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World Series

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In baseball, the World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball in North America, played in October after the end of the regular season between the pennant winner of the American League and the pennant winner of the National League. The Series winner is determined through a best-of-seven playoff (except in 1903, 1919, 1920 and 1921 when the winner was determined through a best-of-nine playoff). The World Series has been an annual event since 1903. There were no World Series in 1904 and 1994.

Table of contents
1 Introduction
2 Early World Series (1884-1900)
3 The Modern World Series (1903-present)
4 List of World Series after 1904

Introduction

The first two games of the series are played in one team's home ballpark, the next three in the other team's ballpark, and the final two, if necessary, back in the first team's ballpark. Until 2003, the team given the home-field advantage was switched every year between the American League and the National League. Starting in 2003, however, the league that wins the All-Star Game is given the home field advantage in the World Series.

The "World" appellation has stuck despite the fact that only teams in the United States and Canada participate. Attempts to pit the North American champions against champions in the Japanese or Latin American leagues have, so far, not succeeded.

A persistent myth is that the "World" in "World Series" came about because the New York World newspaper sponsored it. Baseball researcher Doug Pappas refutes that claim, demonstrating a linear progression from the phrase "World's Championship Series" (used to describe the 1903 series) to "World's Series" to "World Series". (For details, see Mr. Pappas's web page on the subject: http://roadsidephotos.com/baseball/name.htm ).

Baseball tournaments between international teams do occur, notably at the world championships and at the Olympic Games. At the 2000 Summer Olympics, the US sent a team of minor-league players, which won the gold medal, suggesting that a major-league team could defeat any non-American national team. Of course, major league teams do not consist entirely of US nationals; for example, about 10% of MLB players are from the Dominican Republic. Not all of the US nationals in MLB are eligible for Team USA; a significant minority are from Puerto Rico, which fields its own teams in international sports competitions. The famed Cuban national team (which was beaten by the Americans in 2000) has defeated Major League teams in some confrontations.

Currently, Major League Baseball is trying to institute a World Cup for baseball, to be held quadrennially during the Northern Hemisphere winter at a warm-weather site, to serve as a true world championship of international baseball. The winter scheduling would allow players from the North American and Japanese major leagues to participate. The first World Cup is tentatively scheduled to follow the 2005 season.

The term World Series has since been appropriated by other championships, such as the World Series of Poker, the College World Series, the World Series of Birding and the World Series of Martial Arts.

Early World Series (1884-1900)

During the 1880s, the National League and American Association champions met on occasion, to determine the Championship of the United States. The series were not well-planned and the clubs in them organized things themselves. The series varied from six to 15 games.

1884: Providence NL defeats New York AA, 3 games to none.
1885: Chicago NL defeats St. Louis AA, 3 games to none (one tie)
1886: St. Louis AA defeats Chicago NL, 4 games to 2
1887: Detroit NL defeats St. Louis AA, 10 games to 5.
1888: New York NL (1) defeats St. Louis AA, 6 games to 4.
1889: New York NL (1) defeats Brooklyn AA, 6 games to 3
1890: Brooklyn AA and Louisville NL tied, 3 games to 3 (one tie).
1891: No series held; the American Association folded after the season ended.

In 1892, the National League (expanded to twelve teams after taking in four of the American Association clubs) played a split season, with the first-half and second-half champions meeting in a postseason series. The split-season experiment was not repeated.

1892: Boston defeats Cleveland, 5 games to none (one tie)
1893: No series held.

In 1894, the first-place and second-place National League teams met in postseason play. The games became known as the Temple Cup games, after Pittsburgh sportsman William C. Temple donated a cup to serve as the trophy. The games did not draw the interest people had hoped for.

1894: New York NL (1) defeated Baltimore, 4 games to none
1895: Cleveland defeats Baltimore, 4 games to 1
1896: Baltimore defeats Cleveland, 4 games to none
1897: Baltimore defeats Boston, 4 games to 1
1898: No series played due to the unprofitability of the 1897 series.
1899: No series played.
1900: Brooklyn defeats Pittsburgh, 3 games to 1

The Modern World Series (1903-present)

The First Attempt

After two years of bitter competition and player raiding, the National and American Leagues made peace and, as part of the accord, agreed to a postseason series between the league pennant winners.

1903: Boston AL defeats Pittsburgh NL, 5 games to 3.

