World Series facts for kids

Quick facts for kids World Series
Commissioner's Trophy
League	Major League Baseball
First played	1903
Most recently played	2023
Most recent champions	Texas Rangers (1)
Most titles	New York Yankees (27)
Sponsor	YouTube TV (2017–2019) Capital One (2022–present)

The World Series is the yearly championship event for Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been played since 1903. In this series, the top teams from the American League (AL) and the National League (NL) compete. The team that wins, usually in a best-of-seven playoff, gets the Commissioner's Trophy.

The World Series usually happens in October. Sometimes, it started in late September, like in 1955. In 1918, it even started early in September because of World War I. Recently, some series have gone into November due to delays or longer playoff rounds. Since it's played in the fall in North America, people often call it the Fall Classic.

Before 1969, the team with the best record in each league won its pennant. These teams then went straight to the World Series. Since 1969, teams play in a League Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS) first. These series decide which teams will play in the World Series. Since 1995, there are also Division Series (ALDS and NLDS) before that. And since 2012, there are Wild Card games or series.

From 2003 to 2016, the league that won the All-Star Game got to host more World Series games. Since 2017, the team with the better record during the regular season gets this advantage. This is true even if they were a Wild Card team.

The World Series has been played 119 times up to the 2023 season. The American League has won 68 times, and the National League has won 51 times.

How the World Series Began (Before 1903)

Before 1882, only one main baseball league existed. Teams won championships by having the best record at the end of the season. There were no special playoff games.

Early "World's Series" Games

From 1884 to 1890, the National League and the American Association played each other. These games happened at the end of the season. They were called "World's Championship Series" or "World's Series." These early series were not very organized. The team owners decided the rules. Some series had only three games, while others had as many as fifteen. The series in 1885 and 1890 even ended in ties.

Major League Baseball does not officially count these 19th-century games as part of the modern World Series. They see them as a separate part of baseball history.

The "Monopoly Years" (1892–1900)

After 1891, the National League was again the only major league. In 1892, they tried a playoff system to decide the champion. This idea was quickly stopped. From 1893 until 1969, the team in first place at the end of the season won the championship. For a few years (1894–1897), the league champions played the second-place team in a series called the Temple Cup. Another similar series, the Chronicle-Telegraph Cup, was played only once in 1900.

In 1901, the American League was formed. It became a second major league. No championship series were played in 1901 or 1902. The two leagues were competing against each other.

The Modern World Series (1903–Present)

The First Official Series (1903)

An excited crowd at the Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston before Game 3 of the 1903 World Series.

After two years of rivalry, the National and American Leagues made peace. As part of this, some teams played exhibition games after the 1903 season. One of these was a best-of-nine series. It featured the Pittsburgh Pirates (NL champions) and the Boston Americans (AL champions, now the Red Sox). This series is now known as the 1903 World Series.

Boston surprised Pittsburgh, winning five games to three. Boston's strong pitchers, like Cy Young, helped them win.

The 1904 Boycott

The 1904 Series should have been between the Boston Americans and the New York Giants. But at that time, there were no official rules for the World Series. The Giants' owner, John T. Brush, refused to let his team play. He said the American League was "inferior." The Giants' manager, John McGraw, even said his team was already "world champions." He believed the National League was the "only real major league."

The Giants' management did not want to play against their new rivals, the New York Highlanders (now the New York Yankees). Boston ended up winning the AL pennant. Even though the leagues had agreed to a series, it wasn't a binding rule. Brush stuck to his decision. He also pointed out that there were no clear rules for sharing money or where games would be played.

New Rules for the Series

Christy Mathewson pitched three complete-game shutouts in the 1905 World Series.

After facing criticism, owner John T. Brush changed his mind in the winter of 1904–1905. He suggested new rules, called the "Brush Rules," which were used for future series. One rule said that players would get money only from the first four games' ticket sales. This was to stop teams from trying to make the series longer just to earn more money. The money from later games was split between the teams and the National Commission, which ran the sport.

Most importantly, the World Series became official and mandatory. The National Commission, not the teams, was in charge of the games. With these new rules, McGraw's Giants played in the 1905 Series. They beat the Philadelphia Athletics four games to one. Since then, the World Series has been held every year except 1994. That year, a players' strike canceled it. The event's name slowly changed from "World's Championship Series" to "World Series."

The rules for the postseason have changed over time. From 1919 to 1921, the series was best-of-nine, like in 1903. In 1925, a new pattern for home games was adopted: 2–3–2. This means the first two games are at one team's park, the next three at the other's, and the last two (if needed) back at the first team's park. This pattern has been used ever since, except for a few times during World War II.

