The World Series began in 1903 and, with the exception of 1904 and 1994, has always been played despite World Wars, economic hardships, natural disasters, and even pandemics.
Even though Baseball has been overtaken in popularity by Football, it still remains a favorite pastime in America and a great way to spend a lazy summer day.
The following is a list of World Series Winners.
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- 1903 - Boston Americans vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1904 - Canceled
- 1905 - Philadelphia Athletics vs New York Giants
- 1906 - Chicago White Sox vs Chicago Cubs
- 1907 - Detroit Tigers vs Chicago Cubs
- 1908 - Detroit Tigers vs Chicago Cubs
- 1909 - Detroit Tigers vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1910 - Philadelphia Athletics vs Chicago Cubs
- 1911 - Philadelphia Athletics vs New York Giants
- 1912 - Boston Red Sox vs New York Giants
- 1913 - Philadelphia Athletics vs New York Giants
- 1914 - Philadelphia Athletics vs. Boston Braves
- 1915 - Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies
- 1916 - Boston Red Sox vs. Brooklyn Robins
- 1917 - Chicago White Sox vs. New York Giants
- 1918 - Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs
- 1919 - Chicago White Sox vs. Cincinnati Reds
- 1920 - Cleveland Indians vs. Brooklyn Dodgers
- 1921 - New York Yankees vs. New York Giants
- 1922 - New York Yankees vs. New York Giants
- 1923 - New York Yankees vs. New York Giants
- 1924 - Washington Senators vs. New York Giants
- 1925 - Washington Senators vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1926 - New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals
- 1927 - New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1928 - New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals
- 1929 - Philadelphia Athletics vs. Chicago Cubs
- 1930 - Philadelphia Athletics vs. St. Louis Cardinals
- 1931 - Philadelphia Athletics vs. St. Louis Cardinals
- 1932 - New York Yankees vs. Chicago Cubs
1903 - Boston Americans vs Pittsburgh Pirates
The first official World Series took place in 1903 and would be a best of 9 series. The Boston Americans would win the series 5 - 3 behind great pitching from Cy Young and others. Honus Wagner would struggle during the series due to injury. It would be something that bothered Wagner until he was able to redeem himself in a later World Series.
Winner: Boston Americans
1904 - Canceled
After a successful start in 1903, the 1904 World Series was canceled due to rivalries and politics. The New York Giants did not want to acknowledge the legitimacy of the American League and refused to play their champion. This led to a media firestorm and much criticism from fans, which would then lead to the leagues coming up with a formal agreement that would force the champions from both leagues to play in the World Series.
Winner: None
1905 - Philadelphia Athletics vs New York Giants
In the second World Series, the Giants would win the series 4-1 in a best of seven. They did so on the back of Christy Mathewson, who pitched 3 shutouts. In fact, every game that was played was a shutout. John McGraw's Giants easily won with his aggressive form of small ball. The two teams that had dominated the first couple of years would go into a hiatus until 1910.
Winner: New York Giants
1906 - Chicago White Sox vs Chicago Cubs
The 1906 World Series would be the first baseball Championship to feature 2 teams from the same city. This would be the first of three World Series for the Chicago Cubs, who came in with the best record of the teams. However, the White Sox would take the series in six games, which would fuel the Cubs for the upcoming years.
Winner: Chicago White Sox
1907 - Detroit Tigers vs Chicago Cubs
The 1907 World Series would be the second World Series that featured the Chicago Cubs and the first World Series for the Detroit Tigers and their young player, Ty Cobb. After losing in 1906, the Cubs were focused on delivering a Championship to their fans and the National League. They would do so in a convincing fashion by nearly sweeping the Tigers.
Winner: Chicago Cubs
1908 - Detroit Tigers vs Chicago Cubs
1908 was a repeat of the 1907 World Series, with Detroit hoping to get some redemption. The Cubs quickly took control by winning the first two games, but Detroit managed to pull within 1 game when they took Game 3. However, in Games 4 and 5, the Cubs' two ace pitchers shut the Tiger's offense down and did not allow 1 run. The Cubs won their second consecutive World Series, which would be their last for the next 108 years.
Winner: Chicago Cubs
1909 - Detroit Tigers vs Pittsburgh Pirates
The 1908 World Series would be the third consecutive World Series for the Detroit Tigers and the second series for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It would also be a battle of two of the best players in baseball history when Ty Cobb went up against Honus Wagner. However, the story of the series would be the Pirates' base running and the superb pitching by Babe Adams. Wagner did redeem himself after his poor performance in 1903.
Winner: Pittsburgh Pirates
1910 - Philadelphia Athletics vs Chicago Cubs
The 1910 World Series would be the fourth World Series in five years for the Chicago Cubs and the 2nd appearance for Connie Mack and his Athletics. The Series would be a lopsided affair, with the Athletics dominating the Cubs behind well-times hitting and solid pitching from Jack Coombs. Mordecai Brown, who had seen success in previous championships, would get the only win for the Cubs.
