An early-season matchup spiraled so badly that even the sportswriters reached for gallows humor.
On June 21, 1901, Reds pitcher Harley “Doc” Parker endured one of the roughest outings baseball has ever seen, surrendering 21 runs on 26 hits to Brooklyn. The 26 hits allowed remains a mark matched by only two pitchers since, placing Parker in a record book no one wants to enter. Contemporary accounts dripped with sarcasm as Cincinnati’s losing streak deepened and optimism ran thin. It would be the final appearance of Parker’s major league career.
🕵️ Inside Today’s Original Newspaper Coverage:
Writers joked the Reds led for only minutes
A grim comparison to a hearse and streak
“Perhaps before this century ends…”
A blunt verdict on Parker’s future
Manager McPhee’s biting line about a “1,000” average
The original newspaper coverage of this moment is just below.
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