The Pecan Park Eagle

1903 World Series Game 8 Line Score / Box Score
1903 World Series Game 8 Capsule
Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	3
Boston	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	x	3	8	0
Pittsburgh Pitcher(s)						Boston Pitcher(s)
Deacon Phillippe (L)						Bill Dinneen
Pittsburgh Home Runs						Boston Home Runs
None						None

Line Score Courtesy of Baseball Almanac.

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The date was October 13, 1903. The Boston Americans (not yet Red Sox) had just polished off the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-0, at Huntington Field in the Hub City to take the first World Series of the modern 20th Century Era of major league baseball before a crowd of 7,456 fans that had braved the threat of rain to be there for a chance to croon in a victory chant with a few alcohol-inspired choruses of the team’s love song, “Tessie”.

Here are a few snippets of how the Boston Globe reported this first explosion of “World Series Winner’s Joy and Jubilation the following day in their October 14, 1903 edition:

HEADLINES: — “OUT WITH THE CROWD, — IT WAS A GLORIOUS DAY FOR THE FANS, — ENTHUSIASM RAN RIOT IN FOURTH. — ROOTERS AND THEIR BAND IN EVIDENCE. — CHEERS AND MELODY FOLLOW EACH OTHER. — GREAT GAME IS REPLETE WITH THRILLING SITUATIONS. — WILD SCENE AT THE FINISH OF THE CONTEST. — PLAYERS CARRIED ON THE SHOULDERS OF ADMIRERS.”

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“Tessie” Was the First Reported Word: “Tessie,” an obscure maiden whom somebody loved in a ragtime melody, wasn’t much in the place (yesterday) which the librettist and composer built for her. But she has a place in history. She will go tunefully tripping down the ages as yhr famous mascot that helped the Boston Americans win three out of four at Pittsburg(h), capture the final game at Boston and with it the title – champions of the world.”

“Sung by the thundering ensemble at the Huntington av(enue) baseball grounds yesterday afternoon, “Tessie” was there when anything worth doing was done. “Tessie” was never carolled for any four-flush proposition; her chaste salutes were only for that which wins the laurel wreath.”

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Threat of Rain Held Crowd to only 7,456: “Last night more than 10,000 men from Boston and its distant environs were saying, as they heard the score, ‘If I only had been sure they would play, I would have been there.’ There were nearly 8,000 people there who took the chance, whose confidence would not be shaken by the lowering sky, the threatening overcast or the possibility of slippery grounds. They were there to see the world’s championship won, and to participate in the spectacular demonstration in honor of the ‘greatest team of ballplayers on earth.’ ”

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Pre-Game Fun: From 12-2 PM at the grounds, fans started showing up, including the privileged “Royal Rooters” and their band of musicians and copies of the lyrics to “Tessie”. Singing, drinking, eating, and adrenalin-pumping were the order of the day prior to the field arrival of the players. 

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2 PM, Boston Players Arrive: “About 2 o’clock, the first good excuse for melody and cheers came with the appearance of Parent, Stahl, and Dougherty, all of whom cavorted about chasing balls for some minutes. Then came Collins. When he appeared, the mighty Rooters arose in a bunch and chanted that gurgling reminiscent masterpiece, ‘Down Where the Wurzburger Flows.’ ”

“There were cheers and more cheers.”

“Enter Cy Young in a red sweater, followed by a great noise. Cy got down to work in the field chasing grounders.”

“As each player made his appearance on the field, the Rooters gave him a cordial greeting.”

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2:15 PM, Pittsburgh Players Arrive: “When, at 2:15, the Pittsburg(h) Pirates ran upon the field with Capt. (Fred) Clarke and Hans Wagner at the head, Charlie Lavis (of the Royal Rooters) called for three cheers for Clarke. Three lusty ones were given and the Pittsburger lifted his cap.”

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Warm Up and Picture Time: “The limbering-up process went on for 20 minutes. Every battery of each nine was out taking the kinks out of their arms.”

“Then for 10 minutes the players of both nines posed for group photographs for several artists.”

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The Game: Boston scored 2 in the bottom of the 4th and one more in the 6th to win, 3-0, and take the first World Series from Deacon Phillipe and the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5 games to 3. Bill Dineen pitched Boston to victory with a 4-hit shutout, getting Honus Wagner on a swinging strike three to wrap up the game and the series.

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Post-Game/Fans Carry Players Off the Field. Like it or not, the Boston players were grabbed by fans and carried off the field by the insanity that reined on this rain-scary championship day . Only Ferris escaped their grasp and Jimmy Collins almost became a human wishbone: “Jimmy Collins was nearly dismantled because the crowd that had his right leg insisted on going in a different direction from the party that held possession of his left one.

Once rescued, the players did not linger for another ovation any longer than they had to, slipping away or into the clubhouse until the coast was clear. ~ “But the great crowd stayed, cheering until the rooters formed in line behind their band and uncovered while ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ was being played. Then they marched across the field and out of the backfield gate.”

It is highly probable that the saloons and bars of Boston did a fairly brisk evening of business during the evening hours of October 13, 1903. After all, those were fairly intemperate times when it came to celebrating great victories and there was no Dr. Oz Show around in those days to advise Bostonians in advance on the healthiest ways to celebrate great victory and joy.

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“Save the Astrodome. ~ Give new life to the Eighth Wonder of the World. ~ Vote Yes on Harris County Proposition 2.”

Tags: 1903 World Series

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