[Big Six]

Boston Globe, October 4, 1909


RED SOX ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!

Boston Wins Decisive Game, 6-3
Pruiett is Pitching Hero

NEW YORK--This morning, the rooters who have faithfully followed the fortunes of the Boston Red Sox awaken to the realization that their favorites are the champions of the base ball world. The American League pennant winners defeated the New York Giants yesterday, 6-3, to capture the World Series crown, four games to one.

Boston pitcher "Tex" Pruiett, whose 14 stellar innings of work produced a thrilling victory in the first game of the Series, once again did yeoman work on the hill. "Tex" held the powerful Giant bats in check for seven innings, by which time his mates had put six runs across the plate. Pruiett seemed to let up somewhat in the eighth frame, when the Giants scored all three of their runs, but the outcome was never in serious doubt.

"Red" Ames, who had been passed over by Giants manager McGraw in favor of the great Mathewson the day before, took the mound today, and for three innings, he matched Pruiett out for out. Then, leading off the fourth stanza, "Pat" O'Farrell drilled a 1-0 fastball to right center field. As Giants center fielder Cy Seymour gave chase, the ball cleared the fence for a home run, giving the Red Sox a lead they never relinquished.

The hit turned around what had been a rather quiet Series for O'Farrell, who led the American League in slugging percentage and doubles during the regular campaign. "I've never hit a ball that far in my life," confessed the second baseman, who hit only two home runs during the season, neither one of which cleared the fence. O'Farrell's mighty blow is estimated to have traveled nearly 420 feet...

(Note: the "official" distance was 418 feet.)


The champions return to Boston tonight aboard a special train. Festivities are scheduled at several sites during the next few days, with the first involving a presentation by the Mayor, to be made at Faneuil Hall...

(rest of article lost)

[Big Six]

Here is Patrick's final stat line for the 1909 World Series:

G: 5
AB: 20
R: 3
H: 5
2B: 1
3B: 0
HR: 1
RBI: 2
BB: 5
K: 3
SB: 1
CS: 0

AVG: .250
OBP: .400
SLG: .450
OPS: .850

O'Farrell started all five games at second base, batting third each time. He fielded flawlessly in the Series, making several fine plays. In my opinion, the best was a diving stop of a smash by Buck Herzog in the seventh inning of Game 1. He fired from his knees to nip Herzog at first, retiring the side and preventing a run from scoring.

He played a role in some of the Series' most dramatic moments, too. Pat scored the tying runs in the ninth innings of the Sox' victories in Games 1 and 2 of the Series, and his home run in Game 5 qualified as the game-winning hit. He broke a scoreless tie and gave the Sox a lead they'd never relinquish.

[Big Six]

Boston Post, October 22, 1909


F. GRAY Co.
Washington & Hanover Sts.

PAT O'FARRELL WEARS A PABLO OVERCOAT
Shouldn't you?

The Greatest WINTER OVERCOAT ever constructed. Made from Scotch Angolas, Kerseys, Meltons, Beavers, and Chinchillas. Best $20.00 Overcoat in the world for $9.90

Others at $14.90, $17.90 to $24.00

[Big Six]

227 Elm Street
Stockbridge, Massachusetts


Mr. William Carrigan
145 Bowdoin Street
Worcester, Massachusetts

December 22, 1909

Dear Bill,

A Merry Christmas to you and to your wife! You told me to write to you if anything of note happened during the winter months, and to remember you at Christmas. This letter will serve both purposes.

I took the bonus we won for the World's Series and put it to use in two different ways. The first was to purchase an automobile, which I had promised myself I would do if we took home a the winner's share of the Series dough. I bought a brand-new Hupmobile roadster, for which I paid $750. I am not an expert on such matters, but the car has a four-cylinder engine which generates 20 horsepower. The car seats two passengers, which leads nicely into my next, and most important, bit of news.

Another portion of my bonus went to a local jeweler, to purchase a diamond ring for my fiancee! Yes, my friend, you read correctly. Last week I proposed marriage to Sarah, and she was crazy enough to accept! We are planning to marry next October, late enough in the month that if we play in the Series again, there will be no conflict. I would very much like to pay for a honeymoon trip with another Series bonus.

