World Series Fun Facts and Records

World Series

The 2006 Major League Baseball playoff are underway. From homerun hitting heroes to perfect pitching, Kidzworld takes a look at World Series facts and records.

World Series Facts - Famous Firsts

The first World Series of baseball took place in 1903 between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Americans. Boston won the Series 5-3.

Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitched the first and only perfect game in World Series history against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. To keep himself relaxed, Larsen smoked cigarettes between innings.

The first World Series shown on television was the 1947 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

In 1995, Major League Baseball expanded the playoffs by adding the National League and American League Division Series. The Division series is two best-of-five series, featuring the three division winners and a wild card team - with the winner advancing to the League Championship Series.

World Series Facts - Streaks and Records

The Boston Red Sox won the 2004 World Series - a staggering 86 years after their last World Series title in 1918. Some blame this long losing streak on the Curse of the Bambino, while others say the Red Sox just weren't that good for a really long time. In 2005, the Chicago White Sox ended an even longer streak of World Series troubles by winning their first title since 1917. The Chicago Cubs have the longest streak of World Series futility - they haven't won a title since 1908.

The New York Yankees have the most World Series victories with 26.

Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees holds the record for most homeruns in World Series history with 18.

Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants was walked a record 13 times during the 2002 World Series, which was won by the Anaheim Angels.

World Series Facts - Did U Know?

The 1919 World Series became known as the Black Sox scandal after eight players on the Chicago White Sox were banned from Major League Baseball for "throwing" the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.

The 1989 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A's was postponed for 10 days after a massive earthquake rocked Northern California.

The 1994 World Series was cancelled after baseball players went on strike in August of 1994.

Each member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who won the 1903 World Series received $1182. Each member of the Chicago White Sox, who won the 2005 World Series received more than $200,000!

Related Stories:

World Series Quiz

World Series Words

The Curse Of The Bambino

More Sports Facts and Records