On September 6, 1928, the Cardinals found themselves trailing the Pirates 3-2 in the bottom of the 10th in St. Louis when George Harper stepped to the plate and hit a pinch-hit two run walk off home run to win it 4-3. The game was a wild one that saw the Cardinals take a 2-0 lead on a two run blast by Chick Hafey in the fifth. It was a mere hiccup for the Pirates starter Burleigh Grimes who kept the Birds off the board, while the Cardinals hurler Clarence Mitchell matched him pitch for pitch. With the 2-0 lead intact Mitchell rolled into the ninth ready to add his tenth win to that season's resume. Paul Waner had other ideas, as he tried to spoil the day by blasting a two run shot to tie it up in the ninth. Grimes who was in search of his 23rd win of the season then came up with what looked to be the game winning single in the top of the 10th inning when he knocked Paul Scott in with a single. However, Grimes had to get three more outs to win this one, and he would fail to do so, as he gave up a single to catcher Jimmie Wilson, before Harper pinch hit for the pitcher and sent the fans home happy with one big swing of the bat.The walk off was the second walk off home run of Harper's career. The last time he accomplished the feat was in 1924 when he wore the uniform of the Cincinnati Reds. Harper was a well traveled player who lived the major league dream. He donned the uniform of five different clubs during his career. The year he called Cardinal Nation home he blasted 17 home runs, and was a huge part of a pennant winning ballclub. If you would like to know more about the life and times of George Harper give this a look: http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/aa4987d5
Check out the box score here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN192809060.shtml
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