Mack’s Strategy Stood Out In Opening World Series Contest, Ty Cobb Declares

CHICAGO, Oct. 9 – Connie Mack’s strategy stood out yesterday in the first and crucial game of the 1929 world series when he used Howard Ehmke as his opening pitcher. It took a lot of nerves, I know, to nominate Ehmke, as his season’s record was not imposing. He had won only seven games.But Ehmke pitched the greatest game of his career. He set a record for world series curving by striking out 13 Cubs batters and they were absolutely helpless when the needed hit was hoped for by the Chicago partisans. From a baseball player’s stand-point, Ehmke used wonderful judgment in his pitching, continually crossing the Cubs. For the first eight innings his work was simply sensational. The National Leaguers were made to look foolish in their vain endeavors to connect.

One should not look at the hit columns of the Cubs because that gave no indication of Ehmke’s wonderful effectiveness. I’ll mention two in the third inning, with McMillan and English ready to score, Ehmke struck out Hornsby and Wilson. When any pitcher can accomplish this, he has done a real day’s work.

In the seventh with Cuyler and Stephenson on third and second with one out, pinch hitter Heathcore lifted a short fly to left. Then with the hard-hitting Hartnett up, Ehmke continued his sensational work by fanning him.

Fanned 11 of First 18

To convey to the readers of this story something about Ehmke’s effectiveness, I’ll tell you that of the first 18 men to face the Mack pitcher, 11 of them fanned. Another angle that no doubt many will overlook was the great number of batters who faced him with two strikes on them who either hit safely or were retired.

Ehmke used a curve and a slow curve, crossing the Cubs at all times. He also used his fastball when it was not expected. I must add that the Chicago park, coupled with Ehmke’s style, as I predicted in my last story, gave the Cubs a great deal of trouble.

Connie Mack is in a great position now as he can give Ehmke a thorough rest and bring him back against the Cubs on their home grounds should the series go beyond five games.

Cochrane’s work absolutely sparkled. I don’t want to take any credit away from Ehmke but we must realize that a catcher’s judgment is needed at all times to direct the pitcher’s efforts. The other star of the game was Jimmy Foxx who pounded his home run in the seventh inning clear out into the center field bleachers, putting the Mack boys at ease and the Cubs on the defensive.

Athletics More Determined

Judging from the attitude of the performance of the players of both clubs, I will say that the Athletics showed more determination and confidence, both at bat and in the field. There is no question about Root, the starting pitcher of the Cubs, being good. But the athletics did not let up one bit. They continued to cut viciously at his offerings, seeming to know that sooner or later they would get to him.

I think Mack’s strategy had something to do with upsetting the Cubs. No doubt manager McCarthy held his meeting on Earnshaw and Grove, and as a player I know the reaction when the tactician has gone over everything so thoroughly and then the opposite cross them up by pulling the unexpected and pitching someone else.

So I must score the first blood to to Mack, the grand old veteran manager.

The Athletics have a decided advantage with one victory. The series should not go beyond five games. I predict the opposing pitchers for today will be Earnshaw for the Athletics and Malone for the Cubs.