1945 World Series footage of Detroit Tigers versus Chicago Cubs
Andrew Norton
Major League postseason play kicks off today and my beloved Tigers didn't make it (again) this year. Here is a look back at some footage of the Tigers 1945 World Series victory over the Chicago Cubs. Hank Greenberg made his triumphant return from WWII after his discharge in June of 1945 to lead the Tigers to the championship. Although his legs weren't the same as when he left the game when drafted into service in 1941, Hammerin' Hank's bat was still crushing the ball. A grand slam in the final game of the 1945 season clinched the pennant for the Tigers. They would go on to win the 1945 World Series against the Cubs 4 games to 3.
At the end of the clip below you will see Hank Greenberg smash a grand slam home run in Game 7. It was part of a five-run first inning that propelled the Tigers to the victory, 9-3.
On a side note, the 1945 World Series is also the start of the famed "Billy Goat Curse" when Billy Sianis brought his goat to Wrigley Field for Game 4 of the series. He and his goat were denied admission to the game so he put a 'hex' on the team.