III.

Dominance of the Yankees

The 1921 World Series was played entirely in New York City, between the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. It was the Yankees' first appearance in the series, and they lost in eight games. But it marked the beginning of an era in which the Yankees would dominate baseball, becoming the most successful team in World Series history.

The Yankees won their first World Series in 1923, and they won again in 1927 and 1928 with one of baseball's most powerful lineups of hitters. The greatest among them was Babe Ruth, who joined the club in 1920. But the Yankees of the 1920s also included Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Earle Combs, and Waite Hoyt.

The Yankees continued to dominate the World Series during the 1930s, under the leadership of manager Joe McCarthy, who earned his first series victory in 1932, when the Yankees swept the Chicago Cubs in four games. Outfielder and powerful hitter Joe DiMaggio joined the Yankees in 1936, adding to their star lineup and helping them win another series in his rookie season. The Yankees won again in 1937, 1938, and 1939.

The World Series continued to be played during World War II (1939-1945), but all of baseball faced difficulties. Many of the best players were drafted into military service, and wartime regulations limited travel and the manufacture of equipment. But the series provided welcome entertainment to war-weary Americans. The Yankees continued their success, with World Series victories in 1941, 1943, and 1947. The St. Louis Cardinals ranked as one of baseball's best clubs during the 1940s. Great players such as Enos Slaughter and Stan Musial helped the Cardinals win the World Series in 1942, 1944, and 1946. From 1949 through 1953, Yankees manager Casey Stengel led his club to five consecutive championships. By winning four more titles from 1956 to 1962, the Yankees closed out an era in which they captured 20 titles in 40 years.