by John Burgeson

Puzzle #6 read:

A team, in a regular league game, records four (4) outs in one-half inning.

How is this possible?

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Suppose Todd Jones is on first, Gerry Griebel on third, Tommy Smith the batter. On a suicide squeeze attempt, Smith bunts the ball in the air and the pitcher catches it for the second out. Griebel, running hard, crosses the plate and scores before the pitcher's throw to first doubles Jones for out #3.

Since Griebel left third base before the bunt pop up was caught, on appeal, he is called out for the fourth out of the inning. Had the appeal NOT been made, his run would have counted.

Real life: Had you been in a certain Chicago hotel on Saturday, October 10, 1929, you would have seen my uncle, Billy Tumblin, age 12, get into real trouble. Billy had a job reporting to the lobby sitters about the World Series game being played that day in Shibe Park, Philadelphia. Every inning, getting the scores via telegraph, he would parade out to the lobby holding a sign announcing the game's progress.

All went well through 6 and 1/2 innings, with the Cubs winning 8-0. The bottom of the 7th began, and Billy was unaccountably absent for a long time. The natives (remember, this was Chicago) were restless. Then Billy came out with the new score. The Athletics had scored 10 runs and led 10-8!

Billy was something of a cutup in those days (and in later life too), so rather than believe him he nearly lost his job (paid a princely 15c an hour too). Before he could be properly chastized, however, cooler heads thought to inquire of the telegrapher. Billy was right. An 8-0 lead had evaporated. Two days later the Philadelphia team took the series. Ten days later was "Black Thursday" and the 1929 crash had begun.

Puzzle #7

David McCarthy, in his only baseball appearance, came to bat as a pinch hitter. On the only pitch thrown to him he hit a foul ball.

His Major League Record shows that he stole home.

How is this possible?

For the answer, see ANSWER

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