World Series Workout Day – Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas2021 WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE
GAME DAY/DATE SITE FIRST PITCH (ET/SITE) TV/RADIO
1 Tuesday, October 26th Minute Paid Park 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
2 Wednesday, October 27th Minute Maid Park 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
Thursday, October 28th OFF DAY
3 Friday, October 29th Truist Park 8:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
4 Saturday, October 30th Truist Park 8:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
5* Sunday, October 31st Truist Park 8:15 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
Monday, November 1st OFF DAY
6* Tuesday, November 2nd Minute Maid Park 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
7* Wednesday, November 3rd Minute Maid Park 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
*If Necessary
2021 WORLD SERIES PROBABLE PITCHERS (Regular Season/Postseason)
Game 1 at Houston: Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.34/0-1, 3.77) vs. Framber Valdez (11-6, 3.14/1-0, 4.20)
117th WORLD SERIES
Tomorrow will mark the 117th renewal of the World Series featuring the champions of the American League against the champions of the National League. The Fall Classic was first played in 1903, and has taken place every year since 1904, when the National League champion New York Giants and their manger John McGraw refused to play the AL champs, the Boston Red Sox, and in 1994, when the season ended on August 11th due to the players’ strike.
RECENT HISTORY
Entering this year’s Fall Classic, the American League holds the overall lead in the World Series, 66-50. The National League has won seven out of the last 11 and nine of the last 14 with wins by the Cardinals in 2006, the Phillies in 2008, the Giants in 2010, the Cardinals in 2011, the Giants in 2012 and 2014, the Cubs in 2016, the Nationals in 2019 and the Dodgers last year. Since the Yankees won three straight World Championships from 1998-2000, the NL holds a narrow lead over the AL with an 11-9 record in the Fall Classic. However, over a longer span in the World Series, the AL has taken 13 of 25 since 1996; 16 of 29 starting in 1991; and 21 of 38 times beginning in 1983.
NO REPEAT
When the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Braves in the NLCS, it guaranteed that MLB would not have a repeat World Series Champion for the 21st consecutive season, extending the longest such streak in Major League history. In addition, the streak is the longest of its kind in the history of the four major sports (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL). The previous record of 18 straight seasons was shared with the NBA (from the 1969-70 season through the 1986-87 season).
FIRST GAME IMPLICATIONS
The winner of the first game of the World Series has gone on to win the Fall Classic 73 times (63%). That has been the case in 15 of the last 18 and 20 of the last 23 World Series beginning in 1997, with 2002 (San Francisco defeating Anaheim), 2009 (Philadelphia defeating New York), 2016 (Cleveland defeating Chicago) and 2017 (Los Angeles defeating Houston) the exceptions. It has also occurred in 22 of the last 27 and 27 of the last 32 Series. In addition to San Francisco, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Los Angeles, the only other exceptions in the last 31 Fall Classics were both by Atlanta, first game winners versus Toronto in 1992 and New York in 1996, but losers of each Series in six games.
The Astros are 0-3 all-time in Game 1 of the World Series (2019-Washington Nationals; 2017-Los Angeles Dodgers; and 2005-Chicago White Sox). They are 2-0 this year in Game 1s, defeating the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS and the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the ALCS.
The Braves are 6-3 all-time in Game 1 of the World Series (1999-New York Yankees; 1996-New York Yankees; 1995-Cleveland Indians; 1992-Toronto Blue Jays; 1991 Minnesota Twins; 1958-New York Yankees; 1957-New York Yankees; 1948-Cleveland Indians; 1914-Philadelphia Athletics). They are 1-1 this Postseason, losing to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS and defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.
