On July 26, 1913, in a game between the Chicago American Giants and the Cuban Stars in Detroit’s Mack Park, Bruce Petway pinch-hit for starting pitcher Rube Foster in the seventh inning. Foster, however, returned to pitch the seventh inning, then made way for Dicta Johnson in the eighth—and when the number 9 spot in the lineup came up again in the bottom of the ninth, out came Petway again, this time hitting for Johnson. Petway singled both times, though his efforts came in vain as the American Giants lost 8 to 5.
The phenomenon of “courtesy runners” in the major leagues as late as the 1950s is well-known, and I’ve seen a number of Negro league examples, too. But I don’t think I’ve heard about too many “courtesy hitters,” at least before 1973.
(Detroit Free Press, July 27, 1913, p. 18)
Looks like Chicago was short-handed possibly for this game. Ben Taylor is not listed in the lineup, and Jesse Barber is playing his only recorded game at 1B. Of course seems like Bill Gatewood could have PH, as he was a better hitter than Petway.
Posted by: Kevin | May 19, 2012 at 03:03 PM