World Series History 2000-2009

2000 New York Yankees (AL) vs. New York Mets (NL) The two-time defending champion New York Yankees return to the World Series for the third straight year while the New York Mets make their first World Series appearance since winning it all in 1986. It is also the first subway series since 1956. The Yankees won the first two games of the series at Yankee Stadium before the Mets won game three. But the Yankees won games four and five to take the series in five games to win their third straight world championship. Derek Jeter of the Yankees was named the series' most valuable player with a two home runs and two RBIs while hitting .409.

2001 New York Yankees (AL) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (NL). The Yankees return to the World Series for the fourth straight year, while Arizona makes its first World Series appearance in just its fourth season. Arizona won the first two games of the series at home while the Yankees won the next three games at Yankee Stadium. The Diamondbacks were one out away from winning game four before Tino Martinez hit a home run to tie the game. In game five the Diamondbacks were once again one out away from victory but once again the Yankees tied the game on a home run this time by Scott Brosius. Back in the desert the Diamondbacks won game six to force a decisive game seven. In game seven the Yankees led 2-1 in the ninth inning, but the Diamondbacks rallied to win the game and the series by scoring two runs off of Mariano Rivera. Luis Gonzalez knocked in the winning run with a bloop single. Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling of the Diamondbacks were named co-MVPs in the series. Randy Johnson won three games while posting a 1.04 ERA and Curt Schilling won one game and had a 1.69 ERA.

2002 Anaheim Angels (AL) vs. San Francisco Giants (NL). For the first time in World Series history two Wild Card teams reach the series. In game six the Giants were on the verge of winning the series with a 5-0 lead in the seventh inning, but the Angels rallied to win the game and force a game seven. The Angles easily won game seven by a score of 4-1 to capture their first World Series title in franchise history. Troy Glaus of the Angels was named series MVP with three home runs and eight RBI's

2003 New York Yankees (AL) vs. Florida Marlins. (NL). The Florida Marlins win their second World Championship in franchise history by defeating New York Yankees in six games. Josh Beckett of the Marlins is named the series MVP on the strength of complete game shut out in the clinching game six at Yankee Stadium.

2004 Boston Red Sox (AL) vs. St, Louis Cardinals (NL). The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since 1918 by sweeping the St, Louis Cardinals in four games. Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox was named series MVP with a .412 batting average and a home run and four RBIs.

2005 Chicago White Sox (AL) vs. Houston Astros (NL). Making their first World Series appearance since 1959 the Chicago White Sox win their first championship since 1917 by sweeping the Houston Astros in four game. The Astros were making their first series appearance in their 44 year history. Jermaine Dye of the White Sox was named series MVP.

2006 Detroit Tigers (AL) vs. St, Louis Cardinals (NL). The Cardinals win the series in five games over the Tigers. David Eckstein of the Cardinals was named the series MVP with a .364 average and four runs batted in. With an 83-78 regular-season record, the Cardinals post the worst record of any World Series winner.

2007 Boston Red Sox (AL) vs. Colorado Rockies (NL). The Boston Red Sox win their second World Series title in four seasons by sweeping the Colorado Rockies, who were making their first ever series appearance. The Red Sox outscored the Rockies 29 - 10 in the series. Mile Lowell of the Red Sox was named the MVP with a .400 average.

2008 Tampa Bay Rays (AL) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (NL). The Philadelphia Phillies win the second World Series in franchise history by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in five games. The Rays were making their first appearance. Game five of the series was suspended in the top of the sixth inning because of heavy rain. The game resumed two days later with the Phillies winning game five by a score of 4-3. Starting pitcher Cole Hamels of the Phillies was named MVP of the series.

2009 New York Yankees (AL) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (NL). The New York Yankees defeated the defending world champion Philles in six games to capture their 27th title in franchise history. Hideki Matsui of the Yankees was named the MVP of the series with a .615 average three home runs and eight RBIs, including six in the decisive sixth game. Hideki Matsui became the first Japanese born player to win the World Series MVP Award.