Looking for a complete rundown of every MLB World Series champion? You’re in the right place.
Since the first World Series in 1903, when the Boston Americans defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, baseball’s ultimate championship has crowned 118 champions across 120 years of competition.
From the Yankees’ 27 titles to the Cubs’ 108-year drought-breaker, these winners represent the pinnacle of America’s pastime.
This guide gives you the full MLB World Series winners list—every champion, every year, organized for quick reference.
MLB World Series Winners List
You’ll find recent winners from the last decade, historical champions dating back to the early 1900s, and breakdowns by team to see which franchises have dominated the Fall Classic.
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MLB World Series Winners: Last 10 Years (2015-2024)
The past decade has seen a mix of dynasty-building and long-suffering franchises finally breaking through. Here’s who hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy in recent years:
- 2017: Houston Astros defeated Los Angeles Dodgers (4-3)
The Astros captured their first championship in franchise history with a thrilling seven-game series, though the title would later be clouded by the sign-stealing scandal.
- 2016: Chicago Cubs defeated Cleveland Indians (4-3)
After 108 years, the Cubs ended baseball’s longest championship drought with a dramatic Game 7 victory in extra innings at Progressive Field.
- 2015: Kansas City Royals defeated New York Mets (4-1)
The Royals won their first title since 1985, dominating the Mets behind stellar pitching and aggressive baserunning.
- 2014: San Francisco Giants defeated Kansas City Royals (4-3)
Madison Bumgarner delivered one of the most dominant World Series performances ever, including a legendary five-inning save in Game 7.
- 2013: Boston Red Sox defeated St. Louis Cardinals (4-2)
Boston won their third championship in 10 years, bringing the title home just months after the Boston Marathon bombing.
- 2012: San Francisco Giants defeated Detroit Tigers (4-0)
The Giants completed a sweep behind exceptional pitching, marking their second championship in three years.
- 2011: St. Louis Cardinals defeated Texas Rangers (4-3)
One of the wildest World Series ever, featuring David Freese’s walk-off homer in Game 6 and the Cardinals’ comeback from elimination.
- 2010: San Francisco Giants defeated Texas Rangers (4-1)
The Giants won their first championship since moving to San Francisco in 1958, starting a dynasty run.
- 2009: New York Yankees defeated Philadelphia Phillies (4-2)
The Yankees claimed their 27th title in their new stadium’s inaugural season.
- 2008: Philadelphia Phillies defeated Tampa Bay Rays (4-1)
The Phillies won their first championship since 1980, giving the city its first major sports title in 25 years.
Complete MLB World Series Winners List by Decade
2000s Champions
- 2007: Boston Red Sox swept Colorado Rockies (4-0)
- 2006: St. Louis Cardinals defeated Detroit Tigers (4-1)
- 2005: Chicago White Sox swept Houston Astros (4-0)
- 2004: Boston Red Sox swept St. Louis Cardinals (4-0)
- 2003: Florida Marlins defeated New York Yankees (4-2)
- 2002: Anaheim Angels defeated San Francisco Giants (4-3)
- 2001: Arizona Diamondbacks defeated New York Yankees (4-3)
- 2000: New York Yankees defeated New York Mets (4-1)
The 2000s saw the Red Sox break their 86-year curse in 2004, while the Yankees added another championship to their collection in 2000 and 2009.
1990s Champions
- 1999: New York Yankees swept Atlanta Braves (4-0)
- 1998: New York Yankees swept San Diego Padres (4-0)
- 1997: Florida Marlins defeated Cleveland Indians (4-3)
- 1996: New York Yankees defeated Atlanta Braves (4-2)
- 1995: Atlanta Braves defeated Cleveland Indians (4-2)
- 1994: No World Series (canceled due to MLB players strike)
- 1993: Toronto Blue Jays defeated Philadelphia Phillies (4-2)
- 1992: Toronto Blue Jays defeated Atlanta Braves (4-2)
- 1991: Minnesota Twins defeated Atlanta Braves (4-3)
- 1990: Cincinnati Reds swept Oakland Athletics (4-0)
The Yankees dominated the late ’90s with four championships in five years, while the Blue Jays became the first non-U.S. team to win back-to-back titles.
1980s Champions
- 1989: Oakland Athletics swept San Francisco Giants (4-0)
- 1988: Los Angeles Dodgers defeated Oakland Athletics (4-1)
- 1987: Minnesota Twins defeated St. Louis Cardinals (4-3)
- 1986: New York Mets defeated Boston Red Sox (4-3)
- 1985: Kansas City Royals defeated St. Louis Cardinals (4-3)
- 1984: Detroit Tigers defeated San Diego Padres (4-1)
- 1983: Baltimore Orioles defeated Philadelphia Phillies (4-1)
- 1982: St. Louis Cardinals defeated Milwaukee Brewers (4-3)
- 1981: Los Angeles Dodgers defeated New York Yankees (4-2)
- 1980: Philadelphia Phillies defeated Kansas City Royals (4-2)
The ’80s featured more parity than previous decades, with nine different teams winning championships across the 10 series played.