The Boycott of 1904

The 1904 Series was supposed to be between the AL's Boston Pilgrims and the NL's New York Giants. The Giants' owner, John Brush, refused to allow his team to play, citing the inferiority of the upstart American League. Brush also cited the lack of rules under which the games would be played and the money would be split. During the winter of 1904/05, however, Brush proposed what came to be known as the "Brush Rules", under which the series would be played over subsequent years.

One rule was that player shares would come from gate receipts from the first four games only. This was to discourage teams from throwing early games in order to prolong the series and make more money. Receipts for later games were split among the two teams and the National Commission (the new governing body for the sport, which was able to cover much of its annual operating expenses from World Series revenue).

The list evolved over time. In 1925, Brooklyn owner Charles Ebbets convinced owners to adopt the current 2-3-2 system of scheduling World Series games (one team would host the first two games, the other team would host the next three, and the first team would host the last two if necessary; the leagues alternated which representative would host the first games).

List of World Series after 1904

The World Series has been a best-of-seven series except in the years 1903, 1919, 1920 and 1921, when it was best-of-nine.

1905-1919: The "Deadball Era"

1905: New York NL (1) defeats Philadelphia AL, 4 games to 1.
Every game was a shutout. Christy Mathewson hurled three of these, over a span of just six days, in one of the most dominant pitching performances in history.
1906: Chicago AL defeats Chicago NL, 4 games to 2.
Some consider this the greatest World Series upset. The Chicago Cubs record was 116-36, setting a regular-season winning percentage record which still stands. The White Sox had a strong pitching staff but were the worst-hitting team in the American League. The "Hitless Wonders" got all the hitting they needed to shock their crosstown rivals.
1907: Chicago NL defeats Detroit AL, 4 games to 0 (one tie).
1908: Chicago NL defeats Detroit AL, 4 games to 1.
1909: Pittsburgh NL defeats Detroit AL, 4 games to 3.
The Tigers might have finally won the Fall Classic in their third try had it not been for Babe Adams. A rookie pitcher for Pittsburgh that year, manager Fred Clarke started him, on a hunch, in game 1. Adams won that game and two more.
1910: Philadelphia AL defeats Chicago NL, 4 games to 1.
Jack Coombs of Philadelphia won three games, and Eddie Collins supplied timely hitting as the Athletics won their first Fall Classic.
1911: Philadelphia AL defeats New York NL (1), 4 games to 2.
Philadelphia third baseman Frank "Home Run" Baker earned his nickname during this series. His home run in Game 2 was the margin of victory for the Athletics, and his blast in Game 3 off Christy Mathewson tied that game, which the Athletics subsequently won. The Giants never recovered.
1912: Boston AL defeats New York NL (1), 4 games to 3 (one tie).
This dramatic Series involved great pitching from Christy Mathewson and from Boston fireballer Smokey Joe Wood, who won two of his three starts and pitched in relief in the final game, won when Boston rallied for two runs in the ninth inning thanks to two costly Giant fielding misplays.
1913: Philadelphia AL defeats New York NL (1), 4 games to 1.
1914: Boston NL defeats Philadelphia AL, 4 games to none.
Another contender for greatest upset of all time. The "Miracle Braves", in last place on July 4th, roared on to win the NL pennant and sweep the stunned Athletics.
1915: Boston AL defeats Philadelphia NL, 4 games to 1.
1916: Boston AL defeats Brooklyn NL, 4 games to 1.
1917: Chicago AL defeats New York NL (1), 4 games to 2.
1918: Boston AL defeats Chicago NL, 4 games to 2.
1919: Cincinnati NL defeats Chicago AL , 5 games to 3.
The Black Sox scandal. Eight Chicago players are later implicated for taking money from gamblers to lose the Series, despite being heavy favorites.

1920-1941: The "Lively Ball Era" (sometimes "The Golden Age")

