Alex, I’ll take the Yankees in the World Series for 500

The Yankees are known for their unmatched post-season success, including the most World Series titles and appearances. In fact, the Yankees have lost more World Series than any other franchise has won.

This game is Jeopardy but, in this incarnation, could also be called box score sleuthing. There are many pieces to the game, each of which can be solved independently. So I expect this will work best as a group exercise with different individuals working on different pieces.

Following are a list of dates. These dates are the answers to Jeopardy questions. Your job is to determine the questions. Each question is in the form of “When was the last time a Yankee/the Yankees had a World Series game with …. ?”.

Note that the question format includes “a Yankee” rather than a specific name. Thus, none of the answers (er, questions) reference a specific player – so, nothing like “When was the last time in the World Series that Babe Ruth struck out with the bases loaded?”, or that sort of thing.

Thanks to everyone for playing. You found lots of interesting factoids that I never noticed. A box score is truly a treasure trove if you look closely. The questions and answers are posted after the jump. The ones you found are in black, and the remaining ones in blue.

I’ve included one question to give you an idea, but I expect the others may not be so easy. If there are two entries for the same game, it means there are (at least) two correct questions for that answer.

If you identify that you’re working on a question, I will update the post accordingly, and also with the questions as you solve them.

Have fun!

 No. Date Last time Yankees did this
sample 2001-11-04 lost series on a walk-off hit
BONUS 2009-11-04  won game when striking out 10+ times
1 2009-11-04  starter allowed exactly one of each type of hit (Andy Pettitte)
2 2003-10-23  starter (David Wells) pitched one inning or less
BONUS 2003-10-22  pinch-hitter received intentional walk (Juan Rivera)
BONUS 2000-10-25  two players tripled (Derek Jeter, Paul O’Neill) AND led off game with HR (Jeter)
3 2000-10-25  pitcher batted in a game he saved (Mariano Rivera)
4 2000-10-24  struck out 10+ and took the loss (Orlando Hernandez)
5 2000-10-21  player had 4 hits, all singles (Jose Vizcaino)
BONUS 1999-10-26  player homered twice (Chad Curtis)
6 1999-10-26  base hit by future Yankee manager (Joe Girardi)
7 1996-10-26  save recorded by a different pitcher (John Wetteland) than the one pitcher who has recorded all subsequent saves
8 1996-10-24  won game without scoring an earned run
9 1981-10-28  player (Willie Randolph) had two extra-base hits in deciding game, but team lost
10 1981-10-24  knocked out opposing starter (Bob Welch) before recording an out
11 1978-10-13  complete game with more walks than strikeouts (Ron Guidry)
12 1977-10-11  reliever won game with 3+ IP (Sparky Lyle)
13 1976-10-17  starting pitcher had walk-off loss (Catfish Hunter)
14 1962-10-04  starting pitcher allowed 10+ hits and won (Whitey Ford)
BONUS 1961-10-05  pitching staff issued two intentional walks to same opposing hitter (Gene Freese)
15 1961-10-05  home run by future Yankees manager (Yogi Berra)
BONUS 1960-10-13  No strikeouts by pitching staff
16 1960-10-13  base hit by relief pitcher (Bobby Shantz)
17 1960-10-13  allowed (Bobby Shantz) base hit to future Yankees managers (Bill Virdon)
18 1960-10-05  game 1 starting pitcher did not finish the 1st inning (Art Ditmar)
19 1958-10-09  stole a base in a game 7 (Elston Howard)
20 1958-10-02  allowed (Duke Maas) HR to opposing pitcher (Lew Burdette)
21 1955-09-30  lost game on opposing starter’s birthday (Johnny Podres)
22 1955-09-28  caught stealing twice (Billy Martin)
BONUS 1953-10-04  hit grand slam HR with all runs unearned (Mickey Mantle)
23 1953-10-04  pitcher had extra-base hit (Jim McDonald)
24 1949-10-05  had walk-off HR for a 1-0 win (Tommy Henrich)
25 1949-10-05  pitcher had two hits (Allie Reynolds)
BONUS 1947-10-06  induced GIDP to end series clinching game (Joe Page)
26 1947-10-06  threw out two runners trying to steal in a game 7 (Aaron Robinson)
27 1936-10-04  two base hits on his birthday (Frank Crosetti)
28 1932-10-02  8 future HOFers appeared in the same game
29 1923-10-12  Allowed (Sad Sam Jones) HR to future Yankee manager (Casey Stengel)
30 1922-10-07  Played home game at venue not called Yankee Stadium
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 9/10/2012.
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Dan McCloskey
Editor
11 years ago

