up a sacrifice fly and a walk, and an error allowed two more runs to score as the Giants won 6-4. For years, Dodgers fans would debate Alston's decisions in this game -- not hitting for Roebuck (although Alston had depleted much of his bench by then), leaving him, bringing in wild starter Williams to get out of a jam.

1961 American League

Yankees: 109

Tigers: 101

Like the 1962 NL, this was an expansion season, in which win totals are inevitably inflated at the top. Once again, the Yankees didn't pull away until September. They were up 1.5 games on Aug. 31, then swept the Tigers in a three-game series to begin a 13-game win streak. The first game against Detroit was the big one of the season, a 1-0 gamewith the Yankees scoring the winning run off Don Mossi with two out in the bottom of the ninth. The Tigers never recovered and lost their next seven.

1954 American League

Indians: 111

Yankees: 103

The Yankees won nine pennants in 10 years from 1949 to 1958 -- and the year they finished second was the only season in that stretch they won 100 games.

1942 National League

Cardinals: 106

Dodgers: 104

Not as famous as 1951, but this was another big Brooklyn collapse. The Dodgers led the Cardinals by 10 games on Aug. 5. Actually, collapse isn't quite fair. The Dodgers went 30-20 the rest of the way -- but the Cardinals went a stunning 43-9 (.827 winning percentage).

1915 American League

Red Sox: 101

Tigers: 100

This Red Sox team featured a rookie left-hander named Babe Ruth who