Why are the Baseball finals called the 'World Series' when only American teams play?

Answer 1

It wasn't supposed to be originally but the owners insisted that it be called that in order to draw more attention and sound more important (whatever draws the crowd).

Source: Ken Burns Baseball History DVD collection.

Answer 2

The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball and the culmination of the sport's postseason each October.

The World Series is played between the American League and National League champions. The Series winner is determined through a best-of-seven playoff (except in 1903, 1919, 1920 and 1921 when the winner was determined through a best-of-nine playoff) and is awarded the World Series Trophy, as well as World Series rings. Baseball has employed various championship formulas since the 1850s. The modern World Series has been an annual event since 1903, with the exceptions of 1904 and 1994.

The term "World Series" (short for "World's Championship Series") was first used in the 1880s, when baseball existed at a highly-skilled level only in the USA and international travel was rare. The traditional term "World Series" continues to be used for the Major League Baseball championship.

Answer 3

You can't blame people for trying to come up with a reason for why a competition between North American baseball teams is called the "World Series". There was never any connection between baseball and the World newspaper. It remains somewhat of a mystery why the series of games between the American League and National League champions are called the "World's Championship Series" (later shortened to "World Series"). However, one theory is that it was anticipated baseball's popularity would spread to other countries, such as Australia and Great Britain, and eventually the World Series would become an international competition.

Most people would believe B-rabs answer but it is actually wrong.

Answer 4

Players from all around the World play baseball. The highest level of baseball is the MLB so why not call it the World Series?

Answer 5

It had nothing to do with the name of the newspaper.

http://www.snopes.com/business/names/worldseries.asp

It's about time we put an end to that story.

It was because the World Series was first played in 1903. At that time, the U.S. was the only place in the world where baseball was played.

Whoever was the best team in the U.S. was also the best team in the World, because no one else in the world played baseball at that time.

Answer 6

When the "World Series" was first created... they wanted to give it name with importance... and since it was a series of games, as opposed to just one and done... "Series" was a natural part of the name...

and since the champion was declared over the "baseball world" It was considered to be the "ultimate series within the world of baseball." Thus the "World Series" was born.

Where's your anger over the name "World Cup"? My friend... that cup is NOT big enough for the world.

Answer 7

Toronto Blue Jays are from Canada. It has always been called the World Series since 1903 . There are also many players from different parts of the world. Should we change this just to suit you?

Answer 8

Toronto went to the World Series in the '90's.

Answer 9

Well, the best players from around the world play in MLB. Probably not the correct answer, but a good enough justification. We have Matsui, Ohka, Ramirez, Ortiz, El Duke, Morneau, etc.

Answer 10

B-rab's answer sounds reasonable. All those who think Toronto and Canada are not part of America need a reality check. The only difference between Toronto and the US is that they eat Marmite and some supermarkets don't take credit cards. Apart from that ... no difference, ay.