#1: When was the last time the Yankees won a World Series clinching game?

Dan McCloskey
Editor
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Since it was the last World Series game they ever played, it could be a lot of things. How about:

When was the last time a Yankee had six RBI in a World Series game?

RJ
RJ
11 years ago
Reply to  Dan McCloskey

Yeah, surely the answer could be almost anything for that one.

Dan McCloskey
Editor
11 years ago

#2: When was the last time the Yankees lost back-to-back World Series games?

Dan McCloskey
Editor
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

When was the last time a Yankee starter lasted only one inning in a World Series game?

GrandyMan
GrandyMan
11 years ago

10/2/32: Last time four Yankees players had at least three hits in a World Series game?

GrandyMan
GrandyMan
11 years ago
Reply to  GrandyMan

*When was the last time four Yankees players had at least three hits in a World Series game?

GrandyMan
GrandyMan
11 years ago

10/25/00: When was the last time the Yankees won a World Series game after failing to score after the third inning?

RJ
RJ
11 years ago

#3 The last time the Yankees won a WS game by one-run?

RJ
RJ
11 years ago
Reply to  RJ

Scratch that, 2001 series featured one-run wins.

GrandyMan
GrandyMan
11 years ago

10/13/78: When was the last time a Yankee pitched a complete game in the World Series?

Ryan
Ryan
11 years ago

First one – last time a Yankee hit a home run in a WS game?

RJ
RJ
11 years ago

#3 The last time a Yankee tripled in the World Series? I almost can’t believe that’s true.

RJ
RJ
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Ah! The last time TWO Yankees tripled in a WS game?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

#26:
When was the only time Yogi Berra was pinch-hit for in a World Series?

GrandyMan
GrandyMan
11 years ago

10/13/60: 1) When was the last time the Yankees lost a World Series on a game-ending home run? 2) When was the last time no Yankees pitcher recorded a strikeout in a World Series game?

John Autin
Editor
11 years ago

#30, 1922-10-07: When was the last time the Yankees played a home WS game in a stadium not called Yankee Stadium?

John Autin
Editor
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

My first right answer in a Doug quiz!!!

RJ
RJ
11 years ago

#4 Last time a Yankee pitcher struck out more than 10 in the WS?

RJ
RJ
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

I said more than 10. But your second sentence suggests… last Yankee to strike out at least 10 and take the loss?

RJ
RJ
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Thanks Doug! Glad I finally managed to get one right!

John Autin
Editor
11 years ago

#29, 1923-10-12: Last WS game the Yanks lost 1-0 on a home run. — OR — Last time a future Yankee manager hit an inside-the-park HR against them. 🙂

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

#26

When was the last time the Yankees won the last game of a WS with a double-play?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

You could check for it on a manner similar to the procedure I mentioned in my post #60 but using Team Pitcher Game Finder.

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Yes I do remember that game (just the DP). I was in the park with my portable radio when it happened.

e pluribus munu
e pluribus munu
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Richard, Am I reading this correctly: you were at the Stadium for the 7th game in ’47? My eyes are wide. . . .

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Reply to 150.
I don’t mean that I was at Yankee Stadium but at a playground in a local park near where I lived.

e pluribus munu
e pluribus munu
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Well, good enough – I’ll just admire your early possession of a transitor radio.

