs to lead the offensive attack for the American Giants. Eddie Miller picked up the win in relief.
The series is tied 2-2.
Game 3: Yankees 1, American Giants 0
The third contest between the 1927 league champions turned out to be pitchers' duel. Willie Powell threw a complete game for the home team, allowing only four singles and a walk. Unfortunately for Chicago, the free pass and a two of those hits came in the first, allowing Earle Combs to cross to plate with an early run for New York. That was the only tally of the game. Herb Pennock dominated for the Yankees, tossing a three-hit shutout. Only one American Giant made it as far as second—that came in the ninth when Pythias Russ doubled with two outs.
Chicago will try to even the series in Game 4 at Schorling Park.
Game 2: Yankees 6, American Giants 4
The second game in my best-of-seven series between the two 1927 league champions was a tense battle. With the game tied at 2-2 in the sixth, NY catcher Pat Collins doubled home Joe Dugan to give the home team the lead. The following inning, the Yankees added three more after Ruth homered, Gehrig reached on a HBP, and Meusel and Lazzeri ripped back-to-back doubles. However, two late-inning errors from Ruth allowed the American Giants to narrow the gap to just two runs. With the tying run at the plate in the ninth, New York reliever Bob Shawkey struck out Chicago pinch hitter Larry Brown to preserve the win for Waite Hoyt (8 IP, 2 ER).
The series moves to Schorling Park in Chicago for Game 3.
My two most recent games played with Diamond Legacies 1927:
Yankees 6, Pirates 1 - A replay of the 1927 World Series combatants saw Waite Hoyt toss an 8-hit complete game for New York. No homers from Murderers' Row, but Tony Lazzeri reached base four times with a single, double, triple and a walk. Ruth went 2-4 with an RBI and Gehrig went 1-4 with two RBI. On the other side, it was a tough day for the Waner brothers who combined for only two hits in nine at-bats.
American Giants 4, Yankees 1 - In a matchup pitting the Negro League champs against the MLB champs, Bill Foster shut down the Bombers on just six hits. Gehrig managed two hits, but Ruth struck out three times against the dominant southpaw. Chicago first baseman Jim Brown provided the big hit of the game, drilling a three-run homer off Urban Shocker. Adding to the Yankee frustrations, the elite fielders on the American Giants robbed three hits from NY hitters. That's the most robberies I've seen by one team in a single Diamond Legacies game.
I'm thinking I'll continue this matchup of MLB and NNL champions as a best of seven series ...
