Baseball’s biggest stage is the World Series. When the season is done it is all that people will remember and talk about in the future. No one talks about that great series that happened in May (in a normal year), but to this day we talk about Don Larsen and his Perfect game. Names like David Freese, Scott Brosius, Josh Beckett and David Eckstein will live on in baseball history because of their performances in the World Series.
Which team in 2020 is going to leave their mark on the game. At this moment the World Series odds are favoring the Dodgers (+155) according to Sports Betting Dime, but could a team of unknowns like the Rays make this their moment to shine. Could the Braves young pitching remind fans of the past, or will the Houston Astros, America’s anti-team, show the world they can play?
In my lifetime there have been some amazing World Series but I’ve narrowed it down to my top five.
5. 1993 Toronto Blue Jays defeat Philadelphia Phillies 4-2
This is the only series I picked that didn’t go to game 7 and it really is because this is the first World Series I remember watching. Joe Carter’s World Series winning home run is still one of the most exciting moments in baseball that I’ve ever seen.
4. 2011 St Louis Cardinals defeat Texas Rangers 4-3
I wanted the Rangers to win this series so bad. They should have won it, but just like with every baseball game, it isn’t over until the final out is recorded. Should have and could haves mean nothing if you don’t finish the job and the Cardinals did, Rangers didn’t.
3. 1997 Florida Marlins defeat Cleveland Indians 4-3
2020 ended the Marlins undefeated streak in the playoffs but their two previous playoff runs were both something for the ages. Yes, the team was pretty much disbanded after the Championship but it was so much fun to watch. Plus that Indians team was pretty solid as well.
2. 2019 Washington Nationals defeat Houston Astros 4-3
If I have to explain to you why this one was so sweet to not only me, but many baseball fans then you aren’t paying attention. Looking back on this World Series with current knowledge makes this Nationals Championship even bigger for the overall game of baseball.
1. 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks defeat New York Yankees 4-3
September of 2001 changed the country. It struck us at the core but sports helped us heal in many ways. The 2001 World Series was about more than baseball and to have it go to a game 7, with a walk off hit, allowed fans to just be fans and forget everything else for a time.