1920: Cleveland AL defeats Brooklyn NL, 5 games to 2.
Cleveland second baseman Bill Wambsganss turned an unassisted triple play -- one of roughly only a dozen such plays in major-league history, and the only one to happen in a World Series.
1921: New York NL (1) defeats New York AL, 5 games to 3.
1922: New York NL (1) defeats New York AL, 4 games to 0 (one tie).
1923: New York AL defeats New York NL (1), 4 games to 2.
1924: Washington AL defeats New York NL (1), 4 games to 3.
Walter Johnson, making his first World Series appearance toward the end of his storied career, lost his two starts. Washington battled back to force a game seven, giving Johnson a chance to redeem himself when he came on in relief in that game. Johnson held on to get the win and to give Washington its only World Series win. The franchise would not win another World Series until 1987, by which time it had been playing in the Twin Cities (Minnesota) for over a quarter-century.
1925: Pittsburgh NL defeats Washington AL, 4 games to 3.
1926: St. Louis NL defeats New York AL, 4 games to 3.
1927: New York AL defeats Pittsburgh NL, 4 games to none.
1928: New York AL defeats St. Louis NL, 4 games to none.
1929: Philadelphia AL defeats Chicago NL, 4 games to 1.
1930: Philadelphia AL defeats St. Louis NL, 4 games to 2.
1931: St. Louis NL defeats Philadelphia AL, 4 games to 3.
1932: New York AL defeats Chicago NL, 4 games to none.
"Babe" Ruth hits his famous "called shot" home run--which is followed immediately by a Lou Gehrig solo home run--in Game 3 of this dominating New York Yankee performance.
1933: New York NL (1) defeats Washington AL, 4 games to 1.
1934: St. Louis NL defeats Detroit AL, 4 games to 3.
Brothers Dizzy Dean and Paul Dean each won two games for the "Gas House Gang" Cardinals.
1935: Detroit AL, defeats Chicago NL, 4 games to 2.
1936: New York AL defeats New York NL (1), 4 games to 2.
1937: New York AL defeats New York NL (1), 4 games to 1.
1938: New York AL defeats Chicago NL, 4 games to 0.
1939: New York AL defeats Cincinnati NL, 4 games to 0.
1940: Cincinnati NL defeats Detroit AL, 4 games to 3.
1941: New York AL defeats Brooklyn NL, 4 games to 1.

1942-1945: The war years

1942: St. Louis NL defeats New York AL, 4 games to 1.
1943: New York AL defeats St. Louis NL, 4 games to 1.
1944: St. Louis NL defeats St. Louis AL, 4 games to 2.
This year saw perhaps the nadir of 20th-century baseball, as the long-moribund St. Louis Browns (now the Baltimore Orioles) won their only American League pennant.
1945: Detroit AL, defeats Chicago NL, 4 games to 3.
Frank Graham called this Series jokingly "the fat men versus the tall men at the office picnic." It is the last time to date that the Chicago Cubs have appeared in the World Series.

1946-1960: The postwar years

1946: St. Louis NL defeats Boston AL , 4 games to 3.
1947: New York AL defeats Brooklyn NL, 4 games to 3.
1948: Cleveland AL defeats Boston NL, 4 games to 2.
The Cleveland Indians ruined a possible all-Boston World Series by defeating the Boston Red Sox in a playoff after the two top American League teams were tied at the end of the season.
1949: New York AL defeats Brooklyn NL, 4 games to 1.
1950: New York AL defeats Philadelphia NL, 4 games to 0.
1951: New York AL defeats New York NL (1), 4 games to 2.
1952: New York AL defeats Brooklyn NL, 4 games to 3.
1953: New York AL defeats Brooklyn NL, 4 games to 2.
The New York Yankees won their fifth straight World Series, a feat which has never been accomplished before or since.
1954: New York NL (1) defeats Cleveland AL, 4 games to 0.
In Game 1, Willie Mays makes "The Catch" -- a dramatic over-the-shoulder catch of a line drive to deep center field which would otherwise have given Cleveland the lead. Dusty Rhodes won two games with his bat, pinch-hitting.
1955: Brooklyn NL, defeats New York AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Johnny Podres, Brooklyn
Brooklyn wins its only World Series title.
1956: New York AL defeats Brooklyn NL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Don Larsen, New York
Larsen pitched the only no-hitter in World Series play -- a perfect game, no less -- for the Yankees.
1957: Milwaukee NL defeats New York AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Lew Burdette, Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Braves become the first team to win a Championship after relocating. Until 1953, they had been the Boston Braves, winners of the 1914 Series. In 1995 they would win again, as the Atlanta Braves.
1958: New York AL defeats Milwaukee NL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Bob Turley, New York
1959: Los Angeles NL defeats Chicago AL, 4 games to 2. MVP: Larry Sherry, Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Dodgers win the franchise's first title since moving to the West Coast from Brooklyn after the 1957 season.
1960: Pittsburgh NL defeats New York AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Bobby Richardson, New York
Best remembered for a pulsating Game 7 which ended with the first walkoff homer to end a World Series, hit by the Pirates' Bill Mazeroski.

1961-1968: The first expansion period

(following addition of California Angels and Washington Senators.)