The 117th World Series
Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros
Monday, October 25, 2021
World Series Workout Day
Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
2021 WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE
GAME DAY/DATE SITE FIRST PITCH (ET/SITE) TV/RADIO
1 Tuesday, October 26th Minute Paid Park 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
2 Wednesday, October 27th Minute Maid Park 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
Thursday, October 28th OFF DAY
3 Friday, October 29th Truist Park 8:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
4 Saturday, October 30th Truist Park 8:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
5* Sunday, October 31st Truist Park 8:15 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
Monday, November 1st OFF DAY
6* Tuesday, November 2nd Minute Maid Park 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
7* Wednesday, November 3rd Minute Maid Park 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
*If Necessary
2021 WORLD SERIES PROBABLE PITCHERS (Regular Season/Postseason)
Game 1 at Houston: Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.34/0-1, 3.77) vs. Framber Valdez (11-6, 3.14/1-0, 4.20)
Game 2 at Houston: TBD vs. TBD
Game 3 at Atlanta: TBD vs. TBD
Game 4 at Atlanta: TBD vs. TBD
Workout Day Notes – Monday, October 25, 2021
FAMILIAR TERRITORY
Following their ALCS victory, Houston became the first Club to win three AL pennants across a five year span since the Yankees reached the World Series in three-of-four years from 1999-2003. The Astros are making their fourth World Series appearance in franchise history, and their third in the last five seasons. Below are the Club’s Fall Classic results.
Year Opponent Result
2019 Washington Nationals Loss, 4-3
2017 Los Angeles Dodgers Won, 4-3
2005 Chicago White Sox Loss, 4-0
The Astros appeared in their fifth consecutive ALCS in 2021, previously advancing to the World Series in 2017 and 2019. The Astros became just the second team in history to appear in five straight ALCS, joining the 1971-75 Oakland Athletics. Overall, they became the third team to reach five consecutive League Championship Series, also joining the Braves, who reached eight straight NLCS from 1991-99.
COMING IN HOT
Following their ALCS Game 6 win over the Red Sox, the Astros became the seventh team since the best-of-seven format was established in 1985 to face a 2-1 series deficit (or worse) and win the ALCS, joining the 2007 Red Sox; 2004 Red Sox; 1998 Yankees; 1995 Indians; 1986 Red Sox; and 1985 Royals. They joined the 1998 Yankees and 1995 Indians as the lone Clubs to accomplish the feat in six games.
BACK IN THE FALL CLASSIC
The Atlanta Braves are appearing in their first World Series since 1999. Atlanta was a regular during the 1990’s, playing 29 World Series games across five appearances. Atlanta’s sole world championship during that decade came in 1995 when they defeated the Cleveland Indians over six games (4-2). Below are the Braves’ 10 franchise World Series appearances. 2021 marks their sixth appearance since moving to Atlanta in 1966.
Year Opponent Result
1999 New York Yankees Loss 4-0
1996 New York Yankees Loss, 4-2
1995 Cleveland Indians Won, 4-2
1992 Toronto Blue Jays Loss, 4-2
1991 Minnesota Twins Loss, 4-3
1958 New York Yankees Loss, 4-3
1957 New York Yankees Won, 4-3
1948 Cleveland Indians Loss, 4-2
1914 Philadelphia Athletics Won, 4-0
REVENGE ENACTED
The Braves-Dodgers 2021 NLCS marked the first time since the Dodgers and Cubs in 2016-17 that the NLCS featured a repeat pairing in two straight seasons. The NLCS also featured the same pairing in consecutive years in 2008-09 (Phillies vs. Dodgers), 2004-05 (Astros vs. Cardinals), 1991-092 (Braves vs. Pirates) and 1977-78 (Dodgers vs. Phillies). The 2021 Braves joined the 2017 Dodgers and 2005 Astros as the lone Clubs to defeat the Club that had beat them in the previous NLCS. The 2021 Fall Classic is the first in history to feature two Clubs that both lost the LCS in the previous year. In addition to the Braves-Dodgers rematch referenced above, the Astros fell to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 ALCS.
BATTLE TESTED
For the second-consecutive Postseason, both League Championship Series needed at least six games to determine a winner. Since 2000, there have been seven World Series to feature both LCS winners needing six games-or-more.
