First World Series Won: Boston Beats Pittsburgh
The Boston Americans, later renamed the Red Sox, defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates five games to three in the first modern World Series, which concluded on October 13, 1903. Pitcher Bill Dinneen won three games for Boston, including a shutout in the decisive Game 8. The series had no official sanctioning from either league; Pittsburgh owner Barney Dreyfuss challenged Boston after both teams won their respective pennants. Players negotiated their own shares of the gate receipts. The Pirates' losing share was actually larger than Boston's winning share because Dreyfuss added his personal cut to the players' pool. Total attendance for the eight games was 100,429. The following year, the New York Giants' John McGraw refused to play the American League champion, calling them a 'minor league team,' and there was no World Series in 1904.
October 13, 1903
123 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on October 13
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