Читать книгу No Money, No Beer, No Pennants. The Cleveland Indians and Baseball in the Great Depression онлайн

5 страница из 104

Graney then called out members of the Cleveland Naps. They were led by Napoleon “Larry” Lajoie, the game’s finest second baseman. A huge roar came from the crowd when Larry jogged onto the field. From 1902 through 1914 he had been the face of Cleveland baseball; hence the team name, “Naps.” Next were Lajoie’s outstanding teammates, third baseman Bill Bradley and right fielder Elmer Flick. Both were local products, still making their homes in the Cleveland area.

Graney finished the introductions by calling out three heroes of the 1920 World Series, Elmer Smith, Bill Wamby, and player-manager Tris Speaker. In the pivotal fifth game at League Park, Smith walloped the first bases-loaded home run in World Series history. During that same game Wamby executed a spectacular unassisted triple play, a feat that has never been duplicated in post-season play. Speaker had been the catalyst throughout the entire World Series, making one tremendous play after another. The ovation for the three stars was deafening.