The Cubs, Giants and Pirates were never separated by more than a game and a half over the final two weeks, resulting in another pennant race close enough to hinge on one tiny mistake. With two out in the bottom of the ninth of a 1-1 game between the Cubs and Giants on Sept. 23, shortstop Al Bridwell singled to drive in the apparent winning run for the Giants, but the runner on first base, 19-year-old first baseman Fred Merkle (inset), failed to touch second and was ruled out amid the rushing crowd, resulting in a tie that had to be replayed when the two teams finished the season tied a half game ahead of Pittsburgh. The Cubs won the rematch and the pennant thanks to Merkle's infamous "boner."