All-Time Best World Series Performers
Professional baseball has been around since the late 19th century when pitchers were so dominating, the period of baseball history, 1876-1920, became known as the Dead Ball Era. It was so bad that it wasn’t until 1883 before someone hit double digit home runs when Buck Ewing hit 10 for the New York Gothams.
By 1903, the World Series began to take place as a best-of-7 championship series between the winner of the American and National Leagues. For over 100 years, the World has been able to watch the World Series making it the second oldest professional sports championship in North America. The Stanley Cup began in 1893 and is the oldest.
In its history, the World Series has only missed two years, 1904 and 1994. In 1904, the New York Giants owner, John Brush, refused to play the American League and boycotted the series. The player’s strike of 1994 caused the World Series to skip it’s second championship ever.
Of the World Series Champions, the New York Yankees own the record for most victories with 24 while the St.Louis Cardinals are far behind in second place with only 11. The Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, and Seattle Mariners are the only 6 MLB teams without a World Series title.
Since only one team, the Seattle Mariners, have never been to the World Series, the past has given us plenty of athletes from Babe Ruth and Ted Williams to Mickey Mantle and Bob Gibson. There are so many amazing performances that it is going to be tough to pick only the best of the best. However, in true baseball fanatic fashion, we have done the work so that all that is left is a list of the greatest World Series performances of all-time.
Note : Due to the low scoring prior to 1920, we are going to only include pitchers from the 1921 season until now. Otherwise you might be looking at a long list of pitchers from 1905-1911.
35. Mark Lemke, 2B, Braves (1991)
- At-Bats: 24
- Batting Avg: .417
- On-Base Pct: .462
- Slugging Pct: .708
- Hits: 10
- Runs: 4
- Doubles: 1
- Triples: 3
- RBIs: 4
- Walks: 2
34. Willie Aikens, 1B, Royals (1980)
- At-Bats: 20
- Batting Avg: .400
- On-Base Pct: .556
- Slugging Pct: 1.100
- Hits: 8
- Runs: 4
- Triples: 1
- Home Runs: 4
- RBIs: 8
- Walks: 6
33. Ted Kluszewski, 1B, Reds (1959)
- At-Bats: 23
- Batting Avg: .391
- On-Base Pct: .440
- Slugging Pct: .826
- Hits: 9
- Runs: 5
- Doubles: 1
- Home Runs: 3
- RBIs: 10
- Walks: 2
32. Mickey Mantle, 1B, Yankees (1960)
- At-Bats: 25
- Batting Avg: .400
- On-Base Pct: .545
- Slugging Pct: .800
- Hits: 10
- Runs: 8
- Doubles: 1
- Home Runs: 3
- RBIs: 11
- Walks: 8
31. Tom Glavine, LHP, Braves (1995)
- Games: 2
- Wins: 2
- Innings Pitched: 14
- Hits: 4
- Earned Runs: 2
- Earned Run Average (ERA): 1.29
- Walks: 6
- Strikeouts: 11
30. Josh Beckett, RHP, Marlins (2003)
- Games: 2
- Wins: 1
- Innings Pitched: 16.1
- Hits: 8
- Earned Runs: 2
- Earned Run Average: 1.10
- Walks: 5
- Strikeouts: 19
- Complete Games: 1
- Shutouts: 1