1961: New York AL defeats Cincinnati NL, 4 games to 1. MVP: Whitey Ford, New York
1962: New York AL defeats San Francisco NL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Ralph Terry, New York
1963: Los Angeles NL defeats New York AL, 4 games to 0. MVP: Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles
Before Randy and Curt, there was Sandy and Don. Koufax, Drysdale and Johnny Podres combine to give up only 4 runs in 4 complete games This is the first time that the New York Yankees were swept in a World Series in four games (the 1922 series had one tie).
1964: St. Louis NL defeats New York AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Bob Gibson, St. Louis
For an account of this Series, and the lively season that preceded it, see David Halberstam's book, October 1964.
1965: Los Angeles NL defeats Minnesota AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles
Koufax and Drysdale return to the Series. LA's lefty-righty one-two punch had combined for 49 wins and 15 shutouts in '65, but after Sandy and Don got rocked by the Twins in the first two games, it took a five-hit shoutout by Claude Osteen to get the Dodgers back into the series. By Game 7, Koufax regained his form and clinched the title with a three-hit, 10-strikeout, 2-0 victory. Koufax was the MVP while Ron Fairly hit two home runs.
1966: Baltimore AL defeats Los Angeles NL, 4 games to 0. MVP: Frank Robinson, Baltimore
This was a thoroughly dominating performance by Hank Bauer's Baltimore club. Sandy Koufax announced his retirement after the series due to a bum elbow.
1967: St. Louis NL defeats Boston AL , 4 games to 3. MVP: Bob Gibson, St. Louis
1968: Detroit AL defeats St. Louis NL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Mickey Lolich, Detroit
Both 1968 MVPss, the Tigers' Denny McLain and the Cardinals' Bob Gibson, pitch in the Series, but Lolich steals the show by becoming the last pitcher to date to win three complete games in a single World Series.

1969-1976: Second expansion

(following addition of Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, Seattle Pilots and Kansas City Royals.)

Starting in 1969, the World Series pitted the National League Championship Series winner against that of the American League Championship Series.

1969: New York NL (2) defeats Baltimore AL, 4 games to 1. MVP: Donn Clendenon, New York
The Miracle Mets: The New York Mets, 73-89 in 1968, won 100 regular seasons games and swept all before them in only their 8th year of existence, behind the pitching of Tom Seaver and Jerome "Jerry" Koosman.
1970: Baltimore AL defeats Cincinnati NL, 4 games to 1. MVP: Brooks Robinson, Baltimore
1971: Pittsburgh NL defeats Baltimore AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh
Game two of this World Series was the first night game played in World Series history.
1972: Oakland AL defeats Cincinnati NL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Gene Tenace, Oakland
1973: Oakland AL defeats New York NL (2), 4 games to 3. MVP: Reggie Jackson, Oakland
Oakland reliever Darold Knowles becomes the first (and so far, only) pitcher to appear in every game of a seven-game World Series.
1974: Oakland AL defeats Los Angeles NL, 4 games to 1. MVP: Rollie Fingers, Oakland
1975: Cincinnati NL defeats Boston AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Pete Rose, Cincinnati
1976: Cincinnati NL defeats New York AL, 4 games to 0. MVP: Johnny Bench, Cincinnati

1977-1992: Third expansion

(following addition of Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.)

1977: New York AL defeats Los Angeles NL, 4 games to 2. MVP: Reggie Jackson, New York
1978: New York AL defeats Los Angeles NL, 4 games to 2. MVP: Bucky Dent, New York
1979: Pittsburgh NL defeats Baltimore AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh
1980: Philadelphia NL defeats Kansas City AL, 4 games to 2. MVP: Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia
The Phillies finally win their first World Series after a then-record 77-year wait.
1981: Los Angeles NL defeats New York AL, 4 games to 2. MVP: Tie: Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager, Los Angeles
1982: St. Louis NL defeats Milwaukee AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Darrell Porter, St. Louis
1983: Baltimore AL defeats Philadelphia NL, 4 games to 1. MVP: Rick Dempsey, Baltimore
1984: Detroit AL defeats San Diego NL, 4 games to 1. MVP: Alan Trammell, Detroit
1985: Kansas City AL defeats St. Louis NL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Bret Saberhagen, Kansas City
Famous for a blown call by umpire Don Denkinger that helps the Royals stave off elimination in Game 6, followed by a Cardinals meltdown in Game 7.
1986: New York NL (2) defeats Boston AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Ray Knight, New York
Famed for the Bill Buckner error in the bottom of the 10th innning of Game 6.
1987: Minnesota AL, defeats St. Louis NL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Frank Viola, Minnesota
This was the first World Series in which every game was won by the home team.
1988: Los Angeles NL defeats Oakland AL, 4 games to 1. MVP: Orel Hershiser, Los Angeles
In the bottom of the ninth inning of the opening game, with Mike Davis on base and Dodgers down 4-3, the injured Kirk Gibson hits the game-winning home run off Oakland's ace reliever Dennis Eckersley and limps around the bases in what would be his only at-bat in the series.
1989: Oakland AL defeats San Francisco NL, 4 games to 0. MVP: Dave Stewart, Oakland
The Loma Prieta earthquake, which occurred shortly before Game 3, caused a 10-day postponement in the middle of this series.
1990: Cincinnati NL defeats Oakland AL, 4 games to 0. MVP: Jose Rijo, Cincinnati
The Reds upset the heavily favored Athletics.
1991: Minnesota AL, defeats Atlanta NL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Jack Morris, Minnesota
Five of the seven games in this series were decided by one run. Three of those games went into extra innings. Morris started three games and won two, including the dramatic seventh game. Down three games to two, the Twins won Game 6 behind Kirby Puckett's extra-inning home run. The next night, after Morris pitched ten innings of shutout ball in game 7, Gene Larkin's single scored Dan Gladden in the bottom of the tenth for the deciding game's only run.

