Max Flack
Encyclopedia
Max John Flack was a Major League Baseball
outfielder
. He played twelve seasons in the majors from 1914-1925 for the Chicago Chi-Feds/Whales (1914–15) of the Federal League
, then the Chicago Cubs
(1916–22) and the St. Louis Cardinals
(1922–25) of the National League
.
. In the third inning of Game 6, at Fenway Park
, his throwing error resulted in two Boston Red Sox
runs, which provided the Bosox with the margin of victory, and a Series win, the last the Red Sox would achieve until 2004.
Flack's possible involvement in throwing that World Series has recently come to light. Although nothing conclusive was said, Black Sox pitcher Eddie Cicotte, who threw the 1919 World Series, has referenced the 1918 Cubs as having inspired the Black Sox. Of all the players on that team who's performance was murky, it was Flack, who had multiple strange errors and was picked off twice in one game, who had the most suspicious performance. He remains the only player to get picked off twice in one game in the World Series.
, for being half of a unique player swap. On May 30, 1922, the Cardinals were playing a Memorial Day
doubleheader at Cubs Park
. Between games, Flack was traded for Heathcote. Both men appeared in both games that day.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. He played twelve seasons in the majors from 1914-1925 for the Chicago Chi-Feds/Whales (1914–15) of the Federal League
Federal League
The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from to...
, then the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(1916–22) and the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1922–25) of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
.
World Series
Flack was labeled the "goat" of the 1918 World Series1918 World Series
The 1918 World Series featured the Boston Red Sox, who defeated the Chicago Cubs four games to two. The Series victory for the Red Sox was their fifth in five tries, going back to . The Red Sox scored only nine runs in the entire Series; the fewest runs by the winning team in World Series history...
. In the third inning of Game 6, at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
, his throwing error resulted in two Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
runs, which provided the Bosox with the margin of victory, and a Series win, the last the Red Sox would achieve until 2004.
Flack's possible involvement in throwing that World Series has recently come to light. Although nothing conclusive was said, Black Sox pitcher Eddie Cicotte, who threw the 1919 World Series, has referenced the 1918 Cubs as having inspired the Black Sox. Of all the players on that team who's performance was murky, it was Flack, who had multiple strange errors and was picked off twice in one game, who had the most suspicious performance. He remains the only player to get picked off twice in one game in the World Series.
Between-games trade
Flack is remembered, along with Cliff HeathcoteCliff Heathcote
Clifton Earl Heathcote was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, , Chicago Cubs , Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies . Heathcote batted and threw left-handed...
, for being half of a unique player swap. On May 30, 1922, the Cardinals were playing a Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
doubleheader at Cubs Park
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. Between games, Flack was traded for Heathcote. Both men appeared in both games that day.