1970s Champions
- 1979: Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Baltimore Orioles (4-3)
- 1978: New York Yankees defeated Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2)
- 1977: New York Yankees defeated Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2)
- 1976: Cincinnati Reds swept New York Yankees (4-0)
- 1975: Cincinnati Reds defeated Boston Red Sox (4-3)
- 1974: Oakland Athletics defeated Los Angeles Dodgers (4-1)
- 1973: Oakland Athletics defeated New York Mets (4-3)
- 1972: Oakland Athletics defeated Cincinnati Reds (4-3)
- 1971: Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Baltimore Orioles (4-3)
- 1970: Baltimore Orioles defeated Cincinnati Reds (4-1)
The Oakland A’s three-peat from 1972-1974 and the Big Red Machine’s dominance in Cincinnati defined this era.
1960s Champions
- 1969: New York Mets defeated Baltimore Orioles (4-1)
- 1968: Detroit Tigers defeated St. Louis Cardinals (4-3)
- 1967: St. Louis Cardinals defeated Boston Red Sox (4-3)
- 1966: Baltimore Orioles swept Los Angeles Dodgers (4-0)
- 1965: Los Angeles Dodgers defeated Minnesota Twins (4-3)
- 1964: St. Louis Cardinals defeated New York Yankees (4-3)
- 1963: Los Angeles Dodgers swept New York Yankees (4-0)
- 1962: New York Yankees defeated San Francisco Giants (4-3)
- 1961: New York Yankees defeated Cincinnati Reds (4-1)
- 1960: Pittsburgh Pirates defeated New York Yankees (4-3)
The ’60s began with Bill Mazeroski’s legendary walk-off home run in Game 7 and ended with the “Miracle Mets” stunning upset.
1950s Champions
- 1959: Los Angeles Dodgers defeated Chicago White Sox (4-2)
- 1958: New York Yankees defeated Milwaukee Braves (4-3)
- 1957: Milwaukee Braves defeated New York Yankees (4-3)
- 1956: New York Yankees defeated Brooklyn Dodgers (4-3)
- 1955: Brooklyn Dodgers defeated New York Yankees (4-3)
- 1954: New York Giants swept Cleveland Indians (4-0)
- 1953: New York Yankees defeated Brooklyn Dodgers (4-2)
- 1952: New York Yankees defeated Brooklyn Dodgers (4-3)
- 1951: New York Yankees defeated New York Giants (4-2)
- 1950: New York Yankees swept Philadelphia Phillies (4-0)
The Yankees won six championships this decade, cementing their status as baseball’s premier franchise.
1940s Champions
- 1949: New York Yankees defeated Brooklyn Dodgers (4-1)
- 1948: Cleveland Indians defeated Boston Braves (4-2)
- 1947: New York Yankees defeated Brooklyn Dodgers (4-3)
- 1946: St. Louis Cardinals defeated Boston Red Sox (4-3)
- 1945: Detroit Tigers defeated Chicago Cubs (4-3)
- 1944: St. Louis Cardinals defeated St. Louis Browns (4-2)
- 1943: New York Yankees defeated St. Louis Cardinals (4-1)
- 1942: St. Louis Cardinals defeated New York Yankees (4-1)
- 1941: New York Yankees defeated Brooklyn Dodgers (4-1)
- 1940: Cincinnati Reds defeated Detroit Tigers (4-3)
The 1944 series featured both St. Louis teams in the only all-St. Louis World Series ever played.
1930s Champions
- 1939: New York Yankees swept Cincinnati Reds (4-0)
- 1938: New York Yankees swept Chicago Cubs (4-0)
- 1937: New York Yankees defeated New York Giants (4-1)
- 1936: New York Yankees defeated New York Giants (4-2)
- 1935: Detroit Tigers defeated Chicago Cubs (4-2)
- 1934: St. Louis Cardinals defeated Detroit Tigers (4-3)
- 1933: New York Giants defeated Washington Senators (4-1)
- 1932: New York Yankees swept Chicago Cubs (4-0)
- 1931: St. Louis Cardinals defeated Philadelphia Athletics (4-3)
- 1930: Philadelphia Athletics defeated St. Louis Cardinals (4-2)
The Yankees dynasty truly began in the ’30s, winning five championships and appearing in six World Series.
