1939 World Series
Encyclopedia
The 1939 World Series featured the three-time defending champion New York Yankees
against the Cincinnati Reds
, who were making their first Series appearance since the scandal
-tainted 1919 World Series
. The Yankees swept the Series in four games for the second time in a row, winning their record fourth consecutive title (they would later win five straight from 1949–1953). Yankee manager Joe McCarthy won his fifth title, tying the record held by Connie Mack
.
The Reds had made it to the Series despite finishing last in the National League
in 1937 (56–98, .364) and then fourth in 1938 (82–68, .547).
In the tenth inning of the final game, a famous play at the plate typified the Series. Charlie Keller
scored when he and the ball both collided with catcher Ernie Lombardi
and then Joe DiMaggio also scored while Lombardi, rolling on the ground, tried in vain to retrieve the ball. Lombardi had been smacked in the groin
, but the puritanical press reported it as if Lombardi was "napping" at the plate.
The Yankees matched the Reds in hits with twenty-seven but out-homered the Reds seven to none. Charlie "King Kong" Keller
led the Yanks with eight runs, seven hits, three home runs, six runs batted in, a .438 batting average, and a 1.188 slugging percentage.
Keller broke the record for most homers by a rookie in a World Series game, during Game 3 when he went deep twice. Also in Game 3, Junior Thompson gave up five hits in innings worked. Four of those five hits were home runs tying the record for long balls allowed during a Series game set by Charlie Root
during the 1932 World Series
.
In the opener, both Ruffing and Derringer put on a fine show. In the bottom of the ninth with one out and the score tied 1–1, Charlie Keller
tripled, the Reds walked Joe DiMaggio, but Bill Dickey ended it with a single to center.
in Cincinnati, Ohio
in Cincinnati, Ohio
(A.L.) over Cincinnati Reds
(N.L.)
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...
against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, who were making their first Series appearance since the scandal
Black Sox Scandal
The Black Sox Scandal took place around and during the play of the American baseball 1919 World Series. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were banned for life from baseball for intentionally losing games, which allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series...
-tainted 1919 World Series
1919 World Series
The 1919 World Series matched the American League champion Chicago White Sox against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds. Although most World Series have been of the best-of-seven format, the 1919 World Series was a best-of-nine series...
. The Yankees swept the Series in four games for the second time in a row, winning their record fourth consecutive title (they would later win five straight from 1949–1953). Yankee manager Joe McCarthy won his fifth title, tying the record held by Connie Mack
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
.
The Reds had made it to the Series despite finishing last in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in 1937 (56–98, .364) and then fourth in 1938 (82–68, .547).
In the tenth inning of the final game, a famous play at the plate typified the Series. Charlie Keller
Charlie Keller
Charles Ernest "Charlie" Keller was a left fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1939 through 1952, Keller played for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers...
scored when he and the ball both collided with catcher Ernie Lombardi
Ernie Lombardi
Ernesto Natali "Ernie" Lombardi , was a Major League Baseball catcher for the Brooklyn Robins, the Cincinnati Reds, the Boston Braves and the New York Giants during a Hall of Fame career that spanned 17 years, from 1931 to 1947. He had several nicknames, including "Schnozz", "Lumbago", "Bocci",...
and then Joe DiMaggio also scored while Lombardi, rolling on the ground, tried in vain to retrieve the ball. Lombardi had been smacked in the groin
Groin
In human anatomy, the groin areas are the two creases at the junction of the torso with the legs, on either side of the pubic area. This is also known as the medial compartment of the thigh. A pulled groin muscle usually refers to a painful injury sustained by straining the hip adductor muscles...
, but the puritanical press reported it as if Lombardi was "napping" at the plate.
The Yankees matched the Reds in hits with twenty-seven but out-homered the Reds seven to none. Charlie "King Kong" Keller
Charlie Keller
Charles Ernest "Charlie" Keller was a left fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1939 through 1952, Keller played for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers...
led the Yanks with eight runs, seven hits, three home runs, six runs batted in, a .438 batting average, and a 1.188 slugging percentage.
Keller broke the record for most homers by a rookie in a World Series game, during Game 3 when he went deep twice. Also in Game 3, Junior Thompson gave up five hits in innings worked. Four of those five hits were home runs tying the record for long balls allowed during a Series game set by Charlie Root
Charlie Root
Charles Henry Root was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs for sixteen seasons from 1926 through 1941. He holds the club record for games, innings pitched, and career wins with 201....
during the 1932 World Series
1932 World Series
The 1932 World Series was played between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs , with the Yankees holding home field advantage. The Yankees swept the Cubs, four games to none...
.
Summary
Game 1
Wednesday, October 4, 1939 at Yankee Stadium (I) in Bronx, New YorkIn the opener, both Ruffing and Derringer put on a fine show. In the bottom of the ninth with one out and the score tied 1–1, Charlie Keller
Charlie Keller
Charles Ernest "Charlie" Keller was a left fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1939 through 1952, Keller played for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers...
tripled, the Reds walked Joe DiMaggio, but Bill Dickey ended it with a single to center.
Game 2
Thursday, October 5, 1939 at Yankee Stadium (I) in Bronx, New YorkGame 3
Saturday, October 7, 1939 at Crosley FieldCrosley Field
Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second and third American Football League...
in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
Game 4
Sunday, October 8, 1939 at Crosley FieldCrosley Field
Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second and third American Football League...
in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
Composite box
1939 World Series (4–0): New York YankeesNew 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.) over Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(N.L.)