2023 World Series
{{Short description|Major League Baseball's championship series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox baseball championship series
| country = World
| year = 2023
| image = 2023 World Series logo.svg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| champion = Texas Rangers (4)
| champion_manager = Bruce Bochy
| champion_games = {{winpct|90|72|record=y}}, GB: 0
| runnerup = Arizona Diamondbacks (1)
| runnerup_manager = Torey Lovullo
| runnerup_games = {{winpct|84|78|record=y}}, GB: 16
| date = October 27 – November 1
| venue = Globe Life Field (Arlington, Texas)
Chase Field (Phoenix, Arizona)
| MVP = Corey Seager (Texas)
| umpires = Vic Carapazza, Brian Knight, Alfonso Márquez, Bill Miller (crew chief), David Rackley, D. J. Reyburn, Quinn Wolcott
| HOFers =
| ALCS = Texas Rangers over Houston Astros (4–3)
| NLCS = Arizona Diamondbacks over Philadelphia Phillies (4–3)
| television = Fox (United States – English)
Fox Deportes (United States – Spanish)
MLB International (International)
| announcers = Joe Davis, John Smoltz, Ken Rosenthal, and Tom Verducci (Fox)
Adrian Garcia Marquez, Edgar Gonzalez, Carlos Alvarez, and Jaime Motta (Fox Deportes)
Dave Flemming and Ryan Spilborghs (MLB International – English)
| radio_network = ESPN (United States – English)
TUDN (United States – Spanish)
KRLD (TEX – English)
KFLC (TEX – Spanish)
KMVP (ARI – English)
KHOV (ARI – Spanish)
| radio_announcers = Jon Sciambi, Jessica Mendoza, Eduardo Pérez, and Buster Olney (ESPN)
Jesus Acosta, Alberto Ferreiro, Jose Napoles, and Luis Quiñones (TUDN)
Eric Nadel and Matt Hicks (KRLD)
Eleno Ornelas and José Guzmán (KFLC)
Greg Schulte, Chris Garagiola, and Tom Candiotti (KMVP)
Oscar Soria and Rodrigo López (KHOV)
|image2=2023 World Series program.png
| alt2 =
}}
The 2023 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2023 season, and the 119th edition of the World Series. It was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Texas Rangers and the National League (NL) champion Arizona Diamondbacks. The series began on October 27 and ended on November 1 with Texas winning in five games. The Rangers won their first World Series title since their founding in 1961 and relocation to the DFW metroplex in 1971. This marked the first time since 1989 in which consecutive championships were won by different teams from the same state.
The Rangers and Diamondbacks entered the 2023 MLB postseason as wild cards, making this the third World Series meeting between two wild cards following 2002 and 2014. The Rangers had home-field advantage in the series over the Diamondbacks due to their better regular season record. The Rangers and Diamondbacks split the first two games in Texas before the Rangers won three consecutive games in Arizona to win the series. Corey Seager won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award for the second time in his career.{{cite web |last1=Casella |first1=Paul |title=Seager named World Series MVP, becomes 4th player to win it twice |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/corey-seager-2023-world-series-most-valuable-player |website=MLB.com |access-date=13 August 2024 |language=en}}
Background
{{see also|2023 Major League Baseball postseason}}
This was the first postseason meeting between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams lost over 100 games in 2021.{{cite web |last1=Blum |first1=Ronald |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Longshot World Series: Diamondbacks vs Rangers is a Fall Classic few saw coming |url=https://apnews.com/article/diamondbacks-rangers-world-series-odds-5aa04924e2c24d44f8e5f7dd26d98c54 |work=Associated Press News |access-date=October 25, 2023}} The teams' 174 combined wins is the lowest ever total for a non-shortened season World Series.{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Sanjesh |date=October 25, 2023 |title=These stats show rarity of Rangers-Diamondbacks matchup in 2023 World Series |work=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/mlb/how-rare-is-the-rangers-diamondbacks-world-series-matchup-2023/3369114/}} This was the first World Series between one team that has never won in any prior appearances and another team that has never lost in any prior appearances. MLB has paired these two teams up as interleague rivals from 1998 to 2000 and in 2013, 2019, and since 2023. As such, this was just the second World Series since the invention of interleague to feature natural rivals, following the 2000 World Series between the New York Mets and New York Yankees. This was the fifth straight World Series to have games played in a venue in Texas, with Houston co-hosting in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and Arlington hosting in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this was the first World Series since 2016 to not feature the Houston Astros or Los Angeles Dodgers.{{cite web |last1=Borelli |first1=Matt |title=World Series Streak Involving Dodgers And Astros Snapped By Diamondbacks, Rangers |url=https://dodgerblue.com/world-series-streak-involving-dodgers-and-astros-snapped-by-diamondbacks-rangers/2023/10/25/ |website=Dodger Blue |access-date=25 October 2024 |date=26 October 2023}}
The Diamondbacks won the regular season series 3–1, splitting a two-game series in May at Globe Life Field, and sweeping the Rangers at Chase Field in August.{{cite web |last1=Postins |first1=Matthew |title=Recapping Rangers, D-backs Season Series |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/rangers/news/texas-rangers-arizona-diamondbacks-2023-season-series-results-world-series#gid=ci02ccc49bc000268f&pid=aug-21-d-backs-4-rangers-3- |website=Sports Illustrated Texas Rangers News, Analysis and More |access-date=October 26, 2023 |language=en |date=October 26, 2023}}
This was the third time in World Series history that the two teams that faced each other were both from the Expansion era, the first coming in 2015{{cite news |last=Kerkhoff |first=Blair |date=October 24, 2015 |title=All-expansion team World Series will be a first |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article41222061.html |work=The Kansas City Star |access-date=November 1, 2023}} and the second in 2019.{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Matt |last2=Langs |first2=Sarah |title=The 25 World Series facts you need to know |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/key-facts-and-figures-for-2019-world-series |website=MLB.com |access-date=10 November 2023 |language=en}}
This was the sixth World Series overall to be played entirely on artificial turf. Before 2023, the most recent of the six to be played in the two home team's stadiums was the 1993 World Series (which was the fourth one). However, the last "all-artificial turf" overall (the fifth one) before 2023 had been at the neutrally located 2020 World Series, with all games played at Globe Life Field, where the first two games of 2023 were also played. 2023 is only the second World Series to be played entirely on the second generation artificial turf (with 2020 being the first).{{cite web |title=The 2023 World Series® Will Be Played Exclusively on Shaw Sports Turf® |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2023-world-series-played-exclusively-140500276.html |website=Yahoo |access-date=25 October 2024}}
Finally, this was the second World Series ever to be played entirely in domed stadiums after the neutral site 2020 World Series. It was the first to be played between two domed stadium teams with each hosting games.
