World Series winners from the year you were born

Relying on speed on the base paths and one of the best postseason bullpens ever assembled, the Royals won their first World Series in 30 years in 2015. Kansas City needed just five games to take down the Mets.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner was unhittable during the 2014 MLB playoffs. With a 1.03 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and strikeout-to-walk ratio of 45-6, Bumgarner had what is considered to be the most dominant postseason pitching performance in MLB history. The Giants won the World Series in seven games over the Kansas City Royals, and Bumgarner was named World Series MVP.

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz had perhaps the most dominating stretch of postseason hitting we’ve ever seen in the 2013 World Series. “Big Papi” hit an absurd .688 at the plate, as Boston prevailed in six games against the Cardinals. Ortiz was named World Series MVP.

The Giants won their second World Series in three years in 2012, sweeping the Tigers. Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval was named World Series MVP, as he set the tone for the series in Game 1, hitting three home runs.

In his final season for the Cardinals, first baseman Albert Pujols had a postseason to remember. Pujols hit .353 with an OPS of 1.155 as the Cards went on to win that year’s World Series. The Cards defeated the Rangers in seven games.

In 2010, the San Francisco Giants won their first World Series since moving to the Bay Area from New York. It was a cathartic moment for the franchise, as the Texas Rangers never really stood a chance against a Giants rotation that featured Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner.

Hideki Matsui’s performance in the 2009 World Series has forever earned him a place in the hearts of Yankees fans. Matsui hit an unreal .615 with an OPS of 2.027. He was named World Series MVP as the Yankees won their 27th championship in six games over the Phillies.

With lefty bats Ryan Howard and Chase Utley leading a high-powered offense, the Phillies won their first World Series title in 28 years in 2008. The Phillies took apart the Tampa Bay Rays in five games, and pitcher Cole Hamels was named World Series MVP.

If their 2004 World Series title wasn’t enough proof that the “Curse of the Bambino” had ended, the Red Sox left no doubts in 2007 when they swept the Rockies to win the Fall Classic. The Red Sox outscored the Rockies 29-10 over the course for the series.

Tony La Russa cemented his legacy as one of baseball’s greatest managers when his Cardinals won the 2006 World Series over the Tigers in five games. La Russa’s Cards scored twice as many runs as Tigers in the five games they played.

In 2005, the White Sox won their first World Series title in 88 years, sweeping the Houston Astros. White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye was named MVP of the series after he drove in the go-ahead run in Game 4.

After 86 years of misery, the wait had finally ended. When the Boston Red Sox won the 2004 World Series in four games over the Cardinals, perhaps no fan base had ever rejoiced more. The “Curse of the Bambino” was finally over.

After receiving some luck in the NLCS in the form of Steve Bartman, the Marlins won their second World Series title, beating out the Yankees in six games in the 2003 Fall Classic. Marlins pitcher Josh Beckett was lights out on the mound and won MVP honors.

The Anaheim Angels won their first and only championship in franchise history when they defeated the Giants in seven games to win the 2002 World Series. The Angles were also the first  American League Wild Card winner to win the World Series.

In Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, the Yankees sent in the greatest closer in baseball history, Mariano Rivera, to seal the deal against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Instead, the D’Backs rallied, and outfielder Luis Gonzalez gave Arizona its first and only World Series title with a bases-loaded RBI single.

In the 2000 “Subway Series" between the Yankees and Mets, the club from the Bronx won its third straight MLB title and fourth in five years. Derek Jeter was named World Series MVP, as the shortstop hit .409 in the five games the Yankees needed to claim their crown.

The Yankees swept the Braves in the 1999 World Series to win back-to-back MLB championships. That being said, most baseball fans remember this series for NBC reporter Jim Gray’s famous interview with Pete Rose prior to Game 2, in which Gray repeatedly pressed Rose to admit that he gambled on MLB games.

Trotting out a rotation that featured the like of Andy Pettitte, Orlando Hernandez, David Cone and David Wells, there was little the opposition could do to slow down the 1998 New York Yankees. The Yankees went 114-48 over the course of the regular season and lost just two games in the postseason on their way to winning their 24th World Series championship.

The 1997 World Series between the Florida Marlins and Cleveland Indians came down to the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 7. In that inning, 20-year-old Marlins shortstop Edgar Renteria hit the game-winning single that gave the Marlins their first World Series title.

With a rising star by the name of Derek Jeter quickly becoming one of baseball’s most popular players, the Yankees won their first World Series in nearly 20 years in 1996. The Yanks defeated the defending champion Atlanta Braves in six games.

The World Series returned in 1995 to see the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians square off. In Game 6 of the series, Braves pitcher Tom Glavine pitched eight innings of shutout baseball to help the Braves win their first world title in Atlanta. For his efforts, Glavine was named World Series MVP.

