Page "History of baseball in the United States" Paragraph 42
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The conclusion of the National League season, in particular, involved a bizarre chain of events, often referred to as the Merkle Boner.
Nineteen-year-old rookie first baseman Fred Merkle, later to become one of the best players at his position in the league, was on first base, with teammate Moose McCormick on third with two out and the game tied.
However, Merkle, instead of advancing to second base, ran toward the clubhouse to avoid the spectators mobbing the field, which at that time was a common, acceptable practice.
In the confusion that followed, Evers claimed to have retrieved the ball and touched second base, forcing Merkle out and nullifying the run scored.
Evers brought this to the attention of the umpire that day, Hank O ' Day, who after some deliberation called the runner out.
Despite the arguments by the Giants, the league upheld O ' Day's decision and ordered the game replayed at the end of the season, if necessary.
It turned out that the Cubs and Giants ended the season tied for first place, so the game was indeed replayed, and the Cubs won the game, the pennant, and subsequently the World Series ( the last Cubs Series victory to date, as it turns out ).
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