=Texas Rangers=
{{see also|2023 Texas Rangers season}}
During the regular season, the Texas Rangers were led by an AL-best offense in runs scored and were tied with the Minnesota Twins in home runs.{{Cite web |title=2023 MLB Team Hitting Stat Leaders |url=https://www.mlb.com/stats/team/home-runs/regular-season |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com}} The Rangers led the AL at the All-Star Game with six players in Adolis García, Jonah Heim, Josh Jung, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and Nathan Eovaldi.{{Cite web |title=Rangers All-Stars {{!}} Texas Rangers |url=https://www.mlb.com/rangers/history/all-star-players |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com}} Mid-season injuries to staff-aces Jacob deGrom and Eovaldi and subpar performance in the bullpen led the Rangers to acquire closer Aroldis Chapman, middle reliever Chris Stratton, and starting pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Max Scherzer.{{Cite web |title=Rangers trade for Aroldis Chapman to bolster 'pen |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rangers-acquire-aroldis-chapman-for-two-players |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com}}{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Cole |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Going Inside Deadline Deals by Rangers |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/rangers/news/texas-rangers-mlb-trade-deadline-max-scherzer-jordan-montgomery-espn-report |access-date=October 24, 2023 |work=Sports Illustrated Texas Rangers News, Analysis and More}}{{Cite web |title=Rangers add lefty Montgomery for playoff push: 'We're in a great spot' |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rangers-trade-for-jordan-montgomery |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com}} Despite leading the AL West for most of the season, poor play late in the year saw the team finish second in the division behind the Houston Astros; the teams had identical win-loss records, but Houston owned a better head-to-head record.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2023/10/01/rangers-lose-regular-season-finale-in-seattle-miss-out-on-al-west-crown/|title=Rangers lose regular-season finale in Seattle, miss out on AL West crown|date=October 1, 2023|work=Dallas News}}
The Rangers qualified for the postseason as the fifth seed wild card entrant in the American League just two years removed from a 102-loss season. In the Wild Card Series, they swept the fourth-seeded Tampa Bay Rays. In the Division Series, they swept the American League East division winner and top-seeded Baltimore Orioles. In the American League Championship Series, they defeated their division rival and defending World Series champion Houston Astros in seven games to win their third American League pennant in franchise history.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/playoffs/2023/10/23/astros-vs-rangers-live-time-tv-channel-pitchers-for-alcs-game-7/71294130007/|title=Adolis Garcia, Rangers crush Astros in ALCS Game 7 to reach World Series|work=USA Today}} The Rangers made it to the World Series for the first time since 2011, where they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. The Rangers were heading in as the favorites to win the series for the first time all postseason while also seeking their first World Series title in franchise history, which would put an end to their World Series championship title drought of 62 seasons since their franchise began, the second-longest active championship drought in Major League Baseball behind the Cleveland Guardians, and the oldest active franchise without a World Series title.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/longest-world-series-title-droughts|title=Rangers can snap MLB's 2nd-longest title drought|first1=Matt |last1=Kelly |first2=Andrew |last2=Simon |first3=Sarah |last3=Langs|work=MLB.com|date=October 23, 2023|access-date=October 26, 2023}} This also marked a return to the World Series for three-time World Champion Bruce Bochy, who was looking to tie Walter Alston and Joe Torre for fourth on the list of World Series victories for managers.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Sanjesh |date=October 24, 2023 |title=Here's a list of the best managers in MLB history |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/mlb/who-are-the-best-managers-in-mlb-history/3676014/ |access-date=October 24, 2023 |work=NBC10 Philadelphia}}
Texas came into the season with 50–1 betting odds, which was tied for the seventh-longest odds to make a World Series since 1985.{{cite web |title=2023 MLB odds: Diamondbacks among biggest underdogs ever to make World Series |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/2023-mlb-odds-diamondbacks-among-biggest-underdogs-ever-to-make-world-series |work=Fox Sports |access-date=October 25, 2023}}
=Arizona Diamondbacks=
{{see also|2023 Arizona Diamondbacks season}}
