Fact Check: Did MLB once set the diamond on fire during the World Series? Exploring field repair methods in 1925

"They don't make them like that anymore" has been inaccurately applied to several things in life. However, the 1925 World Series is the living embodiment of this saying. During the deciding Game 7 of the 1925 final between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Senators, the MLB resorted to an extreme measure to make sure the game continued as scheduled.

The iconic Forbes Field played home to one of the craziest moments in World Series history. However, the incident occurred before the game itself actually began. The infield was in a rough state from the rainy conditions that had hit Pittsburgh all day. This left the MLB to resort to something never seen before. The stadium crew on-hand soaked the infield in gasoline, setting it ablaze.

"Forbes Field in Pittsburgh was a little soggy before Game 7 of the 1925 World Series between the #Pirates and Senators so, with a capacity crowd on hand, they doused the infield with gasoline and set that shit on fire." - @MLBcathedrals

Now when a game is delayed by severe weather, modern teams and their grounds crew roll a giant tarp over the field to protect the playing surface. Apparently, this was not something anyone thought of nearly 100 years ago, instead opting to simply light the field on fire.

More history was made during the 1925 World Series aside from lighting the field on fire

While the 1925 finals may now best be remembered for the bold idea of setting the ground on fire, there was more history created by the time everything was said and done. The Pittsburgh Pirates went on to not only win Game 7 and secure the title, but they also became the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a postseason series.

"Pie Traynor warms up before Game 1 of the 1925 World Series between the Pirates and Washington Senators at Forbes Field on October 7, 1925" - @HistoryPirates

The now-historic game featured nine different MLB Hall of Famers. Those players and managers were Bill McKechnie, Max Carey, Kiki Cuyler, and Pie Traynor of the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Stan Coveleski, Goose Goslin, Bucky Harris, Walter Johnson, and Sam Rice lacing it up for the Washington Senators.