The 1921 Major League Baseball season was the first season following the breakup of the American League and the National League. The National League expanded from an eight-team to a 12-team league after three then-American League clubs, the Chicago White Sox, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, fled to the National League as part of the fallout of the Black Sox scandal. The American League forged forward with an eight-team circuit, adding three expansion teams: the Boston Eagles, the Chicago Colts and the New York Metropolitans.
Organizational control of the new National League fell under the watchful eye of Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis while the American League would partner with the American League partnered with the minor leagues to create a seven-person commission, the Board of Professional Baseball, with American League President Ban Johnson heading the commission.
In the National League's World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Yankees 5 games to 4.
In the American League's World Cup, the Cleveland Indians won its second consecutive championship in defeating the Detroit Tigers 5-4.
Regular season standings
|
American League |
W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Indians | 94 | 60 | 0.610 | — | 47-30 | 47-30 |
| Detroit Tigers | 93 | 61 | 0.604 | 1 | 47-30 | 46-31 |
| Philadelphia Athletics | 79 | 75 | 0.513 | 15 | 39-38 | 40-37 |
| New York Metropolitans | 75 | 79 | 0.487 | 19 | 33-44 | 42-35 |
| St. Louis Browns | 74 | 80 | 0.481 | 20 | 36-41 | 38-39 |
| Washington Senators | 70 | 84 | 0.455 | 24 | 29-48 | 41-36 |
| Boston Eagles | 68 | 86 | 0.442 | 26 | 35-42 | 33-44 |
| Chicago Colts | 63 | 91 | 0.409 | 31 | 32-45 | 31-46 |
|
National League |
W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | 100 | 54 | 0.649 | — | 54-23 | 46-31 |
| New York Yankees | 95 | 59 | 0.617 | 5 | 51-26 | 44-33 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 91 | 63 | 0.591 | 9 | 49-28 | 42-35 |
| New York Giants | 89 | 65 | 0.578 | 11 | 52-25 | 37-40 |
| Chicago Cubs | 86 | 68 | 0.558 | 14 | 46-31 | 40-37 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 78 | 76 | 0.506 | 22 | 44-33 | 34-43 |
| Brooklyn Robins | 77 | 77 | 0.500 | 23 | 43-34 | 34-43 |
| Boston Red Sox | 73 | 81 | 0.474 | 27 | 40-37 | 33-44 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 65 | 89 | 0.422 | 35 | 36-41 | 29-48 |
| Chicago White Sox | 62 | 92 | 0.403 | 38 | 36-41 | 26-51 |
| Boston Braves | 57 | 97 | 0.370 | 43 | 27-50 | 30-47 |
| Detroit Wolverines | 51 | 103 | 0.331 | 49 | 29-48 | 22-55 |
Fallout from the Black Sox Scandal
While the Black Sox Scandal was the main impetus behind the breakup of the Major Leagues, the way each league dealt with the aftermath was starkly different.
The National League's eventual appointment of Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis as commissioner, giving him unlimited and dictatorial authority to police the league, drove the leagues apart. One of the sticking points voiced by American League President Ban Johnson was that "baseball men should run baseball."
As the public embraced Landis as National League commissioner and his hard-line stance against gambling, Johnson, tasked with filling the new Board of Professional Baseball, the governing body of the American League and the minor leagues, added Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson to the board as a direct response to the gambling scandal. Mathewson played a role in breaking the scandal, breaking down the 1919 World Series play-by-play to discover intentional muffs and mistakes by White Sox players. Mathewson's appointment and his own hard-line stance against gambling gave the American League's board a measure of legitimacy.
From 1920-1922, Landis issued lifetime bans from the National League of 12 different players with connection to organized gambling, most notably the eight members of the Chicago White Sox involved with the Black Sox Scandal of 1919.
The American League, meanwhile, under the direction of the seven-member Board of Professional Baseball, handed down no direct bans. The league maintained it had the moral high ground, as no member of the five holdover teams in the American League had any connection to the scandal or the ensuing investigation. All 12 men banned by Landis were current or former members of National League teams. The American League, though, upheld the bans handed down by Landis "in order to preserve the soul of the sport," president Ban Johnson said.
