1921 World Series
Encyclopedia
In the 1921 World Series, the New York Giants
beat the New York Yankees
five games to three. This was the last of the experimental best-five-of-nine series.
The Series was much-anticipated, as it featured John McGraw's Giants, who were dedicated practitioners of the dead-ball era's "inside game"; and the Yankees, who relied on the "power game" exemplified by their star player, Babe Ruth
, who was coming off a sensational year, arguably his best ever statistically. Injuries suffered during the Series would limit his effectiveness significantly. However, this Series marks the start of the Yankees dynasty, as it was the first of 40 American League
pennants as of the 2009 season.
Despite Ruth's limited action, the Series was a closely contested matchup. The Series ended on a double play
featuring a baserunning
miscue. Because of an infected arm and a bad knee (he wrenched it in the fifth game), Babe Ruth
did not start the final game but did appear in the bottom of the ninth pinch hitting for Wally Pipp
.
For the first time in World Series play, all games were held at one site: the Polo Grounds
in New York, with the home team alternating. The Yankees sub-leased the Polo Grounds from the New York Giants
from 1913 through 1922.
The Series was the first to be broadcast on radio
. Announcer Thomas Cowan recreated the games over Westinghouse
-owned WJZ in Newark, listening to phoned-in reports from the stadium.
Following the Series, Ruth and Bob Meusel
participated in some post-season barnstorming
, which was then against the rules for Series participants. Both were suspended for the start of the 1922 season, but Ruth made a personal appeal to Commissioner Landis
. He upheld their suspensions, but agreed to rescind the rule effective with the end of the 1922 season.
in Manhattan, New York
in Manhattan, New York
in Manhattan, New York
in Manhattan, New York
in Manhattan, New York
in Manhattan, New York
in Manhattan, New York
in Manhattan, New York
(N.L.) over New York Yankees
(A.L.)
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....
beat the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
five games to three. This was the last of the experimental best-five-of-nine series.
The Series was much-anticipated, as it featured John McGraw's Giants, who were dedicated practitioners of the dead-ball era's "inside game"; and the Yankees, who relied on the "power game" exemplified by their star player, Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, who was coming off a sensational year, arguably his best ever statistically. Injuries suffered during the Series would limit his effectiveness significantly. However, this Series marks the start of the Yankees dynasty, as it was the first of 40 American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pennants as of the 2009 season.
Despite Ruth's limited action, the Series was a closely contested matchup. The Series ended on a double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
featuring a baserunning
Baserunning
In baseball, baserunning is the act of running around the bases performed by members of the team at bat.In general, baserunning is a tactical part of the game with the goal of eventually reaching home to score a run. In fact, the goal of batting is generally to produce baserunners, or help move...
miscue. Because of an infected arm and a bad knee (he wrenched it in the fifth game), Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
did not start the final game but did appear in the bottom of the ninth pinch hitting for Wally Pipp
Wally Pipp
Walter Clement Pipp was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball, now best remembered as the man who lost his starting role to Lou Gehrig at the beginning of Gehrig's streak of 2,130 consecutive games....
.
For the first time in World Series play, all games were held at one site: the Polo Grounds
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in New York, with the home team alternating. The Yankees sub-leased the Polo Grounds from 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....
from 1913 through 1922.
The Series was the first to be broadcast on radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
. Announcer Thomas Cowan recreated the games over Westinghouse
Westinghouse Electric (1886)
Westinghouse Electric was an American manufacturing company. It was founded in 1886 as Westinghouse Electric Company and later renamed Westinghouse Electric Corporation by George Westinghouse. The company purchased CBS in 1995 and became CBS Corporation in 1997...
-owned WJZ in Newark, listening to phoned-in reports from the stadium.
Following the Series, Ruth and Bob Meusel
Bob Meusel
Robert William "Bob" Meusel was an American baseball left and right fielder who played in Major League Baseball for eleven seasons from 1920 through 1930, all but the last for the New York Yankees...
participated in some post-season barnstorming
Barnstorm (sports)
Barnstorming in athletics refers to sports teams or individuals that travel to various locations, usually small towns, to stage exhibition matches....
, which was then against the rules for Series participants. Both were suspended for the start of the 1922 season, but Ruth made a personal appeal to Commissioner Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...
. He upheld their suspensions, but agreed to rescind the rule effective with the end of the 1922 season.
Summary
Matchups
Game 1
Wednesday, October 5, 1921 at Polo Grounds (IV)Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in Manhattan, New York
Game 2
Thursday, October 6, 1921 at Polo Grounds (IV)Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in Manhattan, New York
Game 3
Friday, October 7, 1921 at Polo Grounds (IV)Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in Manhattan, New York
Game 4
Sunday, October 9, 1921 at Polo Grounds (IV)Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in Manhattan, New York
Game 5
Monday, October 10, 1921 at Polo Grounds (IV)Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in Manhattan, New York
Game 6
Tuesday, October 11, 1921 at Polo Grounds (IV)Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in Manhattan, New York
Game 7
Wednesday, October 12, 1921 at Polo Grounds (IV)Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in Manhattan, New York
Game 8
Thursday, October 13, 1921 at Polo Grounds (IV)Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in Manhattan, New York
Composite box
1921 World Series (5–3): New York GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(N.L.) over New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(A.L.)