The 1959 World Series Appearance

Lore & Background

For the White Sox, who had last won a championship in 1917, it was their first World Series appearance since 1919, when the team's unexpected loss to the Cincinnati Reds coincided with the Black Sox Scandal. This was the only World Series to be played in the City of Chicago between the Cubs' loss in 1945 and the White Sox win in 2005.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Comiskey Park was thick with anticipation and the smell of roasted peanuts as the crowd roared for their heroes. Nellie Fox adjusted his cap, eyes fixed on the pitcher's mound where the Giants' ace stood ready. It felt like destiny had finally aligned; after decades of waiting, Chicago was back in the World Series. Yet, as the first pitch crossed the plate and the silence fell over the stadium, a shadow of doubt lingered among the faithful.

Reader's Guide

Managed by Al López, the White Sox were built on pitching, speed and defense. Nicknamed the 'Go-go Sox', they were last in the A.L. in home runs but led the league in stolen bases, fielding percentage, and lowest team ERA. They battled the Cleveland Indians for the American League pennant, and after a close race, the White Sox built a 6+1⁄2 game lead in early September. The Indians could get no closer than 3+1⁄2 games, and when the White Sox beat Cleveland 4–2 on September 22, they clinched the pennant with three games to play. The White Sox were only the second team besides the Yankees to win the A.L. pennant between 1949 and 1964 inclusive; the other was the 1954 Indians, also managed by Al López.

Did You Know?

• The 1959 World Series was the first World Series played on the West Coast.
• Each of the three games played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum drew record crowds; Game 5's attendance of 92,706 continues to be a World Series record.
• No pitcher for either side pitched a complete game in the 1959 World Series.
• This was the only Fall Classic played during the period from 1949 through 1964 in which no games were played in New York City.