The Diamondbacks were just two seasons removed from a 110–loss season, which included an MLB-record 24 straight road losses.{{cite web |last1=Axisa |first1=Mike |title=Diamondbacks blow out Padres, snap MLB record road losing streak at 24 games |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/diamondbacks-blow-out-padres-snap-mlb-record-road-losing-streak-at-24-games/ |website=CBSSports.com |access-date=October 25, 2023 |language=en |date=June 27, 2021}} They had an uneven regular season in 2023, which included extreme highs and lows. At their peak in mid-June, they were 41–25 and leading the NL West. At their lowest, they had a 32-game stretch, where from early–July to mid–August, they went 7–25, a .219 win percentage, and had fallen to 57–59.{{cite web |last1=Sommers |first1=Jack |title=Diamondbacks Collapse: From Loss to Acceptance |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/analysis/diamondbacks-collapse-from-loss-to-acceptance |website=si.com |date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=October 25, 2023}} They were led by a young core consisting of Corbin Carroll, Zac Gallen, Gabriel Moreno, Alek Thomas, and Geraldo Perdomo, along with veterans Ketel Marte, Merrill Kelly, Christian Walker, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Tommy Pham, and Evan Longoria.{{cite web |last1=Clemens |first1=Ben |title=2023 World Series Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Texas Rangers |url=https://blogs.fangraphs.com/world-series-preview-arizona-diamondbacks-vs-texas-rangers/ |website=fangraphs.com |date=October 26, 2023 |access-date=October 26, 2023}} The Diamondbacks team finished second in MLB in stolen bases behind the Cincinnati Reds, including 56 from Carroll.{{cite web |title=2023 MLB Team Hitting Stat Leaders |url=https://www.mlb.com/stats/team/stolen-bases/regular-season |website=MLB.com |access-date=October 25, 2023 |language=en}} They were also the best defensive team during the season, committing the fewest errors in the regular season with 56 and tied for first with the Rangers with the best fielding percentage at .990.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2023.shtml|title=2023 Major League Baseball Team Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
The Diamondbacks qualified for the postseason as the sixth seed wild card entrant in the National League. In the Wild Card Series, they swept the third-seeded and National League Central division winner Milwaukee Brewers. In the Division Series, they swept and upset the National League West division winner, second-seeded, and 100-win Los Angeles Dodgers. In the National League Championship Series, they defeated the fourth-seeded and defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies in seven games to win their second National League pennant and make it to the World Series for the first time since 2001.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/playoffs/2023/10/24/phillies-vs-diamondbacks-live-score-nlcs-game-7-time-tv-channel/71303263007/|title=Diamondbacks shock Phillies in NLCS Game 7, advance to first World Series since 2001|website=USA Today}} The 84 wins is the lowest amount for a full season NL champion since the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals, who had 83 wins. The Diamondbacks also joined the 1987 Minnesota Twins as the only two teams to win a pennant with a negative run differential.{{cite web |last1=Castrovince |first1=Anthony |title=7 reasons the D-backs are the unlikeliest World Series team |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/7-reasons-the-d-backs-are-an-unlikely-world-series-team-2023 |website=mlb.com |access-date=October 26, 2023}} Arizona's revamped bullpen of Ryan Thompson, rookie Andrew Saalfrank, setup man Kevin Ginkel, and closer Paul Sewald, had a combined 1.45 ERA in 31 innings of work in the postseason entering the World Series.{{cite web |last1=Mackie |first1=Theo |title=How are the Diamondbacks in the World Series? Look no further than their bullpen |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2023/10/25/arizona-diamondbacks-bullpen-paved-way-world-series-vs-rangers/71321210007/ |website=azcentral.com |access-date=October 26, 2023|date=October 25, 2023}}
At 125–1 preseason odds, Arizona had the third-longest odds to make a World Series since 1985 and longest since the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008, which Diamondbacks player Evan Longoria was also part of during his rookie season. Additionally, the 15-year gap between Longoria's first and second World Series appearances from 2008 to 2023 is the longest for a position player in MLB history.https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1717034378964918570
Summary
{{MLB Playoff Summary
| summary =
| winner = Texas
| leader =
| score = 4–1
| date1 = October 27
| score1 = Arizona Diamondbacks – 5, Texas Rangers – 6 (11)
| loc1 = Globe Life Field
| time1 = 4:02
| att1 = 42,472
| date2 = October 28
| score2 = Arizona Diamondbacks – 9, Texas Rangers – 1
| loc2 = Globe Life Field
| time2 = 2:59
| att2 = 42,500
| date3 = October 30
| score3 = Texas Rangers – 3, Arizona Diamondbacks – 1
| loc3 = Chase Field
| time3 = 2:51
| att3 = 48,517
| date4 = October 31
| score4 = Texas Rangers – 11, Arizona Diamondbacks – 7
| loc4 = Chase Field
| time4 = 3:18
| att4 = 48,388
| date5 = November 1
| score5 = Texas Rangers – 5, Arizona Diamondbacks – 0
| loc5 = Chase Field
| time5 = 2:54
| att5 = 48,511
}}
Game summaries
=Game 1=
