The major leagues scheduled ten games for September 20, 1920, and all ten resulted in decisions. The day featured two doubleheaders and three extra-inning games, so there was plenty of bonus baseball. The Dodgers beat the Pirates in Brooklyn by a score of 2-1. That ten inning contest represented the low scoring game of the day. At the high end of scoring, the White Sox hosted the Athletics, the home team winning 13-6.
Despite the big win, it turns out to be a very bad day for the Chicago American League franchise. On the sports page of the New York Tribune sits a column entitled, “Grand Jury Call League Presidents and Rube Benton.”
Grand jury investigation of alleged gambling by baseball players in last year’s world series and in the game between the Chicago and Philadelphia National League clubs August 31 last will start Wednesday, with a score of baseball officials, players, and writers subpoenaed to testify.
New York Tribune.
Since that August game there were occasional stories about the Cubs being investigated. While there had been incidents, accidents, hints, and allegations surrounding the White Sox, this was the first mention of actual gambling in the newspaper. Note that a former player to be called is Hal Chase, who tried to play minor league ball out west in 1920, but the league banned him for gambling.
Morrie Rath of the Reds takes home best offensive game of the day for his game two heroics in the doubleheader against the Giants. New York won the first game 5-2, but Rath posted a three for five game in the night-cap, helping the Reds to a 9-3 win and a split to keep their slight pennant hopes alive. Overall, Rath went five for nine in the two games, adding a double in game one.
Hugh McQuillan of the Braves earn best pitched game of the day for his game two victory over the Cubs, earning Boston a split. McQuillan allows one unearned run as get gives up seven hits and a walk. His defense was good for the most part, as he only struck out one batter. In game one, Pete Alexander of the Cubs picked up his 25th win of the season, and Carl Mays of the Yankees did the same in the 4-3, eleven inning game against the Browns. Alexander’s wins lead the NL, Mays stands second in the AL.
In that Yankees-Browns game, George Sisler goes three for five to raise his BA to .405. Tris Speaker of the Indians still manages to gain on his rival Speaker posts a two for two day to put his BA at .394. This is amazing. Starting on September fourth, Sisler knocked out 39 hits in 82 at bats for a .476 BA. Speaker is 22 for 54 in the same time, a .407 BA. What a race!
The Indians won that game 8-3 over the Red Sox. With all three AL contenders winning, Cleveland remains in first place, 1 1/2 games up on the White Sox and three up on the Yankees. The Indians magic number stands at ten.
The Dodgers gain 1/2 game on both the Reds and the Giants. New York sits in second place 5 1/2 games back, while the World Champion Res sit 7 1/2 games back. As the two are even in the loss column, Brooklyn’s magic number against both stands at four.