1962 World Series

Lore & Background

The series is best remembered for its dramatic conclusion in Game 7; with runners on second and third base and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Giants’ Willie McCovey hit a hard line drive that was caught by Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson to preserve New York's one-run victory. Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson was named the World Series Most Valuable Player. The Giants had won their first NL pennant since 1954 and first since moving from New York in 1958. They advanced by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game playoff. The Giants had a higher cumulative batting average (.226 to .199) and lower earned run average (2.66 to 2.95), had more hits (51 to 44), runs (21 to 20), hit more home runs (5 to 3), triples (2 to 1) and doubles (10 to 6), yet lost the Series. They would not return to the World Series for another 27 years. The Yankees had won their first World Series in 1923; of the 40 Series played between 1923 and 1962, the Yankees won half. After a long dominance of the World Series picture, the Yankees would not win another World Series for 15 years despite appearances in 1963, 1964, and 1976. This World Series, which was closely matched in every game, is also remembered for its then-record length of 13 days, caused by postponements due to rain in both cities.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled off the bay at Candlestick Park, carrying the tension of Game 7 into every corner of the stadium. Willie Mays adjusted his cap, staring down the pitcher's mound where the Yankees' ace stood ready. The crowd held its breath as the ball left the bat, soaring high into the twilight sky. For a moment, hope seemed tangible, but gravity and history pulled it back down to earth.

Reader's Guide

The series was originally scheduled to begin October 3, but was moved back one day due to the three-game playoff between the Giants and Dodgers to determine the National League pennant. Game 5 at New York was pushed back one day due to rain, and Game 6 in San Francisco was pushed back four days due to torrential rain on the West Coast. Three of the longest World Series in terms of total days, due to various postponements, involved the Giants: the 1911 and the 1989 were the other two.

Did You Know?

• Bobby Richardson was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.
• Ralph Terry pitched a complete game and was the winning pitcher in Game 7.
• Bobby Richardson was indeed named Most Valuable Player of the series.