Baseball’s World Series has seen it all, from curses being broken to cheating scandals and monumental victories. Almost every team has had their shot at the championship game. Here is a look at the last time each team made it to the Fall Classic.
The first World Series in six years that didn’t feature the Astros or the Dodgers took place. The Rangers had a rollercoaster season, going from title contenders to playoff misses and back again. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks defied the odds and made their second appearance in the World Series. In the end, Texas emerged as the victors, winning their first-ever title.
The Astros managed to win their first championship since 2017, a relief after their losses in the 2019 and 2021 Fall Classics. Philadelphia experienced a disappointing year as three of their teams lost in their respective championship games. The Eagles fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, and the Philadelphia Union were defeated by Los Angeles FC in the MLS Cup.
The Braves faced numerous challenges going into the All-Star Break. With Ronald Acuña Jr. injured and a significant gap behind the Mets, their prospects seemed bleak. However, the team made several key acquisitions at the trade deadline, including Adam Duvall, who played a crucial role in their pursuit of victory. Ultimately, Atlanta prevented the Astros from adding another title to their name.
The Dodgers ended their 32-year championship drought by winning the World Series in the same year that the Lakers also claimed a title. However, the shortened COVID-affected season consisted of only 60 regular season games.
The Nationals defied the odds after a slow start to the season. Down 12 games in the standings and with fans calling for the firing of manager Dave Martinez, the team turned things around and secured a spot in the postseason. Their triumph marked the first baseball championship in Washington since 1924, making it a memorable year for the city.
Following the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal, the Red Sox found themselves embroiled in a similar controversy. They were found guilty of using their video replay room to steal signs, tarnishing their reputation.
The Chicago Cubs finally broke the Curse of the Billy Goat, ending a 71-year championship drought by defeating the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling seven-game series.
The Royals defied the odds with a 2.5 percent chance of winning the World Series. Despite losing the previous year, they managed to secure a victory thanks to Lorenzo Cain’s three-run homer and Wade Davis’ exceptional pitching. However, the Mets would struggle in the following seasons, missing the playoffs until 2022.
The San Francisco Giants dominated the World Series, winning three titles in five years, all during even years.
The St. Louis Cardinals fell short in their quest for a second title in three years, losing to the Red Sox. Boston, who had previously ended the Curse of the Bambino, continued their success with titles in 2007, 2013, and 2018. The Cardinals reached the NLCS in 2014 but were defeated by the eventual champions, the Giants.
Despite having star players like Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers were swept in the World Series, marking the most recent sweep in the championship.
The New York Yankees ended their championship drought by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. Hideki Matsui’s outstanding performance earned him the MVP honors, while the Governor of New York faced fines for his attempt to secure tickets to Game 1.
The Colorado Rockies entered the World Series with an impressive winning streak but failed to win a single game against the Red Sox. The series was marred by controversy when the Rockies claimed to be victims of a denial-of-service attack that affected their online ticket sales.
The Chicago White Sox won the World Series for the first time since 1917, but their victory seemed to be overlooked by ESPN.
The Los Angeles Angels made their first and only World Series appearance, winning as a wild card team. Troy Glaus played a pivotal role in their Game 6 comeback and was named MVP. However, the team’s performance has since declined, with meaningful games becoming a rarity.
The San Diego Padres reached the World Series for the second time in their franchise history but were swept by the Yankees during their late ’90s dynasty. The series featured several future Hall of Famers on both teams.
The Toronto Blue Jays secured a championship repeat with Joe Carter’s walk-off, three-run homer. It was only the second time in World Series history that a championship was won on a walk-off.
The Minnesota Twins won titles in 1987 and 1991, but since then, the city has struggled to bring home championships in other sports. The Vikings lost all four Super Bowl appearances, and the Stars, Timberwolves, and Wild have never reached the finals in their respective sports.
The Oakland Athletics made three consecutive World Series appearances from 1988-1990, winning in 1989. However, they were swept by the Cincinnati Reds in 1990.
The Philadelphia Phillies emerged victorious in the I-95 Series against the Baltimore Orioles. Despite recent struggles, Baltimore hopes to return to the Fall Classic with their young talent and new ownership. The Orioles were swept in the ALCS by the eventual champion Rangers in their most recent playoff appearance.
The Milwaukee Brewers made their lone World Series appearance, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling seven-game series. The team came close to returning in 2018 but fell short in the NLCS against the Dodgers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles, marking their most recent championship. Despite several NLCS appearances in the early ’90s, the Pirates have yet to return to the World Series.
These are the last instances that each team has made it to the World Series, with each team having their own unique story and journey to the Fall Classic.
