Virtual Yankees Win First World Series Title

New York Yankees: One-time World Series Champions.

1918

1910: 70-84

1911: 65-89

1912: 51-103

1913: 80-74

1914: 56-98

1915: 73-80

1916: 88-66

1917: 98-56

Preseason prediction

Expectations for New York remain high but not at the elite level. The program expects the Yanks to finish 10 games above .500 but well out of the pennant race. No players of note were listed, so it will take a complete team effort to climb the mountain again.

Regular season

The Yankees had the second-best record in the Major Leagues but ended up two games behind the Cleveland Indians for the AL Pennant. Another great season for Yankees had them end up just short of back-to-back World Series appearances. 1918 marks the best regular-season record in franchise history.

Final record: 102-52

Performances of note

On the mound, Slim Love took home the Cy Young Award in 1918, the first in franchise history. He led the league with 30 wins and pitched to a strong 2.10 ERA.

Hank Thormahlen was also phenomenal before an injury ended his season in late July. In 25 starts he went 19-6 with a 1.80 ERA, helping New York climb into first place.

Veteran second baseman Del Pratt impressed in his first season in pinstripes. He led the team in batting average (.322), home runs (four) and was atop the league in doubles (46).

1919

1910: 70-84

1911: 65-89

1912: 51-103

1913: 80-74

1914: 56-98

1915: 73-80

1916: 88-66 (2nd Place finish)

1917: 98-56 AL Pennant (Lost WS, 4-0)

1918: 102-52 (2nd Place finish)

Preseason prediction

New York is expected to push for the pennant for the fourth straight season. Former MVP Frank Baker was the only hitter of note, but the pitching trio of Bob Shawkey, Hank Thormahlen and Dazzy Vance are all players to watch.

Regular season

Another pennant! New York was in a tense battle with the Ty Cobb-led Detroit Tigers all season long, but the Yankees swept them in a late September series to clinch the pennant.

Now, New York will look to get revenge over the St. Louis Cardinals, who swept them in the 1917 World Series.

Hopefully, we don’t have a Black Sox scandal on our hands in OOTP.

Final record: 88-52

World Series

*Note: The 1919 World Series was a best of nine series.*

Game 1

St. Louis pitcher Bill Doak continued to give Yankees batters fits, until New York finally broke through in the sixth inning. A leadoff single from Wally Pipp, a Frank Baker walk and a double from rookie outfielder Bob Meusel gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead.

Starter Pete Schneider went the distance, allowing just one run on eight hits to give the Yankees Game 1.

Final score: 3-1. (NYY 1-0)

Game 2

The demons from the first World Series were finally exorcised, as New York beat St. Louis in walk-off fashion the second game.

Pitcher Bob Shawkey looked strong after nine innings of two-run ball, but with the game tied in the bottom of the ninth with a man on third and two outs following a Roger Peckinpaugh triple, it was probably time to pull him out of the game.

Shawkey stayed in the game to bat, though, and after a slow-rolling grounder to third, Doc Lavan airmailed the throw to first and New York walked it off. What a fluke.

Final score: 3-2. (NYY 2-0)

Game 3

Although it was a close finish, Hank Thormahlen held St. Louis bats under control, pitching a complete game with one earned run. New York would put up a pair of errors but hold on after a two-run eighth from the Cards.

The Yankees are in total control. Just two wins away…

Final score: 4-3. (NYY 3-0)

Game 4

Yankees starter Carl Mays put up an eight-spot in the fourth inning. St. Louis ran away with this one.

Final score: 13-3. (NYY 3-1)

Game 5

Oh boy. After sitting pretty entering the top of the ninth inning with a 4-1 lead, New York left starting pitcher Pete Schneider on the mound to give up the lead and allow St. Louis to walk it off.

Momentum has shifted.

Final score: 5-4 (NYY 3-2)

Game 6

Bob Shawkey held strong in a critical Game 6 for the Yankees. He went the distance and held off a Cardinals offense that refuses to go away.

At the plate, Del Pratt went 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI and outfielder Duffy Lewis followed up with a three-hit performance.

One game away…

Final score: 6-4. (NYY 4-2)

Game 7

The Yankees were on the cusp. Cruising to their first World Series in virtual franchise history. Down 6-1 in the sixth inning, St. Louis put up a six-spot and took a 7-6 lead. New York’s offense was shut down for the remainder of the game.

Final score: 7-6. (NYY 4-3)

Game 8

This World Series had to end in a walk-off. It was just destiny. After a back and forth game, the clubs were deadlocked at four heading into the bottom of the 11th. New York was able to load the bases with no out and was in the perfect position to take home their first World Series title.

After a groundout by Wally Pipp, former MVP Frank Baker laced a one-out single to drive home the winning run and lead the Yankees to their first World Series title.

Final score: 5-4. (NYY take the series)