1948 Cleveland Indians season
Encyclopedia
The Cleveland Indians
season was a season in American baseball. The team won a one-game playoff
against the Boston Red Sox
and would then go onto win their second World Series
in franchise history, its first in 28 years
.
signed recent St. Louis Browns manager Muddy Ruel
as a coach
to join manager
/shortstop
Lou Boudreau
and coach Bill McKechnie
who was also a long-time manager.
Player transactions:
became the first shortstop in the history of the American League
to win the MVP Award.
, with the Browns beating the Indians 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, manager Lou Boudreau
pulled his starting pitcher, Bob Lemon
and brought Negro leagues legend Satchel Paige
into the game.
The first batter Paige faced was Browns first baseman Chuck Stevens
. Paige did yet not know the signs, and Stevens lined a single into left field. Jerry Priddy
bunted Stevens over to second. Next was Whitey Platt
, and Paige threw an overhand server for a strike and one sidearm for another strike. Paige then threw his "Hesitation Pitch", which puzzled Platt and led him to throw his bat forty feet up the third base line. Browns manager Zack Taylor
bolted from the dugout to talk to umpire Bill McGowan
about the pitch. Taylor argued that it was a balk
, but McGowan let it stand as a strike. Paige got Al Zarilla
to fly out and the inning was over. In the next inning, Paige gave up a leadoff single to Dick Kokos
. His catcher simplified his signals, and Paige got Roy Partee
to hit into a double play. Larry Doby
, the player who broke the American League’s color barrier, pinch hit for Paige the following inning.
Paige got his first big league victory on July 15. This was accomplished the night after he pitched in an exhibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers
in front of 65,000 people in Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium
. The victory came against the Philadelphia Athletics
at Shibe Park. The Indians were up 5-3 with the bases loaded in the sixth inning of the second game of a double header. Paige got Eddie Joost
to fly out to end the inning. Unfortunately, he gave up two runs the next inning when Ferris Fain
doubled and Hank Majeski
hit a home run
. Paige buckled down and gave up only one more hit the rest of the game, getting five of the next six outs on fly balls. Doby and Ken Keltner
would hit home runs in the ninth to give the Indians an 8-5 victory.
On August 3, the Indians were one game behind the Athletics. Boudreau started Paige against the Washington Senators
in Cleveland. The 72,562 people that saw the game set a new attendance record for a major league night game. Paige showed his nervousness as he walked two of the first three batters and then gave up a triple to Bud Stewart
to fall behind 2-0. By the seventh, the Indians were up 4-2 and held on to give Paige his second victory.
Paige’s next start was against the Chicago White Sox
at Comiskey Park
. 51,013 people paid to see the game, but many thousands more stormed the turnstiles and crashed into the park, overwhelming the few dozen ticket-takers. Paige pitched a complete game shutout
, beating the White Sox 5-0.
By August 20, the Indians were in a heated pennant race. Coming into the game against the White Sox, Bob Lemon
, Gene Bearden
and Sam Zoldak
had thrown consecutive shutouts to run up a thirty-inning scoreless streak, eleven shy of the big league record. For this game, played in Cleveland, 78,382 people came to see Paige. This was a full 6,000 more people than the last time that the night attendance record was set. Paige went the distance again, giving up two singles and one double for his second consecutive three-hit shutout. Paige now had a 5-1 record and a low 1.33 ERA
.
were tied for first place. This led to the first-ever one-game playoff
in the American League
. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 8-3 in the playoff game. Knuckleball
er Gene Bearden
was given the start for the Indians. Red Sox manager Joe McCarthy picked pitcher Denny Galehouse
, who had an 8-7 pitching record.
Ken Keltner contributed to the victory with his single
, double, and 3-run homer over the Green Monster
in Fenway Park
in the 4th inning. The Indians moved on to the 1948 World Series
against the Boston Braves
. Later, McCarthy said he had no rested arms and that there was no else who could pitch. Mel Parnell
and Ellis Kinder
claimed that they were both ready to pitch.
single game attendance record was set during Game 4. 81,897 fans packed Cleveland Stadium but one day later, that record was broken during Game 5. 86,288 fans attended the game.
Satchel Paige
appeared in Game 5 for the Indians, becoming the first black pitcher to pitch a game in World Series history. He pitched for two-thirds of an inning in Game Two while the Indians were trailing the Boston Braves, giving up a sacrifice fly to Warren Spahn
, got called for a balk and struck out Tommy Holmes
.
