21. 2007 World Series (Boston Red Sox over Colorado Rockies in 4)

It hurts to put this one last, as I grew up with this Red Sox team and their ‘07 playoff run was one of my first real thrills watching baseball. But from a neutral standpoint, the World Series itself was not a good one. Boston’s 13-1 beatdown of the Rockies in Game 1 set the tone, with the scalding-hot bats and the arm of Josh Beckett memorably merciless to an underdog Colorado team coming off a miracle run and an infamous eight-day layoff. The last three games were actually all fairly competitive, but the opening laugher combined with the fact that it was a sweep gave it one of the most lopsided feels of any Series in recent memory.

20. 2012 World Series (San Francisco Giants over Detroit Tigers in 4)

The second of the Giants’ three title teams in five years, this San Francisco squad actually bore some similarities to the ‘07 Red Sox. They were coming off a recent title to end a long drought, and they stormed back from a 3-1 League Championship Series deficit before sweeping the World Series to win a second title. However, unlike the brawny Sox, these Giants won primarily with pitching, defense, and putting the ball in play. The Pablo Sandoval three-homer game in this series was pretty cool, and the clinching game was a 10-inning thriller, but the biggest themes were the Giants’ pitching shutting down the Tigers’ big bats (exposing their relatively thin lineup) and their defense making great play after great play.

19. 2006 World Series (St. Louis Cardinals over Detroit Tigers in 5)

This is another tough one to rank low for me, with it holding a special place in my heart as the first World Series I ever watched. Rewatching these games fills me with waves of nostalgia. But in retrospect, I can see why people thought it was mediocre. It pitted the 83-win Cardinals (still the worst World Series-winning team of all time) against the wild-card Tigers, and both teams limped to the season’s finish line before turning it on for October. St. Louis won the series in five by allowing the Tigers to beat themselves. The most memorable storyline was the repeated costly throwing errors by Detroit pitchers, which was bizarrely compelling to watch unfold on the big stage, but not exactly the stuff classic Octobers are made of.

18. 2004 World Series (Boston Red Sox over St. Louis Cardinals in 4)

Damn, the mid-2000s were a minefield of matchups that contain sentimental value for me, but were not quality World Series from an objective standpoint. I wasn’t watching baseball yet when this was happening, but when I picked up the Red Sox a few years later and started watching the DVDs of this postseason, I was hooked. Everyone knows the real challenge for the ‘04 Idiots came with the miracle ALCS comeback against the Yankees, so this series was an anticlimax in some ways. While the historical value of the 86-year Curse of the Bambino being busted raises the Series’ ranking, the games themselves were completely dominated by Boston, outside of a wild, back-and-forth Game 1.

17. 2010 World Series (San Francisco Giants over Texas Rangers in 5)

This is another series that holds historical value with a championship drought ending, as the Giants ended a 56-year wait by bringing San Francisco its first title, starting a surprise mini-dynasty along the way. The games themselves weren’t the most competitive, but there were some compelling moments. It was fun to watch Tim Lincecum and rookie Madison Bumgarner dominate, and the Giants’ offense was an interesting mishmash of random veteran guys you hadn’t thought of in years (plus rookie Buster Posey). In a similar fashion to 2012, San Francisco’s pitching and defense took over the spotlight and made relatively quick work of the Rangers.

16. 2005 World Series (Chicago White Sox over Houston Astros in 4)

Right after the Red Sox ended their 86-year curse in ‘04, the White Sox responded by finishing off an 88-year drought the following year. A lot of these curse-ending series have tended to be short ones (with one notable exception that we’ll get to later). This one, however, may have been the most tightly contested sweep in World Series history. A close Game 1 was followed by a back-and-forth Game 2 that ended in a stunning Scott Podsednik walk-off bomb. Game 3 was a 14-inning affair, at the time the longest game in World Series history. The clincher was a pitching duel that was scoreless into the eighth, when the Palehose pushed across the only run of a 1-0 game to win it all. A short one, but a memorable one.

15. 2008 World Series (Philadelphia Phillies over Tampa Bay Rays in 5)

Immortalized in pop culture by an episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the ‘08 Series was only a five-gamer, but it had its moments. A multi-hour rain delay pushed back Game 3, which the Phillies won on a walk-off chopper by Carlos Ruiz after the Rays had tied it late. Pitcher Joe Blanton shocked the world by going deep in Game 4, then Game 5 was an epic, multi-part saga that unfolded over the course of two nights thanks to rain. This was the only suspended game in World Series history, and it led to a rule change where playoff games have to be picked up where they left off (surprisingly, this hasn’t needed to happen since 2011). The second night of Game 5 saw Philly win it all in front of a raucous home crowd.

