The Game of the Year: Colchester vs. Macomb
A re-enactment of the game played September 11, 1921
Kick off event, Friday, July 27, 2012 at 5:00 pm at Magnolias
Tickets: $15
Game Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the Macomb High School baseball field
Admission, as it was in 1921: 50 cents
The Western Illinois Museum will hold a re-enactment event based on the last game of a five game series between Macomb and Colchester played on September 11, 1921.
The 1921 series was all tied up and there was much anticipation over the last game, which became known as the Game of the Year. Held in the height of the Prohibition era, the infamous bootlegger, Kelly Wagle, “invites” a few banned White Socks players who were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series, to play on the Colchester team, securing a 5 to 0 victory over Macomb.
The re-enactment game will be played on Saturday, July 28 at 1:00 pm. The game will be played in Macomb High School baseball field.
There are a number of ways to participate in the game. Two teams will be fielded with each position being auctioned off to the highest bidder. There will also be an opportunity for two ball boys and two umpires, as well as the infamous character of Kelly Wagle. The auction will start one week before the game.
The game will be played with a rag ball to encourage participation from all ages. A full nine inning game will be played, and the outcome will not be scripted. An overview and stats of the 1921 game will be given during the re-enactment.
Period style t-shirts will be given to the winners of the auction, and the audience is encouraged to wear 1920s dress.
Concessions will be available including hotdogs, popcorn, and soda.
The Speakeasy: Kick-off Fundraiser
A pre-game fundraising event will take place Friday, July 27, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. The evening reception will include a silent auction of the team positions, baseball memorabilia, and collectables. All funds will benefit the museum.
The event will be held at Magnolia’s, 130 North Lafayette Street in Macomb. Baseball themed hors d'oeuvres will be served and a special moonshine beverage will be available if you know the password! Tickets are $15 and include one drink ticket.
The Story of the 1921 Baseball Series between
Macomb and Colchester
Scores for the four games leading up to the Game of the Year were:
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July 3: Macomb won at home 3-0
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July 4: Colchester won in Macomb 4-2 (13-inning game)
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July 10: Colchester won at home 8-4
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August 21: Macomb won at Colchester 4-0
The September 11th game was held at the Macomb Fairgrounds at 3:00 pm and admission was 50 cents. The game was attended by over 2,000 patrons.
Colchester won 5-0 and the Macomb team did not even reach 2nd base.
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Colchester 010012100 – 5
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Macomb 000000000 – 0
White Sox players who played on the Colchester team included Ed Cicotte, Swede Risberg and Joe Jackson.
Rosters
Macomb Team Colchester Team
Welsh, Second base Boyle, Third base
Howell, Center field Vollmer, First base
Hamblin, Shortstop Swede Risberg, Shortstop
Runkle, Third Base Joe Jackson, Left field
Wilson, Ctr field Standard, Center
Johnson, Left field Adams, Right field
Switzer, Right field Ed Cicotte, Pitcher
Connor, First base Reynolds, Second base
Smith, Pitcher Clarence “Cat” Kipling, Ctr field