The Original Wrigley Field Scoreboard, October 4, 1935
Gary Livacari
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1930s Cubs and Wrigley Field Photo Gallery
Click on any image below to see photos in full size and to start Photo Gallery:
Cubs in the 1930s
KiKi Cuyler, Gabby Hartnett, Riggs Stephenson, Charlie Grimm
“Modern” scoreboard under construction
Wrigley Field in the 1930’s
Players carry out the flag for the 1938 World Series
Joe DiMaggio at Wrigley Field in the 1938 World Series
Ladies day at Wrigley Field in the 1930’s
Fans waiting outside the park for tickets
Wrigley Field, 1930s
1945 World Series at Wrigley Field
Spectators crowd into Wrigley Field in Chicago for the 1932 World Series.
Fans all over Wrigley.
Exterior of Wrigley Field during the 1929 World Series.
Gabby’ Hartnett and Charlie Root at Wrigley Field, 1929.
Wrigley Field scoreboard
Pete Reiser with his father and uncle at Wrigley Field
Hack Wilson at Wrigley Field, about 1929-’30
Charlie Peete’s first major league at-bat was as a pinch-hitter for veteran Hank Sauer, shown here in the center with Cub teammates.
Kids climbing trees outside Wrigley Field to get a look at the game, probably from the 1930s
Old-TImers game at Wrigley Field. to honor Frank Chance. Mordecai Brown is second from left
Planting the Ivy at Wrigley Field
Poster promoting Ladies Day at Wrigley Field
Goose Goslin, the hero of the 1935 World Series with Tommy Bridges on right
Scene from the 1935 World Series
Gabby Hartnett argues with umpire Dolly Stark during Game 4 of the 1935 World Series
Souvenir scorecard from the 1935 World Series
Souvinir ticket to the 1935 World Series
Detroit newspaper headline following their victory in the 1935 World Series
The Original Wrigley Field Scoreboard, October 4, 1935
The featured photo above was taken during the 1935 World Series between the Tigers and Cubs. In the photo, you get a good look at the original Wrigley Field scoreboard which was in place until the Cubs installed the “modern” one you see today on top of the center-field bleachers.
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This original scoreboard was built in 1915 and was utilized until 1938. It was replaced by club president William Veeck, Sr. when the Cubs undertook a major renovation of the bleachers that year.
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It’s amazing how much information can be learned about this game from a close examination of the scoreboard. We can determine it’s Game Three of the 1935 World Series which was eventually won by the Tigers, four games to two. At the time the photo was taken, it was the top of the 10th with the score tied 5-5. The Cubs had scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and send it into extra innings. The Cubs’ Larry French was on the mound pitching to Hall-of-Famer Goose Goslin. The count at that moment was 2-2 with two outs and the bases empty. The center fielder visible in the photo was Frank Demaree. We can also see from the sign on the scoreboard that it was 440 feet to dead center.
Babe Ruth at the 1935 World Series with managers Charlie Grimm and Mickey Cochrane
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Thanks to all the modern reference sources we have at our disposal, I was able to locate a boxscore and play-by-play of the game from this point.Goslin proceeded to hit a double to right in this at-bat, but French eventually got Pete Fox to pop up to first baseman Phil Cavarretta to get out of the inning with no damage. The Tigers broke through off French in the top of the 11th, thanks to a Jo-Jo White single that scored Marv Owen. They shut the Cubs down in order in the bottom of the frame and won the game 6-5. Linwood “Schoolboy” Rowe was the winning pitcher in 11 innings, while French took the loss.
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There were eight Hall of Famers on the field that day: Charlie Gehringer, Mickey Cochrane, and Goose Goslin for the Tigers; Billy Herman, Gabby Hartnett, Chuck Klein, and Freddie Lindstrom for the Cubs. Hall-of-Fame umpire Bill McGowan was behind the plate. The umpires’ numbers are also visible on the scoreboard, and a little research reveals that it was a highly experienced crew. Besides McGowan, the other umpires were Dolly Stark at first base, former major leaguer George Moriarity at second, and Ernie Quigley at third.
And how about those two neat figures on the top of the scoreboard!
Gary Livacari
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Photo Credits: All from Google search
Information: 1935 World Series information obtained from Baseball-Reference and Retrosheet
