The 1929 World Series: Chicago Cubs Vs. Philadelphia Athletics

Howard Ehmke Wins Game 1

In 1929, the Chicago Cubs were National League champions. Managed by Joe McCarthy, the Cubs met Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics in the post season, which at that time consisted of a best of seven set called the World Series. Both the Athletics and the Cubs had outstanding pitching staffs as well as powerful offenses. The Cubs had right handed starters Pat Malone (22-10, 3.57), Charlie Root (19-6, 3.47), and Guy Bush (18-7, 3.66), while the Athletics had left handed starters Bob "Lefty" Grove (20-6, 2.81) and Rube Walberg (18-11, 3.60) and big right hander George Earnshaw (24-8, 3.29).

Outstanding Pitching Staffs

The Athletics starters threw hard. Grove was considered to have the best fastball in the game, and several American Leaguers who faced him claimed that he was faster than either Walter Johnson or Dazzy Vance, while some Yankees were certain that Earnshaw and Walberg were even faster than Grove. The Cubs could answer the Athletics with Malone, who was a side arming righty with a blazing fast ball that made even the greatest right handed uncomfortable. Root had a good fast ball and curve, while Bush relied on his curve ball, but still had a good fast ball.

Outstanding Offenses

The Cubs averaged an amazing 6.29 runs a game and batted .303, with a .370 on base average. Rogers Hornsby hit .380, had 149 RBIs, and finished third in the league with 39 home runs. Hack Wilson hit .345, matched Hornsby's 39 home runs, and led the league with 159 RBIs. Outfielders Riggs Stephenson, with 110 RBIs and KiKI Cuyler, with 102 RBIs, gave the Cubs an outfield that batted in 371 runs. Hornsby, Wilson, and Cuyler are Hall of Famers.

The Athletics had Al Simmons, who led the American League with 157 RBIs. He finished second in the league with a .365 average and third in home runs with 34. Jimmy Foxx hit .354 with 33 home runs and 118 RBIs, while Mickey Cochrane and Bing Miller each hit .331. The team averaged just under 6 runs a game. Simmons, Foxx, and Cochrane are Hall of Famers.

Connie Mack's Great Decision