Although there were other post-season championships that took place as early as 1884, the World Series was not established until 1903--the year that the feuding National League and American League, who had been battling each other for several years over players, decided to come to some sort of peace agreement. They did not, however, make arrangements for a postseason series until August, when the Boston Pilgrims and Pittsburgh Pirates were already well in front of their respective leagues. The two teams agreed on a so-called "World's Championship Series"--a best-of-nine series which the Pilgrims won in 8 games, making them the first "modern" World Series champions.

On October 10, 1920, during the fifth inning of Game 5, Bill Wambsganss caught a line drive hit by Clarence Mitchell. He then stepped on second to put out Pete Kilduff and personally tagged Otto Miller who was coming from first. This unassisted triple play is probably the most amazing fielding feat to ever take place during any World Series game.

After losing in game 2 of the 1965 World Series, Sandy Koufax came back with a 4-hitter in game 5 and a 3-hitter in game 7. He finished with a 0.38 ERA, a record 29 strikeouts, and World Series MVP honors.

Just minutes before game 3 of the 1989 World Series between Oakland and San Francisco, an earthquake hit the Bay area. The game was postponed and the series was resumed 11 days later.

After refusing an invitation to play the Boston Americans in the 1904 World Series, the New York Giants agreed to participate in the 1905 Fall Classic in an attempt to win back it's fan support. Many Giants fans were upset by their team's attitude the previous year, and they made their displeasure obvious by staying home the following season. This time, the Giants were eager to take on the American League champion Philadelphia Athletics after a National League race in which the Giants won one-hundred and five games. As it turned out, their enthusiasm was warranted--they won the series in just five games.

Mickey Mantle--who played in 12 Fall Classics--holds the record for most World Series home runs with 18. He also holds World Series records for most runs (42), runs batted in (40), and total bases (123).

St. Louis Cardinals leftfielder Lou Brock stole a record 7 bases in the 1967 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. He tied his record the following year in a losing effort against the Detroit Tigers.

On October 17, 1987, the Minnesota Twins overpowered St. Louis 10-1 in the opening game of the first indoor World Series. Dan Gladden's grand slam capped a seven-run fourth inning.

St. Louis scored only 12 runs in the 2004 World Series. They scored nine in game one, two in game two, one in game three, and none in game four. St. Louis led the National League for runs scored during the regular season.

Darold Knowles is the only pitcher ever to appear in all seven games of a World Series, saving two in Oakland's victory over the Mets in 1973.