The New York Yankees Dominate (1920–1964)

Bill Mazeroski hit a game-winning home run in the ninth inning of the 1960 World Series.

The New York Yankees bought Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox after the 1919 season. Two years later, in 1921, they played in their first World Series. After that, they became a regular part of the series. For 45 years, from 1920 to 1964, the Yankees played in 29 World Series and won 20 of them.

Their greatest period was from 1949 to 1964. During these 16 years, the Yankees reached the World Series 14 times. They won nine of those series. From 1949 to 1953, the Yankees won the World Series five years in a row. From 1936 to 1939, they won four in a row. Only two other teams have won at least three World Series in a row: the Oakland Athletics (1972–1974) and the Yankees again (1998–2000).

New York City Teams Rule (1947–1964)

For 18 years, from 1947 to 1964, the World Series was almost always played in New York City. This was because at least one of the three New York teams played in it. The Dodgers and Giants moved to California after the 1957 season. This left the Yankees as the only team in the city until the Mets started in 1962. In many of these years, both teams in the World Series were from New York. The Yankees played against either the Dodgers or the Giants.

Teams Move West (1958)

Action from the 1959 World Series at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

In 1958, the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants moved their long-time rivalry to the west coast. They moved to Los Angeles and San Francisco. This brought Major League Baseball west of St. Louis and Kansas City.

The Dodgers were the first to play a World Series on the west coast. They beat the Chicago White Sox in 1959. The 1962 Giants played in their first California World Series, but lost to the Yankees. The Dodgers played in three more World Series in the 1960s, winning two of them.

New Playoff Rounds (1969)

A 1968 World Series program and tickets for Games 4 and 5 at Tiger Stadium.

Before 1969, the National League and American League champions were simply the teams with the best records.

In 1969, a new playoff system began. Both leagues were split into two divisions: East and West. The winners of these divisions played each other in a League Championship Series. This series was best-of-five games. The winner then went to the World Series. In 1985, the League Championship Series changed to best-of-seven games.

The National League Championship Series (NLCS) and American League Championship Series (ALCS) are always played in a 2–3–2 format. The team with home-field advantage hosts Games 1, 2, 6, and 7. The other team hosts Games 3, 4, and 5.

World Series at Night (1971)

Baseball games started being played at night in 1935. But the World Series stayed a daytime event for many years. In 1949, a World Series game finished under the lights for the first time because it got too dark. The first World Series game planned to be played at night was Game 4 of the 1971 World Series. It was played at Three Rivers Stadium.

After that, World Series games were often scheduled at night. This was because more people watched TV then. Game 6 of the 1987 World Series was the last World Series game played during the daytime, but it was indoors. The last outdoor World Series game played completely during the day was Game 4 of the 1984 series.

Famous Moments of the 1970s

Carlton Fisk is famous for his "waving fair" home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series.

From 1972 to 1978, only three teams won the World Series. The Oakland Athletics won from 1972 to 1974. The Cincinnati Reds won in 1975 and 1976. The New York Yankees won in 1977 and 1978. This is the only time three teams have won back-to-back series in a row.

Game 6 of the 1975 World Series is one of the most famous games ever. The Boston Red Sox won in the 12th inning against the Cincinnati Reds. This forced a Game 7. The game is remembered for its exciting lead changes and a game-winning home run by Carlton Fisk.

The Designated Hitter (1976)

Reggie Jackson was called "Mr. October" after hitting three home runs in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series.

Until 1973, both leagues played by the same rules. In 1973, the American League started using the designated hitter (DH) rule. This allowed a player to bat in place of the pitcher. The National League did not use this rule. This created a problem for the World Series.

Starting in 1976, the DH rule was used in World Series games played in even-numbered years. From 1986 to 2019, the DH was only used in American League parks. Pitchers had to bat in National League parks. In 2020, and starting in 2022, the DH rule is used in all World Series games, no matter where they are played.

Memorable Moments of the 1980s

Sparky Anderson's Achievement (1984)

The 1984 Detroit Tigers led their season from the very first day to their World Series victory. Their manager, Sparky Anderson, became the first manager to win a World Series in both the American and National Leagues. He had won before with the Cincinnati Reds.

Mets' Big Comeback (1986)

The 1986 World Series is famous for Game 6. The Mets were losing by two runs in the bottom of the 10th inning. They had two outs and no one on base. The Red Sox were just one strike away from winning the championship twice. But the Mets tied the game and then won it with an error by the Red Sox first baseman. Because the Mets won the series in Game 7, this Game 6 collapse became part of the "Curse of the Bambino" story.

Twins Win All Home Games (1987)

The 1987 Minnesota Twins were the first team in World Series history to win the championship by winning all four of their home games. They beat the St. Louis Cardinals. They did this again four years later in 1991.

