Why do they call it the 'World Series' when only Americans take part?

Question

And who stole my beer?

Answer 1

For the same reason Miss Universe does not have any Martians.

Answer 2

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.

The "World" appellation has stuck despite the fact that only teams in the two major leagues, which happen to cover only the United States and Canada, actually participate. At the time the term was first used, baseball at the major league level was only played in the United States. While some would contend that there is no reason to believe that the World Series winner is a significantly better team than any club team outside Major League Baseball, no challenges have been made by other leagues in the last ninety years. Moreover, virtually all of the best international players — from the Pacific Rim, Latin America, the Caribbean, and elsewhere — play on Major League rosters, with the notable exception of Cuban nationals, due to the political situation between the USA and Cuba.

The World Series winners have occasionally played winter exhibition series against the best players of other leagues around the world, such as Japan. Sometimes the Japanese have gained the upper hand in those series; but since they are only exhibitions, their results cannot be regarded as conclusive. Attempts to pit the North American champions meaningfully against champions in the Japanese or Latin American leagues have not succeeded yet.

A persistent myth is that the "World" in "World Series" came about because the New York World newspaper sponsored it. Baseball researcher Doug Pappas refutes that claim, demonstrating a linear progression from the phrase "World's Championship Series" (used to describe the 1903 series as well as some of the 19th-century postseason series) to "World's Series" (a term first used in the 1880s and which persisted for decades) to "World Series". Furthermore, investigation of the New York World for the relevant years revealed no evidence of the supposed sponsorship.

Answer 3

Although the true answer is that when the 'world' series was originally thought up the Americans were the only people to play the game hence why it was the world series as everyone in the world playing the game at a professional was involved (although rounders doesn't count) i believe it to be that to make the game of baseball more exotic and make it seem like something other countries around the world would like to get in on, a way of building up rappor and trading with others, this is why we play sport (especially English people) so we can be invited to go to other countries and be part of a great event, then get drunk and get arrested for fighting. so to promote the game is my answer. and it worked hence the 3 MLB Canadian teams?? who knows i dont think baseball will every catch on world wide and people who want to play it at that level move to America to play anyway. do the Japanese play it at a high level? Mr Baseball? buts those are more questions then answer, i will stop now before we get onto the meaning of life.

Answer 4

Americans are not the only ones take part in it. Have all you people forgot that we have canadians playing baseball?? The Blue Jays won the series back in the 90's. MLB has players from around the world playing in the leauge, not just americans. Thats why its called the world series

Answer 5

Which Americans are you talking about? Just like hockey American baseball teams are full of foreigners. The World Series might just be teams that are based in America, but there are more representatives from the rest of the world than ever.

Answer 6

Because when they invented the Baseball World Series. America was the only Country in the World playing it. Now there are lots of countries playing Baseball all over the world.
and I stole your beer, thanks it was good! Aaahh!

Answer 7

Because The United States of America Baseball Championship Series is too long a title to market.

Answer 8

In North America, the United States, the term 'World Series' referes to BASEball, not football. [There are too few cases of Canadian, Mexican, Brazillian, German, French, Australian baseball teams to bother & most US citizens (only nearly 300 million) consider the USA the world. Everywhere else is like a suburb or, like Pluto, insignificant.]
Your beer was stolen by your lack of appreciation.

Answer 9

At the time the saying was coined we were the only country that played it, hence it was for the "World Championship", and since we love traditions it has stuck.

P.S. I promise I'll get you back on the beer...

Answer 10

Because nearly the entire world watches it closely. That's why. This was even more true back before other pro sports took off. Baseball used to be the most watched sport in the entire world.

Answer 11

Because people from different countries play MLB
Ever hear of Albert Pujols; David Oritz; Ichiro Suzuki.....they are not all born in the USA