World Series Details, Meaning World Series Article and Explanation Guide

World Series Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description

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) and is awarded the World Series Trophy. The World Series has been an annual event since 1903, with the exception of 1904 and 1994. The New York Yankees have the most World Series titles, with 26 championships.

The 2004 World Series was played October 23 through October 27, between the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals and the American League champion Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox won the series four games to none, earning their first World Series Championship since 1918.

Table of contents

1 Introduction
2 Precursors to the World Series (1884-1900)
3 The modern World Series (1903-present)

3.1 The first attempt
3.2 The boycott of 1904

4 List of World Series after 1904

4.3 1905-1919: The "Dead ball era"
4.4 1920-1941: The "Live Ball Era" (sometimes "The Golden Age")
4.5 1942-1945: The war years
4.6 1946-1960: The postwar years
4.7 1961-1968: The first expansion period
4.8 1969-1976: Second expansion
4.9 1977-1992: Third expansion
4.10 1993-1997: Fourth expansion
4.11 1998-present: Fifth expansion

5 See also

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.

A portion of the gate receipts from the World Series - and, from 1969 onward, the other rounds of postseason play preceding it - is used to fund a Players' Pool, from which descending shares are distributed to the World Series winner, the World Series loser, all the other teams qualifying for the playoffs which did not reach the World Series, and certain other teams which did not qualify for the playoffs, the criteria for the latter changing at various times. Prior to 1969, teams finishing in the first division, or top half of the leagues' standings, received such shares; today only the teams finishing in second place in their division but not earning a wild card receive them.

The "World" appellation has stuck despite the fact that only teams in the United States and Canada participate. While some would contend that there is no reason to believe that the World Series winner is a significantly better team than any club team outside Major League Baseball, no challenges have been made by other leagues. 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". Furthermore, investigation of the New York World for the relevant years revealed no evidence of the supposed sponsorship. (For details, see Mr. Pappas's web page on the subject: http://web.archive.org/web/20031212202050/http://roadsidephotos.com/baseball/name.htm

Baseball tournaments between international teams do occur, notably at the world championships and at the Olympic Games. To the Summer Olympics, the US has always sent a team of minor-league players, since the MLB hasn't been willing to stop playing and thus free its players during the Olympics until now. The US team won the gold medal in 2000, 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. At the 2004 Summer Olympics the USA was not represented, since its minor-leaguer team did not survive qualifying. The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) has tried to lobby MLB into suspending play during the Summer Olympics, so that MLB players could compete for their respective national teams. The IBAF is of the opininon that if this does not happen at the 2008 Olympics, Baseball is likely to be removed from the Olympics to make room for Rugby. The IBAF has agreed to shortening the Olympic tournament if the MLB agrees to freeing its players. According to the IBAF chairman, such a move would do more for popularizing Baseball around the world than any amount of money spent by the MLB for its current worldwide marketing.

Currently, Major League Baseball, in cooperation with the IBAF, is trying to institute a World Cup of Baseball, to be held at least quadrennially during the Northern Hemisphere winter at a warm-weather site, to serve as a true world championship of national baseball teams. The winter scheduling would allow players from the North American and Japanese professional leagues to participate. The first such World Cup is tentatively scheduled to follow the 2005 season. The IBAF has already organized thirty-five editions of the Baseball World Cup since 1938.

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. World Series Cricket was a short-lived but influential cricket competition.

Precursors to the 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 within each group organized the competitions 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 2 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 Americans 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 "Dead ball 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.

This would be the last Red Sox World Series win in the modern era until 2004. The subsequent 86 years of losses were often attributed to the Curse of the Bambino, as the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth for cash the next year.

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 "Live 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.

scores his home run in the fourth inning of Game 7, October 10, 1924]]

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.

Grover Cleveland Alexander, pitching short on days rest, leads the Cardinals to victory in game seven, upsetting the powerful New York Yankees Murderers' Row lineup.

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.

The famous "Mack Attack," named for the legendary manager of the Athletics, Connie Mack, in which the Athletics overcame an eight run deficit in one inning, occurs.

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, "The Thunder after the Lightning"--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.

Joe DiMaggio bows out as a Yankee, while rookies Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle make their series debuts.

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.

: Willie Mays makes a brilliant running catch of Vic Wertz's drive, September 29, 1954]]

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 Los Angeles Angels and Washington Senators in 1961, and Houston Colt .45s and New York Mets in 1962.)

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

In their first visit to the World Series in 41 years, the Athletics upset the heavily favored Reds.

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

Reggie Jackson hits three home runs off of three consecutive pitches from three different Dodger pitchers in the deciding game six, only the third time a player has hit three homers in a World Series game (Babe Ruth did it twice, in 1926 and 1928). His nickname of "Mr. October" is born here.

1978: New York AL defeats Los Angeles NL, 4 games to 2. MVP: Bucky Dent, New York

Famous for a controversial play in which Reggie Jackson breaks up a double play by using his hip to bat the ball heading to first base away allowing Thurman Munson to go to second base on the error. There would not be any repeat World Champions for the next fourteen years.

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. Known as the I-70 World Series or the Show Me State World Series.

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 inning 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; four of the five were won on the last play. Three of those five went into extra innings. Morris started three games and won two, including the dramatic seventh game, to win series MVP honors. 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 10th 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 and the first to win.

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. Toronto became the first repeat World Champions since the 1977-78 New York Yankees.

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: Liv�n Hern�ndez, Florida

The Florida Marlins win in just their fifth year, beating the New York Mets' record as the fastest expansion team to win the World Series.

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

This would be the last World Series to date with a repeat World Champion.

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 Diamondbacks 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 Gonzalez knocking in the game-winning RBI with a bloop single into the outfield.

The Diamondbacks, in their fourth year of existence, break the Marlins' short-lived record as the fastest expansion team to win the World Series.

This is the last World Series to date to be won by a division champion.

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. Featured the greatest comeback in Series history by a team facing elimination, when the Angels erased a 5-0 deficit with 8 outs remaining, to win Game 6 (6-5) and Game 7 (4-1). There was considerable controversy 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, vs Glaus' 7 runs, 8 RBI, 3 homers and a .385 average.

2003: Florida NL† defeats New York AL 4 games to 2. MVP: Josh Beckett, Florida.

2004: Boston AL† defeats St. Louis NL 4 games to 0. MVP: Manny Ram�rez, Boston.

Boston's victory breaks the Curse of the Bambino, coming from the largest upset in post season MLB history (a 3-0 deficit against the New York Yankees in the Championship Series) to sweep St. Louis. The Red Sox's eight consecutive wins constitute the longest post season winning streak in MLB history. It would also be the second year in a row that the home team (in this case St. Louis) did not win the deciding game of a World Series.

†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).