Eight of the nine games scheduled in the major leagues play to completion on September 27, 1920, including two doubleheaders. The Red Sox beat the Senators in game two of their twin bill for a sweep, and the White Sox beat the Tigers 2-0, both representing the low scoring games of the day. The Cardinals defeat the Cubs 16-1 in Chicago for the highest scoring game of the day. There are a number of low scores in the schedule, and this is one of seven days on the season that result in games averaging less than six runs a game (minimum six games played).
The day contains two major stories. The first involves the Giants splitting a doubleheader with the Braves at the Polo Grounds. New York loses game two 3-2, and that means the idle Dodgers win the pennant. The Dodgers go to the World Series for the second time in five seasons. It would be 21 years before they returned.
The second story appears on the front page and details the events of the 1919 White Sox throwing the World Series.
In Philadelphia the complete story of the most gigantic sporting swindle in the history of America was unfolded. Billy Maharg, former boxer and well known sporting figure of this city, said tonight that he and Bill Burns the former Washington, White Sox and Philly southpaw, were the pioneers in the conspiracy that resulted in eight members of the Chicago American League team “throwing” games in last year’s world’s series to Cincinnati.
New York Tribune
Maharg says that Eddie Cicotte made the offer to toss the games for $100,000. This is the first time we hear that it was the idea of the players, not gamblers.
Cliff Heathcote of the Cardinals and Charlie Jamieson of the Indians tie for best offensive game of the day with Baseball Musings Game Scores of 80. Heathcode posts a five for five day with a double, while Jamieson goes four for five with a double and a home run. Both batters drive in three runs. The Indians win 8-4 in St. Louis against the Browns.
On the pitching side, Harry Harper of the Red Sox is one of three pitchers to throw a six-hit shutout on the day. His game two victory is the best of the three, however, as he strikes out thirteen batters while walking four. It’s the second highest K total in a game this season, bested only by Urban Shocker‘s 14 on July 13, 1920.
The Indians at the Browns features the top two hitters in the AL battling for the batting title. Tris Speaker of the Indians posts a two for four day to raise his BA to .386, but George Sisler of the Browns goes three for four to raise his BA to .406.
A note here on statistics. Sisler now leads the AL with 247 hits, although the news story credits him with 248. Stats were not kept as well in those days. The record for hits in a season at that point was 248 by Ty Cobb in 1911, so Sisler is on the verge of breaking that record.
The Yankees keep pace with Cleveland and Chicago, defeating the Athletics 3-0 in Philadelphia. Babe Ruth homers twice to bring his season total to 53. The Yankees are on the edge of elimination, however. The Indians lead the White Sox by 1/2 games, and the Yankees by three. The Indians magic number stands at five, with two to eliminate the Yankees.