History in a vacuum

Big moment 107 years ago today in the career of Philadelphia Athletics’ left fielder Wally Schang, who becomes the first switch-hitter in major league history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.

The homers come during the Athletics’ 8-2 victory over the New York Yankees.

Not that many folks see Schang’s historic day on this Friday afternoon game at Shibe Park as the attendance reportedly is as low as 23.

Not 2,300 or even 230. Just 23 – about the same number of players and coaches on the bench when either team is batting.

And, yes, that total is the lowest attendance for a game in American League history.

The remarkably low attendance reflects the fortunes – or lack thereof – for the A’s in 1916 as Schang’s outstanding game is good enough for only the 30th victory in Philadelphia’s first 131 games.

The A’s finish the season at 36-117 – a stunningly bad 54.5 games behind the American League pennant-winning Boston Red Sox.