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The 14th World Series had the defending champion Indianapolis looking to repeat, a feat only previously accomplished by the Boston Red Sox in 1886-87. The Clowns also hoped to join the Red Sox as the only teams with three titles, with Indy also winning back in 1885. It was the first finals trip for the Philadelphia Athletics. Both teams were the top-scoring offense in their respective league.



The Clowns had home field advantage and won the opener 6-2. Indianapolis drew first blood with a three-run fourth inning, which included an RBI double by rookie Jack Rothfuss. He was 3-3 with a homer, two runs, and three RBI. Ed Stein earned the win on the mound, tossing seven innings with two runs allowed (one earned), five hits, five walks, and one strikeout.



Indianapolis prevailed again at home with an 8-2 final in game two. The Clowns unloaded with a six-run seventh inning as Philadelphia pitcher Bill Daley lost control. He walked a playoff-record 11 batters in the game. Sadie McMahon pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up only two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.



Game three at the Baker Bowl saw an 8-4 home win for Philadelphia. 2B Tom Cahill had a mammoth game, going 3-4 with two homers, a double, five RBI, and three runs. Jack Stivetts allowed four runs and seven hits over 7.1 innings on the mound.



Indianapolis was ahead 8-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, but Tom Cahill’s dramatic 382 foot grand slam down the right field line tied the game up for Philadelphia. It stayed 8-8 until the bottom of the tenth when Ollie Smith smacked a leadoff homer 418 feet to right, giving the Athletics the 9-8 walkoff win to tie the series. Cahill was 3-4 with two homers, seven RBI, and two runs; tying the AL playoff record for RBI.



Philadelphia earned a walkoff win for back-to-back nights to take their first series lead at 3-2. Jocko Flynn led off the ninth with a four-pitch walk and was bunted over, then stole third. On a ground ball to short, Flynn charged home and beat the throw for the 4-3 Athletics win. Flynn was 2-3 with two runs and two RBI on the day.



The trend of home winners continued back in Indianapolis for game six as the Clowns prevailed 6-3 to even the series. Starting pitcher Sadie McMahon got hurt in the third inning, but three relievers held the line after him. The first five World Series from 1884-88 needed all seven games, but this is the first time since then that a game seven is required.