The Cards Played the Giants and Braves -- the Same Day

by Harold FriendOn September 13, 1951, the New York Giants, on the way to the Miracle at Coogan’s Bluff, were rained out of their getaway game with the Cardinals. The original National League schedule had both teams off the next day, and since this was the Giants’ last visit to St. Louis, an afternoon game was arranged. It sounds routine, but the Cardinals had already scheduled a make up game against the Braves for that night.Commissioner Ford Frick Gave His PermissionGiants’ owner Horace Stoneham objected to the Cardinals’ playing two teams the same day, which seems strange since the arrangement would strain the Cardinals’ pitching staff, but Commissioner Ford Frick gave St. Louis permission to play a doubleheader -- one game each against different teams.The Last Time It Happened in the National LeagueThe last time a National League team played such a double header was in 1883, and the Giants were also involved. On July 4, 1883, the Giants, then called the Maroons, played games aga...