Warm Weather World Series
This stat means absolutely nothing, but… the 2023 Texas Rangers are the first World Series team since 1991 to not have to play a single playoff game with a first-pitch temperature of below 60 degrees. Of their 16 games played this postseason, only 2 had temps in the 60’s, with 4 in the upper 70’s (thanks “fall” in Arizona) and 10(!) in a dome. Look at how sheltered from the elements they were:
The 1991 Twins, back when they only needed to play in the Championship Series and World Series, played just 3 games outdoors on their run: road games in Atlanta ranging from 66 to 72 degrees. The Skydome and Metrodome provided the other two fields they played on.
What were the coldest games for the World Champions in between?
1992 (Blue Jays): 57°F, World Series Game 2, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
1993 (Blue Jays): 48°F, ALCS Game 6, Comiskey Park
1994: None, everyone was cozy by the fireplace not playing baseball
1995 (Braves): 49°F, World Series Game 3, Jacobs Field
1996 (Yankees): 53°F, World Series Game 1, Yankee Stadium
1997 (Marlins): 35°F, World Series Game 4, Jacobs Field
Matt Williams before Game 3 in 1997, the coldest WS game ever 1998 (Yankees): 54°F, World Series Game 1, Yankee Stadium
1999 (Yankees): 48°F, ALDS Game 2, Yankee Stadium
2000 (Yankees): 46°F, ALCS Game 5, Safeco Field
2001 (Diamondbacks): 52°F, World Series Game 3, Yankee Stadium
2002 (Angels): 56°F, World Series Game 4, Pacific Bell Park
2003 (Marlins): 48°F, World Series Game 2, Yankee Stadium
2004 (Red Sox): 48°F, World Series Game 2, Fenway Park
2005 (White Sox): 45°F, World Series Game 2, U.S. Cellular Field
2006 (Cardinals): 43°F, World Series Game 3, Busch Stadium
2007 (Red Sox): 45°F, World Series Game 3, Coors Field
The first WS in Denver was of course the chilliest 2008 (Phillies): 47°F, World Series Game 5, Citizens Bank Park
2009 (Yankees): 45°F, ALCS Game 1, Yankee Stadium
2010 (Giants): 59°F, NLCS Game 1, Citizens Bank Park
2011 (Cardinals): 49°F, World Series Game 1, Busch Stadium
2012 (Giants): 44°F, World Series Game 4, Comerica Park
2013 (Red Sox): 49°F, World Series Game 6, Fenway Park
2014 (Giants): 55°F, World Series Game 7, Kauffman Stadium
2015 (Royals): 51°F, World Series Game 4, Citi Field
2016 (Cubs): 43°F, World Series Game 2, Progressive Field
The Cubs, after winning game 2 in Cleveland, or just finishing a day of skiing 2017 (Astros): 57°F, ALCS Game 3, Yankee Stadium
2018 (Red Sox): 47°F, World Series Game 2, Fenway Park
2019 (Nationals): 45°F, NLCS Game 1, Busch Stadium
2020 (Dodgers): 57°F, World Series Game 4, Globe Life Field
2021 (Braves): 49°F, World Series Game 3, Truist Park
2022 (Astros): 57°F, ALCS Game 4, Yankee Stadium
So there you have it. It confirms my suspicions. Of the 30 World Series winners between 1992 and 2022, 14 of them all played their coldest game in Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park or Busch Stadium. I was watching this year’s on the couch and realized I hadn’t seen any of the usual indicators of World Series broadcasts: bundled up dugout reporters, umpires in balaclavas and sections of fans in fluffy mittens.
Hope the league enjoyed their nice Caribbean weather for this year.