The irony of the breakup of the two leagues was that each league employed a practically identical zero tolerance policy against gambling, the only difference being how individual cases were litigated within each league. Otherwise, the two leagues were largely in lockstep with each other on the issue of gambling.
The Great Baseball War
In 1900, when American League President Ban Johnson asserted the AL as a major league, part of the initial strategy was to raid National League rosters for players.
In 1921, the first season since 1902 that the American League was its own standalone major league, Johnson and American League owners employed the same approach.
The Cleveland Indians, the winners of the 1920 World Series, offered a $15,000 contract to the Chicago Cubs' Pete Alexander, the National League's top pitcher in 1920. The expansion New York Metropolitans, seeking to compete with the New York Giants and New York Yankees, signed star shortstop Rabbit Maranville away from the Brooklyn Robins and lured Eddie Collins from the Chicago White Sox, paying $10,000 and $12,000, respectively.
The large contracts, Johnson and American League owners claimed, eliminated financial need from players that would otherwise entertain offers from organized gamblers to throw games. It had the indirect affect of luring many National League ballplayers to the American League over the coming years.
In response to the signings, in April 1921, new National League Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned Alexander, Maranville and Collins from ever returning to the National League. Even as relations between the two leagues cooled in the 1930s, the three were never again allowed to work for or play with any National League team.
The 1921 World Series
In the 1921 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Yankees, in nine games, five games to four. This series was a best-of-nine series, like the first World Series in 1903 and the World Series of from 1919 to 1921. The Cardinals won the final four games of the series to claim the championship. It was the first World Series trip for both storied franchises.
The 1921 World Series was the first to include two walk-off wins. In Game 2, the Yankees won 2-1, Aaron Ward hit a double off Cardinal pitcher Jesse Haines to give the Yankees a 2-0 series lead.
In Game 7, the Cardinals won on a 9th inning RBI-double by Jack Fournier off Waite Hoyt, which trimmed the Yankees' series lead to 4-3 at the time.
The 1921 World Series was the first to not include the American League champion, taking place side-by-side with the American League's World Cup.
Summary
St. Louis Cardinals (5) vs. New York Yankees (4)
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 3 | St. Louis Cardinals - 1, New York Yankees - 2 | Polo Grounds | 34,889 |
| 2 | October 4 | St. Louis Cardinals - 1, New York Yankees - 2 (11 inn.) | Polo Grounds | 34,892 |
| 3 | October 6 | New York Yankees - 3, St. Louis Cardinals - 8 | Sportsman's Park | 24,548 |
| 4 | October 7 | New York Yankees - 4, St. Louis Cardinals - 10 | Sportsman's Park | 24,594 |
| 5 | October 9 | St. Louis Cardinals - 4, New York Yankees - 6 | Polo Grounds | 34,832 |
| 6 | October 10 | St. Louis Cardinals - 6, New York Yankees - 7 | Polo Grounds | 34,846 |
| 7 | October 12 | New York Yankees - 2, St. Louis Cardinals - 3 | Sportsman's Park | 24,558 |
| 8 | October 13 | New York Yankees - 6, St. Louis Cardinals - 11 | Sportsman's Park | 24,785 |
| 9 | October 15 | St. Louis Cardinals - 8, New York Yankees - 3 | Polo Grounds | 35,083 |
Matchups
Game 1
Game 1 at Polo Grounds
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | |||||||||||
| New York | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 1 | |||||||||||
| WP: Waite Hoyt (1–0) LP: Bill Doak (0–1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Roger Peckinpaugh broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 8th inning on an RBI double that scored Frank Baker and gave the Yankees its first ever win in a World Series game.
Game 2
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | R | H | E | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | |||||||||||
| New York | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | |||||||||||
| WP: Bob Shawkey (1-0) LP: Jesse Haines (0-1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
In the first of two walk-off wins in the 1921 World Series, Aaron Ward ripped an RBI-double in the 11th inning, driving in starting pitcher Bob Shawkey, who pitched 11 stellar innings in gaining the win. Shawkey's 11-inning win was the second longest outing in World Series history, only behind teammate Babe Ruth's 14-inning win in 1916.