1920s Champions
- 1929: Philadelphia Athletics defeated Chicago Cubs (4-1)
- 1928: New York Yankees swept St. Louis Cardinals (4-0)
- 1927: New York Yankees swept Pittsburgh Pirates (4-0)
- 1926: St. Louis Cardinals defeated New York Yankees (4-3)
- 1925: Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Washington Senators (4-3)
- 1924: Washington Senators defeated New York Giants (4-3)
- 1923: New York Yankees defeated New York Giants (4-2)
- 1922: New York Giants swept New York Yankees (4-0)
- 1921: New York Giants defeated New York Yankees (5-3)
- 1920: Cleveland Indians defeated Brooklyn Robins (5-2)
Babe Ruth’s trade to the Yankees in 1920 helped transform the franchise into a powerhouse.
1910s Champions
- 1919: Cincinnati Reds defeated Chicago White Sox (5-3)
- 1918: Boston Red Sox defeated Chicago Cubs (4-2)
- 1917: Chicago White Sox defeated New York Giants (4-2)
- 1916: Boston Red Sox defeated Brooklyn Robins (4-1)
- 1915: Boston Red Sox defeated Philadelphia Phillies (4-1)
- 1914: Boston Braves swept Philadelphia Athletics (4-0)
- 1913: Philadelphia Athletics defeated New York Giants (4-1)
- 1912: Boston Red Sox defeated New York Giants (4-3)
- 1911: Philadelphia Athletics defeated New York Giants (4-2)
- 1910: Philadelphia Athletics defeated Chicago Cubs (4-1)
The 1919 series became infamous as the “Black Sox Scandal” when eight White Sox players were accused of intentionally losing.
1900s Champions (First Decade)
- 1909: Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Detroit Tigers (4-3)
- 1908: Chicago Cubs defeated Detroit Tigers (4-1)
- 1907: Chicago Cubs swept Detroit Tigers (4-0)
- 1906: Chicago White Sox defeated Chicago Cubs (4-2)
- 1905: New York Giants defeated Philadelphia Athletics (4-1)
- 1903: Boston Americans defeated Pittsburgh Pirates (5-3)
The modern World Series began in 1903 as a championship between the American League and National League winners. No series was played in 1904 due to a dispute between the leagues.
MLB World Series Winners by Team (All-Time)
Here’s how the championships break down by franchise:
Most Championships:
- New York Yankees: 27 titles
- St. Louis Cardinals: 11 titles
- Oakland/Philadelphia Athletics: 9 titles
- Boston Red Sox: 9 titles
- San Francisco/New York Giants: 8 titles
- Los Angeles/Brooklyn Dodgers: 7 titles
Recent First-Time Winners: The Astros (2017), Nationals (2019), and Rangers (2023) all won their first championships in the past decade, bringing fresh storylines to October baseball.
Longest Active Droughts: Several franchises are still chasing their first title or haven’t won in decades, making every postseason run feel extra meaningful for their fanbases.
FAQs
- Who has won the most World Series championships?
The New York Yankees lead all teams with 27 World Series championships, nearly three times more than any other franchise. Their dominance spans from the 1920s through 2009, with championship runs in every decade except the 1980s and 2010s.
- What team won the World Series in 2024?
The 2024 World Series winner would be the most recent champion. For the current year’s winner, check the latest MLB standings and postseason results, as this list is updated following each Fall Classic.
- Which team ended the longest championship drought?
The Chicago Cubs ended the longest drought in sports history when they won the 2016 World Series, breaking a 108-year championship dry spell that dated back to 1908.
- Has any team won the World Series in a sweep?
Yes, many teams have completed 4-0 sweeps, including the Yankees sweeping the Padres in 1998, the Red Sox sweeping the Rockies in 2007, and the Giants sweeping the Tigers in 2012.
- Why was there no World Series in 1994?
The 1994 World Series was canceled due to the MLB players strike, which began in August 1994 and resulted in the cancellation of the remainder of the season, including the playoffs and World Series.
- Which teams have never won a World Series?
Several MLB franchises have never won a championship, including the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Diego Padres. The Mariners have the longest active drought, having never appeared in a World Series.
Conclusion:
The MLB World Series winners list tells the story of baseball itself—dynasties built and broken, underdogs rising, and cities celebrating championships that define generations.
From the Boston Americans’ victory in 1903 to the most recent champion, each team that won it all earned its place in history through October excellence.
Whether you’re settling a bar debate, tracking your team’s championship count, or just appreciating baseball’s rich history, this complete list gives you every winner across more than a century of Fall Classic competition.
The next chapter gets written every October, when 30 teams chase the dream of adding their name to this legendary list.