AL Cleveland Indians (4) vs. NL Boston Braves
(2)
in Boston, Massachusetts
in Boston, Massachusetts
in Cleveland, Ohio
in Cleveland, Ohio
in Cleveland, Ohio
in Boston, Massachusetts
All-Star Game
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
season was a season in American baseball. The team won a one-game playoff
1948 American League tie-breaker game
The 1948 American League tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's American League conference. The game took place on October 4, 1948, between the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. It was necessary after both teams finished the season with records of...
against the Boston Red Sox
1948 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing second in the American League with a record of 96 wins and 59 losses.- Offseason :...
and would then go onto win their second World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
in franchise history, its first in 28 years
1920 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was the 20th season in franchise history. The Indians won the American League pennant and proceeded to win their first World Series title in the history of the franchise. Pitchers Jim Bagby, Stan Coveleski and Ray Caldwell combined to win 75 games...
.
Off-season
In the 1947-48 off-season, owner Bill VeeckBill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
signed recent St. Louis Browns manager Muddy Ruel
Muddy Ruel
Herold Dominic "Muddy" Ruel was an American professional baseball player, coach, manager and general manager. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for 19 seasons with the St. Louis Browns, New York Yankees, Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and the Chicago White Sox...
as a coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
to join manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
/shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
and coach Bill McKechnie
Bill McKechnie
William Boyd McKechnie was an American third baseman, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. He was the first manager to win World Series titles with two different teams , and remains one of only two managers to win pennants with three teams, also capturing the National League title in 1928...
who was also a long-time manager.
Player transactions:
- November 17, 1947: Pete MilnePete MilneWilliam James "Pete" Milne was a professional baseball player. He played parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1948 until 1950, for the New York Giants, primarily as an outfielder...
was drafted from the Indians by the New York GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the 1947 minor league draft. - December 9, 1947: Catfish MetkovichCatfish MetkovichGeorge Michael "Catfish" Metkovich was an American outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Braves...
and $50,000 were traded by the Indians to the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Johnny BerardinoJohn BeradinoJohn Beradino was an American infielder in Major League Baseball and an actor. Known as Johnny Berardino during his baseball career, he was also credited during his acting career as John Baradino, John Barardino or John Barradino.-Early life and education:He was born Giovanni Berardino in Los...
. - January 27, 1948: Ralph WeigelRalph WeigelRalph Richard Weigel was a Major League Baseball catcher who played for three seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians in 1946, then was traded to the Chicago White Sox on January 27, 1948 for Thurman Tucker. He played for the White Sox in 1948 and the Washington Senators in 1949.-External...
was traded by the Indians to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Thurman TuckerThurman TuckerThurman Lowell Tucker was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for nine seasons in the American League with the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians. In 701 career games, Tucker recorded a batting average of .255, had 24 triples, 9 home runs, and 179 runs batted in...
. - Prior to 1948 season (exact date unknown)
- Lee Wheat was signed as an amateur free agent by the Indians.
- Bill UptonBill UptonWilliam Ray "Bill" Upton was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played in with the Philadelphia Athletics. He batted and threw right-handed....
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Indians.
Regular season
Lou BoudreauLou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
became the first shortstop in the history of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
to win the MVP Award.
Notable transactions
- April 20, 1948: Catfish MetkovichCatfish MetkovichGeorge Michael "Catfish" Metkovich was an American outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Braves...
was returned to the Indians by the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. The Indians sent $15,000 to the St. Louis Browns as compensation.(Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.) - May 6, 1948: Catfish MetkovichCatfish MetkovichGeorge Michael "Catfish" Metkovich was an American outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Braves...
, Les WebberLes WebberLester Elmer Webber was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of six seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cleveland Indians. For his career, he compiled a 23-19 record in 154 appearances, most as a relief pitcher, with an 4.19 earned run average and 141...
and cash were traded by the Indians to the Oakland OaksOakland Oaks (PCL)The Oakland Oaks were a minor league baseball team in Oakland, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1955, after which the club transferred to Vancouver, British Columbia...
for Will Hafey (minors). - June 15, 1948: Bill Kennedy and $100,000 were traded by the Indians to the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Sam ZoldakSam ZoldakSamuel Walter Zoldak was a Major League Baseball pitcher for nine seasons. He was nicknamed "Sad Sam". He played for the St. Louis Browns from 1944 to 1948, the Cleveland Indians from 1948 to 1950, and the Philadelphia Athletics from 1951 to 1952.-Early life:He was born in Brooklyn, New York...
