1967 World Series vs Boston Red Sox
The Cardinals won their second championship in four years, led by Bob Gibson's dominant pitching.
The 1967 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1967 season. The 64th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champion Boston Red Sox and the National League (NL) champion St. Louis Cardinals. In a rematch of the 1946 World Series, the Cardinals won in seven games for their second championship in four years and their eighth overall. The Series was played from October 4 to 12 at Fenway Park and Busch Memorial Stadium. It was the first World Series since 1948 that did not feature the Yankees, Dodgers, or Giants. This was the first World Series where the winning team was presented the Commissioner's Trophy. As of the source, this is the last time the Cardinals won the World Series on the road.
- Champion
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Opponent
- Boston Red Sox
- Series Result
- Cardinals won 4-3
- MVP
- Bob Gibson (Pitcher)
- Key Location
- Busch Stadium, St. Louis & Fenway Park, Boston
- Year
- 1967
Lore & Background
The Cardinals won 101 games en route to the National League pennant, with a team featuring All-Stars Orlando Cepeda (selected as the National League Most Valuable Player), Lou Brock, Tim McCarver, and 1964 World Series MVP Bob Gibson, as well as former two-time American League MVP Roger Maris and Curt Flood. Twenty-two-year-old Steve Carlton won 14 games in his first full major league season. The Cardinals overcame the absence of Bob Gibson, who missed almost one-third of the season with a broken leg on July 15 (on disabled list, July 16 – September 6) suffered when he was struck by a ball hit by Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente. Gibson still managed to win 13 games, and while he was out, Nelson Briles filled his spot in the rotation brilliantly, winning nine consecutive games as the Cardinals led the N.L. comfortably for most of the season, eventually winning by games over the San Francisco Giants. In Game 7, the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, never trailed, and won 7-2. Gibson allowed only three hits, struck out 10 batters, and added a home run blast of his own in the fifth. Julián Javier added a three-run shot off Lonborg in the sixth and Gibson cruised to the decisive victory.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Busch Stadium was thick with humidity and anticipation as the seventh game reached its final innings. The crowd, a sea of red, held its breath as Bob Gibson stepped onto the mound for the eleventh time in this series. Every pitch felt like a heartbeat; every crack of the bat echoed through the history books. In that moment, the weight of the city's hopes rested on the shoulders of men who had been written off all season long.
Reader's Guide
Pitching dominated this World Series, with Bob Gibson leading the Cardinals. In Game 1, Gibson and St. Louis won 2–1. In Game 2, Jim Lonborg pitched a one-hit shutout. In St. Louis, the Cardinals took Games 3 and 4, with Briles pitching the home team to a 5–2 victory and Gibson tossing a 6–0 whitewashing. With the Cardinals leading 3 games to 1, Lonborg kept the Red Sox in the series with a 3–1 victory in Game 5. In Game 6, the Red Sox won 8–4 to tie the series. The decisive Game 7 featured Gibson and Lonborg facing each other for the first time in the series; Gibson allowed only three hits over a complete game, and the Cardinals won 7–2.
Did You Know?
- This was the first World Series where the winning team was presented the Commissioner's Trophy.
- Bob Gibson allowed only three total runs over three complete games in this series.
- The Cardinals set a World Series record using eight pitchers in Game 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1967 World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox?
The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the favored Boston Red Sox in a thrilling seven-game series to claim their first championship since 1946.
Why is the 1967 World Series often called 'The Impossible Dream'?
This nickname reflects how an underdog team, not expected by many to even reach the playoffs, overcame a powerhouse Red Sox squad through grit and determination.
Who was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1967 World Series?
Cardinals ace pitcher Bob Gibson earned MVP honors for his dominant performances that were crucial in securing the franchise's victory.
Where were the games played during the 1967 World Series?
The historic matchup took place between Busch Stadium in St. Louis and Fenway Park in Boston, featuring two of baseball's most iconic venues.
What was the significance of this series for the Cardinals franchise?
This victory revitalized the team during a transitional era and cemented the legacy of manager Solly Hemus while proving that a roster of underdogs could achieve glory.
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