1938 World Series
Encyclopedia
The 1938 World Series matched the two-time defending champion New York Yankees
against the Chicago Cubs
, with the Yankees sweeping the Series in four games for their seventh championship and record third straight (they would win four in a row this time, and five in a row later from 1949–53).
Dizzy Dean
, who had helped carry the Cubs to the National League
pennant despite a sore arm, ran out of gas in the Series as the Yanks crushed the Cubs again, as they had in . The Cubs did not win a meaningful game against the Yankees until a regular-season interleague
series in 2003.
Yankee starting pitcher Red Ruffing
won two games without a loss, although he gave up a record seventeen hits in eighteen innings pitched.
This was the first World Series at Wrigley Field
since the bleacher reconstruction of 1937 which had significantly shortened the left-center field power alley.
After Game 2, the New York Yankees wouldn't return to Wrigley Field for nearly 65 years until a three-game interleague series with the Cubs beginning June 6, 2003.
in Chicago, Illinois
in Chicago, Illinois
Dean had tried to come back too soon after his 1937 All-Star Game
toe injury, favoring the toe and hurting his arm in the process. He had been obtained from the St. Louis Cardinals
in April 1938, and had won 7 of 8 decisions in the regular season, relying on finesse rather than his now-gone fastball. Dean would give up six earned runs in innings pitched overall and take the loss in Game 2. Dean's luck ran out in the late innings of Game 2, as Frank Crosetti and Joe DiMaggio
hit two-run home runs off Dean in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to send the Cubs to New York down two games to none in the Series.
(A.L.) over Chicago Cubs
(N.L.)
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, with the Yankees sweeping the Series in four games for their seventh championship and record third straight (they would win four in a row this time, and five in a row later from 1949–53).
Dizzy Dean
Dizzy Dean
Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
, who had helped carry the Cubs to 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 despite a sore arm, ran out of gas in the Series as the Yanks crushed the Cubs again, as they had in . The Cubs did not win a meaningful game against the Yankees until a regular-season interleague
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
series in 2003.
Yankee starting pitcher Red Ruffing
Red Ruffing
Charles Herbert "Red" Ruffing was a Major League Baseball pitcher most remembered for his time with the highly successful New York Yankees teams of the 1930s and 1940s...
won two games without a loss, although he gave up a record seventeen hits in eighteen innings pitched.
This was the first World Series at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
since the bleacher reconstruction of 1937 which had significantly shortened the left-center field power alley.
After Game 2, the New York Yankees wouldn't return to Wrigley Field for nearly 65 years until a three-game interleague series with the Cubs beginning June 6, 2003.
Summary
Game 1
Wednesday, October 5, 1938 at Wrigley FieldWrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in Chicago, Illinois
Game 2
Thursday, October 6, 1938 at Wrigley FieldWrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in Chicago, Illinois
Dean had tried to come back too soon after his 1937 All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
toe injury, favoring the toe and hurting his arm in the process. He had been obtained from the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in April 1938, and had won 7 of 8 decisions in the regular season, relying on finesse rather than his now-gone fastball. Dean would give up six earned runs in innings pitched overall and take the loss in Game 2. Dean's luck ran out in the late innings of Game 2, as Frank Crosetti and Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
hit two-run home runs off Dean in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to send the Cubs to New York down two games to none in the Series.
Game 3
Saturday, October 8, 1938 at Yankee Stadium (I) in Bronx, New YorkGame 4
Sunday, October 9, 1938 at Yankee Stadium (I) in Bronx, New YorkComposite box
1938 World Series (4–0): New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(A.L.) over Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(N.L.)