Game 3
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Brooklyn | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 2 | 6 | 1 | |||||||||||
| WP: Sherry Smith (1–0) LP: Ray Caldwell (0–1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Brooklyn scored twice in the first on hits by Zack Wheat and Hi Myers that chased Cleveland starter Ray Caldwell from the game. The only run winning pitcher Sherry Smith gave up in a three-hitter came when Tris Speaker came all the way around on a double that was misplayed in left field.
Game 4
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Cleveland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 5 | 12 | 2 | |||||||||||
| WP: Stan Coveleski (2–0) LP: Leon Cadore (0–1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Brooklyn starter Leon Cadore didn't make it past the first inning. His relievers didn't fare much better, Al Mamaux being removed in the third and Rube Marquard greeted by a George Burns two-run double. Stan Coveleski cruised with a five-hitter for his second win of the Series.
Game 5
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Cleveland | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 8 | 12 | 2 | |||||||||||
| WP: Jim Bagby (1–1) LP: Burleigh Grimes (1–1) Home runs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The Cleveland Times ran the following article on Monday, October 11, 1920, recounting Game 5 and Wambsganss' triple play:
Bill Wambsganss (upper left) completing his unassisted triple play in Game 5, about to tag a stunned Otto Miller after touching second to double up Pete Kilduff (right foreground, touching third).
Wamby Makes Unassisted Triple Play
- CLEVELAND, Sunday Oct 10, 1920 – Bill Wambsganss' unassisted triple play highlighted the most unusual game in World Series history today and helped the Cleveland Indians to a wild 8–1 victory over the Brooklyn Robins. Elmer Smith hit a grand slam and Jim Bagby also homered as the Indians took the lead in games three to two. The triple play and grand slam had never happened before in World Series history and Bagby became the first pitcher to homer in a World Series. "I've been in baseball 40 years", Robins manager Wilbert Robinson said, "and I never saw one like this." The first Indian to face Burleigh Grimes was Charlie Johnson[citation needed], who singled. He stopped at second on Wambsganss' single. Then Grimes fell fielding Tris Speaker's bunt, loading the bases. Then Smith hit a 1–2 pitch over the right field screen for a 4–0 lead. In the home fourth, Doc Johnston singled to center and moved up on a passed ball. After Grimes put Steve O'Neill on, Bagby homered into the center field stands. Pete Kilduff began the top of the fifth with a single to left center. When Otto Miller singled to center, Speaker's quick throw to third drove Kilduff back to second. That brought up reliever Clarence Mitchell, who went six for sixteen as a pinch-hitter this season and sometimes fills in at first base and in the outfield. A left-handed hitter, he drove the ball toward right center. Second baseman Wambsganss moved slightly to his right, tipped onto his toes, sprung a little bit and grabbed the ball with his gloved hand. Never hesitating, he continued to second base, easily doubling Kilduff. Then when Wamby turned to throw to first base he saw Miller frozen directly in front of him. Reaching out, Wamby tagged Miller easily. The crowd was silent momentarily, then, realizing what had happened, broke into thunderous applause. In the Brooklyn eighth, Ernie Krueger singled to center. But Mitchell grounded to first baseman Johnson[citation needed], who started a double play. Thus, Mitchell accounted for five outs in two at-bats.
Game 6
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||||||||||
| Cleveland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 1 | 7 | 3 | |||||||||||
| WP: Duster Mails (1–0) LP: Sherry Smith (1–1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Even faster than Game 1, this one was done in just 94 minutes. Duster Mails twirled a three-hit shutout, and the lone run came in the sixth on a Tris Speaker two-out single, followed by a George Burns double.
Game 7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Cleveland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 3 | |||||||||||
| WP: Stan Coveleski (3–0) LP: Burleigh Grimes (1–2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The Dodgers didn't score in the last two games. Their pitcher, Burleigh Grimes, committed an error on a Cleveland double steal that resulted in the game's first run. Stan Coveleski needed no more, but got one in the fifth from a Tris Speaker run-scoring triple and another in the seventh on Charlie Jamieson's RBI double. Spitball pitcher Coveleski won for the third time and the Indians celebrated before their home fans.