First played in 1903, the World Series is the annual best-of-seven series featuring the winners of the American League and National League to determine the champion of the Major League Baseball season.
Since that first Fall Classic in 1903, which was won by the Boston Americans (now the Red Sox), the World Series has been contested every year but two.
In 1904, the National League champion New York Giants wildly refused to play the defending champion Americans as Giants owner John T. Brush deemed the upstart American League as inferior. Ninety years later, in 1994, the World Series was canceled due to a players' strike.
Of the 30 current MLB franchises, 24 have won at least one World Series, and 29 have made at least one appearance, the lone exception being the Seattle Mariners.
The New York Yankees lead all teams in both overall appearances and championships, winning 27 World Series titles in 40 attempts. The St. Louis Cardinals own the second-most titles with 11 to lead all National League clubs.
Every World Series winner in MLB history
Here's a quick look at every World Series winner in MLB history.
