The battle of the ‘World Series,’ as the Americans love to call them with their characteristic humility, continues to dazzle the baseball world. The towering giants of the major leagues, survivors of the grueling regular season 2021 (over 2,644 games, 162 matches per team, from April to late September), are bringing their A-game to first claim the coveted title of League Champion. Because, hey, there are two leagues here—don’t get them confused: the American League and the National League. And yeah…
The major leagues as we know them today (famous acronym MLB) were born in 1876. Even if they’ve evolved a lot since then.
The National League was founded in 1876. The American League was created in 1893 under the name Western League and grouped franchises around the Great Lakes region. In 1900, it took its current name and declared itself a major league in 1901. Since 1903, the champions of each League have faced off in the World Series. For the record, National League teams have won 48 World Series, compared to 65 for the American League.
Today, the big difference between the leagues is that the American League uses a designated hitter (since 1973). Most minor leagues use this rule. In Japan, the Pacific League uses the designated hitter, but not the Central League. Anyway!
Hold on tight:
The division series (in each League, the 3 division champions plus the ‘wild-card’) are played as best-of-five series like semifinals, followed by a final. For access to the League Championship Series. Since 1985, the National and American League Championship Series have been contested as best-of-seven series.
Next come the ‘World Series’ proper, after a highly selective journey for the combatants, where managers must perfectly manage pitcher line-ups, among other things. They will pit the two franchises that emerge after a six-month season, followed by ‘Division Series’ and ‘Championship Series’ from each League. Let’s just say, major respect!
For now, in the National League, the battle is heating up between Los Angeles (wild card), San Francisco, Atlanta, and Milwaukee. In the American League, Tampa Bay, Boston (wild card), Chicago (White Sox), and Houston are still in the running. The series of games for the League Champion title is scheduled until October 24 if needed. The World Series will take place from October 26 to November 3 if needed. The ultimate winner, the champion of champions, is the one who wins the first 4 victories in the World Series.
Get your predictions, pizzas, and sodas ready (but not too much)!
Vincent Picard
