first, not foremost

The best performance by a Mississippi native in a World Series game is debatable, though the one-hitter tossed by Waynesboro’s Claude Passeau in the 1945 Series is hard to top. (Jay Powell, Boo Ferriss, Harry “The Hat” Walker, Dave Parker and Frank White also had some laudable efforts.) But there can only be one “First Appearance by a Mississippian in the World Series,” and that title goes to Ewell Albert “Reb” Russell. The Jackson-born Russell, a left-handed hurler, started Game 5 of the 1917 Series for the Chicago White Sox. It was a pivotal game, with the series against the New York Giants tied at 2-all. The White Sox — the team of Shoeless Joe Jackson, Chick Gandil, Happy Felsch, Buck Weaver and others of 1919 Black Sox infamy — won the game 8-5 and went on to claim the championship in Game 6 two days later. Russell’s performance in Game 5, however, was not one for the ages. He faced only three batters in the top of the first inning at Comiskey Park. He retired none. Two runs scored. Eddie Cicotte relieved. The White Sox’s comeback rendered Russell’s outing forgettable for most, save for those who like to chart Mississippi baseball history.
P.S. Wondering if Melvin Mora, the former Jackson General, is done. Baltimore has declined the 2010 option on the 37-year-old third baseman, whose 807 games at the position is second-most in Orioles history to Brooks Robinson. That’s remarkable. Mora wasn’t a highly rated prospect when he passed through Jackson in 1995 and ’96. But he was a solid hitter (.298 and .286 in his two Double-A stints) and could play all over the field. He’s played every position except catcher in the majors, has a .278 career average and has made two All-Star teams. He could still help somebody.