1908 New York Giants season
| 1908 New York Giants | |
|---|---|
| Major League affiliations | |
|
|
| Location | |
|
|
|
|
| Other information | |
| Owner(s) | John T. Brush |
| Manager(s) | John McGraw |
| < Previous season Next season > | |
The 1908 New York Giants season was the franchise's 26th season. The team finished in second place in the National League with an 98-56 record, 1 game behind the Chicago Cubs.
Paced by Turkey Mike Donlin, the offense scored the most runs in the league. Donlin led the team in nearly all batting categories and was second in batting to Honus Wagner.
Future Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson had another incredible season for New York, earning the pitching triple crown with 37 wins, 259 Ks, and a 1.43 ERA. However, he lost the last game of the season to Three Finger Brown of the Chicago Cubs, and the Giants finished one game back in the pennant race.
That one-game playoff became necessary after Giants rookie Fred Merkle failed to touch second base at the end of a previous contest, costing them a win. In addition, they were beaten by another rookie, Phillies pitcher Harry Coveleski, three times in five days late in the season. Coveleski was subsequently nicknamed "The Giant Killer."
The Giants opened the season on the road with a 3–1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Giants took five of their first six games of the season. The home opener at the Polo Grounds was the biggest in club history, as the Giants attracted over 25,000 fans. The Brooklyn Superbas took a 2–1 lead into the bottom of the ninth. Fred Merkle pinch hit for Christy Mathewson and got a ground rule double. Merkle safely advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt. Fred Tenney hit a grounder and Merkle was caught off third. Captain Donlin hit a two run home run over the right field wall to win the home opener for the Giants by a score of 3–2.
...
Wikipedia