As Blue Jays make World Series, your ‘inside baseball’ guide to what’s next
Global News
The Toronto Blue Jays have made history by returning to the World Series after 32 years. Here's your guide for what comes next as they vie for a title.
The Toronto Blue Jays made history on Monday, punching their ticket to their first World Series appearance in 32 years.
Whether you’re looking to learn more about baseball, host a World Series viewing party or simply want to make small talk about the Jays making a historic playoff run, here are some basics you should know.
Ever wonder why they call it the “World Series” when the Toronto Blue Jays are the only non-American team currently active in Major League Baseball?
The first-ever World Series was held in 1903 between the champions of the well-established National League and the upstart American League. The NL’s Pittsburgh Pirates faced the AL’s Boston Americans, known today as the Boston Red Sox.
Back then, the best-of-nine series wasn’t called the World Series, but instead the “World’s Championship Games.” Over time, the name was whittled down and came to be known as the World Series.
Except for 1903 and between 1919 and 1921, the World Series has been played as a best-of-seven series.
In each of the two leagues, which are divided into East, Central and West, six teams make it to the post-season.
This includes three division winners and three wild card teams. The top four teams in each division face off in the American League Division Series (ALDS) and the National League Division Series (NLDS).
