The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) and concludes the MLB postseason. First played in 1903, the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and is contested between the champions of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL).
The best-of-seven style has been the format of all World Series (except in 1903, 1919, 1920 and 1921, when the winner was determined through a best-of-nine playoff). The Series-winning team is awarded the Commissioner's Trophy. Players, coaches, and others associated with the team are generally given rings to commemorate their victory; however, they have received other items such as pocket watches and medallions in the past. The winner of the World Series is traditionally invited to the White House to meet the President of the United States.
The New York Yankees of the American League have played in 40 of the 105 Series through 2009 and have won 27 World Series championships, the most of any Major League franchise. The Yankees have also lost more (13) than any other club. For the National League, the Dodgers have appeared in the Series the most at 18 times (9 each in Brooklyn and Los Angeles), but have won the Series only 6 times (once in Brooklyn, five times in Los Angeles). The St. Louis Cardinals have represented the National League 17 times and have won 10 championships, which is the second-most among Major League teams. The Chicago Cubs have the longest streak of not winning the World Series, with their last championship coming in 1908. The Toronto Blue Jays are the only franchise from outside the United States to appear in a World Series, winning in 1992 and 1993.
Winners[]
List of World Series champions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|