July 24th, 2010

Saturday Baseball Classic: 9/29/1954 - 1954 World Series Game One, Cleveland Indians at New York Giants

It was no surprise that a representative from the great city of New York was listed on the ticket stub to the 1954 World Series. However, it was surprising that the name that appeared printed was not that of the New York Yankees. After winning five consecutive Fall Classics, the “Bronx Bombers” had fallen short (despite winning one-hundred three games) and were replaced by the Cleveland Indians who boasted the strongest pitching rotation in all of baseball. Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia had dominated the American League (.721 winning percentage) and were clearly favored going into the ‘54 contest. Their opponents, the New York Giants, had rebounded after a fifth place finish in ‘53 for a five-game lead over the defending National League champion Brooklyn Dodgers. Willie Mays (National League-leading .345, with forty-one home runs and one-hundred ten runs batted in) had returned from the United States Army and Johnny Antonelli (with twenty-one wins) was acquired during the off-season for a formidable 1-2 combination. Still, many had predicted that the Indians would sweep the Series due to the Giants post-season debacles of the past and Cleveland’s surprise dethroning of the perennial champion Yankees.

Game 1 was held at the Polo Grounds and the fans in attendance witnessed what is considered by many to be the greatest defensive play in World Series history: Willie Mays and “The Catch”!

Saturday Baseball Classic – 9/29/1954 – 1954 World Series Game One, Cleveland Indians at New York Giants

You can also download the game HERE!