All MLB Champions in History

Major League Baseball (MLB) traces its history back to the 19th century. Since 1903, the best teams from the American and National Leagues have competed for the championship in the World Series. Dozens of clubs have lifted the trophy, but only a few have remained among the leaders for long periods. This article lists every MLB champion and runner-up by year and highlights the most successful teams in the competition's history.

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All MLB champions and World Series runners-up by year

The World Series has been held since 1903 and determines the overall MLB champion. In the modern format, a team needs four wins to claim the title, although in certain historical periods the series was played to five wins. Below is the complete list of champions and runners-up, including the final series scores.

The most successful team in MLB history

The New York Yankees hold the record for World Series victories with 27 championships, including five consecutive titles from 1949 through 1953. The club last won the championship in 2009, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2.

The St. Louis Cardinals rank second with 11 titles. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Athletics follow with nine World Series victories each. These totals include championships won by the franchises under previous names and in other cities.

Which teams have reached the most MLB finals?

The New York Yankees also lead in World Series appearances, reaching the championship series 41 times, with 27 wins and 14 losses. Their most recent appearance was in 2024, when they lost 1-4 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are second with 23 appearances, including their years in Brooklyn. They have won nine championships and lost 14 World Series. The New York and San Francisco Giants rank third with a combined 20 appearances and eight titles.