The Prairie Pooch Hole
Here's an interesting story from baseball's hoary past you might find interesting...Today marks the 94th anniversary of the infamous Foul-Ball Forfeit game between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees. The scoreless game was forfeited in the third inning by the Yankees after Detroit second baseman Joseph Mazlovsky fouled off his 63rd pitch and 87th of the game! Both totals still stand as single game records for foulballs.
While Ty Cobb was the better known infielder for the Tigers, Mazlovsky was known for his grit and determination. He also shared Cobb's penchant for holding a grudge. While Ruth is better known for "calling his shot," Mazlovsky is said to have angrily promised to force the Yankees ito their knees following the prior day's game in which he was beaned four times by Yankee fireballer Mitchell Granch.
Mazlovsky was a contact hitter who knew how to control the count, but his lifetime .273 average fails to reflect the inspired vengance he exacted that hot August day. Mazlovsky's second at-bat knocked pitcher Jonathan Leary out of the game after 63 straight pitches brought Leary's pitch total to 212. The Yankees were down to only position players available following a benches-clearing brawl and 13 ejections in the first inning when Mazlovsky sent 12 of his 24 foul balls directly into the Yankees dugout. As a result, they had no one to send in when Leary fatigued. This forced them into a forfeit of a scoreless game.
Mazlovsky was suspended 30 games by the league's commissioner, Connie Flannery, following the incident for conduct "contrary to the spirit of the game." That offseason Mazlovsky died when the train he was traveling on derailed near Fargo, North Dakota. The Foul-Ball Forfeit was Mazlovsky's last game ever played in a Major League Uniform.
While Ty Cobb was the better known infielder for the Tigers, Mazlovsky was known for his grit and determination. He also shared Cobb's penchant for holding a grudge. While Ruth is better known for "calling his shot," Mazlovsky is said to have angrily promised to force the Yankees ito their knees following the prior day's game in which he was beaned four times by Yankee fireballer Mitchell Granch.
Mazlovsky was a contact hitter who knew how to control the count, but his lifetime .273 average fails to reflect the inspired vengance he exacted that hot August day. Mazlovsky's second at-bat knocked pitcher Jonathan Leary out of the game after 63 straight pitches brought Leary's pitch total to 212. The Yankees were down to only position players available following a benches-clearing brawl and 13 ejections in the first inning when Mazlovsky sent 12 of his 24 foul balls directly into the Yankees dugout. As a result, they had no one to send in when Leary fatigued. This forced them into a forfeit of a scoreless game.
Mazlovsky was suspended 30 games by the league's commissioner, Connie Flannery, following the incident for conduct "contrary to the spirit of the game." That offseason Mazlovsky died when the train he was traveling on derailed near Fargo, North Dakota. The Foul-Ball Forfeit was Mazlovsky's last game ever played in a Major League Uniform.
I Snoped this story, and found no reference to this event. I Googled it too. No Mazlovsky. No Foul-Ball Forfeit Game. Nothing! Since it's not yet documented by mainstream sources, I think I'm going to add it to Wikipedia.org. I'm busy now. But, when I get it done, will let all the Prairie Pooch Doggy Dog fans know so you can review it and hopefully pass on references to this wonderful story to your friends. Wouldn't it be neat if we documented this historical tidbit, and the story traveled everywhere, almost like the spreading of a virus? We would be history makers.
And, Joseph Mazlovsky would finally get the recognition he deserves!
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