Volume 10 , Issue 46

9/11/1908 - Railroaders Win Real Live Game

I was researching The Daily Oklahoman archives this week when I ran across these headlines, dated Sep. 11, 1908, page 10, which read: "Railroaders Win Real Live Game" with sub-headline: "McGill Pitches Good Ball While McClintock Is Knocked Out."

The article began with, "Beat the tom-toms, clash the cymbals, and kick the cow. Enid won the last game by a score of 5 to 4. Persons inclined to be mean might say Enid didn't win it, that the Mets lost it."

From that opening statement it sounds as though Enid's baseball team around 1908 with Parson Frantz as coach did not get much respect from the locals.

It goes on to say, "Why not let Parson Frantz float out of town in the mellow glow of pious achievement and with the halo of victory resting on his classic brow. Anyone who isn't willing to do this much isn't fired with the noble sentiment of poetic justice and, what's more, is no sport."

It was reported that the game was as lively and interesting as a mouse at a meeting of the ladies' aid society. The Mets got an unearned score in the first when Wilhite made an excusable error on Jones' throw to catch Goes, and McCormick made his customary two-base hit. In the third they polled two more on throw hits, a base on balls and Brooks' error in left.

They were saying at that stage of the game nobody would have bet a cent to a dollar on Enid. In the fourth there was a big disturbance, though.

Runkle, first to face McCormick in the fourth inning, hit the first ball pitched for a clean single over second. Did McCormick think he was going to pitch a no-hitter?

Are there any early baseball enthusiasts out there that remember as far back as 9/11/1908 when the Enid Railroaders won a victory against the Mets? OR... Did you hear the stories as the Mets Loss that game?

We would love to hear from you! By the way, that McGill pitching good ball for the Enid Railroaders was this NW Okie's Grandpa, Bill "Will" McGill. -- NW Okie, Bayfield, Colorado
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