The 1948 World Series Spectacle
A comprehensive examination of the championship series that captivated baseball fans, featuring the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Braves.
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Series Summary
Championship Clash
The 1948 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball for the 1948 season. This 45th edition of the World Series saw the American League champion Cleveland Indians face the National League champion Boston Braves. The Braves secured their first pennant since the legendary "Miracle Braves" of 1914, while the Indians clinched the American League flag by winning a decisive one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox.
Historic Significance
This series marked several milestones: it was the first World Series to receive extensive television coverage beyond limited regional broadcasts, featuring renowned sportscasters like Red Barber. It was also the second appearance for both franchises, and notably, the first World Series where both participating teams had previously played but never lost a prior series. This event also represents the last time a player-manager led a team to a World Series victory and marks the longest active championship drought for the winning team, the Cleveland Indians.
Broadcast Innovations
Television coverage expanded significantly in 1948, though it remained regional. Games in Boston were viewable in the Northeast, while Cleveland games were broadcast to cities like Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee. This series was also the last not won by a New York team until 1957, and it was the first World Series where both teams scored an identical total of 17 runs.
Key Matchups
Pitching Duels
The series featured compelling pitching matchups, most notably the Game 1 duel between Cleveland's ace Bob Feller and Boston's Johnny Sain. Feller, a future Hall of Famer, pitched a masterful game but ultimately took the loss due to a controversial call. The series also saw the debut of Satchel Paige, who became the first Black pitcher to appear in a World Series game.
Hall of Fame Talent
The 1948 World Series showcased a remarkable collection of future Hall of Fame talent. The Cleveland Indians roster included stars such as Lou Boudreau (player-manager), Larry Doby (the American League's first Black player), Bob Feller, Joe Gordon, Bob Lemon, and Satchel Paige. The Boston Braves were managed by Billy Southworth and featured pitcher Warren Spahn, another future Hall of Famer.
Historic Venues
The championship was contested across two iconic ballparks: Braves Field in Boston and Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland. The latter set an attendance record for the series, drawing over 86,000 fans for Game 5, highlighting the immense public interest in the event.
Game-by-Game Analysis
Game 1: Braves Field
October 6, 1948 | Score: Boston Braves 1, Cleveland Indians 0
A tense pitchers' duel between Johnny Sain and Bob Feller, scoreless through seven innings. The Braves secured the win in the bottom of the eighth after a controversial safe call on Phil Masi at second base, followed by Tommy Holmes' RBI single. Feller took the loss despite allowing only two hits.
Game 2: Braves Field
October 7, 1948 | Score: Cleveland Indians 4, Boston Braves 1
This game made television history with a broadcast aboard a train. Bob Lemon pitched a strong game for Cleveland, allowing only one run in the first inning. The Indians offense provided support, with key hits from Lou Boudreau and Larry Doby, securing a 4-1 victory and tying the series.
Game 3: Cleveland Stadium
October 8, 1948 | Score: Cleveland Indians 2, Boston Braves 0
Gene Bearden pitched a complete shutout, allowing only five hits. The Indians scored their runs via a third-inning groundout and a fourth-inning single, taking a 2-1 series lead. Notably, no home runs were hit in this game, a rarity for the series.
Game 4: Cleveland Stadium
October 9, 1948 | Score: Cleveland Indians 2, Boston Braves 1
Another pitcher's duel, this time between Steve Gromek and Johnny Sain. The Indians took an early lead with home runs from Larry Doby and Dale Mitchell. Despite a solo homer from Marv Rickert for Boston, Cleveland held on for a narrow victory, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Game 5: Cleveland Stadium
October 10, 1948 | Score: Boston Braves 11, Cleveland Indians 5
A record-breaking crowd of 86,288 witnessed a high-scoring affair. Bob Elliott hit two home runs for Boston. Satchel Paige made his historic World Series appearance for Cleveland. Despite a comeback attempt by the Indians, the Braves' offense exploded for six runs in the seventh inning, powered by Bill Salkeld's homer and RBI hits, forcing a Game 6.
Game 6: Braves Field
October 11, 1948 | Score: Cleveland Indians 4, Boston Braves 3
In the deciding game, Bob Lemon earned his second win, while Gene Bearden secured the save. Joe Gordon's home run provided crucial offense for Cleveland. The Indians took a 4-1 lead, and despite a late rally by the Braves in the eighth inning that narrowed the score to 4-3, Cleveland held on to clinch their second World Series title.
Composite Statistics
Series Totals
The Cleveland Indians emerged victorious, winning the series 4 games to 2. Across the six games, the Indians scored 17 runs on 38 hits with 3 errors, while the Boston Braves also scored 17 runs but managed 43 hits with 6 errors. The total attendance for the series was 358,362, averaging 59,727 fans per game.
Historical Notes
Key Moments & Trivia
The 1948 World Series is rich with notable events. The controversial call in Game 1 involving Phil Masi's safety at second base, later confirmed by Masi's will to be an out, remains a topic of discussion. The series also saw the first instance of a player-manager winning the World Series since Bucky Harris in 1924, and it was the last such occurrence before the modern era. The Indians' victory marked the end of a significant championship drought for the franchise.
Media Coverage
The series garnered significant media attention, particularly for its pioneering television broadcasts. The ability to view games across multiple networks, albeit regionally, represented a major step in sports broadcasting. Radio coverage was also extensive, with prominent announcers like Mel Allen and Jim Britt providing play-by-play commentary, further cementing the series' place in popular culture.
References
Source Material
The information presented here is derived from a comprehensive review of historical baseball records and publications. Key sources include detailed game accounts, statistical archives, and contemporary media reports that document the events and significance of the 1948 World Series.
- Cohen, Richard M.; Neft, David S. (1990). The World Series: Complete Play-By-Play of Every Game, 1903–1989.
- Reichler, Joseph (1982). The Baseball Encyclopedia (5th ed.).
- Epplin, Luke (2021). Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball.
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Important Notice
This content has been meticulously curated and presented by an AI, drawing exclusively from the provided source material concerning the 1948 World Series. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source, this information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional historical research or consultation with sports historians.
This is not professional sports analysis or historical endorsement. The information provided on this website is not intended to be a definitive or exhaustive account of the 1948 World Series. Always consult primary sources and academic research for the most accurate and comprehensive understanding of historical events.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any interpretations, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided herein.