Ranking the World Series Champions of the 21st Century: From Good to Greatest

Time marches on, especially in baseball. As we approach the 2025 season, marking a quarter-century into the 21st century, it’s a good time to reflect on the champions that have graced the game since the turn of the millennium. It feels like just yesterday the New York Yankees were celebrating their three-peat at Shea Stadium. But that was 25 years ago, and no team has replicated that feat since. We’ve witnessed mini-dynasties and unexpected triumphs, creating a rich tapestry of baseball lore.

With that in mind, USA TODAY Sports has compiled a ranking of the 25 World Series champions of this century, from what we might consider the "least accomplished" to the absolute "greatest." This isn’t about diminishing anyone’s achievement; every championship is earned. It’s about comparing the circumstances, the dominance, and the historical significance of each team.

Here’s the list:

25. 2006 St. Louis Cardinals: This team holds the distinction of having the lowest win total (83) among this group. Their journey was heavily influenced by Tony La Russa’s strategic gamble on the final day of the season, resting Chris Carpenter in the hopes of a win or a Houston loss. The move paid off, and Carpenter became a postseason force. The World Series itself was marred by rain and errors, a forgettable affair for many, unless you’re washing down toasted ravioli with local Schlafly beer.

24. 2021 Atlanta Braves: It’s almost poetic that this Atlanta team, during their run of excellence, finally broke through, even if it was perhaps their most vulnerable squad. Losing Ronald Acuña Jr. midseason to injury and winning only 88 games, the Braves then saw Charlie Morton break his leg in Game 1 of the World Series. They persevered with bullpen games, Max Fried’s brilliance, and a resilient outfield trio, proving their mettle.

23. 2011 St. Louis Cardinals: These Cardinals were a remarkable comeback story. They were 10.5 games out of first place on September 5th, won 90 games, and needed some lucky breaks to even make the playoffs. What they had going for them was Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter. They vanquished Roy Halladay and the Phillies in a dramatic NLDS Game 5. Carpenter made three World Series starts thanks to timely rainouts.

22. 2000 New York Yankees: The Yankees’ three-peat finale saw them win only 87 games, pushed to a Game 5 in the ALDS by the Oakland Athletics. Despite fatigue, the usual suspects rose to the occasion, aided by David Justice, who contributed significant home runs after a mid-season trade, earning ALCS MVP honors.

21. 2014 San Francisco Giants: Ranking the Giants’ three titles is difficult, but this one is arguably the "weakest," given their reliance on pitching. Tim Hudson and Jake Peavy struggled in their World Series starts. But the ever-reliable Madison Bumgarner covered many deficiencies, backed by a strong bullpen.

20. 2003 Florida Marlins: This team was a wildcard in every sense. They fired their manager mid-season, drew only 1.3 million fans to their stadium, and had a closer later convicted of attempted murder. Yet, this 91-win team had an effective duo of Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo, a playoff ace in Josh Beckett, and a young Miguel Cabrera. Notably, they eliminated the Yankees, no small feat.

19. 2013 Boston Red Sox: Ranking last among Boston’s four title-winning teams is no insult. David Ortiz had an incredible postseason, shortly after the "this is our (bleeping) city" moment. This team of veterans like Shane Victorino, Jonny Gomes, John Lackey, and Mike Napoli, achieved something special.

18. 2023 Texas Rangers: A team built for the postseason. Despite winning only 90 games and battling through the wild-card series, they showcased the power of players like Nathan Eovaldi, Corey Seager, and Bruce Bochy, who added a fourth title to his Hall of Fame career.

17. 2002 Anaheim Angels: A modern playoff team with power and contact hitting and a dominant bullpen. These 99-win Angels ended the Yankees’ AL pennant streak and rallied against Barry Bonds’ Giants. John Lackey, began his run of winning championships with three franchises, winning Game 7.

16. 2012 San Francisco Giants: The Giants’ "devil magic" postseason run began here. Losing Melky Cabrera to a PED suspension, trailing St. Louis 3-1 in the NLCS, and trusting Barry Zito in Game 5. Zito and the Giants turned the tide, and Pablo Sandoval crushed three home runs against Justin Verlander in the World Series.

15. 2019 Washington Nationals: This 93-win wild card featured a pitching staff led by Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg at their peak. Juan Soto emerged on the postseason stage, helping them overcome multiple series deficits to stun the Astros.

14. 2005 Chicago White Sox: Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia, Mark Buehrle, and a 40-year-old El Duque formed a formidable pitching quartet. They pitched four consecutive complete games to defeat the Angels and sweep Houston. It was a fitting end for Paul Konerko.

13. 2022 Houston Astros: This team blended the older Astros style with the next generation, highlighted by Yordan Alvarez’s Game 6 home run. Jeremy Peña replaced Carlos Correa, earning MVP honors. The pitching staff was dominant, exemplified by Cristian Javier’s no-hitter.

12. 2010 San Francisco Giants: A team of spare parts and a phrase that inspired “Torture” to describe Giants baseball. Tim Lincecum’s last great year, combined with the arrival of Buster Posey and the rise of Madison Bumgarner, resulted in an 11-4 playoff run.

11. 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers: The loss of Shohei Ohtani did not deter this team to win the World Series. Every Hall of Famer took up the slack after his Game 2 injury. They craftely managed to have all the peices fall into place.

10. 2017 Houston Astros: Plagued by "The Scandal," this team was undeniably talented, especially after acquiring Justin Verlander. He posted a 1.06 ERA in five starts and struck out 38 in the postseason.

9. 2007 Boston Red Sox: Some would argue this team was more talented than the 2004 squad. They featured ’04 holdovers, upgraded with Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Beckett, and Jon Lester.

8. 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers: In the shortened season, these Dodgers had an exceptional first-half winning percentage. Featuring All-Stars and Hall of Famers like Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw, and Walker Buehler, they dominated the playoffs.

7. 2015 Kansas City Royals: The Royals bounced back from a near-miss in 2014 to win it all. They played exceptional defense, had a strong bullpen, and added Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist at the trade deadline.

6. 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks: Game 7 of the ’01 World Series marked the "Last Night Of The Yankee Dynasty." Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson formed a dominant pitching duo, winning all four of Arizona’s Series games.

5. 2009 New York Yankees: After missing the 2008 playoffs, the Yankees spent big on CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira. The investment paid off with 103 wins and a World Series title, blending old and new guard players.

4. 2004 Boston Red Sox: This team’s star power, resilience, and offensive strength was unmatched. Manny Ramirez, Schilling, and Pedro Martinez led the way, supported by key role players. Their historic comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Yankees cemented their place in baseball history.

3. 2008 Philadelphia Phillies: This Phillies squad featured Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Cole Hamels at their peak. Hamels dominated every playoff series, while Brad Lidge was nearly perfect in save situations.

2. 2016 Chicago Cubs: The Cubs won 103 games and blended youth and experience. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Lester, and Lackey led the way. Their Game 7 victory ended a 108-year championship drought.

1. 2018 Boston Red Sox: This team dominated the league, winning 108 games. Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez led the offense, while Chris Sale, Rick Porcello, and David Price anchored the rotation. Manager Alex Cora’s strategic deployment of the pitching staff in the postseason led to an 11-3 record and the World Series title.

Every team on this list earned their place in baseball history, but some teams stand out for their dominance, star power, and the significance of their championships. This ranking attempts to capture those nuances, celebrating the rich history of baseball in the 21st century.