How is your wrist feeling? Of course, you have my very best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery, so that you will be behind the bat when the season opens next April. Charlie Armbruster filled in marvelously for you, and Charlie is a fine fellow, but even he understands he is only holding the position until you are back in playing condition once again. Knowing you, you are probably chopping wood and shoveling coal, and risking another injury. Take some of that bonus and pay some husky local lad to do those things for you! Tell him it will strengthen him so that he can one day take your position, if need be.

I will close now, as my family and Sarah's are off to a Christmas gathering. We will be singing and enjoying a large meal, and it would only be more festive if you and your wife were with us. Please write soon and let me know how things are progressing with you.

Again, a very Merry Christmas!

Your pal,
Pat

[Big Six]

Mr. Hugh Jennings
Detroit American League Baseball Club
Detroit, Michigan


April 1, 1910


Dear Mr. Jennings,

Here is the scouting report you requested on Pat O'Farrell of Boston. I had the chance to observe him on several occasions while the Red Sox were training at Little Rock. Following is my evaluation of O'Farrell's performance and talent:


Pat O'Farrell would be one of the better players on most teams. He can do a lot at the plate, and will definitely contribute. Pat has above-average hand-eye coordination. He makes frequent contact. Although he is more of a contact hitter, he has some pop. He really works opposing pitchers deep into the count, and will be a league leader in walks drawn. Pat does a decent job of protecting the plate, and will make contact when you need him to. He is one of the best baserunners in the league, a guy most managers will let steal at will. Pat is a spectacular second baseman. He has incredible range and soft hands. He makes the easy plays, the hard plays, and everything in between.

I rate his skills as follows:

Contact Hitting: 6
Power Hitting: 3
Eye and Discipline: 8

His baserunning, base stealing, and ability to bunt for a hit or in a sacrifice situation, I grade as A. Defensively, I would also rate his range as Grade A at second base. He took some ground balls at shortstop as well, and I would grade him as B at that position.

On the five-star scale we use, I would give O'Farrell 4.5 stars.

Sincerely,

James Greene
Scout

[StorminZ]

Keep it coming, Big Six.

I just gotta say it again, this has the makings of a great screenplay ... if that were the case, I envision Matt Damon playing Pat O'Farrell ... don't ask how I arrived at that ... his was the first name that popped into my head. And who would play Carrigan? Hmmmm ... gotta think about that one.

In any event, a great read ... well written ... yours is the first I look for when I log onto the .400 forum!

Thanks!

[Big Six]

Thanks, StorminZ! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'm having more and more fun with it the farther

Screenplay, huh? Interesting! Yeah, Matt Damon could play Pat. I'm not sure about Carrigan, either. And who'd play Sarah? I'll have to think about that one, too.

[Jacesen]

Jennifer Tilly as Sarah...... Carrigan.. I'd go with Ben Affleck. Those two just seem to go together, kinda like Carrigan and Patty!!

[Big Six]

Yeah, Jennifer Tilly would make an irresistible Sarah. I'll call her, Affleck, and Damon and see if they'll take the roles.

I guess I could always play Patrick if Matt's not interested...

[Jacesen]

I just reread the thread... and now I see Damon and Affleck all the time...lol

And if you get those 3 to play the parts... I would like 2% of their salaries.

[Big Six]

You got it, Jacesen. That's a fair finder's fee, I'd imagine.

I had no idea it had been this long since I'd traveled back to 1910 with Pat and the Sox. I've been busy, and out of town for a while. Now, I should have some more time to devote to this. I've missed it more than I thought I would, actually.

I hope those of you who have been kind enough to follow the story and comment will return to join me as we see what happens next!

[Big Six]

My updates on Pat's 1910 season will be a little more sporadic. I accidentally set the game to sim the entire season rather than a month, went to cut my grass, and came back to see the base ball world awaiting the World Series.

[Big Six]

Boston Herald, Monday, June 30, 1910


AMERICAN LEAGUERS WIN ALL-STAR CONTEST, 3-2

Sox Representatives Do Not Figure in Outcome

DETROIT--Before a crowd that spilled forth from the Bennett Park grandstand and seemed to cover half the outfield, the stars of the American League awakened their bats in time to push a pair of late runs across, giving them a narrow victory over their National League counterparts.

Home town favorite Sam Crawford, who rapped three safeties in four times at bat, appropriately knocked in the winning run, singling home teammate Claude Rossman in the eighth frame. Crawford's hit made a winner of team mate Ralph Works, and a loser of Ralph Corridon, of the Philadelphia Nationals...

