George Herman “Babe” Ruth was nearing the end of his run in Beantown, as the Boston Red Sox would sell his contract to the New York Yankees after the 1919 regular season. However, Ruth did quite a bit of good for Boston in his six-year run, including the leadership he showed in transitioning from being a starting pitcher to being an outfielder during the 1918 regular season.
A Pennant-Winning 1918 Campaign
The 1918 Boston Red Sox went 75-51, finishing 2.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians to win the American League pennant. The team went 10-10 against the Indians in head-to-head play, going 49-21 at home and 26-30 on the road.
Ruth Leads a Balanced Red Sox Lineup
Babe Ruth, Two-Way Star
In 95 games, Ruth batted .300 with 11 home runs and 61 RBIs off 95 hits, 26 doubles, and 11 triples. On the mound, Ruth went 13-7 with a 2.22 ERA, recording 18 complete games and 1 shutout.
The Rest of the Lineup
Right fielder Harry Hooper batted .289 with 44 RBIs, 137 hits, 26 doubles, 13 triples, and 24 stolen bases. First baseman John “Stuffy” McInnis batted .272 with 56 RBIs, 115 hits, 11 doubles, 5 triples, and 10 stolen bases. Left fielder George Whiteman had 14 doubles in 71 games. Shortstop Everett Scott had 98 hits, 11 doubles, and 11 stolen bases. Second baseman Dave Shean had 112 hits, 16 doubles, and 11 stolen bases. Center fielder Amos Strunk had 106 hits, 18 doubles, 9 triples, and 20 stolen bases.
Boston’s Pitching Staff
Starting pitcher Carl Mays went 21-13 with 114 strikeouts and a 2.21 ERA, recording 30 complete games and 8 shutouts. “Bullet” Joe Bush went 15-15 with 125 strikeouts and a 2.11 ERA, recording 26 complete games and 7 shutouts. “Sad” Sam Jones went 16-5 with a 2.25 ERA, recording 16 complete games and 5 shutouts. Hubert “Dutch” Leonard went 8-6 with a 2.72 ERA, recording 12 complete games and 3 shutouts. Relief pitcher Walt Kinney recorded a 1.80 ERA in 5 games. Vince Molyneaux went 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA.
Facing the Cubs in the 1918 World Series
The 1918 Boston Red Sox faced the National League champion Chicago Cubs in the World Series, but this Fall Classic was held throughout September because of wartime labor restrictions handed down by the United States government in response to World War I. Players had also threatened to sit out the World Series for fear of low gate receipts, which depended heavily on fan attendance.
Game 1: Ruth Outduels Vaughn
In Game 1 on September 5 at Chicago’s Comiskey Park, the Red Sox blanked the Cubs 1-0. Babe Ruth and James “Hippo” Vaughn put on a great pitching duel, as Ruth pitched a complete game and gave up 6 hits and 1 walk while recording 4 strikeouts. Vaughn also pitched a complete game, giving up 5 hits, 3 walks, and 1 run while recording 6 strikeouts. Boston got all the offense it needed in the top of the 4th inning when Stuffy McInnis had an RBI single.
Game 2: Cubs Even the Series
In Game 2 on September 6, the Cubs beat the Red Sox 3-1. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, catcher Bill Killefer had an RBI double, and pitcher George “Lefty” Tyler followed with a 2-run single. George Whiteman’s RBI triple in the top of the 9th couldn’t bring Boston back.
Game 3: Boston Regains the Edge
The Red Sox bounced back to win Game 3 on September 7 by a score of 2-1. Carl Mays opposed Hippo Vaughn in another great pitching duel, as Mays pitched a complete game, giving up 7 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run while recording 4 strikeouts. Vaughn also pitched a complete game, giving up 7 hits, 1 walk, and 2 runs while recording 7 strikeouts. In the top of the 4th inning, catcher Wally Schang had an RBI single, and Everett Scott followed with an RBI infield single. Bill Killefer had an RBI single in the bottom of the 5th, but Chicago couldn’t start a rally.
Game 4: A Fenway Nail-Biter
In Game 4 on September 9 at Fenway Park, the Red Sox won another close game, 3-2. In the bottom of the 4th inning, Babe Ruth had a 2-run triple. Chicago came back in the top of the 8th, as shortstop Charlie Hollocher had an RBI groundout and left fielder Les Mann followed with an RBI single. The 2-2 tie was broken in the bottom of the 8th, when Harry Hooper laid down a bunt and reached on an error to score Wally Schang.
Game 5: Vaughn Silences Boston
The Cubs shut out the Red Sox 3-0 in Game 5 on September 10. Hippo Vaughn stood out on his own this time, pitching a complete game and giving up 5 hits and 1 walk while recording 4 strikeouts. In the top of the 3rd inning, Les Mann had an RBI double, and in the top of the 8th, center fielder Dode Paskert had a 2-run double.
Game 6: Red Sox Clinch the Title
The Red Sox had the last laugh, beating the Cubs 2-1 in Game 6 on September 11. Carl Mays pitched a complete game, giving up 3 hits, 2 walks, and 1 run while recording 1 strikeout. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, George Whiteman reached on an error that scored both Mays and Dave Shean. First baseman Fred Merkle tried to help Chicago’s cause with an RBI single in the top of the 4th, but the Cubs fell short of forcing a Game 7.
A Championship Drought Begins
The 1918 World Series turned out to be one of only three World Series in history in which neither team hit a home run. It also marked the last championship the Boston Red Sox would win until 2004, meaning the 1918 Boston Red Sox stood alone as champions for eighty-six years, and the team wouldn’t clinch another title at Fenway Park until 2013.