The World Series was cancelled in 1994, as MLB Commissioner Bud Selig was unable to come to terms with the Players Union on a new labor contract.

Down by one run in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, Toronto outfielder Joe Carter won the World Series for the Blue Jays with a three-run home run. The home run gave the Blue Jays back-to-back World Series championships.

The Toronto Blue Jays became the first Canadian team to win the Fall Classic in 1992, when Cito Gaston’s club took down the Braves in six games. Blue Jays catcher Par Borders was named World Series MVP.

Facing elimination in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series, Minnesota Twins outfielder Kirby Puckett helped his team live another day. Puckett hit the game-winning home run of Game 6 in the bottom of the 11th inning, and the Twins would go one to defeat the Braves the following night to win the Fall Classic.

In the 1990 World Series, Reds outfielder Billy Hatcher batted an unreal .750 from the plate, with an OPS of 2.050. Although his stats may have been inflated by small sample size, as the Reds dispatched the Oakland A’s in four games to win the World Series, it was an amazing World Series performance by Hatcher nonetheless.

The Athletics won the 1989 World Series over their Bay Area rival San Francisco Giants in four games, but this series is remembered for something far different. Minutes before the start of Game 3, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Northern California, postponing the series for 10 days while the Bay Area recovered from the destruction from the quake.

Kirk Gibson’s mythic pinch-hit, walk-off home run in Game 1 against the Athletics propelled the Dodgers to a five-game World Series victory in 1988. It was Gibson’s only at-bat of the series.

The 1987 World Series saw the Minnesota Twins win their first championship since their days as the Washington Senators. The Twins defeated the Cardinals in seven games. Twins starter Frank Viola won World Series MVP after he allowed just two runs in eight innings.

In one of the most unforgettable moments in sports history, the Red Sox gave away the 1986 World Series to the Mets, as Boston first baseman Bill Buckner let a routine ground ball go through his legs in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7. Buckner’s error allowed two Mets runs to score, winning the series for New York.

With the St. Louis Cardinals needing just one more out to win the 1985 World Series over the Kansas City Royals, first base umpire Don Denkinger made in history, and not in a good way. In the bottom of ninth of Game 6, he incorrectly called a Royals base runner safe at first, when he was clearly out. The Royals would go on to win the game, and the series in seven games, aided by the help of Denkinger’s blown call.

Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson guided the Tigers to their first World Series title in 16 years, as Detroit had little trouble taking out the San Diego Padres to win the 1984 Fall Classic. Longtime Tigers shortstop Alan Trammell was named World Series MVP.

Led by an ultra-talented shortstop by the name of Cal Ripken Jr., the Orioles won the 1983 World Series. Baltimore needed just five games to take care of the Phillies in what was nicknamed “The I-95 Series.” The Orioles have not won a World Series since 1983.

In a battle between Midwest rivals, the Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in seven games to take home the 1982 World Series crown. Cards catcher Darrell Porter was named MVP of the “Suds Series.”

Tommy Lasorda’s Dodgers won the 1981 World Series, beating the Yankees in six games. For the first, and only, time, three World Series MVPs were named, as Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager shared the honor.

The following season it would be another club from the state of Pennsylvania that would win the World Series. The Philadelphia Phillies won their first championship in team history, as they dismantled the Royals in six games. Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt was named MVP of the series.

Pirates outfielder Willie Stargell became the oldest World Series MVP winner at the age of 39, when Pittsburgh took down the Orioles in seven games in the 1979 Fall Classic. Stargell, who was also the NL’s regular-season MVP that year, hit three home runs in the series to give the Pirates their fifth MLB championship.

The 1978 World Series was a near repeat of the year before, as the Yankees defeated the Dodgers in six games for the title. This time, however, the Yankees erased a 2-0 series deficit, coming back to win four straight games against the Boys in Blue.

In Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson earned himself the nickname “Mr. October.” Jackson hit three monster home runs in Yankee Stadium to beat the Dodgers and clinch the World Series for the Yankees.

The Big Red Machine won its second straight World Series in 1976, sweeping the Yankees in dominant fashion. Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench was named MVP of the series for Cincy.

Despite Carlton Fisk’s dramatic walk-off home run in Game 6 of the series, the Reds came back the following night and defeated the Red Sox at Fenway Park to win the 1975 World Series. Baseball’s all-time hits leader, Pete Rose, was named World Series MVP.

In the first World Series that featured two teams from California, the Athletics successfully completed their three-peat in 1974, defeating the Dodgers in five games. A’s pitcher Rollie Fingers was named MVP.

With Reggie Jackson in his prime, the Athletics completed back-to-back championship runs in 1973. The A’s took down the Mets in seven games to do so.

