1918 World Series

1918 World Series
P. Lorillard Co. · Public domain · source
Year	1918
Champion	Boston Red Sox
Champion manager	Ed Barrow
Champion games	75–51, .595, AL
Runner up	Chicago Cubs
Runner up manager	Fred Mitchell
Runner up games	84–45, .651, NL
Date	September 5–11
Umpires	Hank O'Day (NL), Dick Nallin (AL)
Hall of famers	Red Sox: Harry Hooper, Babe Ruth, Waite Hoyt, Cubs: Grover Cleveland Alexander, Fred Clarke, Kiki Cuyler
Radio	None
Radio announcers	None
Tv announcers	None

1918 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's 1918 season. It featured the American League champion Boston Red Sox against the National League champion Chicago Cubs. Played in early September due to the World War I "work or fight" order, the Red Sox won the series four games to two. The series is notable for the pitching performances of Babe Ruth and for being the last Red Sox championship until 2004.

Background

The 1918 Major League Baseball season was shortened and concluded early due to the United States Department of War's "work or fight" order, which threatened to draft eligible men not in essential industries by September 1. This forced the regular season to end on September 2 and prompted an early start to the World Series. The Boston Red Sox, managed by Ed Barrow, won the American League pennant with a 75–51 record, led by the stellar pitching and hitting of Babe Ruth. Their opponents, the Chicago Cubs, managed by Fred Mitchell, dominated the National League with an 84–45 record, featuring star pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander, though Alexander had been traded to the Cubs mid-season and was serving in the United States Army during the series. The wartime atmosphere loomed large, with proceeds from the series being donated to the American Red Cross and other war charities.

Summary

The series opened at Comiskey Park in Chicago on September 5, as the Cubs' home field, Wrigley Field, had a smaller capacity. Babe Ruth pitched a shutout for the Boston Red Sox in Game 1, winning 1–0. Game 2 saw the Chicago Cubs even the series with a 3–1 victory behind pitcher Lefty Tyler. Returning to Boston for Game 3 at Fenway Park, the Red Sox won 2–1, with Ruth contributing both on the mound and at the plate. In Game 4, Boston won 3–2, taking a commanding 3–1 series lead. Game 5 was a pitchers' duel, with the Cubs staving off elimination by winning 3–0, forcing the series back to Boston. In the decisive Game 6, the Red Sox secured the championship with a 2–1 victory, as pitcher Sad Sam Jones outdueled the Cubs' Hippo Vaughn. Ruth extended his consecutive scoreless innings streak in World Series play to 29 2/3 innings during the series, a record that would stand for decades.

Aftermath

The victory gave the Boston Red Sox their fifth World Series title, following wins in 1903, 1912, 1915, and 1916. However, financial disputes over player shares, which were reduced due to lower wartime attendance, led to bitterness among participants, most notably the Chicago Cubs. This championship would famously be Boston's last for 86 years, commencing the "Curse of the Bambino" after owner Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919. For the Cubs, the loss continued their championship drought, which had begun after their 1908 win and would extend until the 2016 World Series. The 1918 series also set a low attendance record, with total receipts donated to the American Red Cross, and its early September date remains unique in World Series history.

See also

* 1919 World Series * History of the Boston Red Sox * History of the Chicago Cubs * List of World Series champions * Major League Baseball postseason

References

Category:1918 in sports Category:World Series Category:20th century in Chicago Category:20th century in Boston