In the storied annals of Major League Baseball, one team stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to the ultimate prize: World Series titles. That team is, of course, the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers have amassed an astounding 27 championships, far outpacing their nearest competitors. But which franchises are next in line behind the Yankees? The answers may surprise you.
The Yankees’ Unrivaled Dominance
The Yankees’ 27 titles are not just the most in MLB—they’re the most of any team across all major North American professional sports. Their closest challengers are the St. Louis Cardinals with 11 and the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox, each with 9. The San Francisco Giants round out the top five with 8 championships.
The Yankees’ success has been fueled by several dynastic runs throughout their history. Perhaps most famously, they won four straight titles from 1936-1939, led by legends like Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio. They nearly matched that feat in the 1949-1953 stretch, winning five championships in a row behind the likes of Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle.
The Modern Yankees Dynasty
More recently, the Yankees’ “Core Four” of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and Jorge Posada helped secure titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. That run reestablished the Yankees as a perennial powerhouse after a relative World Series drought dating back to 1978.
“Those late ’90s Yankees teams were something special. It felt like we were destined to win every year.”
– Derek Jeter reflecting on the Yankees’ success
The Cardinals’ Consistent Excellence
While the Yankees may have the most titles, the St. Louis Cardinals have been a model of consistency. Their 11 championships are spread out over a longer period, with their first coming in 1926 and their most recent in 2011. The Cardinals have reached the Fall Classic in every decade since the 1920s except the 1950s.
- Won titles in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1960s, 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s
- 19 National League pennants, third-most all-time
The Athletics’ Forgotten Dynasty
The Oakland Athletics, who began in Philadelphia, are often overlooked in the conversation about MLB’s greatest franchises. But their nine titles rank third all-time. They won three in a row from 1972-1974 behind superstars like Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter.
The Red Sox Reverse The Curse
For decades, the Red Sox were known more for their agonizing near-misses than their triumphs, with the “Curse of the Bambino” looming large. But after finally breaking through in 2004, they added titles in 2007, 2013, and 2018 to tie the A’s with nine overall.
“I don’t believe in curses. I just believe in playing good baseball.”
– Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz
The Giants’ Bicoastal Success
The Giants have won titles on both coasts, securing five championships in New York before moving to San Francisco and winning three more. Despite eight titles, they’ve also lost a record 15 World Series appearances.
| New York Yankees | 27 Titles |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 11 Titles |
| Oakland Athletics | 9 Titles |
| Boston Red Sox | 9 Titles |
| San Francisco Giants | 8 Titles |
As these storied franchises look to add to their championship legacies, the Yankees remain the gold standard. The 2024 Fall Classic presents yet another opportunity for the Bronx Bombers to further extend their lead as the winningest team in MLB history. Will anyone ever catch the Yankees? Only time will tell, but for now, 27 titles make the franchise the undisputed kings of October.