File:Dyess Honor Guard kicks off World Series opener (8096393).jpg throwing a ceremonial first pitch to Iván Rodríguez prior to Game 1]]
{{linescore|
|Date = Friday, October 27, 2023
|Time = 7:07{{nbsp}}pm (CDT)
|Location = Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas
|Other = {{convert|73|F|C}}, Roof Closed
|Road=Arizona|RoadAbr=AZ
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=3|R4=1|R5=1|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|R10=0|R11=0|RR=5|RH=8|RE=0
|Home=Texas|HomeAbr=TEX
|H1=2|H2=0|H3=1|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=2|H10=0|H11=1|HR=6|HH=9|HE=0
|WP=José Leclerc (1–0) |LP=Miguel Castro (0–1) |SV=
|HomeHR=Corey Seager (1), Adolis García (1) |RoadHR=Tommy Pham (1)
|Attendance=42,472
|BoxURL = https://www.mlb.com/gameday/d-backs-vs-rangers/2023/10/27/748542/final/box
}}
R&B singer H.E.R. sang the national anthem.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox4news.com/news/world-series-national-anthem-singers-for-game-1-and-2-announced|title=World Series: National Anthem singers for Game 1 and 2 announced|date=October 25, 2023|website=Fox 4}} Former President of the United States and former Rangers part-owner George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Rangers Hall of Fame catcher Iván Rodríguez.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/rangers/news/george-bush-adrian-beltre-world-series-ceremonial-first-pitch-arizona-diamondbacks|title=World Series First Pitches for First Two Games|first=Matthew|last=Postins|date=October 26, 2023|website=Sports Illustrated Texas Rangers News, Analysis and More}} Nathan Eovaldi was the starting pitcher for Texas, while Zac Gallen started for Arizona.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2023-world-series-zac-gallen-gets-game-1-start-for-diamondbacks-rangers-send-out-nathan-eovaldi/|title=2023 World Series: Zac Gallen gets Game 1 start for Diamondbacks, Rangers send out Nathan Eovaldi|date=October 25, 2023|website=CBSSports.com}}
Texas's Evan Carter hit a double off the base of the right field wall to score Corey Seager. Adolis García scored Carter with a single, making it 2–0 Texas. In the top of the third, with runners on second and third, Corbin Carroll tripled, scoring both runners and tying the game. Ketel Marte scored Carroll on a fielder's choice, giving Arizona a one-run lead. The Rangers loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, where Gallen walked Mitch Garver to tie the game at three. Gallen limited the damage as Jonah Heim flied out to end the inning. In the top of the fourth, Tommy Pham hit a solo home run, which gave Arizona a lead they would not give up until the bottom of the ninth. In the fifth, Marte added on a run for Arizona with a double that scored Geraldo Perdomo and took Eovaldi out of the game. In the bottom of the sixth, Gallen was replaced with Ryan Thompson. After Thompson walked Heim, Nathaniel Lowe hit a towering fly ball that was caught by Carroll on the warning track. If the ball had been hit out, it would have tied the game. Thompson was able to get out of the jam by striking out Leody Taveras. Arizona relievers Joe Mantiply and Kevin Ginkel kept the seventh and the eighth innings scoreless.
Will Smith retired the side in the top of the ninth, sending the game to the bottom of the ninth, where closer Paul Sewald was sent in to record the final three outs for Arizona. With Arizona still leading 5–3, Sewald gave up a leadoff walk to Taveras before striking out Marcus Semien. The next batter, Seager, hit a towering two-run home run to right field to tie the game at five. It was Sewald's first blown save of this postseason in seven opportunities; however, he then struck out Carter and Austin Hedges to send the game to extra innings. José Leclerc retired the side in the top of the tenth. The bottom of the tenth started well for Texas, with Kyle Nelson giving up a leadoff walk to Lowe. However, Josh Jung grounded into a double play. Nelson then walked Taveras and gave up a single to Semien, but got the hero of the ninth inning, Seager, to ground out, ending the inning. Leclerc once again retired the side in the top of the eleventh, giving Texas another chance to walk it off. After getting Carter to fly out in the bottom of the inning, Nelson was replaced with Miguel Castro, who was sent in to face García. On a 3–1 count, Garcia hit a walk-off home run to right field to win the game for Texas.{{Cite web|last=Felt |first=Hunter |title=World Series Game 1: Arizona Diamondbacks 5–6 Texas Rangers (11 innings) – live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/oct/27/world-series-game-1-arizona-diamondbacks-v-texas-rangers-live |website=The Guardian |date=October 28, 2023 |access-date=October 28, 2023}} With the home run, García recorded his 22nd RBI of the postseason, breaking the record for RBIs in a postseason, previously held by David Freese, who recorded 21 RBIs in the 2011 postseason.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/world-series-adolis-garcia-rbis-record-2ae13932898667064642e439d59d333a|title=Rangers slugger Adolis García gets postseason-record 22nd RBI with walk-off homer in World Series|date=October 28, 2023|website=AP News}}
=Game 2=
File:Merrill Kelly (46982293834).jpg struck out nine batters in Game 2.]]
