No. 1926.10.10 · Live Ball Era
Ruth Is Out at Second
The 1926 World Series ended with Babe Ruth thrown out at second. He said he was stealing on his own. Other accounts say a hit-and-run was on.
October 10, 1926, Game 7 at Yankee Stadium. The Cardinals led, 3–2. Grover Cleveland Alexander, who had pitched a complete game the day before, came in during the seventh with the bases loaded and two out. Tony Lazzeri fouled one just foul down the left-field line and then struck out. In the ninth Alexander retired Earle Combs and Mark Koenig and walked Ruth, his fourth walk of the game. Ruth had homered in the fourth. Bob Meusel was at bat. Lou Gehrig was on deck.
Ruth ran on a pitch. Bob O'Farrell threw to Rogers Hornsby, and Ruth was out. It is still the only World Series to end on a caught stealing. The box score is not in dispute. The reason for the run is.
Ruth said after the game that he had gone on his own, to reach scoring position if Meusel hit. Other writers, including accounts in The Sporting News, said a hit-and-run was on and that Meusel had swung and missed. The later story sometimes adds that Alexander was hung over. Nothing in the contemporary record establishes that, and the play does not need it.
Related entries
The Sale of Babe Ruth
The Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $100,000, paid in installments. The Broadway story that explains the sale is a myth.
Boston Red Sox · New York Yankees
No. 1946.10.15
1946
Slaughter Scores from First
Enos Slaughter scored from first on Harry Walker's double in Game 7. The relay went through Johnny Pesky, who said he hesitated. Later viewings say the run was coming anyway.
St. Louis Cardinals · Boston Red Sox
No. 1904.10.10
1904
Chesbro's Wild Pitch
Jack Chesbro had already won 41 games. In the ninth of the pennant game, a spitball got past his catcher, and Boston scored the run that ended it.
New York Highlanders · Boston Americans