Bill Dickey Is Ready For World Series

These two news press photographs of the Yankees star catcher Bill Dickey were released one day apart in late September 1938. The photos were almost certainly taken the same day.

The stadium appears to be Chicago’s Comiskey Park where the Yankees played the White Sox the previous week, September 20-22.

The first news slug reads:

YANKEE CATCHER
William (Bill) Dickey, first string catcher for the New York Yankees, who will see service with the American League champions in the coming World Series. credit Acme – 9/25/1938

The second news slug is just as blasé:

William Dickey New York Yankee catcher who may see action with the American League champions in the coming World Series. credit Acme -9/26/1938

On September 26, Dickey was diagnosed with ptomaine poisoning, causing him to sit out several games towards the end of the season.

In 132 games in 1938 the 31-year-old Dickey batted .313 with 27 home runs and 115 RBIs, 75 walks and only 22 strikeouts, and a .412 on base percentage.

Dickey, a stellar defender, was feeling well enough to play in the World Series beginning October 5.

The series was a quick affair completed on October 9 with the Yankees sweeping the Chicago Cubs. In the World Series Dickey went 6 for 15 batting .400 with a home run and 2 RBIs.

The 1938 sweep was the third consecutive world championship for the Yankees who would triumph again in 1939.