{{linescore|
|Date = Saturday, October 28, 2023
|Time = 7:03{{nbsp}}pm (CDT)
|Location = Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas
|Other = {{convert|74|F|C}}, Roof Closed
|Road=Arizona|RoadAbr=AZ
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=2|R5=0|R6=0|R7=2|R8=3|R9=2|RR=9|RH=16|RE=0
|Home=Texas|HomeAbr=TEX
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=1|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=1|HH=4|HE=0
|WP=Merrill Kelly (1–0) |LP=Jordan Montgomery (0–1) |SV=
|HomeHR=Mitch Garver (1) |RoadHR=Gabriel Moreno (1)
|Attendance=42,500
|BoxURL = https://www.mlb.com/gameday/d-backs-vs-rangers/2023/10/28/748541/final/box
}}
The national anthem was sung by 18-year-old Pearle Peterson. Former Rangers Hall of Fame{{Cite web |title=Beltré elected to HOF as a first-ballot legend |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adrian-beltre-elected-to-baseball-hall-of-fame-on-first-ballot |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} third baseman Adrián Beltré threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Rangers Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins. Merrill Kelly started Game 2 for Arizona{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/merrill-kelly-diamondbacks-rangers-world-series-c8d396c72b2def23b871da0f0bcbe289|title=Merrill Kelly to start World Series Game 2 for Diamondbacks and Brandon Pfaadt to start Game 3|date=October 26, 2023|website=AP News}} while Jordan Montgomery started for Texas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38758382/rangers-jordan-montgomery-set-start-game-2-world-series|title=Rangers lefty Montgomery gets Game 2 start|date=October 27, 2023|website=ESPN.com}}
Arizona opened the scoring in the fourth inning, when Gabriel Moreno hit a solo home run followed by a double by Tommy Pham and an RBI single by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Mitch Garver hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth to put the Rangers on the board at 2–1, thereby cutting their deficit to one run. Arizona added two insurance runs in the seventh inning when an RBI single by Evan Longoria scored Alek Thomas, and another RBI single by Corbin Carroll scored Longoria. With the bases loaded in the eighth inning, Ketel Marte hit a two-run RBI single, and then Carroll hit an RBI single to expand the lead to 7–1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2023/10/28/world-series-game-2-arizona-diamondbacks-texas-rangers-news-updates/71321446007/|title=Merrill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks dominate Texas Rangers, 9–1, in Game 2 of World Series|website=The Arizona Republic}} With his hit, Marte extended his postseason hitting streak to 18 games, setting a major league record.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ketel-marte-longest-postseason-hitting-streak|title=Marte alone in MLB history with 18-game postseason hit streak|website=MLB.com}} In the top of the ninth, Emmanuel Rivera hit a two-out two-run RBI single to score Jace Peterson and Gurriel Jr. to extend the Diamondbacks' lead to 9–1 before Rivera was out on a throw to second to end the inning. The Diamondbacks evened the series at one game apiece.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/oct/28/world-series-game-2-arizona-diamondbacks-v-texas-rangers-live|title=World Series Game 2: Arizona Diamondbacks 9–1 Texas Rangers – as it happened|first=Hunter|last=Felt|newspaper=The Guardian |date=October 29, 2023|via=www.theguardian.com}} Game 2 was the Diamondbacks’ first World Series road win, as even though they won the 2001 World Series, they dropped the three road games in that series.
=Game 3=
{{linescore|
|Date = Monday, October 30, 2023
|Time = 5:03{{nbsp}}pm (MST)
|Location = Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona
|Other = {{convert|78|F|C}}, Clear/Roof Open
|Road=Texas|RoadAbr=TEX
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=3|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=3|RH=5|RE=0
|Home=Arizona|HomeAbr=AZ
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=1|H9=0|HR=1|HH=6|HE=0
|HSP=|RSP=
|WP=Jon Gray (1–0) |LP=Brandon Pfaadt (0–1)|SV=José Leclerc (1)
|HomeHR= |RoadHR=Corey Seager (2)
|Attendance= 48,517
|BoxURL = https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rangers-vs-d-backs/2023/10/30/748540/final/box
}}
American Idol winner and Arizona native Jordin Sparks performed the national anthem before Game 3.{{Cite web|url=https://www.12news.com/article/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/world-series-game-3-preview-first-pitch-randy-johnson-national-anthem-jordin-sparks/75-ae53a938-84ac-4328-ad18-56ad3e061e6e|title=Who's performing the national anthem for Game 3 of the World Series?|date=October 30, 2023|website=12news.com}} Former Diamondback Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Diamondback outfielder Luis Gonzalez.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2023/10/29/luis-gonzalez-randy-johnson-to-throw-first-pitch-before-game-3-of-world-series/71376267007/|title=Luis Gonzalez, Randy Johnson to throw first pitch before Game 3 of World Series|website=The Arizona Republic|date=October 29, 2023|access-date=October 31, 2023}} Brandon Pfaadt was the Game 3 starter for Arizona while Max Scherzer started for Texas.{{cite web |last1=McFarland |first1=Shawn |title=Rangers plan to start Max Scherzer in Game 3 of World Series vs. Arizona Diamondbacks |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2023/10/28/rangers-plan-to-start-max-scherzer-in-game-3-of-world-series-vs-arizona-diamondbacks/ |website=dallasnews.com |date=October 28, 2023 |access-date=October 28, 2023}}
