# Chapter 3: Tournaments

Baseball · Chapter 3: Tournaments · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/baseball/interesting-facts/chapter-3-tournaments/)

Stories from baseball's big events: Series nicknames, the earthquake Series, World Series MVPs, the Little League World Series, Koshien's traditions, All-Star moments, the Home Run Derby, Opening Day, tiebreaker games and doubleheaders.

## 3.31 Series Nicknames

Subways, freeways and the Fall Classic.

### Test 1: Series nicknames

- Broadcasters and newspapers have used it for a century. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)
- Fans could ride the subway between the two parks. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)
- The two clubs' ballparks are linked by freeways. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)
- The interstate highway links the two cities. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)
- They had the American League's lowest batting average. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)
- The two ballparks are on opposite sides of the city. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)
- The cities are about 40 miles apart. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)
- 1906, 1985, 1989, then 2000. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)
- Los Angeles, Missouri, Washington and Baltimore, then New York. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)
- It was the first Subway Series since 1956. (Source: MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles)

## 3.32 The Earthquake Series

The 1989 World Series and the shaking that stopped it.

### Test 1: The Earthquake Series

- The two parks were on either side of San Francisco Bay. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- Fans were in their seats for the first game in San Francisco. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- It caused deaths and heavy damage around the Bay. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- Play resumed on 27 October. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- The A's won four straight games. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- His calm reporting continued as the power went out. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- He won Games 1 and 3. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- The A's won Games 3 and 4 after the break. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- Oakland won all four. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- The Giants' windy park stood on the bay. (Source: MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame)

## 3.33 World Series MVPs

The award for the best player of the World Series.

### Test 1: World Series MVPs

- He shut out the Yankees in Game 7. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)
- He hit three homers in Game 1. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)
- He made 'The Catch' in the 1954 Series. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)
- He saved two games and won two. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)
- He drove in six runs in the deciding Game 6. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)
- Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager shared it. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)
- They beat the Yankees in seven games. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)
- 1955, 1959, 1960, then 2009. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)
- Three, two, then one. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)
- He drove in a record 12 runs in that Series. (Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project)

## 3.34 The Little League World Series

Twelve-year-olds, a hillside and a lot of pins.

### Test 1: The Little League World Series

- The Maynard Midgets played at home. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)
- It is named after a local newspaper publisher. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)
- They were the first champions from outside the United States. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)
- It remains the only perfect game in a final. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)
- Teams bring pins designed for their region. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)
- He was two years over the age limit. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)
- Ten come from the United States and ten from the rest of the world. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)
- 1947, 1957, 1959, then 2001. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)
- Thousands of teams start the summer. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)
- Admission to the games has always been free. (Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport)

## 3.35 Koshien's Traditions

Dirt, ivy, sirens and the summer of Japan's high schools.

### Test 1: Koshien's traditions

- The first final had ended in a 15-inning tie. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)
- He won the replayed final for Waseda Jitsugyo. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)
- 1924 was a 'kōshi' year in the sixty-year cycle. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)
- It turns red in the autumn. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)
- Fans call it the 'road of death'. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)
- Its wail is part of Japanese summer. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)
- Tokyo and Hokkaido send two each. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)
- Respect for the opponent and the field frames every game. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)
- Thousands of schools start the summer. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)
- The soil of Koshien is a keepsake of the summer. (Source: Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final)

## 3.36 All-Star Game Moments

Walk-offs, wind, collisions and a swing-off.

### Test 1: All-Star Game moments

- He was batting .406 that season. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- He homered on all three of his swings. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- Cleveland catcher Ray Fosse was badly hurt. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- The game marked the 50th anniversary of the first one. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- The players crowded round him before the first pitch. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- The extra game raised money for the players' pension fund. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- It was the old stadium's last All-Star Game. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- 1941, 1961, 1970, then 1983. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- No extra innings are played. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- Stu Miller was the pitcher; legend says he was blown off the mound. (Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame)

## 3.37 The Home Run Derby

The All-Star break's home run contest.

### Test 1: The Home Run Derby

- It was played in Minneapolis's dome. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))
- He hit six homers. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))
- He won it in 1994, 1998 and 1999. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))
- He hit 24 in the first round alone. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))
- He beat Joc Pederson in a long tie-breaking duel. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))
- He won a million dollars in 2019. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))
- The Twins first baseman won with a smaller total. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))
- 1985, 2005, 2008, then 2019. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))
- Long drives earn extra seconds. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))
- Before that each hitter had a number of outs. (Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015))

## 3.38 Opening Day Traditions

Parades, bunting and first-day feats.

### Test 1: Opening Day traditions

- The tradition honours the 1869 Red Stockings. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)
- The half-circle decorations mark special days. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)
- He beat the White Sox 1-0. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)
- Most of them came for the Mets. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)
- One of them lasted 15 innings. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)
- It was his 714th career home run. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)
- Findlay Market is Ohio's oldest public market. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)
- 1920, 1940, then 1974. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)
- Every player and coach is introduced. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)
- It is one of baseball's oldest traditions. (Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project)

## 3.39 Game 163

Extra games that broke ties for a place in October.

### Test 1: Game 163

- The Cardinals beat the Dodgers in two games. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))
- Its player-manager hit two homers that day. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))
- He had hit only four homers all season. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))
- Colorado went on to reach the World Series. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))
- It was the last regular-season game in their dome. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))
- The Cubs met the Brewers and the Dodgers met the Rockies. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))
- Head-to-head records decide them. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))
- 1948, 1978, 2007, then 2009. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))
- The Yankees won 5-4. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))
- The umpire called him safe and the Rockies won. (Source: MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009))

## 3.40 Doubleheaders

Two games for the price of one, and one day of three.

### Test 1: Doubleheaders

- The Reds and the Pirates played three games in one day. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)
- The second game is played under the lights. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)
- Fans leave after the first game and new fans come in. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)
- He beat Brooklyn twice in one day. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)
- He was nicknamed 'Iron Man'. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)
- Nate Colbert matched him in 1972. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)
- The rule was dropped in 2022. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)
- 1920, 1954, 1972, then 2020. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)
- One ticket covers both games. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)
- Colbert did it for San Diego in Atlanta. (Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject)

Sources: Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the National Baseball Hall of Fame, MLB and its clubs, the WBSC, SABR's BioProject, the Library of Congress, Guinness World Records, makers' and leagues' own histories and named reputable media.

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