1954 World Series - New York vs Cleveland

The hitting hero for the series ended up being Giants' pinch-hitter Dusty Rhodes. In Game 1 he pinch-hit a 3-run home run in the tenth to break a 2-2 tie. In Game 2 he came back with another pinch hit to tie the game at 1-1, stayed in the game and hit another home run. In Game 3, Rhodes got yet another pinch-hit to drive in two runs. They did not start giving out the World Series MVP award until the following year, but Rhodes would have had to have been the choice. Actually, his success was not that surprising: during the regular season the platoon player batted .341 with 15 homers and 50 RBIs in only 164 times at bat. But a .667 bating average in the Series is still pretty impressive. Meanwhile, the Indians starting rotation of Jim Lemon, Early Wynn, and Mike Garcia could not win a game and Bob Feller did not even get to pitch. Wertz was the only bright spot for Cleveland, with a .500 average for the Series. The Yankees would win eight of the next nine AL pennants again, the only pump in the road being the 1959 Chicago White Sox--also managed by Al Lopez.

So the winningest team in American League history lost the World Series in four straight and the Giants of Mays, Monte Irvin, John Antonelli, and Ruben Gomez had their first World Championship since 1933. Giant fans probably have the great catch by Mays on several videos already in their home library, but this 40-minute black & white video gives you all of Rhodes's heroics as well. Besides, unless you are a Giants fan who happen to be in your 70s, this would be the only Giant title in your lifetime. Videos of Giant losses in the World Series are available for the 1951, 1962, 1989, and 2002 seasons as well.