Year Matchups LCS Winner WS Winner
2021 Atlanta-LA Dodgers (6) Atlanta ???
Houston-Boston (6) Houston
2020 LA Dodgers-Atlanta (7) LA Dodgers LA Dodgers Tampa Bay-Houston (7) Tampa Bay 2013 St. Louis-LA Dodgers (6) St. Louis Boston Boston-Detroit (6) Boston
2011 St. Louis-Milwaukee (6) St. Louis St. Louis
Texas-Detroit (6) Texas
2010 San Francisco-Philadelphia (6) San Francisco San Francisco Texas-NY Yankees (6) Texas
2004 St. Louis-Houston (7) St. Louis Boston Boston-NY Yankees (7) Boston
2003 Florida-CHI Cubs (7) Florida Florida NY Yankees-Boston (7) NY Yankees
Workout Day Notes – Monday, October 25, 2021
RECENT POSTMEASON MEETINGS
The Astros and Braves have five all-time Postseason meetings heading into this year’s World Series. The previous matchups were the 1997 NLDS (Atlanta, 3-0); the 1999 NLDS (Atlanta, 3-1); the 2001 NLDS (Atlanta, 3-0); the 2004 NLDS (Houston, 3-2); and the 2005 NLDS (Houston, 3-1).
THE MANAGERS
Houston’s Dusty Baker has become the ninth manager in Major League history to reach the World Series after winning the pennant in both leagues, joining Hall of Famers Yogi Berra, Sparky Anderson, Tony La Russa, Dick Williams and Joe McCarthy, as well as Joe Maddon, Jim Leyland and Al Dark. He is making his second appearance in the Fall Classic as manager, previously losing the 2002 World Series as the San Francisco Giants skipper. Dusty’s second full season with the Astros in 2021 marked his 24th season as a Major League manager (also: the Giants, 1993-2002; the Cubs, 2003-06; the Reds, 2008-13; and the Nationals, 2016-17). Across two campaigns, Baker’s Astros have posted a 124-98 (.559) record.
Baker is a three-time NL Manager of the Year winner (1993, 1997, 2000) and led the 2003 NL All-Star squad. Overall, he has managed Clubs to a combined 1,987-1,734 (.534) regular season record. Baker’s 38 Postseason wins at the helm are eighth-most in Baseball history, and he is the only manager in MLB history to win division titles with five different Clubs (Astros, Nationals, Reds, Cubs, Giants).
Atlanta’s Brian Snitker is making his first World Series appearance in his fifth full season (sixth overall) as the Braves manager. The 2021 campaign marked his 45th season in the Braves organization. Snitker was named the NL Manager of the Year in 2018 and has led Atlanta to the NL East title in each of the last four seasons. Among managers in Braves franchise history, only Hall of Famers Bobby Cox (14 first-place finishes) and Frank Selee (five first-place finishes) have led the team to more seasons atop the standings. Overall, Snitker has piloted the Braves to a 441-390 (.531) record in his six seasons as the Club’s skipper. His 441 victories trail only Cox (2,058) as Braves manager since the Club relocated to Atlanta in 1966.
THE LCS MVPS
Houston’s designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was named the ALCS MVP, joining Jose Altuve (2019) and Justin Verlander (2017) as Astro players to receive the award. He became the fourth LCS MVP overall, including NL winner Roy Oswalt (2005). Alvarez became the second designated hitter in ALCS history (since 1980) to be named MVP, joining David Ortiz (2004). In Game 6, he became the third player in MLB history to collect at least four hits and three extra-base hits in a potential clinching LCS game, joining Adam Kennedy (2002 ALCS) and Paul Blair (1969 ALCS). Alvarez became the fourth Cuban-born Postseason MVP in Major League history, joining Randy Arozarena (2020 ALCS), Orlando Hernández (1999 ALCS) and Liván Hernández (1997 NLCS).
Atlanta’s outfielder Eddie Rosario became the sixth Braves player to receive NLCS MVP honors, joining Eddie Pérez (1999), Javy López (1996), Mike Deveraux (1995), John Smoltz (1992) and Steve Avery (1991). Rosario became one of just five players in MLB Postseason history with at least 14 hits in one series, previously accomplished by Hideki Matsui (2004 ALCS), Albert Pujols (2004 NLCS), Kevin Youkilis (2007 ALCS) and Marco Scutaro (2012 NLCS). He became the only player to accomplish the feat in a six-game series. Rosario became the ninth Puerto-Rican born Postseason MVP in MLB history, joining Javier Báez (2016 NLCS), Mike Lowell (2007 WS), Iván Rodríguez (2003 NLCS), Benito Santiago (2002 NLCS), Javy López (1996 NLCS), Roberto Alomar (1992 ALCS) and Roberto Clemente (1971 WS).
