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With the Texas Rangers winning their first World Series in franchise history in the most recent Fall Classic, it’s the perfect time to look back at the teams that have won it all the most. The top team on this list may not come as a surprise, but let’s check out the full top five list of teams that have hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy.
Even the most casual of fans would have likely guessed who sits atop the list of MLB teams that have won the most World Series. The New York Yankees have done so an astounding 27 times, more than double that of any other team.
The Bronx Bombers have been a part of America’s pastime for what feels like the very beginning, giving us plenty of legends along the way, such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.
Seemingly, no matter when you got involved in baseball, the Yankees were a force. That began back in the 1920s, when the Yankees won three World Series and appeared in six. However, it’s worth noting that they haven’t won the World Series since 2009, which was also their last appearance.
Swapping from the American League to the National League brings us to the St. Louis Cardinals, who have 11 World Series wins in their franchise history. While it’s not nearly as many as the Yankees, they’ve appeared in the Fall Classic more recently.
Not only did the Cardinals make it to the World Series in 2013, but they also won it in 2011, both of which have come since the Yankees last won it all. Interestingly enough, the Cards were able to get their very first World Series title by defeating the Yankees in 1926. They may not have quite the same type of household names, but with guys like Ozzie Smith and Albert Pujols, it’s no surprise that they’ve been able to lift the Commissioner’s Trophy.
Next up in terms of MLB teams that have won the most World Series may come as a surprise, and that is likely due to some clarity needed. The Oakland Athletics are a franchise that have been down bad and even expected to leave the city over the past few years, but this includes the teams that were once the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics.
That is notable, as the majority of these World Series wins came pre-1931, the first of which was in 1910, and they even appeared in the Fall Classic as early as 1905. The Athletics went on to win titles in 1910, 1911 and 1913, and five of their nine World Series wins came by 1930. They managed a three-peat of World Series wins between 1972 and 1974, while their most recent Fall Classic success came in 1989.
Tied with the various versions of the Athletics is a much more recognizable franchise, which is the Boston Red Sox. This includes the Boston Americans, as they won five of these World Series back in 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916 and 1918.
As many baseball fans know, it was then an extremely long gap between their next title, which was in 2004, and was famously known as the Curse of the Bambino. The Red Sox were finally able to get over the hump and break the curse, and went on to win titles in 2007, 2013 and 2018.
While they have a rich history of famous players as well – also including Babe Ruth – it has to be noted that their 0-3 comeback in the ALCS against the New York Yankees, featuring David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez, leading to the 2004 title was one of the club’s most famous victories.
Speaking of New York, some baseball fans may not be aware that the Giants got their start in the Big Apple. Of course, they went full cross-country to the west coast, but in their long-standing history, they’ve won the World Series eight times.
In fact, the Giants have appeared in 20 World Series, which is more than each of the teams above them in this list outside the Yankees (40 appearances). They won their first title in 1905 before losing their next four appearances.
As for more modern days, the Giants won the World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014, which of course have many fans remembering Barry Bonds. Prior to his dominance was the great Willie Mays, and alongside him was starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner.
Mark has been a lifelong fan of all sports, and five years ago turned it into a profession, specializing in the NFL, NHL and MLB. He is a diehard Baltimore Ravens fan and has had his work published in sites such as Sports Illustrated, Pickswise and other top outlets.