Second baseman Johnny Evers was out injured for the Cubs, while outfielder and strong batter Rube Oldring was injured for the Athletics. This World Series featured a new ball, manufactured by the Reach Company. It had a cork center, not a rubber one. The ball was meant to be stronger and hold up better instead of becoming soft and losing its shape after being used for a long period of time. Summary Matchups Game 1 Connie Mack chose Chief Bender to start game 1, while Orval Overall was selected by Frank Chance. The second inning began with a double by Home Run Baker. Harry Davis sacrificed, and Danny Murphy singled to left to send Baker home. Murphy then stole second and advanced to third on Jack Barry's sacrifice. Chief Bender, the pitcher, then came up to bat, and managed to bat in a run. The next inning began with a Bris Lord double and a Eddie Collins sacrifice. Home Run Baker hit a single to shortstop which allowed Lord to score, and the score was 0–3. With two outs in the eighth inning, Eddie Collins was walked. Collins was a leading base-stealer and McIntire attempted to get him out at first, but his throw to the first baseman was wild and Collins advanced to third. Home Run Baker hit a double to right field and made it 0–4. In the ninth inning, a foul by Joe Tinker was fumbled by Athletics catcher Ira Thomas, and on the next pitch, Tinker hit a double. Johnny Kling then doubled and Tinker scored. Frank Schulte was walked, and it seemed a comeback may be on, but Solly Hofman grounded out, ending the game at 1–4. Chief Bender allowed the Cubs just three hits and one unearned run. Before the ninth inning, Bender had allowed only one hit and one base on balls. He also registered seven strikeouts, and, unusually for a pitcher, an RBI. Frank Baker had three hits and two RBI for the A's. Game 2 Star pitcher Jack Coombs was the starter for the Athletics, while Mordecai Brown began the game for the Cubs. Before the game, Ty Cobb and Nap Lajoie, winners of the Chalmers Awards, were presented with new cars from Chalmers Motor Company, though Lajoie was not present and a friend accepted the car in his stead. Jack Coombs started the game shakily, walking Jimmy Sheckard, who was