The 1991 World Series between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves stands as World in Sport’s choice for the greatest World Series of all time. Five of the seven games ended with one-run margins, three went into extra innings, and Jack Morris delivered a remarkable pitching performance in the deciding contest.
However, several other championship series have strong claims to that honour.
The Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox produced a seven-game classic in 1975. The Chicago Cubs ended their 108-year championship drought in 2016, while the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays delivered another memorable contest in 2025.
With the 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays under way, baseball fans have another opportunity to witness championship history.
For now, the most recent completed World Series was the Dodgers’ seven-game victory over Toronto in November 2025.
This ranking examines the ten greatest World Series in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, considering the quality of competition, dramatic moments, historic achievements and significance of each championship.
How the greatest World Series were ranked
Selecting the greatest World Series requires more than looking at the eventual champions.
A dominant team might deserve recognition for its achievements, but an outstanding championship series also needs competitive games and moments that remain important decades later.
World in Sport considered five factors:
- How closely matched the teams were throughout the series.
- The number of one-run games and extra-inning contests.
- The quality and significance of the deciding game.
- Historic achievements, comebacks and individual performances.
- The lasting impact on teams, supporters and baseball history.
The MLB World Series historical records provide the official results and championship background.
These rankings reflect an editorial assessment rather than an official MLB classification.
1. 1991 World Series: Minnesota Twins vs Atlanta Braves
Result: Minnesota Twins won 4–3
The 1991 World Series offered almost everything fans could want from a championship contest.
Both the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves had finished bottom of their divisions the previous season. Their transformation into World Series contenders was already remarkable.
Yet their seven-game meeting surpassed expectations.
Five matches ended with one-run margins, while three required extra innings. Neither side could establish lasting control over the series.
Minnesota took the opening two games before Atlanta responded with three consecutive victories.
Facing elimination, the Twins returned to the Metrodome for Game 6.
Kirby Puckett became the central figure. He produced a crucial defensive catch before hitting a walk-off home run in the 11th inning.
Minnesota won 4–3 and forced a deciding seventh game.
Jack Morris delivers a historic Game 7 performance
Game 7 became one of baseball’s finest pitching contests.
Minnesota’s Jack Morris faced Atlanta’s John Smoltz, with neither team able to score through nine innings.
Morris refused to surrender control. He completed ten scoreless innings, allowing the Twins to remain within one run of the championship.
In the bottom of the tenth, Gene Larkin delivered the winning single as Minnesota secured a 1–0 victory.
Morris earned World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours.
The series featured outstanding pitching, dramatic finishes and exceptional tension throughout.
Unlike championships remembered mainly for one spectacular game, the 1991 World Series maintained its competitive quality across all seven contests.
That consistency places it first in our ranking.
Embed from Getty Images2. 1975 World Series: Cincinnati Reds vs Boston Red Sox
Result: Cincinnati Reds won 4–3
Few World Series have produced a moment as recognisable as Carlton Fisk’s home run in 1975.
The Cincinnati Reds entered the championship with one of baseball’s strongest teams.
Known as the Big Red Machine, Cincinnati had won 108 regular-season games. Their line-up featured Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Pérez.
Boston presented a formidable challenge.
The Red Sox relied on players including Carl Yastrzemski, Fred Lynn and Luis Tiant.
The teams exchanged victories throughout a closely fought series.
Five games finished with one-run margins, while the championship remained undecided until Game 7.
Carlton Fisk creates an unforgettable moment
Game 6 at Fenway Park became an extraordinary contest.
Cincinnati established a 6–3 advantage before Bernie Carbo’s three-run home run brought Boston level.
The game eventually reached the 12th inning.
Fisk then hit a towering drive toward the left-field foul pole.
Television cameras captured him waving his arms as he watched the ball travel through the air.
His home run secured a 7–6 victory and forced Game 7.
However, Cincinnati recovered from that disappointment.
The Reds trailed 3–0 in the deciding contest before fighting back. Joe Morgan’s ninth-inning single secured a 4–3 victory and Cincinnati’s first World Series championship since 1940.
Pete Rose received the series MVP award.
