The first World Series of baseball took place in 1903 between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Americans. Boston won the Series 5-3.
Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitched the first and only perfect game in World Series history against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. To keep himself relaxed, Larsen smoked cigarettes between innings.
The first World Series shown on television was the 1947 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
World Series Facts - Streaks and Records
The Boston Red Sox won the 2004 World Series - a staggering 86 years after their last World Series title in 1918. Some blame this long losing streak on the Curse of the Bambino, while others say the Red Sox just weren't that good for a really long time. The Chicago Cubs have the longest streak of World Series futility - they haven't won a title since 1908.
The New York Yankees have the most World Series victories with 26.
Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees holds the record for most homeruns in World Series history with 18.
Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants was walked a record 13 times during the 2002 World Series, which was won by the Anaheim Angels.
World Series Oddities
The 1919 World Series became known as the Black Sox scandal after eight players on the Chicago White Sox were banned from Major League Baseball for "throwing" the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.
The 1989 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A's was postponed for 10 days after a massive earthquake rocked Northern California.
The 1994 World Series was cancelled after baseball players went on strike in August of 1994.
World Series Inflation
Each member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who won the 1903 World Series received $1182. Each member of the Boston Red Sox, who won the 2004 World Series will receive a whopping $312,000!
-- Edited by Jinx at 15:14, 2006-05-10
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"There's an evil monkey in my closet"-Criss Griffin