The rivalry between Boston and St. Louis may be intermittent, but it's never been dull. The clubs have met twice in the World Series, with the Cardinals winning both times in Game 7.
In 1946, St. Louis scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth of Game 7 when Red Sox shortstop Johnny Pesky supposedly hesitated on a relay throw and Enos Slaughter scored from first on a Harry Walker double.
Twenty-one years later, the Red Sox and Cardinals met again in a Series that essentially was determined by pitching rotations. Cardinals Hall of Famer Bob Gibson was rested for Game 1 and Red Sox ace Jim Lonborg was not:
Game 1CARDINALS 2, RED SOX 1: Gibson pitches a complete-game six-hitter, allowing only a home run to pitcher Jose Santiago. Roger Maris drives in both St. Louis runs.
Game 2RED SOX 5, CARDINALS 0: Lonborg, who won 22 in the regular season, takes a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Carl Yastrzemski homers.
Game 3CARDINALS 5, RED SOX 2: Third baseman Mike Shannon hits a two-run homer in the second inning and the Cardinals lead the rest of the way.
Game 4CARDINALS 6, RED SOX 0: Gibson pitches his second complete game of the Series, giving up five hits. Maris and Tim McCarver each have two RBIs.
Game 5RED SOX 3, CARDINALS 1: On the brink of elimination, Lonborg saves the Red Sox. He is one out from a shutout when Maris homers.
Game 6RED SOX 8, CARDINALS 4: Boston gets three home runs in the fourth inning. Yaz hits his third of the Series and, two outs later, Reggie Smith and Rico Petrocelli hit back-to-back shots.
Game 7CARDINALS 7, RED SOX 2: With Gibson on the mound for St. Louis, the Red Sox bring Lonborg back on two days' rest. It doesn't work. Gibson gets his third complete-game victory and the Cardinals top the Red Sox for the second time in a World Series.