1918 World Series Championship

Lore & Background

With World War I ongoing, a 'work or fight' mandate was issued by the government, requiring men with non-essential jobs to enlist or take war-related jobs by July 1, else risk being drafted. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker granted an extension to MLB players through Labor Day, September 2. In early August, MLB clubs decided that the regular season would end at that time. As a result, AL teams played between 123 and 130 regular-season games (including ties), reduced from their original 154-game schedules. Later in August, Baker granted a further extension to allow for the World Series to be contested; it began on September 5 and ended on September 11. World War I would end two months later, with the Armistice of 11 November 1918. Due to the entry of the United States into World War I, several Red Sox players enlisted with the military over the winter. Notable players who enlisted included Pitchers Ernie Shore and Herb Pennock, Outfielder Duffy Lewis, as well as Manager Jack Barry.

In Their Own Story

The air in Chicago was thick with humidity and the distant rumble of war drums from across the ocean. Babe Ruth stood on the mound, his cap pulled low, sweat dripping down his face despite the cool evening breeze. He had already thrown a shutout, but he knew the Cubs were hungry for redemption. In the dugout, Ed Barrow watched with a mixture of pride and anxiety; this was the last time they would all be together in such dominance. As the final out was recorded—a pop fly caught by Duffy Lewis in left field—the crowd erupted, not just for the win, but for the sheer exhaustion and triumph of survival. Ruth walked off the mound, his arm aching, unaware that he was leaving Fenway Park forever to join a rival team just months later. The celebration at home would be bittersweet; they had won the crown, but the dynasty was already fracturing.

Reader's Guide

The Red Sox' pitching staff, led by Carl Mays and Bullet Joe Bush, allowed the fewest runs in the league. Babe Ruth was the fourth starter and also spent significant time in the outfield, as he was the best hitter on the team, leading the AL in home runs and slugging percentage. After this season, the Red Sox would fall into mediocrity, mainly because they traded away most of their star players to other teams, most notably, sending Ruth to the Yankees in 1920. The team would not have another winning record until 1935, 18 years later.

Did You Know?

• Babe Ruth led the AL in home runs (11) and slugging percentage (.555) in 1918.
• Carl Mays led the team with 21 wins and finished #3 in the AL in wins and #5 in strikeouts.
• The 1918 World Series began on September 5 and ended on September 11.
• The Red Sox won their fifth World Series in 1918, their last until 2004.