Engle, a run-of-the-mill utility man, was involved in one of the most celebrated
plays in World Series history. Pinch hitting for the Red Sox in the tenth inning
of the 1912 Series' final game, he lofted an easy fly ball which was muffed by Giants
centerfielder Fred Snodgrass. Tris Speaker, getting a second chance after his foul
pop fell uncaught, singled in Engle for the tying run. Boston then won it all on
Larry Gardner's long outfield fly.
(JK)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 11, 1910: The White Sox trade P Frank Smith, whose best days are behind him, and 3B Billy Purtell to the Red Sox in exchange for 2B Amby McConnell and 3B Harry Lord. On July 10th, a Walter Johnson fast ball broke Lord's finger, and the stellar play of his substitute Clyde Engle has made Lord expendable. Lord becoming the one threat in the weak White Sox lineup, hitting .297 through the end of the year, but the Sox will still finish last in hitting, slugging, and homers.
»October 16, 1912: In the Series finale, Christy Mathewson squares off against Hugh Bedient in quest of his first win of the Series. He takes a 1–0 lead into the 7th, but with one out, Boston manager Jake Stahl hits a pop-up to short LF. The ball drops among Art Fletcher, Josh Devore, and Fred Snodgrass. Heinie Wagner walks, and with two outs, pinch hitter Olaf Henriksen doubles home the tying run. Smoky Joe Wood relieves Bedient, and the two aces match zeroes until Red Murray doubles and Fred Merkle singles in the 10th to give New York a 2–1 lead. In the last of the 10th, pinch hitter Clyde Engle lifts a can of corn to CF Snodgrass, who drops the ball. Snodgrass then makes a great catch of a long drive by Harry Hooper. Steve Yerkes walks, bringing up Tris Speaker, who pops a high foul along the 1B line. C Chief Meyers chases it, but it drops a few feet from 1B Merkle, who could have taken it easily. Reprieved, Speaker then singles in the tying run and sends Yerkes to 3B. After Duffy Lewis is walked intentionally, 3B Larry Gardner hits a long sac fly to a retreating Devore that scores Yerkes with the winning run. This World Series was the most butterfingered in history, with thirty-one errors recorded, seventeen for The Giants. The Red Sox earn $4,024.68 each; the Giants' share is $2,566.47 each.
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