1948 World Series
Encyclopedia
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians
against the Boston Braves
. The Braves had won the National League
pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff
against the Boston Red Sox
. Though superstar pitcher
Bob Feller
failed to win either of his two starts, the Indians won the Series in six games to capture their second championship and their first since (as well as their last to the present date).
It was the first World Series to be televised on a nationwide network and was announced by famed sportcasters Red Barber
, Tom Hussey
(in Boston) and Van Patrick
(in Cleveland).
This was the only World Series from to not to feature a New York
team, and also the last World Series until not won by a New York team (which the Braves won, except they had relocated to Milwaukee by then). Both teams would meet again in the 1995 World Series
—by that time, the Braves had moved to Atlanta
.
in Boston, Massachusetts
Braves pitcher Johnny Sain
and Indians pitcher, Bob Feller
engaged in a scoreless pitchers' duel when the Braves came to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning. Feller walked
Braves catcher Bill Salkeld
to open the inning. Braves manager, Billy Southworth
then substituted the slow-footed Salkeld with Phil Masi
, who entered the game as a pinch runner
. Mike McCormick
followed by hitting a sacrifice bunt, advancing Masi to second base. Feller issued an intentional walk to Eddie Stanky
, who was replaced by Sibby Sisti
. Feller then made a pick off attempt of Masi at second base. Indians' shortstop, Lou Boudreau
, appeared to tag Masi out
, but umpire
Bill Stewart called him safe
. Tommy Holmes
proceeded to hit a single
that allowed Masi to score the only run
of the game, giving the Braves a 1–0 victory.
The umpire's controversial ruling touched off heated debates among the media and fans, especially after Associated Press
photographs of the play were published. Although Feller allowed only two hits, he took the loss in what would be the closest he ever came to winning a World Series game. Upon his death in 1990, Masi's will revealed that he really was out on the pick-off play.
in Boston, Massachusetts
The second game also made television history when a live broadcast of the Indians–Braves matchup was shown aboard the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
's Marylander passenger train travelling between Washington, D.C.
and New York City
, using a receiver operated by Bendix Corporation
technicians. An Associated Press
reporter observing the demonstration said, "Technically, it was surprisingly good."
in Cleveland, Ohio
in Cleveland, Ohio
A new World Series single-game attendance record was set with 81,897 fans.
in Cleveland, Ohio
Satchel Paige
appeared for the Indians, becoming the first black pitcher to take the mound in World Series history.
The previous day's single-game attendance record was broken with 86,288 fans.
in Boston, Massachusetts
(A.L.) over Boston Braves
(N.L.)
1948 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team won a one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox and would then go onto win their second World Series in franchise history, its first in 28 years.-Off-season:...
against the Boston Braves
1948 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* October 28, 1947: Hoyt Wilhelm was purchased by the Braves from the Mooresville Moores....
. The Braves had won 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...
pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff
1948 American League tie-breaker game
The 1948 American League tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's American League conference. The game took place on October 4, 1948, between the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. It was necessary after both teams finished the season with records of...
against the Boston Red Sox
1948 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing second in the American League with a record of 96 wins and 59 losses.- Offseason :...
. Though superstar pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Bob Feller
Bob Feller
On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
failed to win either of his two starts, the Indians won the Series in six games to capture their second championship and their first since (as well as their last to the present date).
It was the first World Series to be televised on a nationwide network and was announced by famed sportcasters Red Barber
Red Barber
Walter Lanier "Red" Barber was an American sportscaster.Barber, nicknamed "The Ol' Redhead", was primarily identified with radio broadcasts of Major League Baseball, calling play-by-play across four decades with the Cincinnati Reds , Brooklyn Dodgers , and New York Yankees...
, Tom Hussey
Tom Hussey
Tom Hussey was a Major League Baseball announcer for the Boston Red Sox from 1939–1955 and the Boston Braves from 1939-1950. He was a secondary play-by-play announcer for home games and recreated road games off wire tickers. When the Braves and Red Sox separated their television and radio coverage...
(in Boston) and Van Patrick
Van Patrick
Van Patrick was an American sportscaster, best known for his play-by-play work with the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers....
