Season 7
World Series
1963 Chicago White Sox (103-59) vs 1972 Chicago White Sox (98-64)
WHITE SOX CLASSIC: 1963 CHICAGO WHITE SOX TOP 1972
COUNTERPARTS IN SIX-GAME BATTLE
Comiskey Park turned into a cathedral of South Side baseball glory as the 1963 Chicago White Sox captured their first-ever Excellence Project pennant, defeating the 1972 Chicago White Sox in a thrilling six-game clash that balanced shutdown pitching with slugfest outbursts and unforgettable moments.
The series finale was a testament to the grit and balance that defined the ’63 squad all year. After clinching the AL West with a 103–59 regular-season mark, manager Al López’s crew outlasted their newer counterparts, sealing the championship with a 9–5 victory in front of over 84,000 fans waving black and white.
Series MVP: Pete Ward
Third baseman Pete Ward, named the undisputed World Series MVP, delivered at every turn. Ward anchored the lineup with clutch doubles, timely RBIs, and sharp defense under pressure. He finished the series hitting over .420, spraying four doubles and driving in big runs when it mattered most.
“Pete was the heartbeat of our lineup,” said manager López in the champagne-soaked clubhouse. “Whenever we needed a spark, he found a way.”
A Series of Contrasts
The opener set the tone: veteran Ray Herbert twirled a masterful shutout to give the 1963 club a 1–0 lead. But the 1972 Sox, led by the bat of Walt Williams and the power of Bill Melton and Dick Allen, roared back in Game 2 to even things up.
Game 3 turned into a classic South Side slugfest. The ’63 squad put up 13 runs behind Ron Hansen’s grand performance — a four-RBI explosion including a two-run homer that rocked Comiskey to its bricks. But the ’72 squad refused to go quietly. They edged a tight Game 4 behind Wilbur Wood’s steady arm and Rick Reichardt’s clutch pinch-hit RBI single, knotting the series at 2–2.
Key Moments and Heroes
Facing a deadlock, the 1963 White Sox found their postseason edge. In Game 5, Joe Cunningham’s late-game RBI single turned a tense duel into a 2–1 victory. Gary Peters’ early exit due to injury could have derailed their run — but a resilient bullpen, led by knuckleball master Hoyt Wilhelm, locked down every critical out.
In Game 6, Comiskey roared for nearly four hours as the 1963 club pounded out 15 hits and 9 runs. Jim Landis stepped up with a perfect 3-for-3 night, Weis and Robinson delivered big hits, and Ward doubled once more for good measure. Wilhelm notched his seventh save of the series, adding the final exclamation point to an October run South Siders will remember forever.
Final Word
The 1972 White Sox, despite the power of Allen and May and the spark of rookie Dave Lemonds, fell short in a series that showcased old-school toughness vs. new-era swagger. For the 1963 squad, it was a long time coming — a balanced, disciplined group that blended clutch hitting with lights-out bullpen work.
As the champagne flowed and the banners were hoisted over the cold October night, Pete Ward summed it up best: “We played for each other, and for our fans. Now, we’ve made history.”