Kirk Gibson's Amazing Home Run (1988)

President Ronald Reagan with the 1988 World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 1988 World Series is remembered for a famous home run by Kirk Gibson of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It happened with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 1. The Dodgers were not expected to win against the strong Oakland Athletics.

Gibson was injured and was not supposed to play in the series. But he surprised everyone by pinch-hitting. After falling behind in the count, Gibson hit a home run. This gave the Dodgers a dramatic win. Famous broadcasters like Vin Scully and Jack Buck made memorable calls. Scully said, "The impossible has happened!" This home run set the tone for the series. The Dodgers went on to beat the A's 4 games to 1. Gibson's injury kept him from playing in any other games.

The Earthquake Series (1989)

The 1989 World Series was special because it was the first time two teams from the San Francisco Bay Area played each other. These were the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics. Oakland won the first two games at home. Game 3 was set for October 17 in San Francisco.

About 30 minutes before the game, the Loma Prieta earthquake happened. It caused a lot of damage and killed 63 people. TV viewers saw the broadcast signal cut out. The announcers were heard saying, "I'll tell you what, we're having an earth--" before the feed was lost. Fans at the stadium saw it sway. The game was postponed. Game 3 was finally played on October 27. Oakland won that game and the next, sweeping the series in four games.

Highlights of the 1990s

"The Greatest of All Time" (1991)

In Game 6 of the 1991 World Series, Kirby Puckett made a great catch and then hit a game-winning home run.

The 1991 World Series saw the Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Braves four games to three. ESPN called it the "Greatest of All Time." Five of its games were decided by just one run. Four games were decided in the final at-bat. Three games went into extra innings. Both teams had finished last in their divisions the year before. No other last-place team had ever reached the World Series the next year.

The deciding Game 7 was tied 0–0 through nine innings and went into extra innings. Minnesota won 1–0 in the 10th inning. Their starting pitcher, Jack Morris, pitched all 10 innings without giving up a run. He was named the Series MVP.

World Series in Canada (1992–1993)

Fireworks in SkyDome after Joe Carter's 1993 World Series-winning home run.

For the first time, World Series games were played outside the United States in 1992. The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves in six games. The World Series returned to Canada in 1993. The Blue Jays won again, this time against the Philadelphia Phillies. No other series has featured a team from outside the United States. Toronto is the only expansion team to win two World Series titles in a row.

The 1993 World Series is also known for its ending. Joe Carter hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6. This gave Toronto an 8–6 win and the championship. It was only the second time a World Series ended with a walk-off home run.

The 1994–1995 Strike

The World Series had been played every year since 1904. It continued through World Wars, a global flu pandemic, and the Great Depression. But in 1994, a players' strike happened. This led to the cancellation of the rest of the season, including the playoffs.

Baseball team owners wanted a salary cap to limit player salaries. Players refused to agree to this. On August 12, 1994, the players went on strike. After a month, the acting Commissioner, Bud Selig, canceled the rest of the 1994 season. The World Series was not played for the first time in 90 years.

The strike lasted into the spring of 1995. Players returned to work on April 2, 1995, after a judge ruled against the owners. The season started on April 25. The 1995 World Series was played as planned. The Atlanta Braves beat the Cleveland Indians four games to two.

The 2000s

Early 2000s Highlights

Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter with President George W. Bush before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series. Jeter became the first player to hit a walk-off home run in November.

In 2000, the New York Yankees played the Mets. This was the first World Series played entirely in New York since 1956. The Yankees won, earning their 26th World Series Championship.

The 2001 World Series was the first to end in November. This was because the regular season was delayed after the September 11 attacks. Game 4 went into extra innings and ended on November 1. Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter hit a game-winning home run in the 10th inning. He was called "Mr. November."

The Boston Red Sox ended their 86-year championship drought in 2004. This was known as the Curse of the Bambino. They beat the Yankees in the ALCS after being down 3-0. Then, they swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2004 World Series.

All-Star Game and Home-Field Advantage

Before 2003, home-field advantage in the World Series simply switched between the AL and NL each year. After the 2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game ended in a tie, MLB decided to give home-field advantage to the league that won the All-Star Game. This rule was tried for two years and then made permanent.

The American League won every All-Star Game from 2003 to 2010. So, they had home-field advantage for many years. This rule caused some debate. Many felt that home-field advantage should be based on the teams' regular season records, not an exhibition game.

Game 1 of the 2008 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies (NL) and Tampa Bay Rays (AL) at Tropicana Field.

