Although the Philadelphia Inquirer provided a box score and the Philadelphia Tribune published a short game story, the coverage overall was quite scant.
The American Giants took an early lead with a run in the top of the first, but the Stars quickly leveled the score in the bottom of the second. The lead changed hands again in the seventh, when the American Giants scored, only for the Stars to respond with two runs in the bottom of the inning. The American Giants tied the game in the eighth, setting up a tense final frame.
The series, a classic test of Negro League talent, extended to seven games and ended in a tie, necessitating an eighth game to decide the champion.
Chicago’s lineup boasted future Hall of Famers, including Willie Wells at shortstop, Turkey Stearnes in center field, Mule Suttles at first base, and Foster on the mound.
The Stars countered with their own stars, including Hall of Famer Biz Mackey behind the plate and Jud Wilson, who, at 40 years old, was a key player in left field and at first base. Chaney White, another 40-year-old veteran, also played a significant role, hitting third in Game 1.
The Stars’ pitching staff was anchored by Slim Jones, a towering 21-year-old left-hander with a remarkable 20-4 record and a 1.29 ERA. Ellis, with a record of 8-3 and a 2.81 ERA, was also a formidable force.
The tension was palpable even before the series began. On September 7, the Stars and American Giants played a doubleheader in Philadelphia. Jones led the Stars to a 2-1 win in the opener, while the second game ended in a 1-1 tie after seven innings due to darkness, foreshadowing the series' competitive nature.
Originally scheduled to start on September 8, the series was delayed by rain, adding to the suspense of this epic confrontation.
The critical moment in Game 1 came in the ninth inning when Jones relieved Ellis. With American Giants catcher Larry Brown on second base due to an error by Stars third baseman Dewey Creacy, Mule Suttles’ single drove in Brown, giving the American Giants a 4-3 lead.
Despite loading the bases with two outs, the Stars couldn’t overcome Foster, who struck out 11 and walked just one, sealing the win by getting Biz Mackey to ground out to second base.
The series, slated to continue with a doubleheader at Passon Field on September 13, faced additional rain delays and eventually moved to Chicago.
