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WORLD SERIES HISTORY
Q: What is the history of the "World Series?" When did the term originate?
-- Dominika Tarczynska
A: Although professional baseball has held championship series since 1882, the first official "World Series" took place in 1884. The Providence Grays (National League) squared off against the Metropolitan Club (American Association) in three games for "the championship of the United States." The Grays took the series, three games to none, and were proclaimed "champions of the world" by the New York Clipper. Thus the World Series was born.
The formation and demise of new baseball leagues, as well as the lack of a true commissioner, resulted in almost two decades of unorthodox World Series. Some years had no series, while others featured sets as long as 15 games. The first modern World Series as we know it (between the American and National Leagues) took place in 1903, between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox took five of the nine games to earn the distinction of being the first modern World Series winners.
Q: Who holds the record for most consecutive at-bats with a home run? And who holds the record for most consecutive games hitting a home run?
-- ADAMSETT@aol.com
A: The record for most consecutive at-bats with a home run is held by numerous players, among them Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, Stan Musial, and Ted Williams, who have all hit homers in four consecutive at-bats. Most recently, the feat was accomplished by Manny Ramirez, who homered in four at-bats over the span of two games in 1998.
Q: What was the earliest date the American League pennant was clinched?
-- hm7@erols.com
A: Before divisional play began in 1969, the New York Yankees held the record for earliest clinching of a pennant by wrapping up the Junior Circuit on September 4, 1941. It came in their 136th game, which is the record for fewest games played before clinching a pennant. The Bombers finished the year with a 101-53 record, 17 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox.
Since the formation of Eastern and Western divisions in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles hold the record for earliest clinching. They clinched the Eastern Division title on September 13, 1969 in their 146th game of the season.
Q: Who was the youngest player to ever appear in the major leagues?
-- SavvyLady128@aol.com
A: The youngest player to ever make an appearance in a major league game was Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Joe Nuxhall. On June 10, 1944, he pitched two-thirds of an inning in his debut, giving up five runs on two hits and five walks. Nuxhall was just 15 years, 10 months, and 11 days old.
Q: I attended a 22-inning game in Detroit in 1962 where Jack Reed had the game-winning homer. What was the date of that game? And how does it rank in terms of longest games ever played?
-- Bend96@aol.com
A: On June 24, 1962, the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers played a 22-inning marathon that was eventually won by the Yankees. Detroit pitcher Phil Regan gave up the game-winning homer to Jack Reed, who would never hit another home run in his career. Jim Bouton got the victory for the Yanks.
In terms of innings played, the game ranks fifth all-time, behind two 23-inning games, three 24-inning games, two 25-inning games, and one 26-inning game. Seven other games have gone 22 innings. At an even seven hours, the game was far shorter than the current record holder, a 25-inning affair on May 9, 1984 between the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. That contest lasted 8 hours and 6 minutes.
Q: I have an old Bible with no date, but an old newspaper clipping inside of it. Among the headlines are "Giants Gain on Pittsburgh" and "Win Double Header." I can see that the date is July 3rd, but can't see the year. Can you help me out?
-- Peri Craig
A: According to David W. Smith of Retrosheet (www.retrosheet.com), the date in question was July 3, 1921.
In the doubleheader, the New York Giants took both games from the Boston Braves. Art Nehf got the victory in the first game, giving up one run in a complete-game effort, and Jesse Barnes picked up the victory in the second game.
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