Arizona threatened to score first in the second inning, but Christian Walker was thrown out at home plate by Adolis García. In the third inning, Marcus Semien hit an RBI single for Texas, followed by a two-run home run by Corey Seager, giving the Rangers a 3–0 lead. Scherzer exited the game in the middle of the fourth inning with back tightness; Jon Gray entered in relief. Ketel Marte extended his post-season record hitting streak to 19 straight games with a single in the sixth inning. Gray exited the game after three innings, giving up only one hit and striking out three, preserving the Rangers lead. Emmanuel Rivera doubled to lead off the eighth inning and later put the Diamondbacks on the board with an RBI single by Geraldo Perdomo, cutting their deficit to 3–1, but Aroldis Chapman forced Marte, representing the potential tying run at the plate, to ground into an inning-ending double play. José Leclerc came in to pitch a scoreless ninth inning for the save, giving the Rangers a 2–1 series lead. García left the game early with a side strain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/10/30/world-series-diamondbacks-rangers-game-3-fan-updates/71323698007/|title=World Series Game 3 fan updates: A sad homecoming in Phoenix as DBacks fall to Rangers in Game 3|website=The Arizona Republic}}{{cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/adolis-garcia-not-in-world-series-game-4-lineup|title=Adolis García, Max Scherzer out for rest of World Series|publisher=MLB.com|date=November 2, 2023|first=Kennedi|last=Landry|access-date=November 12, 2024}} With the win, Texas remained unbeaten (9–0) in road games this postseason.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rangers-win-world-series-game-3-2023|title=Rangers win 9th straight(!) road game to take 2–1 series lead|website=MLB.com}}
=Game 4=
File:Reserve A-10 Warthogs Flyover 2023 World Series (8099146).jpg
{{linescore|
|Date = Tuesday, October 31, 2023
|Time = 5:03{{nbsp}}pm (MST)
|Location = Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona
|Other = {{convert|77|F|C}}, Clear/Roof Open
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|WP=Andrew Heaney (1–0) |LP=Joe Mantiply (0–1) |SV=
|HomeHR=Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1) |RoadHR=Corey Seager (3), Marcus Semien (1), Jonah Heim (1)
|Attendance=48,388
|BoxURL = https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rangers-vs-d-backs/2023/10/31/748535/final/box
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The national anthem was performed by country music artist Mickey Guyton.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-jordin-sparks-and-mickey-guyton-to-perform-national-anthem-before-|title=Jordin Sparks and Mickey Guyton to perform the national anthem before Games 3 & 4 of 2023 World Series presented by Capital One|website=MLB.com}} Arizona State University alumnus and former Masters Champion Jon Rahm threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Andrew Heaney started Game 4 for Texas while Arizona started Joe Mantiply as an opener.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38784310/rangers-andrew-heaney-start-game-4-vs-joe-mantiply|title=Rangers' Heaney to start G4, opposed by Mantiply|date=October 31, 2023|website=ESPN.com}} Before the start of Game 4, the Rangers replaced Adolis García and Max Scherzer on their World Series roster following their respective injuries in Game 3 with infielder Ezequiel Durán and relief pitcher Brock Burke.{{cite web |last1=Owens |first1=Jason |title=Adolis García, Max Scherzer removed from Rangers' World Series roster due to injury |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/adolis-garcia-max-scherzer-removed-from-rangers-world-series-roster-due-to-injury-231102597.html |website=Yahoo Sports |date=October 31, 2023 |access-date=October 31, 2023}}
Josh Jung led off the second inning for Texas with a double. After he advanced to third base, he scored the first run of the game off of a wild pitch by Miguel Castro, who relieved Mantiply. Leody Taveras drew a walk and Travis Jankowski hit a single, followed by a two-RBI triple by Marcus Semien. Kyle Nelson relieved Castro, and allowed a two-run home run to Corey Seager. Texas scored another five runs in the third inning after Jung and Nathaniel Lowe hit singles, Jonah Heim reached base on a fielder's choice to load the bases, Jankowski hit a two-RBI double, and Semien hit a three-run home run. All ten runs for Texas came with two outs.{{cite web |title=World Series Game 4: Rangers score 10 runs early in 11-7 victory vs. Diamondbacks; highlights, news and live tracker |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/world-series-game-4-diamondbacks-vs-rangers-score-highlights-news-and-live-tracker-231011902.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=July 31, 2024}} Arizona scored their first run on a sacrifice fly by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the fourth inning. Heim's home run leading off the top of the eighth inning extended the Rangers lead to 11–1. In the bottom half of the eighth inning, Tommy Pham hit an RBI sacrifice fly for Arizona, scoring Corbin Carroll, and Gurriel hit a three-run home run to reduce their deficit to 11–5. In the ninth inning, Will Smith recorded two outs, but the Diamondbacks put two men on base. José Leclerc entered the game and gave up a two-run RBI single to Gabriel Moreno, but finished the game with a pop-up by Christian Walker.