The quality of both teams and the drama of the final two games make 1975 one of the strongest candidates for baseball’s greatest championship series.
Embed from Getty Images3. 2016 World Series: Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Indians
Result: Chicago Cubs won 4–3
The 2016 World Series brought together two franchises desperate to end lengthy championship droughts.
Chicago had not won the World Series since 1908.
Cleveland’s previous championship came in 1948.
One of those waits would finally end.
The Indians initially looked favourites after taking a 3–1 series lead.
However, Chicago recovered with victories in Games 5 and 6, forcing a deciding contest at Progressive Field.
Chicago end 108 years of disappointment
The Cubs took control of Game 7 and led 6–3 entering the eighth inning.
Cleveland refused to surrender.
Rajai Davis produced a dramatic two-run home run against Aroldis Chapman, completing a three-run rally and bringing the score level at 6–6.
Rain then interrupted proceedings before the tenth inning.
When play resumed, Chicago regained control.
Ben Zobrist delivered a crucial run-scoring double as the Cubs scored twice in the tenth.
Cleveland responded with another run, but Chicago held on for an 8–7 victory.
Zobrist received the World Series MVP award.
The result ended Chicago’s 108-year title drought and completed a comeback from a 3–1 series deficit.
For Cubs supporters, the championship represented far more than a sporting achievement.
Generations of families had followed the team without witnessing a World Series triumph.
That history, combined with the extraordinary final game, makes the 2016 championship one of baseball’s defining moments.
4. 2025 World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Toronto Blue Jays
Result: Los Angeles Dodgers won 4–3
The 2025 World Series immediately established itself among baseball’s greatest championship contests.
The defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers faced a Toronto Blue Jays team appearing in their first World Series since 1993.
Toronto began with an 11–4 victory, but Los Angeles responded in Game 2.
Game 3 became particularly memorable.
Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run in the 18th inning, giving the Dodgers a 6–5 victory.
Toronto then won Games 4 and 5, moving within one victory of the championship.
As World in Sport reported during TToronto’sGame 4 victory, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played a significant role in keeping the Blue Jays competitive.
The Dodgers recovered with a 3–1 win in Game 6.
Everything came down to Game 7 at Rogers Centre.
Dodgers complete an extraordinary Game 7 comeback
Toronto appeared well placed to win their first championship since 1993 after Bo Bichette hit a three-run home run.
However, Los Angeles kept the contest alive.
Miguel Rojas hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning, preventing the Blue Jays from closing out the series.
The game eventually reached the 11th.
Will Smith delivered the decisive moment with a solo home run that put Los Angeles ahead.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto then finished the contest as the Dodgers secured a 5–4 victory.
Yamamoto’s contribution was especially impressive. He had pitched six innings in Game 6 before returning to deliver 2⅔ innings of relief in Game 7.
He received World Series MVP honours after recording three pitching victories.
The official 2025 postseason results confirm Los Angeles’ 4–3 series victory.
Although several games featured comfortable winning margins, the 18-inning third game and dramatic championship decider place 2025 firmly among the sport’s classics.
Embed from Getty Images5. 2001 World Series: Arizona Diamondbacks vs New York Yankees
Result: Arizona Diamondbacks won 4–3
The 2001 World Series carried unusual emotional significance.
The New York Yankees entered the championship following the terrorist attacks of 11 September.
Baseball had become an important source of unity and comfort for many Americans.
New York were also seeking a fourth consecutive World Series championship.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, meanwhile, were competing in only their fourth MLB season.
Arizona won the opening two games before the Yankees responded with three consecutive victories.
Games 4 and 5 featured dramatic late home runs from New York.
Derek Jeter delivered a walk-off home run in Game 4, while Scott Brosius helped force extra innings in Game 5.
However, Arizona dominated Game 6 to set up a deciding contest.
Luis Gonzalez defeats Mariano Rivera
Game 7 featured a pitching contest involving Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson.
The Yankees entered the ninth inning leading 2–1, with legendary closer Mariano Rivera attempting to secure another championship.
Arizona refused to accept defeat.
Tony Womack delivered a run-scoring double to level the game.
With the bases loaded, Luis Gonzalez hit a single into shallow centre field, bringing home the winning run.
