The Indians won the pennant and the World Series this year. It was their first championship since 1920, and their last of the century. Despite having awesome pitching and outstanding hitting, the Indians almost didn't make it. At the end of the season, they were tied with the Red Sox, and had to win a one-game playoff.
        It was a weird game; the Red Sox elected to start Denny Galehouse, an aging journeyman who didn't pitch much during the year. The decision bombed, as Galehouse got hammered. The Indians started a rookie, Gene Bearden, despite having a pitching staff that including Bob Feller and Bob Lemon (not to mention Satchel Paige!). The Indians won, 8-3, then defeated another Boston team, the Braves, in the Series.

         Beardon had a very impressive season, so perhaps it was not so strange to start him in the playoff game. He was a 28-year-old rookie who threw a knuckleball, and though his control wasn't great, he was tough enough to hit that he had outstanding success with it. For one year. Beardon never again won more then eight games in a season; next year his ERA rocketed to 5.10, and he was dealt soon after.
        In addition to their fine rookie, the Indians also had the two Roberts, Hall Of Famers' Lemon and Feller. Feller had an off-year by his own standards, but was still among the best pitchers in the league. This was Lemon's first full year as a starter; like Beardon, Lemon was also 28 years old, though he had pitched for a couple of years in the bullpen. This was probably Lemon's best season, though he would win 20+ games seven times in his career.
        Bob Lemon pitched for only 13 seasons, but won 207 games in his career, while losing only 128. He got a late start to his career, and recorded most of his wins past the age of 30. Lemon spent his entire career with the Indians, leading the AL in wins three times, in innings pitched four times, and in complete games five times. Lemon's control was never very good, but he still managed to pitch outstanding ball, and from 1948-1956 always ranked among the best pitchers in the league.
        After he retired, Lemon embarked on a remarkable managing career. His first job was with the Kansas City Royals in 1970; it was only their second year of existence. In 1971, the Royals won 85 games, a winning season in only their third year. The Royals were average in 1972, and Lemon was replaced. He didn't manage again until 1977, when he took over the White Sox' helm. The Sox finished in last place in 1976, but under Lemon improved by 26 games, winning 90 for the year.
        In 1978 Chicago got off to a slow start, and Lemon was again turfed. He took over the Yankees, and inherited a squabbling team that appeared to have no chance of catching the Red Sox. But after Lemon was hired, the Yankees went on an incredible surge, and tied Boston at the end of the season. The Yankees won the one-game playoff, and then the World Series. It was Lemon's greatest triumph as a manager; in 1979 the Yankees got off to another slow start, and Lemon was quickly fired, effectively ending his managerial career.
         This was Satchel Paige's first year in the major leagues. Paige, the Negro Leagues' greatest star, was 42 years old (or so he claimed), but Cleveland owner Bill Veeck was quick to sign him up. Satchel proved that he could still get the best hitters out; he pitched for five seasons in the big leagues, and usually pitched very well. In 1965, Paige was signed by the dreadful Kansas City Athletics as part of stunt, and started a game at age 59. He threw three innings, and allowed only one hit, and no runs.
        That is a summary of Paige's career in the major leagues. His long, fantastic career in the Negro Leagues would require a novel to tell properly. As mentioned earlier, Paige was the greatest black star of his era, a great pitcher and a great storyteller. He won a countless number of games against various forms of competition, including white stars in exhibition games. He played for such great teams as the Pittsburgh Crawfords and Kansas City Monarchs, and his great teammates included Cool Papa Bell (whom Paige claimed was so fast that he could flick a light switch and be in bed before the light went out) and Josh Gibson (whom Paige claimed once hit a line-drive through the pitcher's legs, that carried over the fence for a home run).