8/2 Through the 1930’s: Smokey Joe Gem; Hothead Hans; Game Stories; RIP Harry; HBD Bucky & Wilmer

• 1881 - RHP Frederick W. “Bucky” Veil (he went to Bucknell) was born in Tyrone. He only pitched two MLB seasons (1903-04), both for the Bucs, as his career was cut short by malaria bouts. He did have a good arm; Honus Wagner predicted "...A brilliant future for the promising star..." in the Pittsburgh Press, although his health held him to just five career victories. He does hold the distinction of being the first relief pitcher in a World Series, when he tossed seven innings against Boston in 1903 after replacing an injured Sam Leever in game two, giving up just one run. 

Bucky Veil - 1903 photo via SABR

• 1894 - The Pirates set a club record by scoring in 14 straight innings during a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Browns when they plated a run in the first. They started the streak on July 31st, beating Cincinnati 11-10 while scoring in the last five frames, and then tallied in all eight frames on August 1st against the Reds, winning by a 15-5 count. The games were played at Expo Park. One additional footnote to the game: the infield fly rule was new, and what the Pittsburgh Press called “a puzzling play” occurred when pitcher Red Ehret missed an infield pop (not intentionally) that had been called an infield fly by the ump. The runner on first took off (the original rule stated he had to remain on first), the pitcher threw the ball into center field and all sorts of hilarity broke out until the Pirates had, per the Press, “a sudden awakening” and tagged first for the forceout. 
• 1905 - Temper, temper, Hans: In the course of a 3-1 loss to the New York Giants, Honus Wagner was called out on a bang-bang play at first. Hot at the decision, he fired a baseball past umpire George Bausewine’s noggin during warmups the next inning. The Flying Dutchman was ejected, then later suspended for three games and fined $40 by the league. 
• 1907 - The Big Train, Walter Johnson, lost his debut 3-2 to Ty Cobb’s Tigers. But he was this close to being a Bucco instead of a Senator: according to biography.yourdictionary.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates had wanted to sign him, but refused to guarantee his $9 train fare back home if he didn't make the team. Instead, Johnson signed for $350 a month, a $100 bonus and a train ticket with Washington. The Big Train went on to win 417 games in 21 seasons for Washington. 
• 1909 - NL President Harry Pulliam was buried in Louisville. In his honor (and for the first time in baseball history) both National and American League games were postponed and the teams wore black armbands for the remainder of the season. Harry had been the Pirates team president prior to that, and is widely credited with convincing Honus Wagner to leave Louisville and join him in Pittsburgh. 
• 1922 - RHP Wilmer Fields was born in Manassas, Virginia. Fields was a 6’3”, 220 lb. quarterback at Virginia State when the Homestead Grays discovered him and his fastball. Wilmer spent from 1940-48 with the team as a two-way player: not only did he win 102 games from the hill, but he was used as a utility/spot starter off the bench, playing 2B, 3B, SS, catcher and the OF. After the Grays folded he went on to win an amazing seven MVP awards in four different Latin and indie leagues. Though in the right era, he never played MLB ball, turning down several offers because the pay was too low ($4,500 was the going rate for rookies in those days) and also because as an indie player his wife could attend all his games, an impossibility for a major-league spouse. A Wilmer factoid: He was variously known as Bill, Red and Chinky. The last two were in reference to his light skin color, which led him to become known jokingly among his teammates as “the man who integrated the Homestead Grays.” He also continued his college education during the off-season, and after his playing days became an alcohol abuse counselor, wrote his autobiography & helped found and served as the first president of the Negro League Baseball Players Association. 

Wilmer Fields - photo via National Pastime Museum 

• 1928 - The Pirates scored 12 runs in the first three innings and ran away with an 18-4 laugher over the Phillies at the Baker Bowl. Glenn Wright (five RBI) and George Grantham (who scored four times) cranked out early three-run homers to pace the attack. Three more runs were driven in by both Pie Traynor and Fred Bickell. Burleigh Grimes coasted to the win. 
• 1930 - Playing at night under Kansas City's portable light system, the Homestead Grays' 44-year-old hurler, Smokey Joe Williams (27 strikeouts), spun a one-hitter (an eighth-inning bloop into right) to defeat the Monarchs' Chet Brewer (he gave up four hits & fanned 19, including 10 in a row starting in the 7th), 1-0, in a fiercely contested 12-inning matchup. Oscar Charleston scored the game’s the only run when he walked - the first free pass of the game - and later scored on Chaney White’s single. Not only were the pitchers top notch, but both were adept at doctoring the ball, an especially effective ploy at night. Per the Pittsburgh Courier “The opposing pitchers were cheating without the question of a doubt. An emery ball in daylight is very deceptive but at night it is about as easy to see as an insect in the sky.” Still, Grays owner Cum Posey later called it “the greatest pitching battle of the Gray’s history...” 
• 1931 - The Pirates stopped the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 at Forbes Field behind Erv Brame for the series sweep and team’s third straight shutout over the Redlegs. Paul Waner had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run while Tommy Thevenow also kicked in three knocks and a pair of RBI.