Some consider the 1991 World Series to be the best ever. It was certainly the longest (measured in number of innings), due largely to the 12-inning horse-race of Game 4.

This was the first World Series to feature two teams that had finished the previous season in last place. Like the Twins' previous Series win in 1987, every game in this Series was won by the home team.
1992: Toronto AL defeats Atlanta NL, 4 games to 2. MVP: Pat Borders, Toronto
Toronto became the first Canadian team to play in a World Series.

1993-1997: Fourth expansion

(following addition of Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies.)

1993: Toronto AL defeats Philadelphia NL, 4 games to 2. MVP: Paul Molitor, Toronto.
Joe Carter, Toronto, hit the first (and so far only) come-from-behind walk-off home run to win a World Series (Bill Mazeroski's famous home run in 1960 was hit with the score tied). The fourth game, won 15-14 by Toronto, was the highest-scoring game in any World Series.
1994: World Series cancelled due to strike.

Starting in 1995, MLB introduced the wild-card, allowing the non-division winner with the best record from each league a spot in the postseason. The American League Division Series and National League Division Series were introduced to determine which teams would play in the ALCS and NLCS.

1995: Atlanta NL defeats Cleveland AL, 4 games to 2. MVP: Tom Glavine, Atlanta
1996: New York AL defeats Atlanta NL, 4 games to 2. MVP: John Wetteland, New York
1997: Florida NL† defeats Cleveland AL, 4 games to 3. MVP: Livan Hernandez, Florida

1998-present: Fifth expansion

(following addition of Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.)

1998: New York AL defeats San Diego NL, 4 games to 0. MVP: Scott Brosius, New York
1999: New York AL defeats Atlanta NL, 4 games to 0. MVP: Mariano Rivera, New York
2000: New York AL defeats New York NL (2)†, 4 games to 1. MVP: Derek Jeter, New York AL
2001: Arizona NL defeats New York AL, 4 games to 3. MVPs: Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, Arizona.
This Series is often cited alongside the 1991 World Series as the most exciting in history. It featured two extra-inning games. In both games, the Yankees hit ninth-inning homers off D-backs closer Byung-Hyun Kim to tie the game and went on to win. In Game 7, the D-backs pulled off a ninth-inning comeback of their own to win the game and the Series, victimizing Yankees closer Mariano Rivera with Luis Gonzales knocking in the game winning RBI with a bloop single into the outfield.

Every game in this Series was won by the home team; this was the first such Series that did not feature the Minnesota Twins.
2002: Anaheim AL† defeats San Francisco NL† by 4 games to 3. MVP: Troy Glaus, Anaheim.
2002 was the first time two Wild Card teams met in the World Series. There was considerable controversy and derision regarding Glaus' selection as Series MVP; despite being on the losing team, Barry Bonds was by most accounts the biggest star of the Series, hitting .471 for the Series with 4 homers, 6 RBI, and a mind-boggling 13 walks.
2003: Florida NL† defeats New York AL 4 games to 2. MVP: Josh Beckett, Florida.

†Denotes wild-card team (since 1995).

Note: New York NL (1) represents the New York Giants (1883-1957), later the San Francisco Giants. New York NL (2) represents the New York Mets (1962-present).

See also: Caribbean World Series