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Baseball · Interesting Facts

Chapter 3: Tournaments

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown

Baseball's big events have gathered nicknames, rituals and a few unforgettable interruptions. A World Series between neighbouring clubs often took its name from the trip between them: fans could ride the subway between the two parks, and another pairing's ballparks are linked by freeways. The 1989 Series put two parks on either side of San Francisco Bay. The earthquake struck with fans in their seats for the first game in San Francisco, causing deaths and heavy damage around the Bay; play resumed on 27 October, and Oakland won all four games.

Other events have their own customs. At the Little League World Series, twelve-year-olds play on a hillside, teams bring pins designed for their region, ten teams come from the United States and ten from the rest of the world, and admission has always been free. At Koshien, Japan's high school summer tournament, a siren's wail is part of the season and the soil is a keepsake of the summer. The All-Star Game plays no extra innings, and the Home Run Derby now runs against the clock, with long drives earning extra seconds. Opening Day in Cincinnati brings the Findlay Market parade, which honours the 1869 Red Stockings.

The facts below cover Series nicknames, the Earthquake Series, World Series MVPs, the Little League World Series, Koshien, All-Star moments, the Home Run Derby, Opening Day, tiebreaker games and doubleheaders.

3.31Series Nicknames

Subways, freeways and the Fall Classic.

Test 1Series nicknamesTake a test

  1. 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 · recall

  2. 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 · recall

  3. 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 · recall

  4. 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 · recall

  5. 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 · recall

  6. 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 · recall

  7. 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 · recall

  8. 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 · recall

  9. 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 · recall

  10. 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 · applied

3.32The Earthquake Series

The 1989 World Series and the shaking that stopped it.

Test 1The Earthquake SeriesTake a test

  1. 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 · recall

  2. 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 · recall

  3. 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 · recall

  4. 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 · recall

  5. 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 · recall

  6. 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 · recall

  7. 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 · recall

  8. 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 · recall

  9. 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 · recall

  10. 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 · applied

3.33World Series MVPs

The award for the best player of the World Series.

Test 1World Series MVPsTake a test

  1. 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 · recall

  2. 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 · recall

  3. 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 · recall

  4. 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 · recall

  5. 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 · recall

  6. 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 · recall

  7. 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 · recall

  8. 1955, 1959, 1960, then 2009.

    Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project · recall

  9. Three, two, then one.

    Source: MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project · recall

  10. 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 · applied

3.34The Little League World Series

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

Test 1The Little League World SeriesTake a test

  1. The Maynard Midgets played at home.

    Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport · recall

  2. It is named after a local newspaper publisher.

    Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport · recall

  3. 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 · recall

  4. It remains the only perfect game in a final.

    Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport · recall

  5. Teams bring pins designed for their region.

    Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport · recall

  6. He was two years over the age limit.

    Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport · recall

  7. 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 · recall

  8. 1947, 1957, 1959, then 2001.

    Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport · recall

  9. Thousands of teams start the summer.

    Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport · recall

  10. Admission to the games has always been free.

    Source: Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport · applied

3.35Koshien's Traditions

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

Test 1Koshien's traditionsTake a test

  1. 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 · recall

  2. 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 · recall

  3. 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 · recall

  4. 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 · recall

  5. 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 · recall

  6. 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 · recall

  7. 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 · recall

  8. 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 · recall

  9. 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 · recall

  10. 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 · applied

3.36All-Star Game Moments

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

Test 1All-Star Game momentsTake a test

  1. 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 · recall

  2. 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 · recall

  3. 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 · recall

  4. 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 · recall

  5. 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 · recall

  6. 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 · recall

  7. 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 · recall

  8. 1941, 1961, 1970, then 1983.

    Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame · recall

  9. No extra innings are played.

    Source: MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame · recall

  10. 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 · applied

3.37The Home Run Derby

The All-Star break's home run contest.