. - July 7, 1948: Satchel PaigeSatchel PaigeLeroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
was signed as a free agent by the Indians.
Satchel Paige
The Indians made baseball history on July 9. In a game against the St. Louis Browns1948 St. Louis Browns season
The 1948 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 6th in the American League with a record of 59 wins and 94 losses.- Offseason :* November 24, 1947: Ed Albrecht was drafted by the Browns from the New York Giants in the 1947 minor league draft....
, with the Browns beating the Indians 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, manager Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
pulled his starting pitcher, Bob Lemon
Bob Lemon
Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976....
and brought Negro leagues legend Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
into the game.
The first batter Paige faced was Browns first baseman Chuck Stevens
Chuck Stevens
Charles Augustus Stevens, Jr. is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns in parts of three seasons . Listed at 6' 1", 180 lb., Stevens was a switch-hitter and threw left-handed...
. Paige did yet not know the signs, and Stevens lined a single into left field. Jerry Priddy
Jerry Priddy
Gerald Edward "Jerry" Priddy , was a second baseman in Major League Baseball for 11 years. He played for the New York Yankees , Washington Senators , St. Louis Browns , and Detroit Tigers .-Career overview:Priddy appeared in 1,296 major league baseball games...
bunted Stevens over to second. Next was Whitey Platt
Whitey Platt
Mizell George "Whitey" Platt was a right-handed Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1942 to 1943 for the Chicago Cubs, in 1946 for the Chicago White Sox and from 1948 to 1949 for the St...
, and Paige threw an overhand server for a strike and one sidearm for another strike. Paige then threw his "Hesitation Pitch", which puzzled Platt and led him to throw his bat forty feet up the third base line. Browns manager Zack Taylor
Zack Taylor (baseball)
James Wren "Zack" Taylor was an American Major League Baseball catcher with the Brooklyn Robins, Boston Braves, New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and again with the Brooklyn Dodgers....
bolted from the dugout to talk to umpire Bill McGowan
Bill McGowan
William Aloysius McGowan was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1925 to 1954. During his career, he umpired in eight World Series: 1928, 1931, 1935, 1939, 1941, 1944, 1947, and 1950.McGowan was born and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware...
about the pitch. Taylor argued that it was a balk
Balk
In baseball, a pitcher can commit a number of illegal motions or actions that constitute a balk. In games played under the Official Baseball Rules, a balk results in a dead ball or delayed dead ball. In certain other circumstances, a balk may be wholly or partially disregarded...
, but McGowan let it stand as a strike. Paige got Al Zarilla
Al Zarilla
Allen Lee Zarilla was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns , Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox . Zarilla batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
to fly out and the inning was over. In the next inning, Paige gave up a leadoff single to Dick Kokos
Dick Kokos
Richard Jerome Kokos, born Kokoszka , was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles from to and then from to -External links:...
. His catcher simplified his signals, and Paige got Roy Partee
Roy Partee
Roy Robert Partee was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Browns . Listed at 5' 10" Weight: 180 lb., Partee batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Los Angeles, California to father Clair C...
to hit into a double play. Larry Doby
Larry Doby
Lawrence Eugene "Larry" Doby was an American professional baseball player in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball....
, the player who broke the American League’s color barrier, pinch hit for Paige the following inning.
Paige got his first big league victory on July 15. This was accomplished the night after he pitched in an exhibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in front of 65,000 people in Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium
Cleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
. The victory came against the Philadelphia Athletics
1948 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League with a record of 84 wins and 70 losses.- Notable transactions :...
at Shibe Park. The Indians were up 5-3 with the bases loaded in the sixth inning of the second game of a double header. Paige got Eddie Joost
Eddie Joost
Edwin David Joost was a shortstop and manager in American Major League Baseball. In 1954, Joost became the third and last manager in the 54-year history of the Philadelphia Athletics. Under Joost, the A's finished last in the American League and lost over 100 games...
to fly out to end the inning. Unfortunately, he gave up two runs the next inning when Ferris Fain
Ferris Fain
Ferris Roy Fain was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for nine seasons in the American League with the Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians...
doubled and Hank Majeski
Hank Majeski
Henry Majeski was an American professional baseball player, coach and minor league manager. He played as a third baseman in Major League Baseball from to for the Boston Bees/Boston Braves , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Athletics , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles...
hit a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
. Paige buckled down and gave up only one more hit the rest of the game, getting five of the next six outs on fly balls. Doby and Ken Keltner
Ken Keltner
Kenneth Frederick Keltner was an American professional baseball player. He played almost his entire Major League Baseball career as a third baseman with the Cleveland Indians, until his final season when he played 13 games for the Boston Red Sox. He batted and threw right-handed...
would hit home runs in the ninth to give the Indians an 8-5 victory.
