The 1912 World Series — in which the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Giants (before the football franchise) — ended on a pivotal moment from Hatboro native Steve Yerkes. Justin Heinze recalled his nerves-of-steel performance in the Upper Moreland-Willow Grove Patch.

Yerkes had played baseball as a child in Hatboro and Jenkintown and later as a University of Pennsylvania student. The Sox eventually picked up the second baseman in 1909.

At that year’s contest, only the ninth in its history, Yerkes, approached the Fenway Park plate late in the series’ last game.

The hometown team trailed, 2–1.

Yerkes, just 24, faced future Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson, a true artist at finessing balls past batters. He was hitless at that point in the championship.

In the box, Yerkes patiently waited through four pitches: Three balls. One strike.

On a subsequent throw, Yerkes was signaled by a line coach to swing. But instinct told him to hold on.

That patience was rewarded with a walk.

The ensuing Red Sox lineup brought in a run to tie the score and land Yerkes on third.

The next home-team hitter sailed the ball to deep-right field. It was enough to get Yerkes home.

Red Sox 3; Giants 2.

More on this vintage performance by Hatboro’s Steve Yerkes is at the Upper Moreland-Willow Grove Patch.

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Fenway Park, which was almost lost.