Call to the pen
Fansided

Five World Series overrun by controversy

By Daniel R. Epstein

20 Oct 2000: Roger Clemens of the New York Yankees is interviewed by the media the day before game 1 of the World Series against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT
20 Oct 2000: Roger Clemens of the New York Yankees is interviewed by the media the day before game 1 of the World Series against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT /
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(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

1981: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees

In 1981, the New York Yankees met the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series for the third time in five years. The Yankees were victorious in both 1977 and 1978, and took a 2-0 series lead. However, the Dodgers answered back by winning the next three games in Los Angeles, each by a single run.

Following the third game, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner entered the elevator at the team hotel shortly after 8 PM with two allegedly drunk Dodger fans. What happened next is known only to the three men in the elevator, but all three emerged bruised and injured.

"The owner recalled throwing three punches, two right-handed that cut his knuckles, and one left-handed, that apparently broke a bone in his hand. -Jane Gross, New York Times, October 26, 1981"

According to Steinbrenner, well-known for embellishing details, he won the fight by single-handedly beating up two much younger men. The Dodgers got the last laugh when they won game six two days later in New York to claim a 4-2 series championship.

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