Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1914 — HOFMAN RESPONSIBLE FOR MERKLE PLAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOFMAN RESPONSIBLE FOR MERKLE PLAY

Art Hofman, and not Johnny Evers,' was responsible for the famous play in the final New York-Chicago game in 1908 which robbed John J. McGraw’s Giants of a National league pennant and possible world’s championship, to say nothing of depriving each and every member of the New York team of at least $2,500. For years, or ever since 1908, Evers has been famous for “Touching Second.” It is true that Evers touched second and completed the play, but Evers should get the least credit for it, as two men thought of the play before he did. These two were Hofman and Stelnfeldt. Hofman it was engineered it. He first realized the opportunity ahead, and Evers came in away at the finish, behind Hofman and Stelnfeldt

After more than five years Hofman comes in for a share of credit, but it is doubtful if he will ever get the full amount due him. Mordecai Brown, the former great curve pitcher of the Chicago Nationals, and now manager

of the St. Louis Federals, tells the inside story of the play, which for year after year has been kept secret. This is Brown’s version: “Evers knows as much baseball as any man in the game,” stated Brown. “He’s a quick thinker, always thinking of some play to stop the opposition, but he won credit where it wasn't deserved on that Merkle stuff. “It wasn’t Evers who saw it, but Artie Hos man, and as long as I live I’ll never forget the scramble on the Polo ground field. Evers made the putout; and he got it because he was the only one neap second. Still, Hofman was the one who started it. “With McCormick on thircj and Merkle on first, Al Bridwell shot a single to center. McCormick raced home with the run in the ninth inning that would have beaten us and won the pennant for the Giants. But Merkle, getting near second, didn’t touch the bag, and raced for the clubhouse.”

Artie Hofman, Now With the Brooklyn Federals.

Johnny Evers, Boston’s Second Baseman.