Test 1The Home Run DerbyTake a test

  1. 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) · recall

  2. He hit six homers.

    Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015) · recall

  3. 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) · recall

  4. 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) · recall

  5. 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) · recall

  6. 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) · recall

  7. 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) · recall

  8. 1985, 2005, 2008, then 2019.

    Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015) · recall

  9. Long drives earn extra seconds.

    Source: MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015) · recall

  10. 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) · applied

3.38Opening Day Traditions

Parades, bunting and first-day feats.

Test 1Opening Day traditionsTake a test

  1. 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 · recall

  2. 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 · recall

  3. 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 · recall

  4. 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 · recall

  5. 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 · recall

  6. 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 · recall

  7. 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 · recall

  8. 1920, 1940, then 1974.

    Source: Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project · recall

  9. 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 · recall

  10. 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 · applied

3.39Game 163

Extra games that broke ties for a place in October.

Test 1Game 163Take a test

  1. 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) · recall

  2. 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) · recall

  3. 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) · recall

  4. 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) · recall

  5. 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) · recall

  6. 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) · recall

  7. 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) · recall

  8. 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) · recall

  9. 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) · recall

  10. 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) · applied

3.40Doubleheaders

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

Test 1DoubleheadersTake a test

  1. 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 · recall

  2. 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 · recall

  3. 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 · recall

  4. 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 · recall

  5. He was nicknamed 'Iron Man'.

    Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject · recall

  6. Nate Colbert matched him in 1972.

    Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject · recall

  7. The rule was dropped in 2022.

    Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject · recall

  8. 1920, 1954, 1972, then 2020.

    Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject · recall

  9. One ticket covers both games.

    Source: MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject · recall

  10. 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 · applied

Questions people ask

Why was the 1989 World Series called the Earthquake Series?
An earthquake struck the Bay Area with fans in their seats for the first game in San Francisco, causing deaths and heavy damage. Play resumed on 27 October, and the A's won four straight games.
What is a Subway Series?
A World Series between two clubs whose fans could ride the subway between the two parks. The 2000 Series was the first Subway Series since 1956.
Can the World Series MVP award be shared?
Yes. Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager once shared it.
Who plays in the Little League World Series?
Teams of twelve-year-olds, ten from the United States and ten from the rest of the world. One player was found to be two years over the age limit.
Why do Koshien players keep the soil?
The soil of Koshien is a keepsake of the summer for the high school players who reach it.
What happens if the All-Star Game is tied after nine innings?
No extra innings are played. The tie is settled by a swing-off instead.
How does the Home Run Derby's timed format work?
Each hitter bats against the clock, and long drives earn extra seconds. Before that each hitter had a number of outs.
What was Game 163?
An extra game that broke a tie for a place in October. Head-to-head records now decide those ties instead.

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.

  • MLB.com World Series history (1906, 1985, 2000); club histories of the Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, Nationals and Orioles10
  • MLB.com, 'The Earthquake Series' (1989); USGS on the Loma Prieta earthquake (17 October 1989); National Baseball Hall of Fame10
  • MLB.com, World Series Most Valuable Player Award history and the Willie Mays award (2017); SABR Games Project10
  • Little League International, Little League World Series history (littleleague.org); Little League Museum, Williamsport10
  • Hanshin Koshien Stadium history (hanshin.co.jp); Japan High School Baseball Federation; Asahi Shimbun coverage of the 2006 final10
  • MLB.com All-Star Game history (1941, 1961, 1970, 1983, 1999, 2008, 2025); National Baseball Hall of Fame10
  • MLB.com, 'Home Run Derby history and winners'; MLB.com on the Derby's timed format (2015)10
  • Cincinnati Reds, 'Opening Day and the Findlay Market Parade' (reds.com); MLB.com Opening Day records; SABR Games Project10
  • MLB.com tiebreaker game history (1946-2018) and the 2022 rule change; SABR Games Project (1948, 1978, 2007, 2009)10
  • MLB.com doubleheader history; SABR Games Project (1920 tripleheader, Reulbach 1908, Musial 1954, Colbert 1972); SABR BioProject10