ESPN has an article on the 100th anniversary of Fred Merkle’s play where he forgot to touch second base, which would eventually cost the Giants the 1908 pennant and give it to the Cubs. Of course, 1908 was the last time the Cubs won the World Series.
Reading the article, I couldn’t help but think wow, and I thought Bill Buckner had it tough. At least the fans forgave him in his appearance at an Old Timers event in 1950. If the Polo Grounds were standing today, Merkle’s ghost would probably be still there, perpetually stranded between first and second. If there’s any solace, it can be found on the diamonds of youth and beer league games everywhere, where after a walk-off hit the base coach and teammates will invariably remind the hitter and runner(s) “hey don’t forget to touch the next base!”
Keith Olbermann article (CNNSI)
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This post was written by Hank on September 23, 2008
