Rain washes out six of the nine scheduled games on June 5, 1920. Interestingly, the newspaper lists game one of the doubleheader between the Browns and the Indians as being rained out and game two being played. I don’t know if they did split admission doubleheaders in 1920, as that’s the only way that designation makes sense to me. This close to the solstice, they probably could get in two games while clearing the stands between contests. The White Sox beat the Tigers 4-1 in Chicago for the low scoring game of the day, while the Cardinals downed the Cubs in St. Louis 11-6 in a slugfest. The Cubs scored their six runs in the first inning, then the Cardinals chipped away at that lead until they scored eight runs in fifth inning.
The Day by Day Database now generates league leaders through a particular date. I’m posting the lists as a link now, so here are the league leaders for June 5, 1920.
Bob O’Farrell of the Cubs and Cliff Heathcote of the Cardinals share offensive game of the day honors. Heathcote recorded four hits in five trips to the plate, including a double and a triple. O’Farrell reached base all four times up. He homered among his three hits and drew a wal.
O’Farrell caught, and provided a great OBP at the position. He played in twenty one seasons, finishing his career with a .273/.360/.388 slash line. At seasonal age 23 in 1920, he was just getting into a majority of games. His peak came in his age 25-26 seasons, 1922-1923, when he combined for 10.5 rWAR over that time. That would be half his career total. He won the NL MVP award in 1929, and throwing out Babe Ruth stealing to end the 1926 World Series remains his biggest historical moment. He joined the Cardinals in 1925.
Heathcote played solid baseball for 15 seasons, but seldom starred. His batting average represented a high percentage of his value, finishing his career with a .275/.333/.375 slash line. That, combined with his excellent defense, kept him in the majors. Like O’Farrell, Heathcote was young in 1920, seasonal age 22. Heathcote already had two seasons experience with over 800 PA. Like O’Farrell, Heathcote would have most of his success with the rival, as he joined the Cubs in 1922.
Urban Shocker of the Browns once again takes best pitched game of the day. He pitches a three hit, three walk, one-strikeout shutout as St. Louis beats Cleveland 6-0. It is Shocker’s third shutout of the season, which leads the AL and is tied for the major league lead.