This picture 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. 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.
It’s amazing how much information can be leaned about this game from a close examination of the scoreboard. We can determine it’s Game Three of the 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 mount 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!
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.
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.