The Diamondbacks won 3–2 and claimed their first World Series championship.
Johnson and Schilling shared MVP honours.
Arizona’s triumph remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a relatively new MLB franchise.
The emotional circumstances surrounding the series also gave the contest significance beyond the field.
6. 2011 World Series: St. Louis Cardinals vs Texas Rangers
Result: St. Louis Cardinals won 4–3
The Texas Rangers came remarkably close to winning their first World Series championship in 2011.
Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals produced one of baseball’s greatest escapes.
Texas led the series 3–2 heading into Game 6.
The Rangers also held a 7–5 advantage entering the bottom of the ninth inning.
St. Louis needed an extraordinary comeback to survive.
David Freese changes the championship
With two outs and two strikes against him, David Freese hit a two-run triple to bring the Cardinals level.
Texas responded in the tenth inning when Josh Hamilton hit a two-run home run.
Once again, the Rangers stood on the brink of victory.
However, Lance Berkman delivered a two-out, two-strike single that tied the game.
The contest reached the 11th inning.
Freese returned to the plate and hit a walk-off home run, giving St. Louis a 10–9 victory.
The Cardinals then completed their comeback with a 6–2 win in Game 7.
Freese received World Series MVP honours.
Although the deciding contest lacked the drama of Game 6, the championship remains one of the clearest examples of a team recovering when defeat appeared almost certain.
Texas came within one strike of winning the title on two occasions during Game 6.
St. Louis survived both.
7. 1986 World Series: New York Mets vs Boston Red Sox
Result: New York Mets won 4–3
The 1986 World Series remains one of baseball’s most discussed championships.
The New York Mets entered the postseason following a dominant 108-win regular season.
However, Boston presented a serious challenge.
The Red Sox won three of the opening five games and moved within one victory of ending their championship drought.
Game 6 then produced a remarkable change in fortunes.
Boston’s late collapse changes everything
The Red Sox entered the bottom of the tenth inning with a 5–3 advantage.
After Boston recorded two outs, the Mets appeared close to defeat.
However, New York produced three consecutive singles to reduce the deficit.
A wild pitch from Bob Stanley then allowed the tying run to score.
Moments later, Mookie Wilson hit a ground ball towards first baseman Bill Buckner.
The ball passed between Buckner’s legs, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run.
New York secured a 6–5 victory.
Although the error became the defining image of Boston’s defeat, it did not cause the entire collapse. The Mets had already recovered from a two-run deficit and tied the contest before Buckner’s mistake.
The Red Sox still had another opportunity to secure the championship in Game 7.
Boston established a 3–0 lead, but New York fought back to win 8–5.
Ray Knight received World Series MVP honours.
The 1986 championship demonstrated how quickly a baseball contest can change, especially when a team struggles to record the final out.
8. 1960 World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Yankees
Result: Pittsburgh Pirates won 4–3
The 1960 World Series produced one of baseball’s most extraordinary statistical contrasts.
The New York Yankees outscored Pittsburgh 55–27 across seven games.
They also recorded several convincing victories.
However, the Pirates won the matches that mattered.
Pittsburgh entered Game 7 at Forbes Field hoping to secure their first championship since 1925.
The deciding contest produced repeated changes in momentum.
Bill Mazeroski makes World Series history
The Pirates established an early advantage before New York recovered.
Pittsburgh eventually moved ahead 9–7 entering the ninth inning.
However, the Yankees scored twice to level the contest at 9–9.
Bill Mazeroski then stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth.
Facing Ralph Terry, the Pittsburgh second baseman hit a home run over the left-field wall.
The Pirates won 10–9 and secured the championship.
Mazeroski became the first player to end a World Series with a walk-off home run.
His achievement remains particularly significant because only Joe Carter, playing for Toronto in 1993, has since repeated that feat.
The 1960 series did not feature the same consistent competitiveness as 1991 or 1975.
Nevertheless, its extraordinary ending guarantees a place among baseball’s greatest championships.
9. 1924 World Series: Washington Senators vs New York Giants
Result: Washington Senators won 4–3
The 1924 World Series deserves recognition for producing one of the most dramatic deciding games of baseball’s early history.
