1908: The Merkle Boner
I first read of this story while I was in high school and have never forgotten it. It has become a good life lesson. It is somewhat similar to the story I am responding to above in that a base runner did not progress to the next base which would have allowed the winning run to score from third base in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs. Unfortunately, Fred Merkle, a 19 year old rookie with the NY Giants got caught up in the jubilation of the moment of an apparent game winning hit in the bottom of the 9th inning in a late September game and failed to touch 2nd base after running from 1st base with 2 outs. He was ultimately ruled out on a force out nullifying the winning run. After a near riot developed on the field, the game would ultimately be ruled a tie and a 1-game playoff would need to be played in NY at the conclusion of the regular season. His mistake would eventually cost the NY Giants a pennant, which would be awarded to the Chicago Cubs after winning a 1-game playoff against the Giants' Ace, Christy Mathewson to conclude the 1908 season.
I guess the lesson from this is to always complete the play, and not assume that the game must be over, regardless of the excitement on the field.
Baseball has a lot of quirky rules, and this is just another example. Finish the play!
I hope you enjoy the read.
The Merkle Boner