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/oct/31/world-series-game-4-texas-rangers-v-arizona-diamondbacks-live|title=World Series Game 4: Texas Rangers 11–7 Arizona Diamondbacks – as it happened|first=Hunter|last=Felt|newspaper=The Guardian |date=November 1, 2023|via=www.theguardian.com}} With the win, the Rangers put themselves one win away from their first-ever World Series championship. This also extended the Rangers' 2023 postseason road win streak to ten games.{{Cite web |last=Close |first=David |date=November 2, 2023 |title=Texas Rangers win first World Series title in franchise history |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/01/sport/world-series-rangers-diamondbacks-game-5-winner/index.html |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}
=Game 5=
File:Corey Seager answers a question during the T-Mobile -HRDerby press conference. (28215398950).jpg Corey Seager]]
File:Bruce Bochy by Gage Skidmore.jpg]]
{{linescore|
|Date = Wednesday, November 1, 2023
|Time = 5:06{{nbsp}}pm (MST)
|Location = Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona
|Other = {{convert|79|F|C}}, Clear/Roof Open
|Road=Texas|RoadAbr=TEX
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=1|R8=0|R9=4|RR=5|RH=9|RE=0
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|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=0|HH=5|HE=1
|WP=Nathan Eovaldi (1–0) |LP=Zac Gallen (0–1) |SV=Josh Sborz (1)
|HomeHR= |RoadHR=Marcus Semien (2)
|Attendance= 48,511
|BoxURL = https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rangers-vs-d-backs/2023/11/01/748534/final/box
}}
The national anthem was performed by pop singer and Fifth Harmony member Dinah Jane.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/11/01/diamondbacks-rangers-world-series-game-5-live-fan-updates/71396929007/|title=World Series Game 5 fan updates: Here's who is singing the national anthem|website=The Arizona Republic}} Tyler Moldovan, an officer in the Phoenix Police Department who was injured on duty, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.{{Cite web|url=https://ktar.com/story/5546898/phoenix-polices-tyler-moldovan-to-throw-out-1st-pitch-for-world-series-game-5/|title=Phoenix PD's Tyler Moldovan to throw out 1st pitch for World Series|first=Danny|last=Shapiro|date=November 1, 2023|website=KTAR.com}} Game 5 featured a pitching rematch of Game 1 between Zac Gallen for the Diamondbacks and Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2023/11/01/world-series-game-5-arizona-diamondbacks-texas-rangers-news-updates/71321513007/|title=World Series updates: DBacks' Gallen vs. Rangers' Eovaldi match up for Game 5|website=The Arizona Republic}}
In a pitcher's duel, Gallen did not allow a hit in six innings. Meanwhile, Arizona had a scoring opportunity with runners on second and third base in the third inning, but Eovaldi retired Tommy Pham on a groundout. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases in the fifth inning but again failed to score. The Rangers ended Gallen's no-hit bid in the seventh inning on Corey Seager's single in left field; Seager scored on an RBI single by Mitch Garver. In the top of the eighth, Kevin Ginkel escaped the one-out bases-loaded jam to end the Rangers threat of another scoring opportunity. A single by Jonah Heim in the ninth inning combined with a fielding error by Alek Thomas scored two more runs for Texas, and then Marcus Semien hit a two-run home run to expand the lead to 5–0. Josh Sborz recorded the final outs, with Ketel Marte striking out to conclude the season and his first save as the Rangers won the game and the first World Series championship in franchise history, ending a 63-year drought. Seager won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award and was the first player ever to win the award in two different leagues.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/nov/01/world-series-game-5-texas-rangers-v-arizona-diamondbacks-live|title=World Series Game 5: Texas Rangers v Arizona Diamondbacks – live|first=David|last=Lengel|date=November 2, 2023|work=The Guardian}}
Ketel Marte's 20-game postseason hit streak ended with Game 5, having walked three times and struck out once to end the World Series.
Texas manager Bruce Bochy won his fourth World Series championship; he also became the third manager ever to win World Series championships in both leagues, after Sparky Anderson and Tony LaRussa.{{cite news |last1=Nightengale |first1=Bob |last2=Lacques |first2=Gabe |date=November 1, 2023 |title=Texas Rangers win first World Series title, coming alive late to finish off Diamondbacks |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/playoffs/2023/11/01/rangers-vs-astros-world-series-game-5-time-tv-channel/71411276007/ |work=USA Today |access-date=November 1, 2023}} Corey Seager, Nathan Eovaldi, Max Scherzer, and Aroldis Chapman all won their second World Series championship, while Will Smith won his third straight, becoming the first player in MLB history to win three straight on three different teams.
Texas finished the postseason with a perfect 11–0 record in road games, which was also the most road wins in a postseason in MLB history.