The Washington Senators faced the New York Giants, who had dominated the National League during the early 1920s.
Washington relied heavily on legendary pitcher Walter Johnson.
However, Johnson struggled in his first two appearances during the championship.
The Senators nevertheless forced a deciding seventh game.
Walter Johnson finds redemption in Game 7
Washington trailed 3–1 entering the eighth inning.
Bucky Harris then hit a ground ball that took an unusual bounce over Giants third baseman Fred Lindstrom, allowing two runs to score.
The game moved into the ninth inning level at 3–3.
Johnson entered as a relief pitcher and delivered four scoreless innings.
Washington finally secured victory in the 12th.
Earl McNeely hit another ground ball toward Lindstrom. Once again, an awkward bounce helped the Senators, allowing Muddy Ruel to score the winning run.
Washington claimed their first World Series championship with a 4–3 victory.
The contest combined remarkable pitching, defensive misfortune and extraordinary tension.
It also gave Johnson the championship success that had previously eluded him.
His place among baseball’s greatest pitchers is explored in World in Sport’s wider ranking of the greatest MLB players of all time.
10. 1997 World Series: Florida Marlins vs Cleveland Indians
Result: Florida Marlins won 4–3
The Florida Marlins completed a remarkable rise in 1997.
Established in 1993, the franchise reached the World Series during only its fifth season.
Cleveland provided experienced opposition.
The teams exchanged victories throughout the championship, with the Indians forcing Game 7 after winning the sixth contest.
The deciding match developed into an outstanding finish.
Edgar Renteria delivers the winning hit
Cleveland established a 2–0 lead before Florida reduced the deficit.
The Indians entered the bottom of the ninth inning leading 2–1.
However, Craig Counsell delivered a sacrifice fly that brought home the tying run.
The game moved into extra innings.
In the 11th, Edgar Renteria hit a two-out single that scored Counsell and secured a 3–2 victory.
Florida celebrated their first World Series championship.
Renteria’s winning hit completed a remarkable achievement for a relatively new organisation.
For Cleveland, the defeat extended a championship drought that had begun in 1948.
Although earlier games did not consistently match the quality of the 1991 championship, the deciding contest makes 1997 worthy of inclusion.
Which World Series produced the greatest Game 7?
Several championship deciders deserve consideration, but the 1991 contest between Minnesota and Atlanta remains the strongest candidate.
Jack Morris pitched ten scoreless innings under extraordinary pressure.
Neither team managed to score through nine innings, leaving every defensive mistake or scoring opportunity potentially decisive.
The 2016 Cubs–Cleveland contest offers a compelling alternative.
That game featured a dramatic eighth-inning comeback, a rain delay, extra innings and the conclusion of Chicago’s historic championship drought.
Meanwhile, the 2001 and 2025 World Series both featured exceptional ninth-inning drama.
Arizona overturned a deficit against Mariano Rivera in 2001, while Los Angeles required a game-tying home run from Miguel Rojas to remain alive against Toronto in 2025.
The 1960 Pirates–Yankees finale also retains a special place because Mazeroski ended the championship with one swing.
Each offers a different argument for greatness.
The choice depends on whether supporters value outstanding pitching, dramatic comebacks, historic significance or the quality of the entire game.
Can the 2026 World Series join the all-time greats?
The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are competing for the 2026 championship, with both franchises seeking their first World Series title.
Their meeting already carries considerable historical importance.
However, a championship’s place among the greatest World Series cannot be established before the contest finishes.
A dramatic comeback, a decisive pitching performance or a memorable Game 7 could change how supporters remember the series.
World in Sport has followed the build-up in its 2026 World Series preview.
Baseball’s championship history also shows that greatness does not always require seven games.
The Oakland Athletics won three consecutive championships between 1972 and 1974, while other dominant teams have produced extraordinary individual performances during shorter series.
Yet when assessing an entire World Series rather than a single match or championship-winning team, the 1991 Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves still set the standard.
Five one-run games, three extra-inning contests and Morris’ ten-inning shutout offer a combination of competitive balance and individual excellence that few championship series have matched.
That is why the 1991 World Series takes first place in World in Sport’s ranking.
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