The Boston Americans' two representatives, first baseman "Ed" Konetchy and second baseman "Pat" O'Farrell, unfortunately failed to distinguish themselves in a positive fashion. O'Farrell, who has become a perennial selection to the American League team, played the entire game at the keystone sack. The Stockbridge Irishman, who entered the game hitting a bold .332 with two home runs and 36 RBI, failed to reach base safely in four trips to the bat, striking out twice. Konetchy entered the game at first base in the seventh inning, and did not come to bat...

[Big Six]

204 Meade Hall
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts


Mr. Patrick O'Farrell
Putnam Hotel
447 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts

September 14, 1910


My dearest Pat,

First of all, let me congratulate you and your teammates for winning the championship of the American League once again! I must now admit that I have had no doubt that this would occur for some time, as the lead you have maintained over the other clubs has done nothing but lengthen all summer long. And, while the newspapers have, as you well know, given much of the credit for your superiority to the outstanding work of the pitchers, I must add in all fairness that without the stalwart work of those eight of you who back the pitchers with your gloves and bats, their work would count very little. Of course, being the future wife of a second baseman, rather than a pitcher, I am not an entirely unbiased commentator. Nor should I be, sweetheart!

On a more selfish note, I notice in the latest averages that you are very close to a milestone that seems quite significant to me. Is it a rare thing for a player to score a hundred runs? It seems to me that you have a very good chance of achieving this standard. And I do know that a batting average of .322 is a fine thing, indeed.

The sports writers also seem to believe that the Cincinnati club will be your opponents in the World's Series. Do you have a chance to read much about this team? McLean, Hickman, and Oakes appear to me to be their strongest batters, while Mason and Gaspar have done fine work on the mound. Forgive me, darling, if this analysis is simplistic and tells you nothing you do not already know. I am actually quite proud of the fact that between history and English literature, I am able to read enough of the base ball news to arrive at these conclusions!

My father has already informed me that he will be purchasing tickets for the World's Series games that will be played in Boston. I understand that the Series will begin in Boston, on October 1. I have no doubt that I will be able to receive permission from my instructors to miss classes for the occasion.

Finally, love, I am more glad than you know to hear that you understand my decision to postpone our wedding until December. It means a great deal to me to complete the term here at Mount Holyoke, and I am grateful to you for realizing this.

I must close this letter now, however, as my English literature reading calls me too loudly to ignore. I am already counting the days until I watch you take the field with your team mates, preparing to defend your world's championship. Please tell Bill hello for me, and congratulate him for his fine season, as well. His wrist must have healed beautifully!

Well, sweetheart, until next time, receive this,

With all my love,
Sarah

[Big Six]

Boston Globe, Wednesday, October 1, 1910

WORLD'S SERIES BEGINS TODAY!!

Boston Americans Prepare To Defend Their Title
Cincinnati "Reds"Should Provide Tough Test, Despite Mason's Injury

BOSTON--Winners of 102 contests during the season, the Boston Red Sox must now win four more in order to hoist a second World's Championship banner atop the Huntington Avenue Grounds.

Their opponents, the Cincinnati Reds, must fight an uphill battle if they are to deny the Boston squad this honor. Two days ago, it was announced that star hurler "Del" Mason, whose 29 victories are the highest total in base ball for five seasons, will miss the Series with a severely strained back. Mason could not rise from his bed without assistance, and his absence will be sorely felt.

The Red Sox, in contrast, enter the series in perfect health. Catcher Bill Carrigan has overcome the effects of the wrist he broke so badly a year ago, as shown by his .315 batting mark, along with 53 runs driven in. First baseman Ed Konetchy batted for a .312 standard over the regular season, while adding 5 home runs and 71 RBI.

The Boston's most luminous offensive star, however, has been Pat O'Farrell. Still only twenty-three years of age, Pat established new American League records by scoring 105 runs and stealing 57 bases. For good measure, he swatted 7 home runs and drove home 84 runners.

Today, the Sox send "Tex" Pruiett, hero of last year's Series and winner of 20 games in 1910, to the mound to face Cincinnati's Roy Hitt, winner of 17 contests...

[Big Six]

Game One: Cincinnati 3, Boston 0.
The Reds outhit the Sox 9-3, as Roy Hitt dazzles the Red Sox hitters, outdueling Tex Pruiett. Pat goes 0-2 with 2 walks and a strikeout, and steals a base.

