World Series facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the annual championship series of Major League Baseball. For the most recent edition, see 2025 World Series. For other uses, see World Series (disambiguation).

"Fall Classic" redirects here. For other uses, see Fall Classic (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
World Series
Tournament information
Commissioner's Trophy
Sport	Baseball
Month played	Late October–early November
Established	1903
Administrator(s)	Major League Baseball
Format	Best-of-seven series
Teams	2
Most recent tournament
2025 World Series

The World Series is the exciting championship event of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been played every year since 1903. In this series, the best team from the American League (AL) plays against the best team from the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best-of-seven playoff, is awarded the special Commissioner's Trophy.

Most World Series games are played in October. Sometimes, they even go into early November. Because it happens in the fall, many people call it the Fall Classic.

Before 1969, the team with the best record in each league won its league's championship and went to the World Series. Since 1969, each league has held a League Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS) to decide who plays in the World Series. These series are now preceded by Division Series and Wild Card games.

The World Series has been played 121 times through the 2025 season. American League teams have won 68 times, and National League teams have won 53 times.

Early Baseball Championships (Before 1903)

Before the modern World Series began in 1903, baseball had other championship games. In the late 1800s, different leagues would sometimes play against each other. These early games were called things like "World's Championship Series." They helped set the stage for the exciting World Series we know today.

The Modern World Series Begins (1903–Present)

First World Series Game

After some disagreements between the National and American Leagues, they decided to play a special championship series in 1903. This was the very first 1903 World Series. The Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) played against the Boston Americans (AL). The Boston Americans are now known as the Red Sox.

The Boston Americans surprised everyone by winning five games to three. They had great pitchers like Cy Young and Bill Dinneen.

No World Series in 1904

The next year, in 1904, the Boston Americans won their league again. They were supposed to play the New York Giants from the National League. However, the Giants' owner, John T. Brush, decided his team would not play. He felt the American League was not as good as the National League.

This meant there was no World Series in 1904. It showed that clear rules were needed for the championship to happen every year.

New Rules for the Series

Because of the 1904 situation, new rules were created for the World Series. These rules, called the "Brush Rules," made sure the series would be played every year. They also set up how money would be shared and how the games would be managed.

With these new rules, the Giants played in the 1905 Series and won. Since then, the World Series has been held every year. The only exception was in 1994, when a big disagreement between players and owners stopped the season.

New York Yankees Dominate (1920–1964)

The New York Yankees became a very famous team after they got Babe Ruth in 1919. They played in their first World Series in 1921. From 1920 to 1964, the Yankees played in 29 World Series and won 20 of them!

They had an amazing streak from 1949 to 1953, winning the World Series five years in a row. This is a record that shows how dominant they were.

New York City Teams Shine

For 18 years, from 1947 to 1964, the World Series was often played in New York City. This was because New York had three strong teams: the Yankees, the Dodgers, and the Giants. Many times, two New York teams would even play each other for the championship!

Teams Move West (1958)

In 1958, the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants moved from New York to California. The Dodgers went to Los Angeles and the Giants went to San Francisco. This brought Major League Baseball to the West Coast.

The Dodgers quickly found success, winning the World Series in 1959. The Giants also reached the World Series in 1962.

New Playoff Rounds (1969)

Before 1969, the team with the best record in each league simply went to the World Series. But in 1969, things changed. Both the National and American Leagues were split into two divisions.

Now, the winners of these divisions play each other in a League Championship Series. The winners of these series then go on to the World Series. This made the path to the championship even more exciting!

World Series at Night (1971)

Baseball games used to be played only during the day. But in 1971, the World Series had its first game scheduled at night. This was Game 4 of the 1971 World Series.

Playing at night meant more people could watch on TV. Now, most World Series games are played in the evening.

Exciting 1970s Moments

The 1970s saw some teams win multiple championships. The Oakland Athletics won three years in a row from 1972 to 1974. The Cincinnati Reds won in 1975 and 1976, and the New York Yankees won in 1977 and 1978.

One of the most famous games ever was Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. The Boston Red Sox won in the 12th inning with a dramatic home run by Carlton Fisk. This game is remembered for its exciting twists and turns.

The Designated Hitter Rule

In 1973, the American League started using a new rule called the designated hitter (DH). This rule allowed a special hitter to bat instead of the pitcher. The National League did not use this rule.

To make things fair, the World Series started using the DH rule in some games from 1976. Now, the DH rule is used in all World Series games, no matter which team is at home.

Memorable 1980s Series

The Detroit Tigers had a fantastic year in 1984. They led their league from the very first day of the season all the way to winning the World Series. Their manager, Sparky Anderson, made history. He became the first manager to win a World Series with teams from both the American and National Leagues.

