 |
 History
Skip to main content
-
MLB History
-
Postseason
-
Events
-
Leaders & Stats
-
Milestones
-
Milestone Clubs
-
Rare & Memorable Feats
-
Year in Review
-
Tributes
-
Special Reports
-
MLB.com Presents
-
Interleague
-
Negro Leagues
|
 |
Below is an advertisement.
|
|
 |
| Kirk Gibson's two-run homer in the ninth inning of the first game of the 1988 World Series gave the underdog Dodgers a stunning 5-4 victory over Oakland. |
World Series Summary
Before the birth of the World Series in 1903, there were other postseason championships that took place as early as 1884. Although they are not officially recognized as part of World Series history, they provide a basis for the establishment of what has become recognized as "The Fall Classic."
The World Series is Don Larsen's perfect game. The Babe's called shot. Willie Mays robbing Vic Wertz.
It's Bob Gibson fanning 17. Kirk Gibson making us believe what we just saw. Willie McCovey's last-out line drive.
It's also Enos Slaughter's mad dash. Bill Wambsganss' unassisted triple play. Christy Mathewson's three shutouts in six days.
|
And who can forget Reggie Jackson going back-to-back-to-back? Carlton Fisk waving it fair? Or Joe Carter connecting off the Wild Thing?
 |
| Carlton Fisk slams a 12th-inning home run to give Boston the sixth game of the 1975 World Series. |
The Fall Classic has provided us with many magical moments. The first World Series, in 1903, was a best-of-nine affair arranged between the champions of the older National League (founded in 1876) and the American League. The AL's Boston Pilgrims upset the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5 games to 3.
The 1904 NL champion New York Giants refused to play Boston the following year, so there was no Series. But the league presidents smoothed out their differences, and the Series resumed in 1905, when the Giants agreed to play Philadelphia in a best-of-7 game series.
Since then the World Series has followed the best-of-seven format -- except from 1919-21, when it returned briefly to best-of-nine.
The rest, as they say, is history. Catch all of it here -- every miraculous moment -- from Bill Mazeroski's homer to Larsen's perfect game to Bill Buckner's bungle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