14. 2018 World Series (Boston Red Sox over Los Angeles Dodgers in 5)

Another recent Red Sox championship close to my heart, one that I had less chance to fully enjoy because of my busy college life, but that I still cherish. This series featured three fairly run-of-the-mill games and two absolute bangers, the most famous of which is the 18-inning marathon that Max Muncy walked off for the Dodgers’ only win. All the momentum seemed to be in L.A.’s favor when they went up 4-0 in Game 4, but the Sox stormed back late and then cruised to a title in Game 5 behind the unexpected heroics of Steve Pearce and David Price. An absolute dream season from beginning to end for my boys that led to a fourth championship in 15 years.

13. 2009 World Series (New York Yankees over Philadelphia Phillies in 6)

While this one was a bummer for me as a Red Sox fan, the series that led to the Yankees’ only title of the century so far wasn’t a bad one. Cliff Lee was a stone-cold savage on the mound for the Phillies in Game 1, then New York bounced back with two wins. In the ninth inning of a tied Game 4, Johnny Damon pulled off his famous double steal of second and third, then good ol’ A-Rod brought him home with a game-winning double to complete his playoff redemption arc. After Lee and the Phillies stayed alive in Game 5, Game 6 saw the great Pedro Martinez call the Yankees his daddy one last time in his swan song. Hopefully, the 27th ring will continue to be the last one for a while longer.

12. 2013 World Series (Boston Red Sox over St. Louis Cardinals in 6)

Ah, the 2013 Boston Strong Sox, the one-year wonder shaggy-bearded lumberjack squad that grinded and hustled its way into my teenage heart. I will never forget this team and its stunning worst-to-first turnaround from a disastrous 2012. The most memorable moment of this series was the Cardinals’ win on a walk-off obstruction call in Game 3, which was brutal to watch as a Sox fan but amazing as a baseball fan. Outside of that weirdness, David Ortiz and Jon Lester cemented their legacies as clutch playoff gods, and underrated legend Koji Uehara picked off Kolten Wong to end Game 4 before closing out the series in Game 6. I’ve never even been to Boston, but in the words of the immortal Big Papi, “this is our FUCKING city!”

11. 2021 World Series (Atlanta Braves over Houston Astros in 6)

Our most recent World Series ranks just about in the middle of them all when it comes to excitement. The underdog Braves’ upset of the trash can-banging Astros certainly tickled the fancy of many a non-Houston baseball fan, myself included. There were some compelling moments in there, including Atlanta’s near no-hitter in Game 3, their late back-to-back bombs to come back and steal Game 4, and the Astros’ Game 5 comeback to stay alive and give us a little bit of a scare. (Don’t forget Charlie Morton snapping off a filthy curveball with a broken leg). Game 6 was the most lopsided World Series clincher in quite some time, but the Braves’ victory lap was satisfying to watch.

10. 2015 World Series (Kansas City Royals over New York Mets in 5)

Probably the best short World Series of the century, 2015 saw the Royals repeatedly come back late in games. The opener was a 14-inning classic featuring bloops, blasts, errors, and Bartolo Colon, culminating in a Kansas City walk-off. Johnny Cueto’s complete-game gem gave K.C. a 2-0 lead before Noah Syndergaard’s high heat inspired the Mets in Game 3. Daniel Murphy’s infamous error led to New York’s undoing in Game 4, then Matt Harvey shoved for eight innings in Game 5. Mets manager Terry Collins’ fateful decision to send him out for the ninth proved costly, as the pesky Royals scrapped their way back and exploded in the 12th to win it all. Harvey has never been the same, and neither have the Mets…yet.

9. 2020 World Series (Los Angeles Dodgers over Tampa Bay Rays in 6)

Ah, the good ol’ panini World Series played in a neutral-site Texas warehouse. It certainly had its share of intrigue, as Brett Phillips’ amazing, chaotic, beautiful Game 4 walk-off followed by his glorious postgame interview was the stuff baseball movies are made of. This series was definitely moved up a few spots just by Game 4 alone. The next-most interesting thing to happen was the baffling decision by Kevin Cash to remove Blake Snell while he was dealing in Game 6 (basically the opposite of the Terry Collins-Matt Harvey decision). The Justin Turner COVID drama was an extra weird wrench to throw into things at the end. Not the most clean or aesthetically pleasing series, but a memorable one nonetheless.

8. 2003 World Series (Florida Marlins over New York Yankees in 6)

An early-2000s classic, this one saw the Marlins come out of nowhere to win it all for the second time in their first decade of existence, stunning the mighty Yankees. After New York jumped out to a 2-1 series lead and tied Game 4 in the ninth, Alex Gonzalez hit a dramatic walk-off home run against Not Mariano Rivera (Jeff Weaver, to be exact) to even the series. With a 3-2 lead heading into Game 6, Florida manager Jack McKeon — the oldest skipper in World Series history — turned to ace Josh Beckett on three days rest. Beckett proceeded to write his name in the history books, spinning a dominant complete-game shutout to win it all and cement his legacy as an October god.