29. Lance Berkman, RF, Cardinals (2011)
- At-Bats: 26
- Batting Avg: .423
- On-Base Pct: .516
- Slugging Pct: .577
- Hits: 11
- Runs: 9
- Doubles: 1
- Home Runs: 1
- RBIs: 5
- Walks: 5
28. Randy Johnson, LHP, Diamondbacks ’01
- Games: 3
- Wins: 3
- Innings Pitched: 17.1
- Hits: 9
- Earned Runs: 2
- Earned Run Average: 1.04
- Walks: 3
- Strikeouts: 19
- Complete Games: 1
- Shutouts: 1
27. Charlie Keller, RF, Yankees (1939)
- At-Bats: 16
- Batting Avg: .438
- On-Base Pct: .471
- Slugging Pct: 1.188
- Hits: 7
- Runs: 8
- Doubles: 1
- Triples: 1
- Home Runs: 3
- RBIs: 6
- Walks: 1
26. Dave Stewart, RHP, A’s (1989)
- Games: 2
- Wins: 2
- Innings Pitched: 16
- Hits: 10
- Earned Runs: 3
- Earned Run Average (ERA): 1.69
- Walks: 2
- Strikeouts: 14
- Complete Games: 1
- Shutouts: 1
25. Warren Spahn, LHP, Yankees (1958)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 2
- Innings Pitched: 28.2
- Hits: 19
- Earned Runs: 7
- Earned Run Average: 2.20
- Walks: 8
- Strikeouts: 18
- Complete Games: 2
- Shutouts: 1
24. Bob Gibson, RHP, Cardinals (1964)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 2
- Innings Pitched: 27
- Hits: 23
- Earned Runs: 9
- Earned Run Average: 3.00
- Walks: 8
- Strikeouts: 31
- Complete Games: 2
- Shutouts: 1
23. Johnny Bench, C, Reds (1976)
- At-Bats: 15
- Batting Avg: .533
- On-Base Pct: .533
- Slugging Pct: 1.133
- Hits: 8
- Runs: 4
- Doubles: 1
- Triples: 1
- Home Runs: 2
- RBIs: 6
22. Lou Brock, LF, Cardinals (1968)
- At-Bats: 28
- Batting Avg: .464
- On-Base Pct: .516
- Slugging Pct: .857
- Hits: 13
- Runs: 6
- Doubles: 3
- Triples: 1
- Home Runs: 2
- RBIs: 5
- Stolen Bases: 7
- Walks: 3
21. Chris Sabo, 3B, Reds (1990)
- At-Bats: 16
- Batting Avg: .563
- On-Base Pct: .611
- Slugging Pct: 1.000
- Hits: 9
- Runs: 2
- Home Runs: 2
- RBIs: 5
- Doubles: 1
- Walks: 2
20. Orel Hershiser, RHP, Dodgers (1988)
- Games: 2
- Wins: 2
- Innings Pitched: 18
- Hits: 7
- Earned Runs: 2
- Earned Run Average: 1.00
- Walks: 6
- Strikeouts: 17
- Complete Games: 2
- Shutouts: 1
19. Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies (2009)
- At-Bats: 21
- Batting Avg: .286
- On-Base Pct:
- Slugging Pct:
- Hits: 6
- Runs: 7
- Doubles: 1
- Home Runs: 5
- RBIs: 8
- Stolen Bases: 1
- Walks: 4
18. Whitey Ford, LHP, Yankees (1960)
- Games: 2
- Wins: 2
- Innings Pitched: 18
- Hits: 11
- Earned Run Average: 0.00
- Walks: 2
- Strikeouts: 8
- Complete Games: 2
- Shutouts: 2
17. Madison Bumgarner, Giants (2014)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 3
- Innings Pitched: 21
- Hits: 9
- Earned Runs: 1
- Earned Run Average: 0.43
- Walks: 1
- Strikeouts: 17
- Complete Games: 1
- Shutouts: 1
16. Barry Bonds, LF, Giants (2002)
- At-Bats: 17
- Batting Avg: .471
- On-Base Pct: .700
- Slugging Pct: 1.294
- Hits: 8
- Runs: 8
- Doubles: 2
- Home Runs: 4
- RBIs: 6
- Walks: 13
15. Lew Burdette, RHP, Brewers (1957)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 3
- Innings Pitched: 27
- Hits: 21
- Earned Runs: 2
- Earned Run Average: 0.67
- Walks: 4