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Reply to 157
epm: there were no transistor radios then. My aunt bought me a box-shaped radio which required three batteries and I never left my house without it whenever the Yankees were playing.

tag
tag
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Ah, yes, the glory of tubes. I was born in the transistor era, but loved my dad’s tube stereo set-up so much that I still run tube amps and preamps and one old tube radio – an ancient Admiral that it’s getting difficult to find replacement valves for. The worst thing about old radios, though, are the capacitors. Man can those things leak and gunk up.

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

#24
When was the first time the Yankees won a WS game with a walk-off HR?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Reply to #41. It can be verified using PI and box scores. Go to PI and select: 1903-1949 All Matching Games Post Season Yankees Team Won Home game HR=>1 Sort by Date The results spreadsheet shows 16 games. Check the box scores of the 8 games won by 4 runs or less and the 1949 game is the only one with a walk-off HR. Off course it helps to know ahead of time about the Henrich HR. But it could be done regardless, there would be more box score to sort through. That walk-off HR was not just the first… Read more »

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

I forgot to mention the first step on PI is Team Batting Game Finder

Brent
Brent
11 years ago

#28: Last time a Yankee starting pitcher failed to get out of the first inning of a WS game (or recorded less than 3 outs)

Brent
Brent
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Let’s try the same question for #20, then?

Brent
Brent
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Hmm on #20, how about last time an opposing pitcher hit a HR against the Yankees?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

#25
When did a Yankee pitcher pitch a CG and have as many hits as he gave up to the opposing team?

GrandyMan
GrandyMan
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

When was the last time a Yankee pitcher had 3 total bases in a WS game?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

When was the first time a Yankee pitcher pitched a 2-hit shut-out in the first game of a WS?

Ed
Ed
11 years ago

#5 – Won in extra innings or won on a walk off hit?

RJ
RJ
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

#5 Last time the Yankees had three different players play the same position (left-field)? Excluding pitcher obviously.

RJ
RJ
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Player has 4 hits but no runs, or 4 hits but none for extra bases.

RJ
RJ
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

OR last time Yankees received three intentional walks.

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

#23
Who was the only Yankee to hit one triple and one HR in a WS game?

Ed
Ed
11 years ago

#6 – last multi homer game (Chad Curtis)

Ed
Ed
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

So something like the last time a future Yankee manager played in a WS game for them?

Ed
Ed
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Last future manager to get a hit? Or score a run? Or start at catcher?

topper009
topper009
11 years ago

#1
What was the last Yankee team with no players who have ever been in my kitchen?

Brent
Brent
11 years ago

Hmm, as a certified Yankee hater, I wish this one was on there: 10/10/57

Last time the Yankees lost at home in Game 7

James Smyth
11 years ago

#3: Who is the last Yankee to hit a leadoff homer in a World Series Game?

James Smyth
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

So for #3, Jeter as last Yankee with a 3B & HR in a WS game? (Joining Gil McDougald, Hector Lopez & Willie Randolph)

James Smyth
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Gah! I thought I had it with “Last Yanks reliever to bat in WS” but Randy Choate did it in 2001

RJ
RJ
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

The answer is also not batters faced=strike outs as I supposed for a minute.

James Smyth
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Recording a plate appearance and a save? Or that Rivera put the ball in play (flyout to RF) as opposed to Choate, who struck out?

Dan McCloskey
Editor
11 years ago

#1: Last time Yankees batters struck out more than 10 times, but still won?

mosc
mosc
11 years ago

1996-10-24: The last time a yankee pitcher successfully picked off a runner in a WS game (not a caught stealing by the pitcher/catcher). Pettite, of course, getting Jones.

mosc
mosc
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Maybe something to do with that intentional walk that was also a wild pitch? I can’t imagine it was the most recent example of somebody walking the catcher to face a yankee pitcher.

mosc
mosc
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Reply in the form of a question, right.

What is the last time a Yankee baserunner advanced on an intentional walk with first base open?

Ed
Ed
11 years ago

#11 – Last complete game with more walks than Ks?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

#22
Who is the only Yankee to hit a triple and get caught stealing twice in a game?

Ed
Ed
11 years ago

#12 – last reliever to go 3+ innings and pick up the victory?

