July 25, 1904 – by Ronald Schmidt
In 1902, the Brooklyn Whales became the second team to win three Legacy Cups but the first to defend the Cup twice. Smart managing in the background formed a legacy that was out for a fourth title. After 72 wins in 1902 – another record – nobody looked forward to facing Brooklyn. But the 1903 Providence Angels stopped the Whales. Although finishing with the least runs against and scoring the second-most runs, they came in second behind the Providence Angels.
Brooklyn wanted to set things straight this season and dominated the Ivy Division. After Philadelphia’s furious battle with the Richmond Rifles for the Liberty Division title, the League Cup seemed decided. Brooklyn won nine out of fifteen games this season, and the postseason record was at 2-6 after they met in 1900 and 1902. Two years later, the Whales would face different Brewers.
With only one day off between the regular season and the League Cup series, manager Troy Bujak and pitching coach David Moore didn’t bother to change the rotation. Instead, the number three man, Danny Edgerton, started the series, but the offense triumphed in game one. In the bottom of the first, the Brewers went through their complete lineup and scored four runs. Then, two innings later, Dunkley and Challand brought the Whales on the board. Still, the Brewers’ offense added another four runs at the next opportunity. At the end of the day, the Brewers would win the first game 8-5.
The second game in Boeselager Stadium was a close matter. Philadelphia pitching star Stephen Millington took the helm and faced Clifford Wollett, who had a terrific season (22-8, 2.03 ERA). Both teams scored early, with the Whales gaining a slim 3-2 lead after three innings. But then the stadium became quiet. After Millington tossed a second warmup pitch to Ayscue, he grabbed his shoulder and signaled the dugout to substitute him. A few days later, the diagnosis resulted in a torn labrum. Leonard Kindall pitched two more innings and allowed one more run. The last third of the game belonged to Philadelphia’s shortstop Robert Dibb. Stapleton was on first when Dibb stepped up. He swung at the first pitch and hit an RBI double. He repeated his previous at-bat in the eighth, with the bases loaded and two outs, and brought two in to turn and win the game. 5-4 win.
Brooklyn returned with a big win for their home game. Again, they scored first with a run. After that, the game went scoreless for five more innings, and Lambert Holmes performed well, but so did Leslie Benney. Finally, in the seventh inning, the Whales broke the Holmes code and brought in five runs. Another run in the eighth marked the final score: 0-7 Whales. A day to forget for Holmes and the Philly offense that only produced four hits.
Game four saw Danny Edgerton back on the mound for the Brewers. 13,533 came to the Field of the Whales to see Clifford Wollett throw the first pitch for Brooklyn. Both teams brought in a run early, and the game was tied 1-1 after two innings. The Brewers’ bats became active again in the sixth. McKenzie hit a triple, and Rusty Hall hit his second RBI single of the game. A single by Enrique Johnson combined with an error in the Whales’ outfield allowed Hall to cross the home plate, too. An inning later, the top of the lineup was at the plate. John Walshaw sent a line drive to right field on the first pitch and stole second. Gilling grounded out, McKenzie survived a seven-pitch at-bat with an RBI single, and Rusty Hall hit his third single of the game. Moriarty Stapleton’s double brought in the last runs for Philadelphia. Brooklyn rekindled the flame of hope in the eighth, but three runs weren’t enough to avoid elimination. 6-4 win.
When Robert Dibb tossed an Ignatius Strawson groundball to Lionel Lyon for the final out, the visiting team’s dugout cleared and stormed the infield. Especially the Brewers veterans looked relieved to play in the Legacy Cup again. Only one player remained seated but was soon comforted by Troy Bujak: Stephen Millington.
Tomorrow, the Legacy Cup will begin in Philadelphia. The Brewers will play the Twin City Empire, who celebrate their third Legacy Cup appearance in four seasons.