Winner: Philadelphia Athletics
1911 - Philadelphia Athletics vs New York Giants
The 1911 World Series was a rematch between Connie Mack and John McGraw. The two had met in 1905, with the Giants taking the series with dominant pitching. This time around, it would be the Athletics that would dominate the pitching. The hero of the World Series would be Frank Baker (pictured above), who received his nickname Home Run Baker due to hitting two home runs to help win Games 2 and 3 and put the A's in the series lead. A lead they would not give up.
Winner: Philadelphia Athletics
1912 - Boston Red Sox vs New York Giants
It is considered the best World Series of the decade, with all but one game coming down to the final inning. It would be the second World Series to go eight games due to a tie in Game 2 and the first World Series to see two bounce home runs. Christy Mathewson would pitch great but not win a single game, while Smoky Joe Wood would end up with 3 wins with an ERA of 4.50.
Winner: Boston Red Sox
1913 - Philadelphia Athletics vs New York Giants
A dominating performance by the Philadelphia Athletics to close the series out in 5 games and win their third World Series in 4 years. This would also be the second time they defeated the New York Giants in the championship. The 1913 World Series would see the end of an era as Christy Mathewson would never pitch in a World Series again. He was one of the first Hall of Famers and the most dominant pitcher in his era.
Winner: Philadelphia Athletics
1914 - Philadelphia Athletics vs. Boston Braves
The 1914 World Series featured the Miracle Braves against the Philadelphia Athletics. This was the first Cinderella story of the World Series, as the Boston Braves were in last place in the National League in mid-July and would come storming back to win the pennant by 10.5 games over the New York Giants. They met the dominant Athletics, who had won 3 of the last 4 World Series matchups and would deliver the first sweep in World Series History.
Winner: Boston Braves
1915 - Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The 1915 World Series featured the same towns as the 1914 World Series but different clubs. This would be the first time that the World Series spectators would see a President throw out a ceremonial first pitch and the first time they would get a peek at a young Babe Ruth, which would eventually change the way Baseball would be played. The Boston Red Sox would win their second World Series of the decade.
Winner: Boston Red Sox
1916 - Boston Red Sox vs. Brooklyn Robins
The 1916 World Series would be the third World Series victory for the Boston Red Sox in the decade. It would be during this World Series that Babe Ruth would begin his historic scoreless streak in the World Series that would stay the record until Whitey Ford broke it in the 1960s. This World Series would also set an attendance record in Game 5 when the Red Sox sold out Braves Field.
Winner: Boston Red Sox
1917 - Chicago White Sox vs. New York Giants
With the nation engulfed in World War I and in need of a distraction, two teams took the field with heavy hearts. Some of these men playing would end up shedding their baseball uniforms for military ones in the following year, but at this time, they would try to distract a nation from overseas. The Chicago White Sox would emerge victorious when they defeated the New York Giants.
Winner: Chicago White Sox
1918 - Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs
The World Series is often referenced by Red Sox fans as the beginning of the Curse of the Bambino. What is often forgotten about this particular World Series is that it was most likely thrown by the Chicago Cubs. There were many ironies that occurred in 1918. The Cubs lost by 1 run in each of their losses. They outhit the Red Sox and even outscored them for the series. However, with World War I going on, it was easy for corruption to be overlooked.
Winner: Boston Red Sox
1919 - Chicago White Sox vs. Cincinnati Reds
The most scandalous World Series in the history of Baseball. While there were probably other championship games that were thrown, this was the only one where eight men got caught in a conspiracy. The 1919 White Sox scandal would rock baseball and almost ruin its popularity. Fans became skeptical of the game, and if it was not for the emergence of Babe Ruth and the re-structuring of power to create more accountability, the game might have faded.
Winner: Chicago White Sox
1920 - Cleveland Indians vs. Brooklyn Dodgers
This World Series featured two teams that had not won a World Series since its inception in 1903. Cleveland Indians had never been to a World Series, while the Brooklyn Dodgers (also known as Robins) had been to the 1916 World Series and lost. This would be the last time it would happen until 1980. The Brooklyn Dodgers would not win a World Series until 1955, just prior to moving from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
Winner: Cleveland Indians
1921 - New York Yankees vs. New York Giants
The first Subway series and the first appearance in a World Series for the New York Yankees. This would also be the last World Series to be a best of 9 series rather than a best of 7. The Yankees and Giants would also share the Polo Grounds as the Yankees did not have a stadium. John McGraw and his Giants would take the series, which would be the second win of his many appearances. Babe Ruth would struggle and battle injuries throughout the series.
