Paul Harvey - Tinkers to Evers to Chance - Harold's Old Time Radio

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Podcast Summary: Paul Harvey - Tinkers to Evers to Chance

Episode Title: Paul Harvey - Tinkers to Evers to Chance
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

“Tinker to Evers to Chance. Trio of bear cubs and fleeter than birds.”
— Franklin P. Adams, New York Evening Mail, 1910 [00:00]

Introduction: The Iconic Trio

The episode delves into the legendary double-play combination of Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance, famously immortalized in Franklin P. Adams's poem "Tinker to Evers to Chance." These three Chicago Cubs players became synonymous with precision and teamwork on the baseball field during the early 20th century.

The Birth of a Legend

Franklin P. Adams's Poem [00:00 - 02:30]

The episode opens with the recitation of Adams's eight-line poem, highlighting the fluidity and efficacy of the trio's infield work.
The poem was first published in 1910, capturing the public's imagination and embedding the trio's names in baseball folklore.
Although individually, the players were not exceptional—Tinker and Evers had modest statistics, and Chance held no significant records—their combined effort created a formidable double-play force.

The Reality Behind the Myth

Joe Tinker's Legacy [02:31 - 05:00]

A pivotal moment is shared from just before Joe Tinker's death, where he recalls playing with Evers and Chance for 11 years as a double-play combination, a record he believed was unbroken.
However, the reality was that precise double-play statistics were not officially recorded until 1919, by which time the trio was no longer together.
Consequently, Tinker, Evers, and Chance never set official double-play records, and during their peak years (1906-1910), the Chicago Cubs never ranked higher than third in the double plays category.

John McGraw's Perspective [05:01 - 07:45]

The episode features insights from John McGraw, the long-time manager of the New York Giants, who argued that other double-play combinations were superior to Tinker, Evers, and Chance.
McGraw cites combinations like Ferris, Parent, and Lunchants (Baltimore Orioles, 1890s) and others from the Pirates and Athletics, emphasizing their superior performance despite lacking poetic recognition.
He points out that no poem celebrated these alternative combinations, suggesting that recognition may be as much about narrative as it is about performance.

The Human Element: Rivalries and Relationships

Interpersonal Dynamics [07:46 - 10:15]

Despite their on-field synergy, the episode reveals that Tinker and Evers had a strained relationship, characterized by mutual dislike and even physical altercations during games.
Notably, during a three-year period at the height of their careers, the trio did not communicate with one another, undermining the narrative of seamless teamwork.
This revelation challenges the idyllic portrayal of their partnership, highlighting the complexities behind the legendary status.

The Enduring Legacy

Cultural Impact [10:16 - 12:00]

The episode concludes by reflecting on how the poem and the trio's perceived collaboration have left a lasting impression on baseball history.
Generations have accepted "Tinker to Evers to Chance" as a symbol of close formation partnership, despite the nuanced reality of their individual contributions and interpersonal conflicts.
The episode underscores the power of storytelling in shaping historical legacies, demonstrating how a few lines of verse can cement the fame of individuals beyond their actual achievements.

Key Takeaways:

Myth vs. Reality: The celebrated double-play duo was more a product of poetic license than purely statistical dominance.
Storytelling's Power: Franklin P. Adams's poem played a crucial role in elevating the trio's status in baseball lore.
Human Dynamics: Personal conflicts can coexist with professional collaboration, complicating the narrative of legendary partnerships.
Historical Context: Understanding the era's record-keeping limitations is essential in assessing the true impact of players like Tinker, Evers, and Chance.

Notable Quotes:

“Tinker to Evers to Chance. Those eight lines of doggerel were first printed in the New York evening mail in 1910.” [00:00]
“Now that’s a record. During those 11 years we set a mark for double plays that's never been equaled.” — Joe Tinker [02:15]
“Nobody ever wrote a poem for those fellows.” — John McGraw [06:50]

This episode provides a nuanced exploration of how legends are formed, revealing the intricate interplay between performance, perception, and narrative in the annals of sports history. Whether you're a baseball enthusiast or a lover of storytelling, "Paul Harvey - Tinkers to Evers to Chance" offers a compelling examination of one of baseball's most enduring myths.

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These are the saddest of possible words. Tinker to Evers to Chance. Trio of bear cubs and fleeter than birds. Tinker to Evers to Chance. Ruthlessly pricking our gunful and bubble Making a giant hit into a double. Words that are weighty with nothing but trouble. Tinker to Evers to Chance. Those eight lines of doggerel were first printed in the New York evening mail in 1910. The author was columnist Franklin P. Adams. He was referring to three baseball players whose very names in conc. Have become synonymous with precision, teamwork. They played with the Chicago Cubs as suggested in the Adams poem. Joe Tinker at shortstop, Johnny Evers at second base and Frank Chance at first. Together they comprised a well oiled infield. A surefire double play combination. One man on ground ball to shorten like lightning. It was Tinker to Evers to Chance. Individually. Individually, they were nothing special. Alone, Tinker was distinguished by only a couple of minor statistics. Ever since Chance by themselves held no records in any category. But it was as a team within a team that made they made such staggering trouble for their opponents. But this is the rest of the story. The year before Joe Tinker's death he spoke to a college audience in Winter Park, Florida. And here's part of what he said. He said, Chance, Evers and I played together for 11 years as a double play combination. Now that's a record. During those 11 years we set a mark for double plays that's never been equaled. But I don't know the exact number. Well, now the reason Joe did not know the double play total for Tinker to Everest to Chance was that the National League did not even begin keeping that sort of individual statistics until 1919. By then, tinkers, Evers and Chance were no longer a trio. So the three never did set any double play records. In fact, when the Chicago Cubs were doing their best between 1906 and 1910 the team as a whole never ranked higher than third in the double play category. John McGraw, manager of the New York Giants for 31 years once cited a number of double play combinations which he believed superior to Tinker, Evers and Chance. Ferris, Parent and Lunch ants in the 1890s. Baltimore Orioles. McGraw was with the club back then. He also named Wagner, Miller and Abstinent the Pirates, Barry Collins and McInnes of the Athletics. McGraw's point was this. Nobody ever wrote a poem for those fellows. Now don't misunderstand. Nobody is denying Tinker, Everson, Chance were an incredible double play combination. It's just that they were not the best. Most everyone, including the three men themselves, automatically assumed that they were because of because of eight lines of verse scribbled by Franklin Adams. But you want to know something else? Generations of us have irresistibly associated those three names with close formation partnership. Tinker to Evers to Chance. Despite the fact that Tinker and Evers strongly disliked each other, they even fist fought on the field. And I mean for one three year period during the very height of their careers, those three spoke to one another not once. And now you know the rest of the story.