Special Sub-Topic: World Series : The 1940s Click Here To Play: World Series : The 1940s

In 1940, which manager led the Cincinnati Reds to the World Series crown to become the first manager to win a series with two different teams?

Bill McKechnie. McKechnie managed the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1925, and repeated the feat with the Reds in 1940 as they defeated the Detroit Tigers in seven games.

In 1941, which Brooklyn Dodgers catcher allowed a Hugh Casey pitch to pass him in the 9th inning of game 4, to allow the Yankees to rally for a crucial 7-4 win?

Mickey Owen. With the Dodgers one out away from a crucial victory in game 4, Owen's error allowed the Yankees to come back and take a 3-1 series lead, and the Bronx Bombers wrapped things up the following day at Ebbets Field.

Who scored a 9th inning two-run home run against the New York Yankees in game 5 to clinch the 1942 World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals?

Whitey Kurowski. Kurowski's home run helped the Cardinals to a 4-2 win in game 5 of the series as St. Louis won their first crown since 1934.

The Yankees avenged their 1942 loss to the Cardinals in the 1943 World Series. Which manager won his seventh and final Series title that year?

Joe McCarthy. McCarthy managed the Yankees from 1931-46, winning eight AL pennants and seven World Series. Bill Dickey hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning of game 5 to help the Yankees to a 4-1 series win in 1943.

Which team finally made it to their first World Series in 1944?

St. Louis Browns. The Browns finished one game ahead of the Detroit Tigers in the AL pennant race to qualify for the 1944 World Series. Their opponents were the St. Louis Cardinals, and it was the Cardinals who won the "Streetcar Series" 4-2. All the games took place at Sportsman's Park, the last time in the 20th century that all the games in a World Series took place in one ballpark.

Who did the Detroit Tigers defeat to clinch their second World Series title in 1945?

Chicago Cubs. Hank Greenberg scored two home runs and seven RBIs for the Tigers as they defeated the Cubs in seven games. This would be the Cubs' final World Series appearance of the 20th century.

Which player made an 8th inning "mad dash" around the bases to help propel the Cardinals to a game 7 win over the Boston Red Sox in 1946?

Enos Slaughter. With the score tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the 8th, Harry Walker hit a double, and Slaughter made it to home plate to give the Cardinals the go-ahead run which clinched the series.

In 1947, who became the first black player to take part in a World Series?

Jackie Robinson. Robinson had broken the MLB color barrier earlier in the 1947 season, but was unable to help the Brooklyn Dodgers to a World Series title in his rookie season, with the New York Yankees winning in seven games. This was the first series to be televised, although only to viewers in the New York area.

In 1948, who became the first black pitcher in World Series history as the Cleveland Indians won their first crown since 1920?

Satchel Paige. Paige relieved Russ Christopher in the 7th inning of game 5, but couldn't prevent the Boston Braves claiming an 11-5 victory. The Indians rebounded to wrap up the series in six games.

The 1949 World Series featured the first series game to be finished under artificial lights. At which ballpark did this piece of history take place?

Ebbets Field. The New York Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 4-1 to win the 1949 Series, with the 9th innings of game 5 taking place with the floodlights switched on.