The World Series is a showcase for the best players in baseball, a tradition that began in 1905 and has continued to this day. It was the first series to be televised and has become one of the most famous events in professional sports. The Series has featured many milestones, including the first time an expansion team won the championship in 1969 and the 2024 edition was the first to end on a home field.
It’s also the first time a World Series has ended on a walk-off homer since 1993, when Joe Carter’s three-run blast in the bottom of the ninth capped an 8-6 Toronto win and became one of baseball’s most iconic moments. It’s a moment that was made even more memorable by Blue Jays announcer Tom Cheek’s legendary call: “Touch ’em all, Joe! You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!”
The 2022 World Series saw the first designated home team take advantage of the rule, winning the series over the Atlanta Braves in six games. That was followed by a 2024 series where the Dodgers took advantage of the home-field edge to win in six games against the New York Yankees.
The series was a thriller from start to finish, with the two teams trading blows in an intense and competitive matchup. The Dodgers won their second title in five years and beat the Yankees for the first time since 1981. The series also featured the first ejection of a player in a World Series since 1974 when Dodgers centerfielder Bill Mazeroski threw a punch at Yankees catcher Johnny Bench.