[Lord Byron]

1902 World Series: Boston Americans vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Results

Game 1, October 8th, 1902, Exposition Park
Americans Edge Pirates 5-4 to Open WS
The Boston Americans started the World Series in style today, winning on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Exposition Park by a score of 5-4 to take an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series. Americans third baseman Jimmy Collins excelled. He was 3 for 5 with a double and 2 singles. He scored 2 runs.
Had Lou Criger not delivered a key base hit in the top of the eighth, the outcome might have been different. Instead, with two down and a runner on 2nd, Criger hit a run-scoring double. That made the score 5-4, in favor of the Americans.
"By the skin of our teeth, man," Collins told the Boston Gazette. "But hey, it still counts. A few more by the skin of our teeth is fine with me."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Exposition Park in Pittsburgh.
Americans lead 1-0

Game 2, October 9th, 1902, Exposition Park
Collins, Americans Sink Pirates Again in Game 2
With third baseman Jimmy Collins leading the charge, the Boston Americans got past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-6, in extra innings in Game 2 of the World Series today. Collins went 3-5 with a home run and a triple. He scored 2 runs and drove in 2 at Exposition Park as Boston managed to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.
The game was all tied up in the top of the tenth, until Collins delivered big-time for Boston, stroking a dramatic solo home run off Ed Poole. The game-changing hit put the Americans on top, 7-6.
"There's nothing like the postseason," said Collins, "to ramp up the pressure."
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston.
Americans lead 2-0

Game 3, October 11th, 1902, Huntington Avenue Grounds
Pirates Hammered by Ferris, Fall Further Behind in WS
The Boston Americans are one game away from a sweep after downing the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Huntington Avenue Grounds, 6-5. Americans second baseman Hobe Ferris was 3 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored 2 runs and drove in 2. Boston now holds a 3-0 advantage in the best-of-7 World Series.
Jimmy Collins, who finished 4th in the AL in RBI with 95 in 1900, aided the Boston cause with a run-scoring triple in the bottom of the fifth. For the game, the third baseman went 1 for 4 with a triple.
"We're going to have to play flawless baseball from here on out," Pittsburgh manager Fred Clarke said. "Which, let's face it, we haven't been doing lately."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston.
Americans lead 3-0

Game 4, October 12th, 1902, Huntington Avenue Grounds
World Series Sweep for Boston
Sometimes the winner is the one who got the lucky bounces and the lucky calls, and sometimes the winner is just the one who played better.
It was the latter case in 1902, as the Boston Americans topped the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 tonight at Huntington Avenue Grounds to win the World Series. It was the 1st title in franchise history.
"When you play for championships, you have to play better than the team in the other dugout. We did that in this series, and all year. Now we're the best team in baseball," said Boston third baseman Jimmy Collins, who was named series MVP.
The Americans took the series 4-0. The new titleholders completed the regular season with a first-place finish in the AL and a 89-51 record.
Boston manager Jimmy Collins grinned and nodded when asked to comment on Collins's words.
"Jimmy said it best -- we played better than the other team," the skipper said.
Hometown officials announced they were already planning a "grand celebration" for the winners in the days to come.
Americans win World Series 4-0

Series MVP: Third baseman Jimmy Collins