The Oakland Athletics won their first of three straight World Series championships in 1972, defeating the Reds in seven games. A’s first baseman Gene Tenace hit four home runs in the series, earning himself World Series MVP honors.

With the incomparable Roberto Clemente leading the way, the Pirates recovered from a 2-0 series deficit to defeat the Orioles in seven games to win the 1971 World Series. Clemente was named World Series MVP, as he hit .414 for the series.

Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson dominated the 1970 World Series. Robinson hit .429 with two home runs, but it was amazing play defensively that captivated the baseball world. The Orioles beat the Reds in five games, and Robinson was named World Series MVP.

Just seven years after joining Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise, the New York Mets won their first championship. With Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver leading the charge on the mound, the Mets defeated the Orioles in five games to win the 1969 World Series.

The tables were turned on the Cardinals the following year, as the Tigers defeated them in seven games to win the 1968 World Series. Tigers pitcher Mickey Lolich was named World Series MVP, as he picked up wins for Detroit in Games 2, 5 and 7.

Despite being led onto the field by Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski, the Red Sox were upset by the Cardinals in seven games in the 1967 Fall Classic. Bob Gibson won Games 1, 4 and 7 on the mound for St. Louis and cemented his legacy as one of the most dominant pitchers of his era in the process.

The Dodgers made it back to the World Series in 1966, but the Baltimore Orioles proved to be far too much to handle. Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson delivered Baltimore its first championship.

Starting Game 7 of the 1965 World Series on just two days rest, Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax hurled a three-hit shutout against the Minnesota Twins to win it all for the Dodgers. Koufax’s performance is even more remarkable considering he had immense pain in his pitching elbow for the entire season.

The Yankees returned to the World Series once again in 1964, but the Cardinals got the best of them in seven games. Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson won both Game 5 and Game 7 for St. Louis to give the franchise its seventh MLB title.

Dodgers pitchers Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Johnny Podres gave up a mere four runs in four games to the Yankees in the 1963 World Series. Suffice to say, the Dodgers swept the Yankees and won their third championship in franchise history.

In a heated matchup with the Giants, the Yankees were able to repeat as World Series champions in seven games. Yankees starter Ralph Terry pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 7 and was named World Series MVP for his brilliant performance.

With Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford in his prime, the Yankees won the 1961 Fall Classic in five games over the Cincinnati Reds. Ford earned MVP honors, as he didn’t allow a single run in each of the two games he started.

Tied in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski would make history. Mazeroski hit the first game-ending home run to a World Series when he took Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry deep on a 1-0 pitch. The home run gave the Pittsburgh its first World Series championship.

In just their third season in Los Angeles, the Dodgers brought Southern California a World Series championship. With Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Duke Snider leading the charge, the Boys in Blue took down the White Sox in six games.

A year later, however, the Yankees would get their revenge on the Braves in another seven-games series. Ironically, it would be the previous year’s World Series MVP, Lew Burdette, who would falter in Game 7, allowing the Yanks to win their 18th World Series title.

The Milwaukee Braves won their first World Series in 1957, defeating the Yankees in seven games. Led by legendary home run hitter Hank Aaron and the astute pitching of Lew Burdette, the Braves proved to be just a bit too much for the Yanks to handle.

In Game 5 of the 1956 World Series, Yankees pitcher Don Larsen threw the first and only perfect game in the Fall Classic. The Yankees would go on to defeat the Dodgers in seven games that year.

A year later, the Dodgers would finally defeat the rival Yankees to win the franchise's first World Series. It was the Dodgers' lone championship win in Brooklyn, and the team would move to Los Angeles in 1957. Additionally, Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres was named Major League Baseball’s first World Series MVP.

The Giants swept the Cleveland Indians to win the 1954 World Series, their first championship since 1933. The series is best remembered for “The Catch” made by Giants Hall of Fame center fielder Willie Mays in Game 1.

Incredibly, the Yankees won their fifth championship in a row in 1953, a mark that has never been equaled. Once again it was the Dodgers coming up with the short end of the stick, as the Yanks' murderers' row of hitters proved to be too much for the Boys in Blue.

1952 saw the Yankees with their fourth consecutive World Series title, as they defeated the Dodgers in seven dramatic games. Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle each homered in Game 7, as the Yankees won by the score of 3-2.

Another year, another World Series victory for the Yankees. Only this time the Bronx Bombers had a new star leading the way in Hall of Fame center fielder Mickey Mantle.

The 1950s opened with back-to-back championship victories for the Yankees. Manager Casey Stengel’s bunch swept the Phillies to claim the prize.

The final year of the 1940s saw the Yankees once again defeat their rival Dodgers. This time, however, the Yanks only needed five games to accomplish their task, as Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Johnny Mize and Phil Rizzuto took no prisoners.

