92 years ago this week there was big league baseball happening in Knoxville.
The New York Yankees were finishing up spring training and on the 7th of April they faced the Brooklyn Robin, and beat them handily.
This Yankees team, which had won the World Series in 1923, finished second in 1924, just two games out of first place. The Robins also finished second that season, just 1-1/2 games out of first place.
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The Republican Journal - April 8, 1924 |
The next day, the two teams played another game. It was a slugfest. The minimal reporting shows different results in the final score. One paper report a 19-12 match and others say that it ended in 20-12 score.
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Augusta Chronicle - April 9, 1924 |
It is interesting to note that the papers refer to the Brooklyn club as the Dodgers. They are recognized as being the Robins from 1914 to 1931. They were the Dodgers in 1911 and 1912, then again from 1932 to present. Yes, I know they started to play in Los Angeles in 1958.
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Daily Illinois State Journal - April 9, 1924 |
What appears to be the bigger story is that Babe Ruth hit two home runs. He'd knock in 46 in 1924.
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Houston Chronicle - April 9, 1924 |
I have not yet checked the local Knoxville papers, but I assume that the game was played at Caswell Park, home of the Appalachian League's Knoxville Pioneers. Knoxville finished in first place in the Appy League that season.
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Times Picayune - April 9, 1924 |
Both major league teams started their official season the following week.