However, in most recent years, home-field advantage has not decided the World Series. From 2014 to 2022, the home team did not win the deciding game. The 2020 World Series was played at a neutral site due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 World Series was won by the Houston Astros at their home park. In 2023, the Texas Rangers won the series on the road.

The 2010s

In 2011, David Freese hit a game-tying triple and then a game-winning home run in Game 6.

The San Francisco Giants won the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014. They did not make the playoffs in the years between their wins.

The Texas Rangers almost won their first World Series title in 2011. They were just one strike away twice. But the St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese hit a game-tying triple and then a game-winning home run in Game 6. This forced a Game 7.

In 2012, the Wild Card game was added to the playoffs. This game is played between the two best teams in each league that didn't win their division. The San Francisco Giants swept the Detroit Tigers in the World Series that year.

In 2013, the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series of the decade. They beat the St. Louis Cardinals in six games. They won the final game at their home park, Fenway Park, for the first time since 1918.

The Kansas City Royals reached the World Series in 2014. This was their first playoff appearance since winning the series in 1985. They lost in seven games to the San Francisco Giants. The next season, the Royals won their second straight American League pennant. They beat the New York Mets in the World Series in five games. This was their first title in 30 years.

The Chicago Cubs celebrate their 2016 World Series victory, their first in 108 years.

In 2016, the Chicago Cubs ended their 108-year wait for a World Series title. They beat the Cleveland Indians in seven games. The Cubs came back after being down 3-1 in the series. This made Cleveland's World Series title drought the longest in baseball.

Starting in 2017, home-field advantage in the World Series goes to the league champion team with the better regular-season record. If records are tied, head-to-head results or divisional records are used.

The Houston Astros won the 2017 World Series in seven games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was their first World Series win. Two years later, this title became controversial due to a sign-stealing scandal.

The Boston Red Sox won the 2018 World Series. They beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. This was their fourth title since 2004.

In 2019, the Washington Nationals beat the Houston Astros in seven games. It was the first seven-game World Series where the road team won every game. The Nationals became the first team to win the World Series without winning a home game. They also brought the title back to the capital for the first time since 1924.

With the Nationals' win in 2019, the Seattle Mariners are the only active MLB team that has never played in the World Series.

The 2020s

Dusty Baker, as manager of the Houston Astros in 2022, became the oldest person to win a World Series game.

In 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays in six games. This was their first World Series win since 1988. The season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All playoff games were played at neutral locations. The World Series was held at Globe Life Field.

The Houston Astros had home-field advantage in both the 2021 World Series and the 2022 World Series. In 2021, they lost to the Atlanta Braves. In 2022, they won against the Philadelphia Phillies. Their manager, Dusty Baker, won his first World Series after 25 years of managing. He also became the oldest manager to win a World Series game. Four Astros pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter in Game 4. This was only the second no-hitter in World Series history.

The 2023 saw the return of the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Rangers had home-field advantage for the first two games. They went on to beat the Diamondbacks in five games. This was the Rangers' first World Series championship ever. Corey Seager won the MVP award for the second time.

World Series Appearances by Team (1903–Present)

Watching the World Series: TV Coverage

When the World Series was first shown on TV in 1947, it was only available in a few cities. By 1949, most of the country east of the Mississippi River could watch. In 1951, the World Series was televised from coast to coast for the first time. In 1955, it was shown in color for the first time.

Today, Fox broadcasts the World Series. They have been doing so since 1996 and will continue until at least 2028.

World Series Sponsors

YouTube TV was the first company to be a main sponsor of the World Series. They had a deal from 2017 to 2019.

In 2022, Capital One, a credit card company, became the new main sponsor of the World Series. They signed a deal for several years.

Why is it Called the "World" Series?

Even though it's called the World Series, it's only the championship for Major League Baseball teams in the United States and Canada. Sometimes, people in baseball call the winners "world champions of baseball."

Baseball has grown a lot around the world. Many talented players from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia now play in the major leagues. This gives the World Series an international feel.

Other baseball tournaments exist for national teams. The World Baseball Classic, supported by Major League Baseball, is like the FIFA World Cup for baseball. It happens every four years. The Premier12 is another tournament for national teams. These events allow top players from different countries to compete.

The Caribbean Series is a competition for the champions of Latin American leagues. It takes place in February, after their seasons end.

Images for kids

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  Rooftop view of a 1903 World Series game in Boston.

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  Game action in the 1906 Series in Chicago.

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  Bill Wambsganss completes his unassisted triple play in 1920.

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  Washington's Bucky Harris scores his home run in Game 7 (October 10, 1924).

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  The Chicago Cubs celebrate winning the 2016 World Series, which ended the club's 108-year championship drought.

See Also

In Spanish: Serie Mundial para niños