Mets' Big Comeback

The 1986 World Series is famous for a thrilling Game 6. The Boston Red Sox were very close to winning the championship. They had a lead with two outs in the last inning. But the New York Mets made an incredible comeback, scoring runs and winning the game. This dramatic finish led to the Mets winning the series in Game 7.

Kirk Gibson's Amazing Home Run

The 1988 World Series started with an unforgettable moment. The Los Angeles Dodgers were playing against the strong Oakland Athletics. In Game 1, Dodgers star player Kirk Gibson was injured and not expected to play. But he surprised everyone by coming to bat in the final inning.

With two outs and his team behind, Gibson hit a dramatic home run. This amazing hit helped the Dodgers win Game 1 and set the tone for them to win the series.

The Earthquake Series

The 1989 World Series was unique because it featured two teams from the same area, the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics. During Game 3, a powerful earthquake struck the area.

The game was postponed for several days. Everyone at the stadium was safe, but the earthquake caused a lot of damage nearby. When the series resumed, the Oakland Athletics won, completing a four-game sweep.

1990s Highlights

Many people call the 1991 World Series one of the best ever. The Minnesota Twins played against the Atlanta Braves. Five of the seven games were decided by just one run, and three games went into extra innings!

The final Game 7 was a scoreless tie for nine innings. The Twins eventually won 1-0 in the 10th inning, thanks to an amazing pitching performance by Jack Morris.

World Series in Canada

For the first time, World Series games were played outside the United States in 1992. The Toronto Blue Jays from Canada won the championship that year. They won again in 1993, becoming the only team outside the U.S. to win back-to-back titles.

The 1993 series ended with a thrilling home run by Joe Carter. His hit won the game and the championship for the Blue Jays.

Playoff Changes and a Strike

In 1994, Major League Baseball added another playoff round called the Division Series. Now, three division winners and a "wild card" team (the best team not to win a division) would play in this new round.

However, a big disagreement between the team owners and players about how money should be shared and player contracts stopped the season in 1994. This meant the World Series was canceled that year, the first time since 1904. The season returned in 1995, and the Atlanta Braves won the World Series.

The 2000s and Beyond

The New York Yankees played the Mets in the first World Series where both teams were from New York City since 1956. The Yankees won their 26th championship.

The 2001 World Series was the first to end in November. This was because the regular season was delayed by a week after the September 11 attacks. Yankees player Derek Jeter hit a game-winning home run in Game 4, earning him the nickname "Mr. November."

The Boston Red Sox ended their 86-year championship wait in 2004. The Chicago White Sox also ended their 88-year wait in 2005. These were exciting wins for long-time fans!

All-Star Game and Home-Field Advantage

From 2003 to 2016, the league that won the Major League Baseball All-Star Game got to have home-field advantage in the World Series. This meant they would host more games.

Starting in 2017, home-field advantage was given to the team with the better record during the regular season. This made it fairer for the teams that played best all year.

Recent World Series (2010s and 2020s)

The San Francisco Giants won the World Series three times in the 2010s: in 2010, 2012, and 2014.

In 2011, the Texas Rangers were very close to winning their first World Series. They were just one strike away twice in Game 6, but the St. Louis Cardinals made an amazing comeback and won the series.

The Chicago Cubs ended their 108-year wait for a World Series title in 2016. They defeated the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling seven-game series.

The Houston Astros won their first World Series in 2017. This win later caused some discussion because of how the team was said to have used technology to try and figure out what pitches opposing teams would throw in 2017 and 2018.

In 2019, the Washington Nationals won their first World Series. They made history by winning every game on the road, meaning they didn't win any games in their home stadium.

The 2020s

In 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series since 1988. This season was shorter because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All playoff games were played at neutral locations.

The Houston Astros won the World Series in 2022. Their manager, Dusty Baker, became the oldest manager to win a World Series game. In Game 4, four of their pitchers combined to throw a rare no-hitter, meaning the other team didn't get any hits.

In 2023, the Texas Rangers won their first-ever World Series championship. They defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games. Corey Seager was named the Series MVP for the second time in his career.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 Series, defeating the New York Yankees in five games. This was the Dodgers' second title in five years. Freddie Freeman was named MVP for hitting home runs in the first four games.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won their 9th title in the 2025 World Series, making them the defending champions. The Toronto Blue Jays also made an appearance in the 2025 World Series, their third time.

World Series Records by Team

This table shows how many World Series each team has won and played in since 1903.

