3rd out question - history???

There was a recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal on Friday
about the Cubs and talking about history. Specifically they
re-explained how they  won the Pennant in 1908 with the "Merkel" out
when they played the Giants. For those that don't know it, the score
was 1-1 in the 9th inning with two outs and Giants men on 1st and 3rd.
A single was hit and the man from 3rd scored. Merkel who was on 1st,
didn't touch 2nd base but instead went into the dugout. The Cubs got
the ball went to 2nd stepped on the base and declared Merkel as out.
This was declared a tie and the game was replayed at which time the
cubs won.

I believe the rule now is that while the play is still in progress if
the run scores before the out is made, it counts and thus the game
today would be over. Was the rule different then?

Peter
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