When the pitcher was a hitter

Ever since its interduction in the American League in 1973, baseball fans have been arguing with each other the merits of the designated hitter rule. I for one like the rule, others however do not. I like it just the way it is. Whoever said that both "Leagues" had to be exactly the same, has no idea what is good for the game.

Today we are looking at one of the greatest hitting performances in professional baseball history by a pitcher. On June 5, 1914 a game was played by two teams in the Georgia-Alabama League between the Opelika Pelicans and the Talladega Indians. The Pelicans, who were the home team, were led by pitcher John Cantley who went 4 for 5 with 3 home runs in a 19-1 victory.

It is widely accepted that Cantley hit 3 grand slams in this game. However, an examination of the linescore shows differently. The Pelicans scored 7 runs in the 1st and 2nd innings, a single run in the fourth inning and 2 runs each in the 7th and 8th innings. Keeping those facts in mind, we can see that no one in the game could have had hit 3 grand slams in the course of the game. This throws into doubt the claim that Cantley had 15 RBIs in the game. Even if he haad grand slams in the first two innings and drove in the all the runs in the 4th, 7th and 8th innings, he would have had no more than 13 RBIs. It is possible that a writer misunderstood the verbage of the day, thus incorrectly intrperting the facts. I am sure that when all of the facts are found and correctly understood, we will find that Cantley still had a great day at the plate.

Tomorrow we look at the humble beginings of what became the NBA.