Game Two: Cincinnati 3, Boston 0.
This time, it's Jean Dubuc tossing a three-hit shutout of his own. Boston fails to play defense behind George Winter, committing three errors; none of the Reds' runs are earned. O'Farrell has one of the Sox' hits, a single.

Game Three: Cincinnati 7, Boston 6
As the Series moves to Cincinnati, the National League pennant winners move to within one victory of the championship. The Reds scored twice in the bottom of the ninth off Ralph Glaze, sending the hometown crowd into a frenzy. Seldom-used Walt Slagle, starting in place of Del Mason, earned the victory. O'Farrell's bat woke up somewhat, as he went 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI, singling home Harry Hooper in the fifth inning.

Game Four: Boston 8, Cincinnati 1
Facing elimination, the Sox rallied back behind Pruiett, scoring three times in the first inning and never looking back. Pat had his best game of the Series, doubling and singling twice in five trips to the plate, scoring a run and driving one in.

Game Five: Boston 6, Cincinnati 2
The Series will return to Boston, as the AL champions' bats keep singing. Winter was the winning pitcher, Dubuc the loser. Pat went 1-4 (single), but drew a walk, stole a base, and scored twice.

Game Six: Boston 4, Cincinnati 2
Ralph Glaze pitched a gutsy game, scattering 10 hits, while his teammates made the most of their 7 tallies. Pat singled in four trips, with another base on balls.

[Diamondback]

I just read through all of this. Truely a great read.

[Big Six]

Thanks, Diamondback! I'm glad you liked it.

[Big Six]

Boston Globe, Friday, October 10, 1910

RED SOX ARE CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!!

Rise From Three-Game Deficit to Win Series in Seven Games
Pruiett Once Again Wins Series Clincher, 2-1, on Ninth Inning Hit by Hooper

BOSTON--In a dramatic reversal of fortune that a writer of fiction might hesitate to attempt, the Boston Red Sox, after having lost the first three games of the World Series, snatched victory from the gaping jaws of defeat by winning four consecutive contests. In so doing, they successfully defended their 1909 championship.

The deciding contest could not have been decided in a more dramatic fashion. Tex Pruiett and Roy Hitt dueled for eight innings, each man allowing one run. The Sox struck first, scoring in the opening inning. Harry Hooper led off the game with a single and promptly stole second base, and with one out, Patrick O'Farrell bounced a grounder through the middle to score Hooper.

In the fourth inning, the Cincinnatis tied the score on a single by Miller Huggins, a sacrifice by Mike Mitchell, and after Rebel Oakes struck out and Charlie Hickman popped up to short, a sharp single by Larry McLean.

The game looked like it might not be decided by the time darkness fell over the Huntington Avenue grounds. The Red Sox, however, removed that possibility by obligingly putting a run across in the ninth inning.

Bill Carrigan opened the inning with a single to right, but Heinie Wagner struck out while trying to sacrifice him along. "Del" Howard succeeded where Wagner had failed, dropping a perfect bunt that catcher McLean pounced on quickly, throwing Howard out by a step. "Duffy" Lewis hit for Pruiett, but lifted a shallow fly to center field that Oakes put away easily.

That brought Hooper to the plate, and Harry decided the game and the series on the first pitch from Hitt. He slashed a line drive between Oakes in center and Mitchell in right. Oakes fielded the ball, but his throw to the plate was well up the third base line, and Carrigan slid across the dish with the deciding tally.

Today at 1 p.m., the champions will be presented with medals by Mayor Fitzgerald in a ceremony at Faneuil Hall, and a concert in their honor will take place in the Public Garden at 6 p.m...

[Big Six]

Pat singled twice in three at bats in Game Seven, drawing another walk. He was thrown out by McLean trying to steal third base.

For the Series, Pat's line looks like this:

AB: 26
R: 5
H: 9
2b: 1
3b: 0
HR: 0
RBI: 3
BB: 5
K: 5
SB: 2
CS: 2

AVG: .346
OBP: .452
SLG: .385
OPS: .836

Pat started all seven games at second base, and played errorless ball in the Series.

Despite Pat's fine Series performance, the Series MVP Award would most likely have gone to Red Sox first baseman Ed Konetchy, who hit .407 with 2 HR and 6 RBI, including a game-winner in Game Six.