Winner: New York Giants
1922 - New York Yankees vs. New York Giants
This would be the second meeting between the two New York clubs. Once again, the series would take place at the Polo Grounds since Yankee Stadium was still being built. Attendance was up due to the popularity of Babe Ruth and the upstart Yankees. However, the Yankee's popularity could not defeat the Giant's strategy. Babe Ruth would struggle again and bat below .200 in the series, and the Giants would sweep the Yankees (one game would be a tie due to it being called for darkness).
Winner: New York Giants
1923 - New York Yankees vs. New York Giants
The third time was a charm, as the Yankees and Giants would meet again for the third time in a row. This time it would be the Yankees' turn to get over the hump. The World Series would be played at the renovated Polo Grounds and the new Yankee Stadium. Attendance records would be shattered, and Babe Ruth would get his revenge. He had a good series, and the Yankees would win their first World Series of many. Casey Stengel provided some heroics, but it would not be enough. Stengel would eventually manage the Yankees during their most successful run.
Winner: New York Yankees
1924 - Washington Senators vs. New York Giants
This would be the first World Series win for Walter Johnson and Bucky Harris and the last World Series appearance for John McGraw. The 1924 series is considered one of the greatest World Series matchups ever. It went to a Game 7, and the last game went into extra innings. Walter Johnson, who had lost both of his starts, redeemed himself by coming into the final game and pitching in relief. He held the Giants scoreless and allowed the Senators to score the winning runs.
Winner: Washington Senators
1925 - Washington Senators vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates had not been in a World Series since the days of Honus Wagner in 1909. The Washington Senators were coming off a win in the World Series the year prior. The series would go to a Game 7 and would result in a Pittsburgh Pirates victory after they overcame a 3 - 1 deficit. This would be the last World Series appearance for Walter Johnson, who would only play two more years.
Winner: Pittsburgh Pirates
1926 - New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The New York Yankees made their fourth appearance in the fall classic, while this was the first appearance for the St. Louis Cardinals. The matchup was excellent and drew fans from all over the country, including many celebrities. The Yankees would take a 3 - 2 lead only to lose the final two games. Despite how great the series was, the most memorable play came in Game 7 when Babe Ruth was thrown out at 2nd, thus ending the game.
Winner: St. Louis Cardinals
1927 - New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
This would be the first of many sweeps in the World Series by the New York Yankees. They would overwhelm the Pittsburgh Pirates with excellent offense from Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and others. Pitching would also prove to be too tough for the Pirates. The Bronx Bombers featured Murderer's Row and is often considered one of the greatest baseball teams ever to play the game.
Winner: New York Yankees
1928 - New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Many experts believed that the St. Louis Cardinals would make short work of the Yankees. Despite the Yankee's better record and strong offense, it did not seem to matter. However, it would be the Yankees that would complete their sweep of the Cardinals and outscore them by 17 runs in the series. The Bronx Bombers put on a power clinic led by Gehrig, who hit four home runs, and Ruth, who slammed 3 home runs in one game.
Winner: New York Yankees
1929 - Philadelphia Athletics vs. Chicago Cubs
The 1929 World Series was the first time in a while that two teams that once dominated their respective leagues faced off in the World Series. The Chicago Cubs had not been to a World Series in 11 years, and the Philadelphia Athletics had not been since the 1914 World Series. Connie Mack won the 4th World Series of his career, which would set a new record. Ironically, that record would eventually be broken by Joe McCarthy, who was the manager of the Cubs in 1929 but would eventually take over the New York Yankees.
Winner: Philadelphia Athletics
1930 - Philadelphia Athletics vs. St. Louis Cardinals
This would be the last victory for the Philadelphia Athletics under Connie Mack. He would continue managing until 1950, but his teams would never win another World Series. In fact, this would be the last time that the Athletics would win a championship while still located in Philadelphia. The next time they would win would be when they had relocated to Oakland.
Winner: Philadelphia Athletics
1931 - Philadelphia Athletics vs. St. Louis Cardinals
This would be the final World Series appearance for the legendary Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics. The Cardinals would also get their revenge by beating an excellent squad. The Cardinals received help from an unlikely source, as Pepper Martin had an excellent series. The series went seven games, with the spitballer Burleigh Grimes winning the final game.
Winner: St. Louis Cardinals
1932 - New York Yankees vs. Chicago Cubs
The 1932 World Series would put the Yankees back on top. After struggling to get past the Philadelphia Athletics the previous seasons, the Yankees won the American League pennant to land in the World Series to play the surprising Cubs. The series would be over quickly, with the Yankees sweeping the Cubs, but the series held a couple of significant events. In Game 3, Babe Ruth hit the legendary home run in which he called his shot, and this would be the last World Series the Babe would play in.
Winner: New York Yankees