Back Where I Belong. (Tales from the Dugout)

Washington Senators won their first pennant in 1924, edging the New York Yankees by only 2 games. Led by pitching great Walter Johnson, they went on to beat the New York Giants in the World They won that Series in the twelfth inning of the 7th and deciding game. Just before Christmas, the New York Yankees reacquired pitcher Urban Shocker from the St. Louis Browns, in exchange for three pitchers. JANUARY 1925 Hello, welcome back to the Yankees. Thank you, Miller. I wasn't sure if I'd ever get back. Seven years is a long time. Urban had a big satisfied smile on his face. New York Yankee manager Miller Huggins and pitcher Urban Shocker sat down for dinner at the Zodiac restaurant of St. Louis's Chase Hotel. Light snow was falling outside. restaurant was on the top floor of the hotel, far removed from the harsh elements swirling outside. Miller, I appreciate your bringing me back. all that's gone on between us, I didn't think you'd want anything to do with me. He thought back to that hot August afternoon in 1920, when he and Miller came to blows on the diamond at Sportsman's Park. It was a little hazy now ... a disputed umpire's call, players pouring onto the field, with the two men here at the Chase at the center of that fray. Urban remembered punching Miller that day, and the police dragging the little manager back to the bench. Urban, your feistiness is one of the things I'm hoping you'll bring along with you. I never should have traded you in the first place. Wild Bill [Donovan] even told me when he left the Yankees, Don't trade Shocker. I was new to the league, and when Ray Fisher was drafted into the army, I put you in his place to complete the trade. I was told you were a troublemaker by ... it doesn't matter now. I never should have listened to him. Back in 1918 Urban was a bit player in a big trade with the St. Louis Browns that Miller wanted to complete. The key in the deal was Pratt. We had to get Del Pratt, Urban. first thing I wanted to do when I came to the Yankees was tighten up our middle infield. And Del did a heck of a good job for us. quickly things change in baseball. Back in 1918 Del Pratt was considered second only to the great Eddie Collins among AL second basemen. He had three solid years for the Yankees and then was traded away to the Red Sox, a key figure in the 1920 deal that brought the Yankees promising pitcher Waite Hoyt. Now Del was done in the majors and would play Minor League ball in Texas. Now Urban was the key man in a trade that made headlines in sports pages across the country. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on the deal that brought him back to New York in exchange for three pitchers, veteran Bullet Joe Bush and youngsters Milt Gaston and Joe Giard. I've been trying to get you back for years, you may Almost did the deal last winter, before George [Sisler] pulled you back. But now the timing couldn't be better. How so? said as he took a sip of his drink. After three straight pennants, we fell just short of the Senators last year. Yankees have grown complacent. No fire in the belly. Winning can do that to a team, you know. Miller, I wouldn't I can't even imagine being complacent. I want to pitch in the World Series so much that it hurts. It still hurts from 1922. Yankee skipper smiled. That was exactly what he wanted to hear. You've got that competitive fire I'm looking for, Urban. You'll be a good influence on the guys. A veteran who's a proven winner, who has never made it to the Series. Well, you'll get that and a lot more. My arm feels great. It [1924] wasn't a very good year for me, but I haven't been happy in St. Louis. Phil Ball is not an easy guy to work for. He's a cheap SOB, and what's more, he meddles. [Browns player-manager] George [Sisler] is too nice of a guy. …

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