THE WORLD’S GAME
According to each Club’s final LCS rosters, the teams combined for 19 foreign-born players from seven different countries and territories. The 19 players hail from Venezuela (five – Ehire Adrianza, Jose Altuve, Orlando Arcia, William Contreras, Luis Garcia); the Dominican Republic (four – Yimi García, Cristian Javier, Jose Siri, Framber Valdez); Cuba (four – Yordan Alvarez, Aledmys Díaz, Yuli Gurriel, Guillermo Heredia); Puerto Rico (three – Carlos Correa, Martín Maldonado, Eddie Rosario); Curaçao (one – Ozzie Albies); Mexico (one – José Urquidy); and Panama (one – Johan Camargo).
BEEN HERE BEFORE
According to each Club’s final LCS rosters, 16 players have previous World Series experience, including 12 from the Astros and four from the Braves. Houston: Jose Altuve (2017 Astros, 2019 Astros); Yordan Alvarez (2019 Astros); Michael Brantley (2019 Astros); Alex Bregman (2017 Astros, 2019 Astros); Carlos Correa (2017 Astros, 2019 Astros); Aledmys Díaz (2019 Astros); Zack Greinke (2019 Astros); Yuli Gurriel (2017 Astros, 2019 Astros); Martín Maldonado (2019 Astros); Ryan Pressly (2019 Astros); Kyle Tucker (2019 Astros); and José Urquidy (2019 Astros) Atlanta: Travis d’Arnaud (2015 Mets); Charlie Morton (2017 Astros, 2020 Rays); Joc Pederson (2017-18 Dodgers, 2020 Dodgers); and Drew Smyly (2012 Tigers)
COAST TO COAST
For just the second time since Major League Baseball began the six-division format in 1994, the Fall Classic is featuring teams from the NL East and the AL West. In 2019, the Washington Nationals defeated the Astros, 4-3, in a seven-game series. Workout Day Notes – Monday, October 25, 2021
WORLD SERIES UMPIRES
Tom Hallion will serve as primary Crew Chief for the umpires in the 2021 World Series, marking his second Fall Classic assignment (also 2008). Hallion, who will be at first base for Game 1, will be joined by (with Game 1 Assignments and number of World Series appearances, including 2021) Chris Conroy (HP, first), Dan Bellino (2B, first), Ted Barrett (3B, fifth), Mike Muchlinski (LF, first), Alfonso Marquez (RF, fourth) and Ron Kulpa (Reserve, second). Barrett will serve as the crew chief during Game 2 when Hallion is off the field in reserve. Umpires Pat Hoberg and Tim Timmons will serve in Replay for the World Series.
THIS DAY IN WORLD SERIES HISTORY
1991: Minnesota’s Kirby Puckett ends Game 6 with a home run in the bottom of the 11th inning, giving the Twins a 4-3 win over the Braves and knotting the clubs at three games apiece. Puckett’s homer inspired legendary announcer Jack Buck’s famous call, “And we will see you tomorrow night!”
“GET YOUR PROGRAMS!” – Official World Series Program On Sale Now
Fans can commemorate this very Southern-flavored World Series with a souvenir that lasts forever. Inside the Official World Series Program, you’ll find exclusive stories from MLB.com’s top writers, sections dedicated to the Astros and Braves, as well as the sharpest photography and most compelling stories from the 2021 season.
Other features include:
– a scorecard for each game
– the amazing MLB & postseason moments that always seem to happen in years that end in a “1”
– an exclusive interview with once-in-a-lifetime athlete Shohei Ohtani
– a nod to the first-ever all-minority starting lineup
– the fun that returned to Minor League ballparks across North America
– the first all-female MLB game broadcast
– an offseason Hot Stove preview
– World Series that ended with a home run
Fans and collectors alike can buy their copies in and around the ballpark and at the team store today, at select Academy Sports and Dick’s Sporting Goods stores throughout Houston and Atlanta, and online at MLBshop.com. The Official World Series Program is a perfect keepsake to preserve all the memories from this truly unique event.
TODAY’S WORKOUT DAY SCHEDULE
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Credential Distribution
12:00 p.m. – Astros’ workout begins.
Following Workout: Astros’ manager Dusty Baker and Astros’ players in Interview Room, including Game 1 starting pitcher Framber Valdez, Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Michael Brantley, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and Yuli Gurriel.
