Game One of the 1921 World Series between the New York Yankees and New York Giants. In this photo we have Mike McNally of the Yankees attempting to steal home with pitcher Carl Mays at the plate, he would beat the tag and give the Yanks a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning. Behind the stellar pitching by Mays just giving up just five hits in a complete game shutout, the Yankees would take the series opener 3-0.
Despite the opening game win by the Yankees, the Giants would go on and win the World Series in eight games (5-3), all played at the Polo Grounds, marking the first time a series was played at one venue. This was also the last of the best-five-of-nine series and it was also the first series appearance by the Yankees.
Some interesting observations on this colorized photo, one despite the lure of this big game between rivals who shared the same ballpark, there seem to be plenty of empty seats in the upper deck. Also one has to wonder how the heck McNally beat the pitch home, the photo shows McNally quite the distance from home plate while Giants catcher Frank Snyder appears to have the ball and in position to make the tag. Also this photo gives you a great look at the expansive foul territory of the Polo Grounds.
