Merkle to be highlighted on TV, print

Monday, September 22, 2008 12:22 PM CDT

Fred Merkle's mistake on the baseball field that may have caused the New York Giants the pennant a century ago on Sept. 23, 1908, will be the topic of a television program and a publication.

Back on Sept. 23, 1908, Merkle, a Watertown native, was declared out after he failed to touch second base when his Giants were playing the Chicago Cubs for the National League Pennant. He was subsequently named "Bonehead Merkle" for his mistake, a nickname that haunted him the rest of his otherwise stellar career.

Chicago Comcast SportsNet will air a Merkle documentary following the Cubs/Mets game tonight at 9:30. Some of the filming took place at the home of Watertown baseball historian Dave Stalker and at Merkle Field at Washington Park as well as at the Merkle monument at the Octagon House. This program may or may not be available to Watertown residents, depending on how they receive their television signals.

In addition, ESPN.com is planning an article on Merkle which will be available on that Web site on Tuesday. The author of that article also visited Watertown.

The Society for American Baseball Research has put together a special edition of their online publication titled "The Inside Game" which features Merkle.

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Stalker has a display of Merkle and other baseball memorabilia available for viewing in the visitors center of the Octagon House. That display will remain there through the end of the month. Stalker is looking for a permanent location to display some of his collection. Interested people can contact him at his home.