Teams †	Series Wins	Series Played	Last Won	Last Played
New York Yankees (AL) [previously Baltimore Orioles, Highlanders]	27	41	2009	2024
St. Louis Cardinals (NL)	11	19	2011	2013
Athletics (AL) [previously Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics]	9	14	1989	1990
Boston Red Sox (AL) [previously Americans]	9	13	2018	2018
Los Angeles Dodgers (NL) [previously Brooklyn Bridegrooms, Superbas, Trolley Dodgers, Robins, Dodgers]	9	23	2025	2025
San Francisco Giants (NL) [previously New York Gothams, Giants]	8	20	2014	2014
Cincinnati Reds (NL) [previously Red Stockings, Redlegs]	5	9	1990	1990
Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) [previously Alleghenys]	5	7	1979	1979
Detroit Tigers (AL)	4	11	1984	2012
Atlanta Braves (NL) [previously Boston Red Stockings, Beaneaters, Doves, Rustlers, Bees, Braves and Milwaukee Braves]	4	10	2021	2021
Chicago Cubs (NL) [previously White Stockings, Colts, Orphans]	3	11	2016	2016
Baltimore Orioles (AL) [previously 1st Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Browns]	3	7	1983	1983
Minnesota Twins (AL) [previously 1st Washington Nationals, Senators]	3	6	1991	1991
Chicago White Sox (AL)	3	5	2005	2005
Philadelphia Phillies (NL)	2	8	2008	2022
Cleveland Guardians (AL) [previously Bluebirds, Bronchos, Naps, Indians]	2	6	1948	2016
Houston Astros (NL, 1962; AL, 2013) * [previously Colt .45s, NL]	2	5	2022	2022
New York Mets (NL, 1962) *	2	5	1986	2015
Kansas City Royals (AL, 1969) *	2	4	2015	2015
Toronto Blue Jays (AL, 1977) *	2	3	1993	2025
Miami Marlins (NL, 1993) * [previously Florida Marlins]	2	2	2003	2003
Texas Rangers (AL, 1961) * [previously 2nd Washington Senators]	1	3	2023	2023
Arizona Diamondbacks (NL, 1998) *	1	2	2001	2023
Washington Nationals (NL, 1969) * [previously Montreal Expos, currently 2nd Washington Nationals]	1	1	2019	2019
Los Angeles Angels (AL, 1961) * [previously California/Anaheim Angels and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]	1	1	2002	2002
San Diego Padres (NL, 1969) *	0	2	—	1998
Tampa Bay Rays (AL, 1998) * [previously Devil Rays]	0	2	—	2020
Colorado Rockies (NL, 1993) *	0	1	—	2007
Milwaukee Brewers (AL, 1969; NL, 1998) * [previously Seattle Pilots (AL), currently 2nd Milwaukee Brewers]	0	1	—	1982
Seattle Mariners (AL, 1977)*	0	0	—	—

Key to table
AL = American League
NL = National League
AL* = Joined the American League after 1960
NL* = Joined the National League after 1960
moved between Leagues
† Totals include a team's record with another nickname or in a previous city [bracketed below its current name]. For further details, see individual team articles or Major League franchises.
See also: List of World Series champions Source: MLB.com

Watching the World Series

The World Series was first shown on television in 1947, but only in a few cities. By 1951, people across the United States could watch it. In 1955, the World Series was first shown in color!

Today, the World Series is broadcast by Fox in the United States. Many other networks and radio stations also cover the games.

International Players in the World Series

Even though it's called the "World Series," it's the championship for Major League Baseball teams in the United States and Canada. However, many talented players from all over the world play in the series.

Players from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia come to play in the major leagues. This makes the World Series a truly international event, even if the teams are from North America. Other tournaments, like the World Baseball Classic, feature national teams from different countries playing against each other.

Images for kids

An excited crowd at the Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston before Game 3 of the 1903 World Series
Christy Mathewson pitched three complete-game shutouts in the 1905 World Series.
Bill Mazeroski hit a dramatic home run in the 1960 World Series to win the championship.
Action from the 1959 World Series at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
A program and tickets for the 1968 World Series at Tiger Stadium.
Carlton Fisk is famous for his exciting home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series.
Reggie Jackson earned the nickname "Mr. October" for his amazing hitting in the 1977 World Series.
President Ronald Reagan with the 1988 World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In Game 6 of the 1991 World Series, Kirby Puckett made a memorable catch and hit a game-winning home run.
Fireworks light up SkyDome after Joe Carter's 1993 World Series-winning home run.
Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, pictured with President George W. Bush before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series.
Game 1 of the 2008 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies (NL) and Tampa Bay Rays (AL) at Tropicana Field.
In 2011, David Freese hit a game-tying triple and a game-winning home run in Game 6 of the World Series.
Chicago Cubs celebrate their 2016 World Series victory, their first in 108 years.
Dusty Baker, as manager of the Houston Astros in 2022, became the oldest person to win a World Series game.
Game action in the 1906 Series in Chicago (the only all-Chicago World Series to date)
Bill Wambsganss completes his unassisted triple play in 1920
Washington's Bucky Harris scores his home run in the fourth inning of Game 7 (October 10, 1924)
The Chicago Cubs celebrate winning the 2016 World Series, which ended the club's 108-year championship drought.