On August 3, the Indians were one game behind the Athletics. Boudreau started Paige against the Washington Senators
1948 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 56 games, lost 97, and finished in seventh place in the American League. They were managed by Joe Kuhel and played home games at Griffith Stadium.-Roster:- Starters by position:...
in Cleveland. The 72,562 people that saw the game set a new attendance record for a major league night game. Paige showed his nervousness as he walked two of the first three batters and then gave up a triple to Bud Stewart
Bud Stewart
Edward Perry "Bud" Stewart was an American professional baseball player. He had a nine-season career in Major League Baseball as an outfielder and pinch hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Washington Senators and Chicago White Sox...
to fall behind 2-0. By the seventh, the Indians were up 4-2 and held on to give Paige his second victory.
Paige’s next start was against the Chicago White Sox
1948 Chicago White Sox season
The 1948 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 48th season in the major leagues, and its 49th season overall. They finished eighth in the American League with a record 51-101, 44.5 games behind the first place Cleveland Indians.- Offseason :...
at Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games...
. 51,013 people paid to see the game, but many thousands more stormed the turnstiles and crashed into the park, overwhelming the few dozen ticket-takers. Paige pitched a complete game shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
, beating the White Sox 5-0.
By August 20, the Indians were in a heated pennant race. Coming into the game against the White Sox, Bob Lemon
Bob Lemon
Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976....
, Gene Bearden
Gene Bearden
Henry Eugene "Gene" Bearden was a left-handed knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball who completed a remarkable rookie season by closing out the Cleveland Indians' last World Series championship in 1948....
and Sam Zoldak
Sam Zoldak
Samuel Walter Zoldak was a Major League Baseball pitcher for nine seasons. He was nicknamed "Sad Sam". He played for the St. Louis Browns from 1944 to 1948, the Cleveland Indians from 1948 to 1950, and the Philadelphia Athletics from 1951 to 1952.-Early life:He was born in Brooklyn, New York...
had thrown consecutive shutouts to run up a thirty-inning scoreless streak, eleven shy of the big league record. For this game, played in Cleveland, 78,382 people came to see Paige. This was a full 6,000 more people than the last time that the night attendance record was set. Paige went the distance again, giving up two singles and one double for his second consecutive three-hit shutout. Paige now had a 5-1 record and a low 1.33 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
American League Playoff
At the end of the season, Cleveland and the Boston Red Sox1948 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing second in the American League with a record of 96 wins and 59 losses.- Offseason :...
were tied for first place. This led to the first-ever one-game playoff
1948 American League tie-breaker game
The 1948 American League tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's American League conference. The game took place on October 4, 1948, between the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. It was necessary after both teams finished the season with records of...
in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 8-3 in the playoff game. Knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
er Gene Bearden
Gene Bearden
Henry Eugene "Gene" Bearden was a left-handed knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball who completed a remarkable rookie season by closing out the Cleveland Indians' last World Series championship in 1948....
was given the start for the Indians. Red Sox manager Joe McCarthy picked pitcher Denny Galehouse
Denny Galehouse
Dennis Ward Galehouse born in Marshallville, Ohio was a pitcher for the Cleveland Indians , Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Browns...
, who had an 8-7 pitching record.
Ken Keltner contributed to the victory with his single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
, double, and 3-run homer over the Green Monster
Green Monster
The Green Monster is a popular nickname for the thirty-seven foot , two-inch high left field wall at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team...
in Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
in the 4th inning. The Indians moved on to the 1948 World Series
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
against the Boston Braves
1948 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* October 28, 1947: Hoyt Wilhelm was purchased by the Braves from the Mooresville Moores....
. Later, McCarthy said he had no rested arms and that there was no else who could pitch. Mel Parnell
Mel Parnell
Melvin Lloyd Parnell is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher.Parnell spent his entire ten-year career with the Boston Red Sox , compiling a 123-75 record with 732 strikeouts, a 3.50 earned run average, 113 complete games, 20 shutouts, and 1752.2 innings pitched in 289 games...
and Ellis Kinder
Ellis Kinder
Ellis Raymond Kinder , also nicknamed "Old Folks", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played for the St. Louis Browns , Boston Red Sox , St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox...
claimed that they were both ready to pitch.
