Cubs historical recreation game post-game thread: You just 'witnessed' the Homer in the Gloamin’

The recreation tonight was from a legendary game from the Cubs’ past. The Willson Contreras homer was really clouted as darkness set in. Gabby Hartnett's homer helped send the Cubs to the 1938 World Series.

This game's real starting pitchers were Clay Bryant for the Cubs and Bob Klinger for Pittsburgh. In August, the Cubs had been a fourth-place team, but had gotten hot at the right time. Faced with onsetting darkness, the umpires allowed the game to be played into the home ninth. After that, if it had remained tied the game would have been replayed the next day, from the first inning.

In an irony, the Pirates had a Rizzo playing, but the Cubs didn't. Pirates left fielder Johnny Rizzo finished sixth in the MVP voting, hitting among three future Hall of Famers, in Paul Waner, Lloyd Waner, and Arky Vaughan. The HoFers combined for five hits in the game. Lee Handley had the two-hit three RBI night for Pittsburgh. Mace Brown gave up the walk-off and Bill Swift misfired in relief, as well.

Cubs Billy Herman and Ripper Collins had three hits each. Former Yankees legend Tony Lazzeri had the massive RBI pinch hit. Cubs legend Charlie Root tossed the ninth, earning the victory. Southpaw Larry French executed a relief appearance that is no longer permitted, facing only one hitter mid-inning.

The Pirates lost this, the second game of a three-game series sweep. They would lose the next day in less memorable 10-1 fashion, with the Cubs scoring three in the first and two in the fourth. They would lose three of four against Cincinnati as the Cubs advanced.

Since you asked, audio versions of Game 2 and Game 4 of the 1938 World Series are available on YouTube. As you may have a bit of time with no other baseball action going live, feel free to listen. It's permitted to listen to or watch vintage games on something other than Marquee Network. Vintage announcers had a different way of calling games. Respecting baseball before "wins above replacement" and "OPS plus" is what many of us grew up with.

Thanks for stopping by. I imagine I might get to a few other games, perhaps with a different time period. Be safe in these trying times. I appreciate the chance to take you back in time to a top-dozen Cubs game on my list. Here is a better review of this game than I'm going to be able to write.