- Strikeouts: 13
- Complete Games:
- Shutouts:
14. Paul Molitor, DH, Brewers (1993)
- At-Bats: 24
- Batting Avg: .500
- On-Base Pct: .571
- Slugging Pct: 1.000
- Hits: 12
- Runs: 10
- Doubles: 2
- Triples: 2
- Home Runs: 2
- RBIs: 8
- Stolen Bases: 1
- Walks: 3
13. Jack Morris, RHP, Twins (1991)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 2
- Innings Pitched: 23
- Hits: 18
- Earned Runs: 3
- Earned Run Average: 1.17
- Walks: 9
- Strikeouts: 15
- Complete Games: 1
- Shutouts: 1
12. Reggie Jackson, RF, Yankees (1977)
- At-Bats: 20
- Batting Avg: .450
- On-Base Pct: .542
- Slugging Pct: 1.250
- Hits: 9
- Runs: 10
- Doubles: 1
- Home Runs: 5
- RBIs: 8
- Walks: 3
11. Lou Gehrig, 1B, Yankees (1928)
- At-Bats: 11
- Batting Avg: .545
- On-Base Pct: .706
- Slugging Pct: 1.727
- Hits: 6
- Runs: 5
- Doubles: 1
- Home Runs: 4
- RBIs: 9
- Walks: 6
10. John Wetteland, Yankees (1996)
- Games: 5
- Innings Pitched: 4.1
- Hits: 4
- Earned Runs: 1
- Earned Run Average: 2.08
- Walks: 1
- Strikeouts: 6
- Saves: 4
9. Curt Schilling, RHP, Diamondbacks (2001)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 1
- Innings Pitched: 21.1
- Hits: 12
- Earned Runs: 4
- Earned Run Average: 1.69
- Walks: 2
- Strikeouts: 26
8. Mariano Rivera, CL, Yankees (1999)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 1
- Innings Pitched: 4.2
- Hits: 3
- Earned Run Average: 0.00
- Walks: 1
- Strikeouts: 3
- Saves: 2
7. Billy Hatcher, CF, Reds (1990)
- At-Bats: 12
- Batting Avg: .750
- On-Base Pct: .800
- Slugging Pct: 1.250
- Hits: 9
- Runs: 9
- Doubles:4
- Triples: 1
- RBIs: 2
- Walks: 2
6. Mickey Lolich, LHP, Tigers (1968)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 3
- Innings Pitched: 27
- Hits: 20
- Earned Runs: 5
- Earned Run Average: 1.67
- Walks: 6
- Strikeouts: 21
- Complete Games: 3
5. Bob Gibson, RHP, Cardinals (1968)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 2
- Innings Pitched: 24
- Hits: 13
- Earned Runs: 1
- Earned Run Average: 0.38
- Walks: 5
- Strikeouts: 29
- Complete Games: 2
- Shutouts: 2
4. Babe Ruth, OF, Yankees (1928)
- At-Bats: 16
- Batting Avg: .625
- On-Base Pct: .647
- Slugging Pct: 1.375
- Hits: 10
- Runs: 9
- Doubles: 3
- Home Runs: 3
- RBIs: 4
- Walks: 1
3. David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox (2013)
- At-Bats: 16
- Batting Avg: .688
- On-Base Pct: .760
- Slugging Pct: 1.188
- Hits: 11
- Runs: 7
- Doubles: 2
- Home Runs: 2
- RBIs: 6
- Walks: 8
2. Sandy Koufax, Dodgers (1965)
- Games: 3
- Wins: 2
- Innings Pitched: 24
- Hits: 13
- Earned Runs: 1
- Earned Run Average: 0.38
- Walks: 5
- Strikeouts: 29
- Complete Games: 2
- Shutouts: 2
1. Don Larsen, RHP, Yankees (1956)
Interesting Fact – He is the only player to throw a Perfect Game in the World Series. No one has even thrown a No-Hitter in the World Series making this even more of an amazing feat for Don Larsen.
- Games: 2
- Wins: 1
- Innings Pitched: 10.2
- Hits: 1
- Earned Run Average: 0.00
- Walks: 4
- Strikeouts: 7
- Complete Games: 2
- Shutouts: 1