Ed
Ed
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Well I’m going to call it quits and let others get the rest.

Voomo Zanzibar
Voomo Zanzibar
11 years ago

#28

When is the last time there were 4 Yankee errors in a World Series game that they won?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago
Reply to  Voomo Zanzibar

On 10-7-52, WS game 7, the Yankees made 4 errors while beating the Dodgers 4-2. I don’t know if that is the most recent time it happened.

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

Doug: I posted unaware of your post 104.

Ed
Ed
11 years ago

Actually I lied. I have to do one more because it’s so easy.

#13 – The last time the Yankees started players named after poultry and seafood in the same game. 🙂

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

#28

I have two questions.
1) Who was the first Yankee WS starter to not make it through the first inning? (Johny Allen)

2) Who was the first Yankee PH to receive an IBB? (Red Ruffing)

James Smyth
11 years ago

#8 Game Five of 1996 WS: What is the only game in which the Yankees did not score an earned run and WON?

Nick Pain
Nick Pain
11 years ago

October 4, 1953. What is the last time the Yankees hit a grand slam with all four runs unearned.

Nick Pain
Nick Pain
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

I can’t imagine the following is what you’re looking for; I’m kind of grasping at straws:
October 4, 1953. What is the last time the Yankees had runs equal to hits, both double digits.

Andy
Admin
11 years ago

Damn, Doug. You are logging some serious overtime paying so much attention to this post.

Andy
Admin
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

I don’t blame you! Not to mention how much time it must have taken to research in the first place…

Luis Gomez
Luis Gomez
11 years ago

# 7 The last time the Yankees stole 2 bases in a World Series game?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago
Reply to  Luis Gomez

How about this for #7.
Who had his last save as a Yankee in this game? (John Wetteland)

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

Or even who is the Yankee to get a save prior to Mariano Rivera?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

Make that “the last Yankee”

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #28……..”The last time a Yankee starter failed to make it out of the first inning?”

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #26…”The longest relief stint by a Yankee pitcher?”

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago
Reply to  John Nacca

Actually, I meant #19, not #26

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #23…….”The first Yankee WS grand-slam?”

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #13……”The last time a Yankee starter gave up a walk-off at bat to lose a WS game?”

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

YAY!…Finally got one…..

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #1…….”The last Yankee WS game win?”

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Well, I was going to say it was Pedro Martinez’ last game…..

koma
koma
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

#1 When did all used Yankee pitchers record exactly 2 Swinging Strikes?

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #16….”Most players used by NY in a WS game?”

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #21……”Only Yankee player with a HR and GIDP in same game?”

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #9…”Only Yankee to lose 3 games of a WS?”

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #10…..”Shortest opposing pitcher start (4 batters)?’

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #15……..”Last time a Yankee staff issued 2 intentional walks to the same hitter in one game (Gene Freese)”

no statistician but
no statistician but
11 years ago

To me a lot of the confirmed answers so far are in the realm of esoterica, or maybe I’m just not into it.

#28, the 1932 game, intrigues me, though. Other things have been mentioned above, but also, the team had 19 hits and 2 HBP (Ruth and Gehrig, in fact). Don’t know if these things matter, but the game was obviously very weird.

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Is #28…….”Most future HOF’ers to appear in the same game (Combs, Sewell, Ruth, Gehrig, Ruffing, Dickey, Pennock, Lazzeri)”

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago
Reply to  John Nacca

And if it isn’t comment 154 could it be: When did a player in each position in the line-up get at least one hit?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

Doug: My “answer” in post 155 is wrong. It first happened on 10-9-28.

John Nacca
John Nacca
11 years ago

Is #18…….”Shortest Opening Game start by a Yankee (5 batters)”

RJ
RJ
11 years ago

A couple of guesses:

#9 Last appearance by future non-Yankee WS winning manager (Lou Piniella)?
#14 Last complete game giving up as much as 10 hits?

Richard Chester
Richard Chester
11 years ago

#26
Which Yankee was the first to hit three triples in one WS? (Billy Johnson)