(in Cleveland).
This was the only World Series from to not to feature a New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
team, and also the last World Series until not won by a New York team (which the Braves won, except they had relocated to Milwaukee by then). Both teams would meet again in the 1995 World Series
1995 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 21, 1995 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta ace Greg Maddux pitched a two-hit complete game victory in his first World Series appearance ....
—by that time, the Braves had moved to Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
.
Summary
Game 1
Wednesday, October 6, 1948 at Braves FieldBraves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
in Boston, Massachusetts
Braves pitcher Johnny Sain
Johnny Sain
John Franklin Sain was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who was best known for teaming with left-hander Warren Spahn on the Boston Braves teams from 1946 to 1951...
and Indians pitcher, Bob Feller
Bob Feller
On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
engaged in a scoreless pitchers' duel when the Braves came to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning. Feller walked
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
Braves catcher Bill Salkeld
Bill Salkeld
William Franklin Salkeld was a former professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, and Chicago White Sox.-External links:...
to open the inning. Braves manager, Billy Southworth
Billy Southworth
William Harrison Southworth was an American right fielder, center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Playing in and and from to , he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Southworth managed in and from through...
then substituted the slow-footed Salkeld with Phil Masi
Phil Masi
Philip Samuel Masi was an American professional baseball player. From though , he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Boston Braves , Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox...
, who entered the game as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
. Mike McCormick
Mike McCormick (outfielder)
Myron Winthrop "Mike" McCormick was an American professional baseball player. He was an outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds , Boston Braves , Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators of Major League Baseball...
followed by hitting a sacrifice bunt, advancing Masi to second base. Feller issued an intentional walk to Eddie Stanky
Eddie Stanky
Edward Raymond Stanky , nicknamed "The Brat", was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Braves , New York Giants , and St. Louis Cardinals...
, who was replaced by Sibby Sisti
Sibby Sisti
Sebastian Daniel "Sibby" Sisti , was an American Major League Baseball utility player.-Playing career:Sisti stood 5' 11" tall and weighed 175 pounds...
. Feller then made a pick off attempt of Masi at second base. Indians' shortstop, Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
, appeared to tag Masi out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
, but umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
Bill Stewart called him safe
Safe (baseball)
In baseball, a baserunner is safe when he reaches a base without being put out by various ways. While a runner is touching a base, he is usually not in jeopardy of being put out, and is thus "safe" from fielders actions...
. Tommy Holmes
Tommy Holmes
Thomas Francis Holmes was an American right and center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball who played nearly his entire career for the Boston Braves...
proceeded to hit a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
that allowed Masi to score the only run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
of the game, giving the Braves a 1–0 victory.
The umpire's controversial ruling touched off heated debates among the media and fans, especially after Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
photographs of the play were published. Although Feller allowed only two hits, he took the loss in what would be the closest he ever came to winning a World Series game. Upon his death in 1990, Masi's will revealed that he really was out on the pick-off play.
Game 2
Thursday, October 7, 1948 at Braves FieldBraves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
in Boston, Massachusetts
The second game also made television history when a live broadcast of the Indians–Braves matchup was shown aboard the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
's Marylander passenger train travelling between Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, using a receiver operated by Bendix Corporation
Bendix Corporation
The Bendix Corporation was an American manufacturing and engineering company which during various times in its 60 year existence made brake systems, aeronautical hydraulics, avionics, aircraft and automobile fuel control systems, radios, televisions and computers, and which licensed its name for...
technicians. An Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
reporter observing the demonstration said, "Technically, it was surprisingly good."
Game 3
Friday, October 8, 1948 at Cleveland StadiumCleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
Game 4
Saturday, October 9, 1948 at Cleveland StadiumCleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
A new World Series single-game attendance record was set with 81,897 fans.
Game 5
Sunday, October 10, 1948 at Cleveland StadiumCleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
appeared for the Indians, becoming the first black pitcher to take the mound in World Series history.
The previous day's single-game attendance record was broken with 86,288 fans.
Game 6
Monday, October 11, 1948 at Braves FieldBraves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
in Boston, Massachusetts
Composite box
1948 World Series (4–2): Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(A.L.) over Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(N.L.)