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Carl Frederick Rudolf Merkle (also sometimes documented as Frederick Charles Merkle; [1] December 20, 1888 – March 2, 1956), nicknamed "Bonehead", [2] was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball from 1907 to 1926.
Merkle's Boner refers to the notorious base-running mistake committed by rookie Fred Merkle of the New York Giants in a game against the Chicago Cubs on September 23, 1908. Merkle's failure to advance to second base on what should have been a game-winning hit led instead to a force play at second and a tied game.
Fred Merkle pinch hit for Christy Mathewson and got a ground rule double. Merkle safely advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt. Fred Tenney hit a grounder and Merkle was caught off third. Captain Donlin hit a two-run home run over the right field wall to win the home opener for the Giants by a score of 3–2.
The book recounts the melodramatic National League season of 1908, which included Fred Merkle's infamous "bonehead play" and the resulting playoff between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Giants. The book conveys the color and excitement of the pennant race through the sometimes florid newspaper stories of the time.
A New York Giants old-timers' game on July 30, 1950, [64] featured the return, in a non-playing role, of Fred Merkle who had committed a base-running gaffe in 1908 that became well-known as "Merkle's Boner". [65] Merkle received a loud ovation from the crowd. [66]
The Giants had runners on first and third and two outs when Al Bridwell hit a single to center field, scoring Moose McCormick from third with the Giants' apparent winning run, but the runner on first base, rookie Fred Merkle, thinking the game was over, went halfway to second and then sprinted to the clubhouse after McCormick touched home plate.
From that point forward, Merkle became known as "Bonehead" Merkle, and the play has gone down in baseball history as "Merkle's Boner." In 1908, Chicago White Sox pitcher Ed Walsh compiled a record of 40 wins and 15 losses.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, Merkle came to bat with two outs and the score tied 1–1. At the time, Moose McCormick was on first base. Merkle singled, and McCormick advanced to third. Al Bridwell followed with another single, and McCormick trotted home to score the apparent winning run. The New York fans in attendance, under the impression ...