The Indians played in the 1948 World Series and were helped by Lemon's two pitching wins as they won the club's first championship since 1920.

He was named Yankees manager one month later and he led the team to a 1978 World Series title and a 1981 American League Championship.

Lemon became the first AL manager to win a World Series after assuming the managerial role in the middle of a season.

[1] He was recognized as the state baseball player of the year by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section in 1938.

In his final stint in the minors, Lemon hit .268 with 21 home runs for the 1942 Baltimore Orioles of the International League.

[1][11] Boudreau discussed the potential move to pitcher with Yankees catcher Bill Dickey, who had also played in the Navy with Lemon.

"I knew Lemon had a strong arm, and once I realized he was not going to hit with consistency as an outfielder, I thought it would be worthwhile to look at him as a pitcher," Boudreau later wrote.

He appeared in 19 games before August, largely as a relief pitcher, but he made his first start in July against the Boston Red Sox.

[23][24][25] Speculation built up around which Indians pitcher Boudreau would send to the mound against the Red Sox on October 4; the choices were largely narrowed down to Lemon and Satchel Paige.

[27][28] The Indians won the game at Fenway Park by a score of 8–3 and prepared to face the Boston Braves in the World Series.

The Braves scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning but the Indians won the game, 4–3, to clinch the franchise's first World Series title since 1920.

By August 1949, Lemon was batting .295 with 11 extra-base hits and six home runs, prompting Yankees manager Casey Stengel to comment: "Well, I see where the Indians have nine hitters in the lineup instead of eight.

"[32] In 1950, Lemon led the major leagues in wins (23) for the first time and won his second AL Pitcher of the Year Award.

The loss total was the most in the AL.[7] He did not record his first shutout of the season until well into August, when he earned a three-hit win over the Chicago White Sox.

Along with teammates Early Wynn (23), and Mike Garcia (22), Lemon gave Cleveland's starting rotation three 20-game winners.

[38] He finished the season with a 21–15 record, 3.36 ERA and led the AL in innings pitched for the fourth and final time of his career.

Lemon stayed in the game to pitch the tenth and final inning, but he surrendered a three-run home run to pinch hitter Dusty Rhodes and the Indians lost, 5–2.

Indians general manager Hank Greenberg got Lemon to agree to his first reduction in contract salary since joining the organization.

Lemon pitched 3+1⁄3 innings over the span of two games before he was put on the Indians' disabled list and sent to the Triple-A San Diego Padres.

He told manager Joe Gordon that he was willing to become a relief pitcher, but he retired as a player on March 5, stating, "I just couldn't keep up with the young fellows anymore.

The Yankees were owned by Cleveland-area native George Steinbrenner and they had been the chief antagonists of the Cleveland Indians during Lemon's pitching years.

In recognition of his election to the Hall of Fame, Lemon was named honorary captain of the AL team for the All-Star Game.

[58] In 1969, Lemon returned to the PCL as manager of the Vancouver Mounties, affiliated with the expansion Seattle Pilots and Montreal Expos.

[69] Royals outfielder Lou Piniella was one of several players who disagreed with Kauffman's decision, saying, "...Lemon deserved to manage the club next year.

[3] Bill Veeck hired Lemon to succeed Paul Richards as the Chicago White Sox manager on November 16, 1976.

[76] Yankees manager Billy Martin resigned on July 24, 1978, and team president Al Rosen called Lemon to offer him the vacant position.

[52]: p.294  The Yankees pulled ahead by 3+1⁄2 games, but the Red Sox rallied to tie the Yanks by the final day of the season.

[52]: p.294  Lemon's Yankees then beat the Royals in the ALCS and defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World Series title.

[52]: p.295  In October, Lemon was named the Associated Press' AL Manager of the Year, the second time he received such an award.

[52]: p.295 [85]: p.40  Lemon had considered resigning a week before because of Steinbrenner's constant criticisms, but coach Mike Ferraro talked him out of it.