1948 World Series: “Spahn and Sain and Pray For Rain!”

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1948 World Series Photo Gallery
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The 1948 World Series: “Spahn and Sain and Pray For Rain!”

My recent post about Larry Doby got me to thinking about the 1948 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Braves, played from October 6-11, 1948. Doby was the star centerfielder for the Indians, hitting a home run in Game Four that contributed to a 2-1 Indian victory. He hit .318 for the Series, adding a double and two RBI. The Indians hit only .199 for the Series, but won four games to two.

Here’s one of my favorite photos from the 1948 World Series. How about this for an “All-Out Effort”?
The great photo below is from the second inning of the sixth and final game, won by the Indians 4-3. That’s Braves’ first baseman Earl Torgeson “laying out” across the Indians’ dugout attempting to catch a foul ball hit by starting pitcher Bob Lemon, as Indian’s players in the dugout look on. A fan is also visible with out-stretched hands making a futile attempt to snare it. If you look closely, you’ll see an arrow pointing out where the ball is. The umpire is Bill Stewart.

Be sure to click on the image for a better view and to see a real “slice of Americana.” It’s interesting to see how fans dressed for games in the 1940’s. Quite a contrast with today. When was the last time you saw someone in a suit and tie at a ball game? Or guys smoking cigars in the stands? File this one under “Days gone by.”
The Indians won the 1948 pennant going 97-58 (.626) under player-manager Lou Boudreau, making their first appearance since 1920. The Indians and Red Sox finished the season in the first tie in American League history, but the Indians advanced to the World Series with a one-game playoff victory, preventing an all-Boston Fall Classic. Billy Southworth’s Braves posted a 91-62 (.595) record, winning the pennant for the first time since the “Miracle Braves” of 1914. It was the first World Series to be televised on a nationwide network and was announced by famed sportscasters Red Barber on TV and Mel Allen on the radio.

While the Braves had a good-hitting ball club, much of their hopes rested on the arms of Johnny Sain and Warren Spahn. In fact the baseball adage, “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain” became a part of baseball lore that year. It seemed to capture not only the Braves’ lack of starting pitching depth, but also the essence of their strength. Cleveland’s big winners in ’48 were rookie lefthander Gene Bearden – who started his career as an infielder – Bob Feller, and Bob Lemon. Many felt that this Series would be decided on the mound and that prediction proved to be true as the Indians won the Series despite hitting only .199.

The 1948 World Series drew a total attendance of 358,362, with an average of 59,727 per game. Game Five at Cleveland Stadium saw a major league record crowd of 86, 288. Eight Hall-of-Famers appeared in the Series: Lou Boudreau, Larry Doby, Bob Feller, Joe Gordon, Bob Lemon, Satchel Paige, Billy Southworth, and Warren Spahn. The ceremonial First Pitch of the Series was thrown out by James Byrnes, who at the time was the Secretary of State.

-Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: All found in Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from the 1948 World Series Wikipedia page

Subscribe to my blog for automatic updates and Free Bonus Reports: “Memorable World Series Moments” and “The Handy Dandy World Series Reference Guide.”