World Series Flashback: 1915, Game Two

The Philadelphia Phillies made their first appearance in the World Series in 1915, when they challenged a talented Boston Red Sox squad. The Phillies came in to their first Fall Classic as the clear underdogs as Boston was familiar with post season play.

Featuring pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander and power hitter Gavy Craveth the Phillies would face a stiff test in the Red Sox, who were loaded with so much talent that young pitcher Babe Ruth who only made one appearance in the Series, as a pinch hitter.

We continue our phlashback with a look at game two of the 1915 World Series, played in Philadelphia.

1915 World Series

Philadelphia Phillies (90-62) vs. Boston Red Sox (101-50)
Game Two: Red Sox Win 2-1, Tie Series at 1-1

After the Phillies took game one of the 1915 World Series the Red Sox were looking to respond and respond they did. They did so in front of President Woodrow Wilson (pictured above), who was the first President to attend a World Series game.

Boston sent Rube Foster to the mound. Foster was 19-8 in the regular season and continued his brilliance in the World Series. Philadelphia countered with Erskine Mayer, who was 21-15 in the regular season in 1915.

The Red Sox continued to hit the Phillies. After sprinkling eight hits in game one the Red Sox put together 10 hits in game two. Boston wasted no time getting on the scoreboard early, taking the lead on a crazy sequence in the first inning.

Harry Hooper lead the game off with a walk from Mayer. Boston shortstop Evertt Scott popped up on a sacrifice bunt attempt, and failed to move Hooper to second base. Hooper did advance, reaching third base, on a single by Tris Speaker.

Speaker attempted to steal second base but was thrown out. As Speaker was attempting to steal second Hooper attempted to steal home. The play at the plate should have been made but Phillies catcher Ed Burns committed an error and Hooper was safe.

The Phillies tied the game at one in the bottom of the fifth inning when Gavy Craveth scored on a Fred Luderus single, but the Phillies were unable to continue the momentum swing and never took the lead in game two. The Red Sox took the 2-1 lead when pitcher Foster knocked an RBI single to center field, bringing home Larry Gardner, who lead the inning off with a single.

Foster finished off the Phillies in the eighth and ninth innings for the complete game victory. The World Series was now tied at one game a piece and heading back to Boston.