7. 2014 World Series (San Francisco Giants over Kansas City Royals in 7)

Speaking of young aces with defiant Southern attitudes and reputations as playoff monsters, this was The Madison Bumgarner Series. A fun, unexpected matchup between two wild-card teams went back and forth with games that were entertaining if somewhat lopsided. This was not the case, however, in Game 7, for which this series will be remembered. With a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning, MadBum strolled out of the bullpen on two days’ rest and casually tossed five dominant shutout innings to seal the Giants’ third title in five years. You can debate whether Alex Gordon should have been sent home; I personally think he would have been out. Also, this one has to get extra points for bringing “Chevy guy” Rikk Wilde into the national spotlight. What an icon.

‘

6. 2019 World Series (Washington Nationals over Houston Astros in 7)

This was an amazing upset to watch, one that gives me serious nostalgia for my senior year of college. In surreal fashion, the road team won every game of the World Series for the first time ever. The Nats looked like they had it in the bag after stealing the first two in Houston, but the Astros’ explosion in D.C. made it appear their magic had run out. Stephen Strasburg’s heroics in Game 6 pushed it to the limit, and I watched Game 7 in my friend’s dorm room after we had gotten drinks for our other friend’s birthday. After Howie Kendrick’s laser off the foul pole put Washington on top, I stayed behind to watch the final outs alone while my friends went out to a party. Good times.

5. 2017 World Series (Houston Astros over Los Angeles Dodgers in 7)

Ah, the World Series that faces the biggest moral quandary in its evaluation. At the time, this was an absolutely epic series, with a then-likable young Astros squad slugging its way to two crazy, back-and-forth victories in Games 2 and 5 that made me feel like I was high on baseball. It seemed like a feel-good storyline when Houston won its first title, with only a lackluster Game 7 holding the series back from being an all-time classic. Of course, we’re all aware now of the elephant in the room, the dark cloud that will forever hang over this exhilarating set of games. The Dodgers probably would have won this series in a just world, and the cheating asterisk will always loom over the Astros’ “piece of metal.”

4. 2002 World Series (Anaheim Angels over San Francisco Giants in 7)

A steroid-era classic packed with drama, heartbreak, and high-octane offensive chaos. Barry Bonds was definitely eating a full, balanced breakfast during this series, hitting home runs of a completely abnormal distance for a human being to hit a baseball. The scrappy Angels jumped out to a 2-1 lead before San Francisco roared back in Games 4 and 5, with J.T. Snow famously rescuing Darren Baker at home plate. The Giants were on the brink of ending their title drought in Game 6, but Dusty Baker let Russ Ortiz keep the game ball and disaster followed. Anaheim’s Rally Monkey spurred a furious comeback to force Game 7 before rookie John Lackey helped put the final nail in San Fran’s coffin.

3. 2011 World Series (St. Louis Cardinals over Texas Rangers in 7)

This was the first all-time classic World Series I ever got to watch live. Two one-run games started the series, with Texas pulling off a ninth-inning Game 2 comeback to tie it. Albert Pujols went god mode with a three-homer game, then Derek Holland came out of nowhere to silence the Cardinal bats. Game 5 was a beautiful, ugly mess, decided largely by a botched phone call to the bullpen. Game 6 was one of the greatest games in baseball history, filled to the brim with juicy drama from beginning to end. Long story short, David Freese tied it in the ninth, the Rangers retook the lead in the 10th, the Cardinals tied it again, then Freese walked it off in the 11th. Chris Carpenter gutted out a Game 7 win on short rest, and St. Louis stunned the world.

2. 2001 World Series (Arizona Diamondbacks over New York Yankees in 7)

The history behind this one, along with multiple epic finishes, vault it into the #2 spot. The expansion D-backs took a 2-0 lead over the three-time defending champs, then George Bush threw out his famous post-9/11 first pitch in Game 3. Roger Clemens led New York to a victory before the Yankees got several late, dramatic hits and home runs to tie Games 4 and 5 in the ninth before winning them in extra innings. Derek Jeter earned his “Mr. November” title, and it was a rough time for Byung-Hyun Kim. An Arizona shellacking in Game 6 set the stage for a Clemens-Curt Schilling duel in Game 7. Trailing in the ninth against Mariano Rivera, the D-backs fought back and won on Luis Gonzalez’s blooper to center, doing America a favor and ending the dynasty.

1. 2016 World Series (Chicago Cubs over Cleveland Indians in 7)

An absolute classic in every sense of the word, as a back-and-forth set between two teams battling historic title droughts culminated in an epic series comeback. After Cleveland jumped out to a 3-1 lead and the Cubs rallied back, it all came down to Game 7. Given the context and the massive weight riding on it for both franchises, Game 7 may have been the greatest sporting event of all time. Chicago jumped out to a lead with the help of David Ross’s storybook home run, but Cleveland tied it on Rajai Davis’s iconic blast in the eighth. The famous rain delay happened after the ninth, and Jason Heyward rallied the boys in blue together. They retook the lead and Cleveland’s last-ditch effort fell just short, bringing an end to the 108-year Billy Goat Curse. This was my freshman year of college, and I watched Game 7 in a room of half Cubs fans, half Indians fans. It was a true emotional roller coaster.