1926 World Series

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1926 World Series Photo Gallery

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Thanks to our outstanding baseball researcher Don Stokes for sending this great team photo of the 1926 Yankees. As I’m sure many of you are aware, this team won the American League pennant, but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in one of the most memorable World Series in baseball history.

I actually did the player ID’s on this photo a few years ago. Before looking at the identifications (posted at the bottom), take a good look and see how many names you can come up with. This also gives me a chance to say a few words about the exciting 1926 World Series. Here’s some excerpts from an essay I wrote about the 1926 World Series last year. 

The 1926 World Series

The exciting 1926 World Series, between the Cardinals and the Yankees, was won by the Cardinals four games to three. This was the first World Series appearance for the Cardinals, while the Yanks were in their fourth World Series in six years. With the Yankees ahead three games to two after five games, Cards’ player-manager Rogers Hornsby chose Grover Cleveland “Old Pete” Alexander to start Game 6, and then used him in relief to close out the crucial Game 7. The gamble paid off.

 Babe Ruth Out at Second By 10 Feet!

In Game 7, the Yankees were trailing 3–2 in the bottom of the ninth inning and down to their last out. Ruth walked, bringing up Bob Meusel, a .315. Meusel had success in Game Six against Alexander, with a double and triple. Just as was about to throw the first pitch, Ruth made the bold move of trying to steal second. Meusel swung and missed at the pitch, and Cardinals catcher Bob O’Farrell immediately threw the ball to second baseman Hornsby who reached for the ball, and laid the tag immediately on Ruth, who was out by a good 10 feet. The game was over and the Cardinals had won their first Series.

As Hornsby recalled later, Ruth “didn’t say a word. He just picked himself up and walked away”. Ruth’s failed attempt to steal second base ended the 1926 World Series. As of 2014, it is the only time a World Series has ended with a runner being caught stealing. Ruth explained later that he attempted to steal second base because he thought no one would expect it and would have an easier chance of scoring if Meusel hit a single into the outfield.

Was “Ol’ Pete” Sleeping Off A Hang-over?

Game 7 is also remembered as the famous game in which manager Rogers Hornsby called upon “Old Pete” Alexander in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, the Cardinals were clinging to a 3-2 lead with future Hall of Famer Tony Lazzeri at the plate. There has always been much debate as to whether or not Alexander was sleeping off a hangover in the bull pen when Hornsby made the call. Alexander came in and struck Lazzeri out and then proceeded to retire the Yankees over the next two innings without a run to preserve the win.

1926 Yankees Player Identifications (How many did you get?)

Top Row, L-R: Doc Woods (Trainer), Fred Merkle, “Sad” Sam Jones, Earle Combs, Aaron Ward, Bill Skiff, Waite Hoyt, Tony Lazzeri, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Miles Thomas, Herb McQuade, “Jumpin’ Joe” Dugan. Middle Row, L-R: Mark Koenig, Pat Collins, Benny Bengough, Miller Huggins (Mgr.), Walter Beall, Herb Pennock, Bob Meusel. Front Row, :L-R: John Barnes, Spencer Adams, Urban Shocker, Ben Pascahl, Garland Braxton, Charlie O’Leary (Coach), Mike Gazella, Bob Shawkey.

-Gary Livacari

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