5:15 – 6:15 p.m. – Braves’ players in Interview Room, including Game 1 starting pitcher Charlie Morton, Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman, Adam Duvall, Joc Pederson, Austin Riley, Eddie Rosario and Dansby Swanson.
6:15 p.m. – Braves’ manager Brian Snitker in Interview Room.
6:30 p.m. – Braves’ workout begins.
WORLD SERIES CENTENNIAL REVIEW: 1921
By John Thorn, Official Historian
Asked before the 1921 World Series Series if his New York Giants would pitch around the Yankees’ slugger Babe Ruth, manager John McGraw responded, “Why shouldn’t we pitch to Ruth? I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, we pitch to better hitters than Ruth in the National League.” And McGraw’s hurlers tantalized Ruth with a steady diet of slow stuff that befuddled him until a sore elbow relegated him to the bench.
The first two decades of New York baseball after the founding of the American League were marked largely by Giant success (five pennants if only one world championship) and Yankee bumbling. After the Yanks’ lease at Hilltop Park expired in 1912 they became tenants of the Giants at the Polo Grounds, the perfect status for Manhattan’s subservient team.
Yet after the 1919 season, the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees and everything changed. In 1920 Ruth hit 54 home runs, leading them to a third-place AL finish. They also became the first team to draw over a million fans, more than the Giants, who petulantly asked them to find a new place to play. Eventually they broke ground across the Harlem River, but we get ahead of ourselves; in 1921 the Yanks were not yet the Bronx Bombers. Still at the Polo Grounds and despite winning a pennant for the first time, they had to play against their landlords in the oddest of all “Subway Series,” with all games played in one place.
The Yanks were a slugging team, with Bob Meusel and his 135 RBIs flanking Ruth (59 home runs) in the outfield. Their starting pitching was regarded as unproven beyond veterans Carl Mays (27-9, 3.05) and Bob Shawkey. Waite “Schoolboy” Hoyt, whom the Giants had once signed as a 15-yearold, had won 19 after coming over from Boston, but he was still an unknown commodity under the bright lights of baseball’s biggest stage.
The Giants of 1905, with Mathewson and McGinnity and Bresnahan, had given way in 1921 to future Hall of Famers George “Highpockets” Kelly, Frankie Frisch, Dave Bancroft, and Ross Youngs. Their pitching was solid, with Art Nehf, Jesse Barnes, and Phil Douglas. Waite Hoyt as a 15-year-old, just signed by the Giants
The best-of-nine World Series figured to be no cakewalk for either team, even after the Yanks’ Mays and Hoyt threw shutouts in the first two games. In the fifth inning of Game 2, Ruth stole second and third base but scraped his elbow in the process. The elbow would become infected.
In Game 3 the Giants woke up after a 4-0 deficit and won, 13-5. Game 4 also went to the Giants, 4-2, as Ruth hit his only home run of the Series. In Game 5, Hoyt once again beat the Giants, 3-1. Ruth’s inflamed, swollen elbow removed him from the starting lineup the rest of the way, and McGraw’s men took the remaining three games.
The starting pitchers for Game 8 were Nehf and Hoyt, who had already beaten him twice. But this time it was Nehf who tossed the blank and gave John McGraw and his Giants their first World Series since 1905. (They had reached the season’s finale but lost in 1911, 1912, 1913, and 1917.) Christy Mathewson in 1905
Oddly that first world’s title in 1905 had been highlighted by Christy Mathewson’s three shutouts against the Philadelphia Athletics, a feat celebrated ever since. But in the 1921 World Series Waite Hoyt had likewise thrown 27 innings without allowing an earned run, arguably a greater accomplishment than one against a deadball-era opponent … even though he lost his last game 1-0 on a first-inning muffed grounder by shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.
The Yanks would lose to the Giants again in 1922 but defeat them the next year, their first in Yankee Stadium; they would go on to win 26 more titles. The Giants would win one more pennant under McGraw but lose to Washington in 1924. By then New York had become the Yankees’ town.
Trivia: the 1921 World Series was the first attended by Kenesaw Mountain Landis as Baseball’s Commissioner and the first broadcast by that new phenom, radio
