1926 Yankees

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 1926 World Series Photo Gallery
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The Classic 1926 World Series: “Ol’ Pete” Alexander to the Rescue!

With the start of the 2019 World Series just around the corner, my tour through memorable World Series stops today in the exciting 1926 World Series, one of the most memorable in World Series history. It’s usually remembered for Babe Ruth’s ill-advised attempt to steal second base that ended the series, and for “Ol’ Pete” Alexander coming in relief – possibly nursing a “hangover” – to nail down the Cardinal victory in Game Seven.

 

In the featured photo, we see a beautiful colorization of Pete Alexander by Don Stokes. Look’s like Pete’s not feeling too well. Maybe this is what he looked like when Hornsby called him into Game Seven. The discussion in the bullpen probably went something like this:

Cardinals’ coach: “Pete!…Get up!…Now!…Hornsby wants you to come in and pitch to Lazzeri!”

Pete: “Huh??…Wha’ ya’ say??…Hornsby wants me to do what…??”

I did player ID’s on the featured photo above of the 1926 Yankees 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.

The 1926 World Series

The Series pitted the National League champion Cardinals (89-65), managed by Rogers Hornsby, against the Miller Huggins’ American League champion Yankees (91-63) with the Cardinals winning four-games-to-three. The Series took place from October 2 to 10, 1926 at Yankee Stadium and Sportsman’s Park.

This was the first World Series appearance for the Cardinals, and the first of eleven World Series championships; while the Yankees were in their fourth World Series in six years and looking for their second championship. In Game One, Herb Pennock pitched the Yankees to a 2–1 win, while in Game Two, Pete Alexander evened the Series with a 6–2 Cardinal victory. Knuckleballer Jesse Haines’ shutout in Game Three gave the Redbirds a 2–1 Series lead.

In the Yankees’ 10–5 Game Four win, Babe Ruth hit three home runs, a World Series record equaled only four times since. This was the Series featuring the famous “Johnny Sylvester home run call.” According to newspaper reports, the Babe had promised the sickly boy he’d hit a home run for him. True to script, after his three-homer game, the boy’s condition miraculously improved. The newspaper account of the story is disputed by many contemporary baseball historians, it sounds more like a Christy Walsh p.r. stunt, but it remains one of the most beloved tales in baseball lore.

Babe Ruth Out at Second By 10 Feet to End the Series!

In the decisive Game Seven, 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 hitter that year. Meusel also had success in Game Six against Alexander, with a double and triple. As he stood at the plate awaiting the first pitch, Ruth made the bold move of trying to steal second. Meusel swung and missed, and Cardinals’ catcher Bob O’Farrell threw a strike to second baseman Hornsby who easily laid the tag on the sliding Bambino. He was out by a good 10 feet. The game – and the World Series – was over.

As Hornsby recalled later, “Ruth didn’t say a word. He didn’t even look around or up at me. He just picked himself up and walked away.” It’s still the only time a World Series has ended with a runner being caught stealing. Ruth later offered this explanation for his ill-advised attempted steal: “I didn’t think anyone would expect it. If I got to second safely, I’d have an easier chance to score on a single.”

“Hero with a Hangover”: Was “Ol’ Pete” Sleeping One Off When He Got the Call?

Game Seven is also remembered as the famous game in which manager Hornsby called upon “Ol’ Pete” in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, the Cardinals were clinging to a 3-2 lead with Tony Lazzeri at the plate. There’s always been debate as to whether Alexander was sleeping off a hangover in the bullpen when Hornsby made the call. Alexander sauntered in and proceeded to strike Lazzeri out after Lazzeri hit a long foul shot to left that just missed leaving the yard. Pete then held the Yankees scoreless over the next two innings to preserve the win. The Cards had their first World Series Championship!

The 1926 World Series featured a multitude of future Hall-of-Famers: Grover Cleveland Alexander, Jim Bottomley, Chick Hafey, Jesse Haines, Rogers Hornsby, Billy Southworth; Miller Huggins, Earle Combs, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Herb Pennock, Babe Ruth, Waite Hoyt; plus Umpires Bill Klem and Hank O’Day.

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 Paschal, Garland Braxton, Charlie O’Leary (Coach), Mike Gazella, Bob Shawkey.

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Gary Livacari 

Colorization of Pete Alexander by Don Stokes

Photo Credits: All from Google search

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