1908 World Series
Encyclopedia
The 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs
against the Detroit Tigers
in a rematch of the 1907 Series
. In this first-ever rematch of this young event, the Cubs won in five games for their second consecutive title.
The 1908 World Series is significant for being the last World Championship the Cubs have won to date. The Cubs would go on to appear in seven World Series in the years , , , , , , and , losing each time. The Cubs had one of baseball's most dominant teams in the early 1900s.
This was the year of the infamous "Merkle's Boner" play that allowed the Chicago Cubs
to reach the World Series
after beating the New York Giants
in a one-game "playoff", actually the makeup game for the tie that the Merkle play had caused.
The Series was anti-climactic after tight pennant races in both leagues. Ty Cobb
had a much better Series than in 1907, as did the rest of his team. The final two games, in Detroit, were shutouts. This was also the most poorly attended Series in history, with the final game drawing a record-low 6,210 fans. Attendance in Chicago was harmed by a ticket-scalping scheme that fans accused the club's owner of participating in, and the Series was boycotted to some degree.
For the first time, four umpires were used in the series, in alternating two-man teams.
With Detroit leading 6–5 in the top of the ninth, the Cubs broke out with six straight one-out singles against Ed Summers
, scoring five times and winning the first game.
in Chicago
, Illinois
It was in this game that Ty Cobb enjoyed the finest World Series outing he ever had. The 21-year-old Georgian rapped three singles and a double in five at bats and stole two bases. In the ninth inning he singled and promptly stole second and third, but then the hyped-up boy wonder pressed his luck and was out trying to steal home.
The attendance during Game 5 (6,210) was the smallest crowd in World Series history.
Orval Overall became the first pitcher in World Series history to strike out four batters in one inning, in the first inning of Game 5. Overall remains the only pitcher in World Series history to accomplish this impressive feat.
Boss Schmidt
, who made the last out of the 1907 Series with a popup to shortstop, also made the last out of this Series by grounding out catcher to first.
(N.L.) over Detroit Tigers
(A.L.)
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in a rematch of the 1907 Series
1907 World Series
The 1907 World Series featured the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers, with the Cubs winning the Series four games to none for their first championship....
. In this first-ever rematch of this young event, the Cubs won in five games for their second consecutive title.
The 1908 World Series is significant for being the last World Championship the Cubs have won to date. The Cubs would go on to appear in seven World Series in the years , , , , , , and , losing each time. The Cubs had one of baseball's most dominant teams in the early 1900s.
This was the year of the infamous "Merkle's Boner" play that allowed the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
to reach the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
after beating the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in a one-game "playoff", actually the makeup game for the tie that the Merkle play had caused.
The Series was anti-climactic after tight pennant races in both leagues. Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
had a much better Series than in 1907, as did the rest of his team. The final two games, in Detroit, were shutouts. This was also the most poorly attended Series in history, with the final game drawing a record-low 6,210 fans. Attendance in Chicago was harmed by a ticket-scalping scheme that fans accused the club's owner of participating in, and the Series was boycotted to some degree.
For the first time, four umpires were used in the series, in alternating two-man teams.
Summary
Game 1
Saturday, October 10, 1908 at Bennett Park in Detroit, MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
With Detroit leading 6–5 in the top of the ninth, the Cubs broke out with six straight one-out singles against Ed Summers
Ed Summers
Oron Edgar Summers , nicknamed "Kickapoo Ed," due to his Kickapoo ancestry. was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played five seasons with the Detroit Tigers ....
, scoring five times and winning the first game.
Game 2
Sunday, October 11, 1908 at West Side GroundsWest Side Park
West Side Park was the name used for two different baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois. They were both home fields of the team now known as the Chicago Cubs of the National League. Both parks witnessed championship baseball...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
Game 3
Monday, October 12, 1908 at West Side Grounds in Chicago, IllinoisIt was in this game that Ty Cobb enjoyed the finest World Series outing he ever had. The 21-year-old Georgian rapped three singles and a double in five at bats and stole two bases. In the ninth inning he singled and promptly stole second and third, but then the hyped-up boy wonder pressed his luck and was out trying to steal home.
Game 4
Tuesday, October 13, 1908 at Bennett Park in Detroit, MichiganGame 5
Wednesday, October 14, 1908 at Bennett Park in Detroit, MichiganThe attendance during Game 5 (6,210) was the smallest crowd in World Series history.
Orval Overall became the first pitcher in World Series history to strike out four batters in one inning, in the first inning of Game 5. Overall remains the only pitcher in World Series history to accomplish this impressive feat.
Boss Schmidt
Boss Schmidt
Charles "Boss" Schmidt was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers ....
, who made the last out of the 1907 Series with a popup to shortstop, also made the last out of this Series by grounding out catcher to first.
Composite box
1908 World Series (4–1): Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(N.L.) over Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(A.L.)