WORLD SERIES FACTS

·    The World Series was not established until 1903. In 1903 the disparities between the National League and American League, who had been battling each other for several years over players, soared so much that they decided to come to some sort of peace agreement. In August the Boston Pilgrims and Pittsburgh Pirates agreed on a so-called "World's Championship Series"--a best-of-nine series which the Pilgrims won in 8 games, making them the first "modern" World Series champions. Cy Young and the Boston Pilgrims beat Honus Wagner and the Pittsburgh Pirates 5 games to 3.

·     The most amazing unassisted triple play fielding feat to ever take place during any World Series game, took place on October 10, 1920, during the fifth inning, Bill Wambsganss caught a line drive hit by Clarence Mitchell. He then stepped on second to put out Pete Kilduff and personally tagged Otto Miller who was coming from first.

·     After losing in game 2 of the 1965 World Series, Sandy Koufax came back with a 4-hitter in game 5 and a 3-hitter in game 7. He finished with a 0.38 ERA, a record 29 strikeouts, and World Series MVP honors.

·     Just minutes before game 3 of the 1989 World Series between Oakland and San Francisco, an earthquake hit the Bay area. The game was postponed and the series was resumed 11 days later.

·     In 1904 the New York Giants refused to play against the Boston Americans because they considered the Americans to be unworthy competitors. However, the New York Giants agreed to participate in the 1905 Fall Classic in an attempt to win back its fan support since many Giants fans were upset by their team's attitude the previous year, and expressed their displeasure obvious by staying home the following season. This time, the Giants were eager to take on the American League champion Philadelphia Athletics after a National League race in which the Giants won one-hundred and five games. As it turned out, their enthusiasm was warranted--they won the series in just five games.

·     In 1947 the first World Series was televised locally for the first time. It was the second meeting between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees. The yankees won a thrilling seven game series.

·     Catfish Hunter, Al Kaline, Mel Ott, Bob Feller, Sandy Koufax, Ernie Banks, George Sisler, Dave Winfield, and Robin Yount are some of the players that went straight to the majors having never played in the minor leagues.

·     Al Kaline at age 20 he became the youngest player ever to win a batting title by hitting .340 in 1955. He went on to appear in 16 All Star games and win 10 Gold Gloves.  He was the first person to win a Gold Glove at two different positions. He played the entire 1971 season without committing an error. In 1980 Al was only the tenth player elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

·     Johnny Bench was the first catcher to get the Rookie of the Year award in 1968.

·     Mickey Lolich, who pitched for 16 years, hit his only home run in his first World Series game in 1968.