In a Strat-O-Matic matchup between 19th century and Yankee ballplayers, the latter emerged with a victory blessed by power—the Yankees smacked four home runs against John Clarkson and the 19th century squad in their 7-1 win. Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle went yard back-to-back with solo home runs in the sixth inning; the other round trippers came off the bats of Joe Gordon and Yogi Berra.
To qualify for the teams, a player had to play at least five years for each classification—in the 19th century or with the Yankees. The lineups were:
Yankees
- Phil Rizzuto, Shortstop
- Joe Gordon, Second Base
- Lou Gehrig, First Base
- Babe Ruth, Left Field
- Mickey Mantle, Center Field
- Reggie Jackson, Right Field
- Wade Boggs, Third Base
- Yogi Berra, Catcher
- Jack Chesbro, Pitcher
19th Century
- Bid McPhee, Second Base
- Ed Delahanty, Left Field
- Buck Ewing, Catcher
- Hugh Duffy, Center Field
- Dan Brothers, First Base
- Hughie Jennings, Shortstop
- King Kelly, Right Field
- Jimmy Collins, Third Base
- John Clarkson, Pitcher
Bid McPhee scored the only run for the 19th century players when Ed Delahanty doubled him home in the eighth inning. McPhee’s Hall of Fame plaque notes career statistics:
- .982 fielding average
- 2,250 hits
- Scored at least 100 runs 10 times.
Also highlighted are McPhee’s intangible qualities: “Known for his sober disposition and exemplary sportsmanship.”
Clarkson notched five strikeouts of the Yankees:
- Lou Gehrig (twice)
- Jack Chesbro (twice)
- Reggie Jackson (once)
A masterful hurler, Clarkson compiled a 328-178 win-loss record in his 19th century major league career. In 1885 and 1889, he led the major leagues in victories with 53 and 49, respectively; Clarkson notched 38 victories to lead the American League in 1887.
Gordon went 2-for-5 on the day, his other hit being a single in the ninth inning. In an 11-year career, Gordon made the American League All-Star team nine times.
Chesbro limited the 19th century batsmen to six hits. Beginning his career with the Pirates in 1899, Chesbro spent four seasons in Pittsburgh before emigrating to the Yankees. In 1904, he led the majors with 41 victories. Finishing his career after the 1909 season, Chesbro’s career 198-132 win-loss record amounted to a winning percentage of .600.
King Kelly, a threat at home plate even if he were blindfolded, played for the Reds, the Cubs, the Beaneaters, and the Giants, in addition to the Boston Reds in the Players League’s only season—1890—and Cincinnati Kelly’s Killers the following year. Kelly’s career spanned from 1878 to 1893. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945, Kelly’s career statistics include:
- .308 batting average
- 359 doubles
- 418 strikeouts
- 6,455 plate appearances
Reggie Jackson played for four teams in his Hall of Fame career:
- A’s
- Orioles
- Yankees
- Angels
During his five-year tenure with the Yankees, he played in three World Series, won two rings, and solidified a place in Yankee iconography when he smacked three home runs in one game in the 1977 World Series.
A version of this article appeared on www.thesportspost.com on October 16, 2016.