Baseball’s biggest championship, the World Series, has witnessed a myriad of remarkable moments throughout its history. From the breaking of long-standing curses to scandalous cheating incidents, from monumental victories to dominant dynasties, this prestigious event has showcased nearly every team in the league. Let’s take a look at the most recent appearances of each team in the championship game.
The Astros and Dodgers, who had been regular contenders in the World Series for the past six years, were notably absent from the latest edition of the tournament.
The Texas Rangers experienced a rollercoaster season, initially appearing to be strong contenders for the title before faltering and facing the possibility of missing the playoffs. However, they managed to turn their fortunes around and emerged victorious, capturing their first-ever World Series crown. On the other hand, the Arizona Diamondbacks, despite having relatively low odds, made their second appearance in the Fall Classic.
The Houston Astros, after facing defeat in the 2019 and 2021 World Series, finally reclaimed the championship in 2017.
Philadelphia, a city known for its passionate sports fans, witnessed three of its teams falling short in their respective championship games. The Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, while the Philadelphia Union suffered defeat at the hands of Los Angeles FC in the MLS Cup.
The Atlanta Braves faced significant challenges heading into the All-Star Break, with key player Ronald Acuña Jr. sidelined due to injury and a sizable deficit in the standings. However, they managed to overcome these obstacles by making strategic acquisitions at the trade deadline, ultimately preventing the Astros from securing another title.
The Los Angeles Dodgers achieved a long-awaited triumph in the World Series, winning their first championship since 1988. Coincidentally, another Los Angeles team, the Lakers, also secured a title in the same year. It is worth noting that the 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in only 60 regular season games being played.
The Washington Nationals defied all odds and expectations, rallying from a 12-game deficit in the standings to secure a postseason berth. Their remarkable journey culminated in a championship victory, marking the first baseball title for the city of Washington since 1924. This triumph coincided with the Washington Capitals winning the Stanley Cup, turning the nation’s capital into a city of champions.
Following the Houston Astros’ infamous cheating scandal in the previous year, the Boston Red Sox faced similar allegations of sign stealing. This tarnished their victory, casting a shadow over their World Series triumph.
The Chicago Cubs ended a 71-year championship drought by defeating the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling seven-game series, finally breaking the Curse of the Billy Goat.
The Kansas City Royals achieved an impressive feat, winning the World Series just a year after falling short in the championship game. Despite having a slim chance of success, they managed to secure victory through a combination of stellar performances, including Lorenzo Cain’s crucial three-run homer and Wade Davis’ exceptional pitching.
The San Francisco Giants enjoyed a period of dominance, winning three championships in a span of five years. Interestingly, all three of their titles were captured in even-numbered years.
The St. Louis Cardinals, a perennial powerhouse, fell short in their bid for a second title in three years, losing to the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox, having previously ended the infamous Curse of the Bambino in 2004, added to their success by winning titles in 2007, 2013, and 2018. The Cardinals, however, did reach the NLCS in 2014 but were defeated by the eventual champions, the San Francisco Giants.
Despite possessing a formidable lineup featuring star players such as Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Miguel Cabrera, the Detroit Tigers suffered a disappointing sweep in the World Series.
The New York Yankees put an end to their championship drought by securing their 27th title, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies. Hideki Matsui emerged as a hero, delivering a stellar performance and earning the coveted MVP honors. However, the Governor of New York faced scrutiny for his actions during Game 1, resulting in substantial fines.
The Colorado Rockies entered the World Series on a remarkable winning streak, having won 21 of their previous 22 games. However, their momentum came to a halt as they failed to win a single game against the dominant Boston Red Sox. The Rockies also faced controversy surrounding their ticket sales, alleging a denial-of-service attack that disrupted their online sales.
The Chicago White Sox ended a lengthy championship drought, winning the World Series for the first time since 1917. Despite this historic achievement, the team’s success seemed to be overlooked by ESPN.
The Los Angeles Angels reached the World Series as a wild card team, marking their first and only appearance. Troy Glaus played a pivotal role in their Game 6 comeback and was named the series MVP. Unfortunately, the team’s subsequent seasons have been less successful.
The San Diego Padres made their second-ever appearance in the Fall Classic but were ultimately swept by the dominant New York Yankees, who were in the midst of their late ’90s dynasty. This series featured several future Hall of Famers on both teams.
The Toronto Blue Jays celebrated a repeat championship, with Joe Carter’s iconic walk-off home run sealing their victory. This marked only the second time in World Series history that a championship was won on a walk-off hit.
The Minnesota Twins experienced a memorable Game 7 victory, with Gene Larkin delivering the decisive hit in the 10th inning. Unfortunately, success has been elusive for other sports teams in the Twin Cities, with the Vikings suffering Super Bowl losses and the Stars, Timberwolves, and Wild failing to reach their respective finals.
The Oakland Athletics enjoyed a period of dominance, making three consecutive World Series appearances from 1988 to 1990. They secured a championship in 1989 but were swept by the Cincinnati Reds in 1990.
The Philadelphia Phillies emerged victorious in the “I-95 Series” against the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles became the first visiting team since 1961 to win Games 3-5 of the World Series. With promising young talent and potential ownership changes, Baltimore may aspire to return to the Fall Classic in the near future, having recently reached the ALCS.
The Milwaukee Brewers made their lone World Series appearance, narrowly losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in a seven-game series. They came close to returning to the championship stage in 2018 but fell short in the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates achieved a remarkable comeback from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles. Although they haven’t returned to the World Series, they enjoyed a three-year stretch of NLCS appearances from 1990 to 1992.
And that concludes a summary of the recent World Series appearances for each team.