Led by Hall of Fame players Larry Doby and Bob Feller, the Cleveland Indians defeated the Boston Braves in six games to win the Fall Classic of 1948. The Indians have not won a championship since.

In a thrilling seven-games series against Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers, the Yankees won their 11th World Series title in franchise history. For new Yankees manager Bucky Harris, it was his first championship since leading the 1924 Senators to October glory.

Featuring two of the greatest hitters of all time in Ted Williams and Stan Musial, it would be Musial’s Cardinals who would win the 1946 World Series in seven games over Williams' Red Sox. The Cards won Game 7 of the series by the score of 4-3, taking the lead in the bottom of the eight inning.

The 1945 World Series saw the Cubs come tantalizingly close to winning their first championship since 1908. Instead, it was the Tigers who emerged victorious after seven games.

In the battle for St. Louis, the Cardinals were able to defeat the Browns in six games to win the 1944 World Series.

In a rematch of the previous year’s Fall Classic, Joe DiMaggio’s Yankees turned the tables on the defending champion Cardinals. The Yanks defeated the Cards in five games, only allowing St. Louis to score a mere nine runs total for the series.

Led by Hall of Famer Stan Musial, the Cardinals pulled off an upset victory over the Yankees in the 1942 World Series. It was the Cards' fourth championship in franchise history.

The Yankees returned to the World Series in 1941, facing off against their rivals in the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Yanks needed just five games to dispatch the Dodgers.

Despite their loss the previous year, the Reds were able to rebound in 1940, winning that year’s World Series. The club defeated the Tigers in a contentious seven-game series.

The Yankees won their fourth straight World Series title in 1939, sweeping Ernie Lombardi and the Reds.

Another year, another World Series victory for the Yanks, this time defeating the Cubs.

The Yankees repeated as champs in the 1937 Fall Classic, needing just five games to dismantle the Giants.

The 1936 World Series marked the beginning of four straight World Series title wins for Joe DiMaggio and the Yankees.

Despite having lost star first baseman Hank Greenberg to injury, the Tigers were still able to defeat the Cubs in six games to take home the 1935 World Series crown.

The Cardinals won their third World Series title in franchise history in 1934, defeating the Tigers in seven games. Hall of Fame pitcher Dizzy Dean won the decisive seventh game for the Cards.

With Hall of Fame pitcher Carl Hubbell leading the charge, the Giants were able to take down the Senators in five games to win the 1933 World Series.

The 1932 World Series saw Ruth and Gehrig rise to prominence once again. The Yankees swept the Cubs in a matchup that featured an incredible 13 future Hall of Fame players.

A year later, however, the Cardinals would get their revenge with a seven-game World Series victory over the A’s.

The Athletics completed a repeat in 1930, as pitchers Lefty Grove and George Earnshaw earned two wins apiece in the series.

With legendary manager Connie Mack pulling the strings, the Philadelphia Athletics took care of the Cubs in five games to win the 1929 World Series.

Ruth and Gehrig’s Yankees repeated as champions in 1928, sweeping the Cardinals.

In the first sweep of a National League team by an American League team, the Yankees won the 1927 World Series. Considering the Yankees had Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the primes of their careers, it was hardly a surprising result.

Led by Hall of Fame player-manager Rogers Hornsby, the St. Louis Cardinals won the 1926 World Series in seven games against the Yankees.

The Senators were unable to repeat as champions in 1925, when the Pittsburgh Pirates took home baseball’s biggest prize in seven games.

The Washington Senators won their first World Series title in 1924, eking out a seven-game series win over the Giants. Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson won the decisive seventh game on the mound for the Senators.

The 1923 World Series one again featured the Giants and Yankees. This time, however, the Yankees won in six games with Babe Ruth hitting three home runs in the series.

The Giants repeated as champions in 1922, once again defeating the rival Yankees.

In a matchup between city rivals, the New York Giants defeated Babe Ruth and his Yankees to win the 1921 World Series.

Played in a best-of-nine format, the Cleveland Indians, led by Tris Speaker, were victorious in the 1920 World Series. The Indians beat the Brooklyn Robins five games to two.

Although it was the Cincinnati Reds who won the 1919 World Series, the event will forever be remembered for the Chicago “Black Sox” scandal. In this scandal, several White Sox players, including all-time great hitter Joe Jackson, conspired with gamblers to throw the series.

Again led by Babe Ruth, the Red Sox won their last World Series of the 20th century, when they took down the Chicago Cubs in 1918 Fall Classic.

Eddie Collins and the Chicago White Sox took home Major League Baseball’s championship in 1917, defeating the New York Giants in six games.

Led by baseball legend Babe Ruth, the Boston Red Sox needed just five games to win the 1916 World Series against the Brooklyn Robins.