The 1887 World Series: Game Thirteen

The Browns and Detroits were accorded a royal reception on their arrival [in Detroit] this morning. They were met at the depot by a delegation of the leading citizens of Detroit and a tremendous crowd of enthusiasts. As the train pulled into the depot the Detroits were greeted with prolonged cheers. Arrived at the depot the Wolverines were the recipients of many congratulations and a general hand-shaking was the result. The two teams were escorted to carriages and, headed by the Detroit Brass Band, paraded through the principal streets of the town. Everywhere the teams were applauded to the echo, and it was unquestionably a great day in the history of the City of Straits. The principal streets were handsomely decorated, and everything presented a holiday appearance. The reception committee carried huge brooms, which were the occasion of much merriment. The teams were driven to the Russell House, where a lunch was spread for them. At 7 o'clock this evening the two clubs and visiting journalists were banqueted at the Russell House, Mayor Chamberlin presiding...The teams left at 10 o'clock for Chicago. The day was really unfit for ball playing, being very cold, while a piercing wind swept across the grounds. Notwithstanding this fully, 4000 people assembled to witness the contest. Both teams were the recipients of prolonged applause as they stepped on the field.

Presentations were the order of the day. Ganzel was presented with a gold watch and Brouthers with the champion's bat for the best batter in the Detroit team. Bennett was not forgotten. In the fourth inning a delegation headed by a fife and drum marched into the grounds wheeling a barrow containing 500 silver dollars, which were presented to the great catcher. Bennett will need no advance money this year. O'Neill was presented with a bouquet of flowers. The game was close for a few innings, and then the Wolverines forged ahead and won rather easily. Caruthers was hit hard, and did not seem to exert himself as he might have done. Bushong's work was poor. Welch, Latham, Gleason and Comiskey did good work. Baldwin won his fourth game from the Browns, being as effective as usual. Ganzel caught him well. Sutcliffe, the old Maroon catcher, made his first appearance for Detroit, and did poorly. He can not bat, and is but an ordinary fielder. White had another great day, batting in great style and also fielding well. Richardson and Hanlon also did well.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 25, 1887

Do you think that Tip O'Neill was disappointed with his flowers after he saw Charlie Bennett get a wheelbarrow full of gold?

And that was kind of a harsh assesment of Sy Sutcliffe. He didn't hit at all for the Maroons but he was still young in 1884. As he got older, Sutcliffe became a much better player and hitter. Interestingly, he's listed on Detroit's 1887 roster but didn't see any League action. In 1888, he got into 47 games for them and held his own. Overall, in a short career, Sutcliffe was an effective hitter, especially for a catcher.