1939 World Series

The 1939 World Series featured the three-time defending champion New York Yankees against the Cincinnati Reds, who were making their first Series appearance since the scandal-tainted 1919 World Series. The Yankees swept the Series in four games for their record fourth consecutive title, their eighth in 17 seasons. Yankee manager Joe McCarthy won his fifth title, tying the record held by Connie Mack.

In the 9th inning of the final game, a famous play at the plate typified the Series. Charlie Keller scored when he and the ball both collided with catcher Ernie Lombardi and then Joe DiMaggio also scored while Lombardi, rolling on the ground, tried in vain to retrieve the ball. Lombardi had been smacked in the groin but the puritanical press reported it as if Lombardi was "napping" at the plate. For the fourth consecutive year, every game was won by a team from New York.

Umpires: Bill McGowan (AL), Beans Reardon (NL), Bill Summers (AL), Babe Pinelli (NL)

External link

 * 1939 World Series at Baseball-Reference.com