No. 1926.10.10 · Live Ball Era
Ruth Is Out at Second
The 1926 World Series ended with Babe Ruth thrown out at second. He said he was stealing on his own. Other accounts say a hit-and-run was on.
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October 10, 1926, Game 7 at Yankee Stadium. The Cardinals led, 3–2. Grover Cleveland Alexander, who had pitched a complete game the day before, came in during the seventh with the bases loaded and two out. Tony Lazzeri fouled one just foul down the left-field line and then struck out. In the ninth Alexander retired Earle Combs and Mark Koenig and walked Ruth, his fourth walk of the game. Ruth had homered in the fourth. Bob Meusel was at bat. Lou Gehrig was on deck.
Ruth ran on a pitch. Bob O'Farrell threw to Rogers Hornsby, and Ruth was out. It is still the only World Series to end on a caught stealing. The box score is not in dispute. The reason for the run is.
Ruth said after the game that he had gone on his own, to reach scoring position if Meusel hit. Other writers, including accounts in The Sporting News, said a hit-and-run was on and that Meusel had swung and missed. The later story sometimes adds that Alexander was hung over. Nothing in the contemporary record establishes that, and the play does not need it.