Roster
| 1948 Cleveland Indians | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 144 | 472 | 117 | .248 | 14 | 61 | |
| 1B | 134 | 493 | 125 | .254 | 16 | 83 | |
| 2B | 144 | 550 | 154 | .280 | 32 | 124 | |
| 3B | 153 | 558 | 166 | .297 | 31 | 119 | |
| SS | 152 | 560 | 199 | .355 | 18 | 106 | |
| OF | 141 | 608 | 204 | .336 | 4 | 56 | |
| OF | 121 | 439 | 132 | .301 | 14 | 66 | |
| OF | 83 | 242 | 63 | .260 | 1 | 19 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | 147 | 28 | .190 | 2 | 10 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 293.2 | 20 | 14 | 2.82 | 147 | |
| 44 | 280.1 | 19 | 15 | 3.56 | 164 | |
| 37 | 229.2 | 20 | 7 | 2.43 | 80 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 105.2 | 9 | 6 | 2.81 | 17 | |
| 21 | 72.2 | 6 | 1 | 2.48 | 43 | |
| 18 | 52 | 2 | 2 | 5.37 | 16 | |
| 6 | 11.1 | 1 | 0 | 11.12 | 12 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 2.90 | 14 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40.50 | 1 |
1948 World Series
On October 9, 1948, a new World SeriesWorld Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
single game attendance record was set during Game 4. 81,897 fans packed Cleveland Stadium but one day later, that record was broken during Game 5. 86,288 fans attended the game.
Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
appeared in Game 5 for the Indians, becoming the first black pitcher to pitch a game in World Series history. He pitched for two-thirds of an inning in Game Two while the Indians were trailing the Boston Braves, giving up a sacrifice fly to Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
, got called for a balk and struck out Tommy Holmes
Tommy Holmes
Thomas Francis Holmes was an American right and center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball who played nearly his entire career for the Boston Braves...
.
AL Cleveland Indians (4) vs. NL Boston Braves
1948 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* October 28, 1947: Hoyt Wilhelm was purchased by the Braves from the Mooresville Moores....
(2)
| Game | Score | Date | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston 1, Cleveland 0 | October 6 | 40,135 |
| 2 | Cleveland 4, Boston 1 | October 7 | 39,633 |
| 3 | Cleveland 2, Boston 0 | October 8 | 70,306 |
| 4 | Cleveland 2, Boston 1 | October 9 | 81,897 |
| 5 | Boston 11, Cleveland 5 | October 10 | 86,288 |
| 6 | Cleveland 4, Boston 3 | October 11 | 40,103 |
Game 1
October 6, 1948 at Braves FieldBraves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
in Boston, Massachusetts
Game 2
October 7, 1948 at Braves FieldBraves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
in Boston, Massachusetts
Game 3
October 8 at Cleveland Municipal StadiumCleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
Game 4
October 9, 1948 at Cleveland Municipal StadiumCleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
Game 5
October 10, 1948 at Cleveland Municipal StadiumCleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
Game 6
October 11, 1948 at Braves FieldBraves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
in Boston, Massachusetts
Awards and honors
- Lou BoudreauLou BoudreauLouis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
, American League MVP - Lou BoudreauLou BoudreauLouis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
, Associated Press Athlete of the YearAssociated Press Athlete of the YearThe first Athlete of the Year award in the United States was initiated by the Associated Press in 1931. At a time when women in sports were never given the same recognition as men, the AP offered a male and a female athlete of the year award to either a professional or amateur athlete...
All-Star Game
1948 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1948 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 15th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1948, at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri the home of...
- Lou BoudreauLou BoudreauLouis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
, Shortstop, Starter - Joe Gordon, Second baseman, Starter
- Ken KeltnerKen KeltnerKenneth Frederick Keltner was an American professional baseball player. He played almost his entire Major League Baseball career as a third baseman with the Cleveland Indians, until his final season when he played 13 games for the Boston Red Sox. He batted and threw right-handed...
, Third baseman, Starter - Bob FellerBob FellerOn December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
, reserve - Bob LemonBob LemonRobert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976....
, reserve
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Dayton, Union CityThe source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.