=Composite line score=
2023 World Series (4–1): Texas Rangers beat Arizona Diamondbacks
{{linescore|
|RoadAbr=AZ|Road=Arizona Diamondbacks
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=3|R4=4|R5=1|R6=0|R7=2|R8=8|R9=4|R10=0|R11=0|RR=22|RH=47|RE=2
|HomeAbr=TEX|Home=Texas Rangers
|H1=2|H2=5|H3=9|H4=0|H5=1|H6=0|H7=1|H8=1|H9=6|H10=0|H11=1|HR=26|HH=38|HE=0
|AveAttendance=47,078 |TotalAttendance=230,388 |HomeHR=Corey Seager (3), Marcus Semien (2), Adolis García (1), Mitch Garver (1), Jonah Heim (1)|RoadHR=Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1), Gabriel Moreno (1), Tommy Pham (1)|WinPlayerShare=$506,263{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/11/21/world-series-champion-rangers-full-share-506-263-mlb-postseason-pool-a-record-107-8-million/71665408007/ |title=World Series champion Rangers' full share $506,263, MLB postseason pool a record $107.8 million |website=USA Today}}|LosePlayerShare=$313,634
}}
Broadcasting
=Television=
For the 24th consecutive year, the World Series was televised in the United States by Fox, including the local affiliates KSAZ-TV serving Phoenix and KDFW serving the Dallas metropolitan area. Play-by-play announcer Joe Davis called the event with Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz as color analyst, and Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci as field reporters. Kevin Burkhardt hosted the pregame and postgame shows, joined by analysts Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and David Ortiz.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/blog/2023/10/06/fox-sports-sets-postseason-lineup-led-by-hall-of-famers-world-champions-and-lauded-broadcasters/|title=FOX Sports Sets Postseason Lineup Led by Hall of Famers, World Champions and Lauded Broadcasters – Fox Sports Press Pass}} Fox Deportes aired the Spanish language telecast, with play-by-play announcer Adrian Garcia Marquez, analyst Edgar Gonzalez, and reporters Carlos Alvarez and Jaime Motta.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/blog/2023/10/26/fox-sports-steps-up-to-the-plate-for-2023-world-series-presented-by-capital-one/|title=Fox Sports Steps up to the Plate for 2023 World Series Presented by Capital One|publisher=Fox Sports Press Pass|date=October 26, 2023|access-date=October 27, 2023}}
MLB International provided television coverage outside of the United States, using feeds remotely produced by MLB Network. The English-language world feed featured Dave Flemming on play-by-play and Ryan Spilborghs as an analyst.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/10/06/mlb-postseason-2023-mlb-network-remotely-produces-division-series-world-feed-from-secaucus-facility/|title=MLB Postseason 2023: MLB Network Remotely Produces Division-Series World Feed From Secaucus Facility|last=Hernández|first=Kristian|website=SVG News|date=October 6, 2023|access-date=October 25, 2023}}
==Ratings==
{{further|World Series television ratings}}
Viewership numbers include Fox and Fox Deportes.
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
scope="col"| Game
! scope="col"| Ratings ! scope="col"| U.S. audience ! scope="col" class=unsortable|Ref |
---|
scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|1 |
scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|2 |
scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|3 |
scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|4 |
scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|5 |
Game 3 was the least-watched World Series game in television history.
This World Series was the least-watched World Series in television history.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38804549/world-series-was-least-watched-fall-classic-tv-history |title=World Series was least-watched Fall Classic in TV history |website=ESPN.com|date=November 2, 2023 }}
=Radio=
For the 26th consecutive year, ESPN Radio aired the series in the United States. Jon Sciambi called the network's play-by-play of the event for the first time (taking over from Dan Shulman),{{cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/10/26/23933731/cubs-tv-jon-sciambi-world-series-espn-radio-marquee-network-jon-miller-dan-shulman-vin-scullly|title=Cubs TV voice Jon Sciambi brings passion for radio to his first national World Series call|last=Agrest|first=Jeff|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=October 26, 2023|access-date=October 27, 2023}} with Jessica Mendoza and Eduardo Pérez as color analysts and Buster Olney as a field reporter.{{Cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/10/espn-radio-broadcast-teams-for-remainder-of-2023-mlb-postseason/|title=ESPN Radio Broadcast Teams for Remainder of 2023 MLB Postseason|first=Ronce|last=Rajan|date=October 6, 2023}}
TUDN Radio broadcast the series in Spanish, with an announcing crew including Jesus Acosta, Alberto Ferreiro, Jose Napoles, and Luís Quiñones. The flagship radio stations for both teams also broadcast the series locally. In Dallas, KRLD-FM and KFLC aired the games in English and Spanish respectively, while KMVP-FM and KHOV-FM did the same in Phoenix.{{cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/schedules/2023-world-series-announcers-broadcast-primer.html|title=Your 2023 World Series announcing schedule and broadcast primer|last=Lucia|first=Joe|website=Awful Announcing|date=October 27, 2023|access-date=October 27, 2023}}
Sponsorship
The 2023 World Series was sponsored by Capital One, as part of a multi-year agreement. This sponsorship included logo branding in-stadium and on official digital properties on the field, as well as commercial inventory during Fox's telecasts of the games.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/28/mlb-reaches-125-million-sponsorship-deal-with-capital-one.html|title=MLB reaches a $125 million sponsorship deal with Capital One|author=Jabari Young|website=CNBC.com|date=March 28, 2022|access-date=October 24, 2023}}
Aftermath
To date, Texas is the last MLB team to win their first championship, with only five teams never having won a World Series before: the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, and Tampa Bay Rays.{{cite web |title=Which MLB teams have never won a World Series championship? - ESPN Video |url=https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40939962 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=21 August 2024 |language=en |date=21 August 2024}}
The Rangers held a victory parade in Arlington on November 3.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/rangers-world-series-parade-2023/|title=Parade route map shows where Texas Rangers World Series 2023 celebration will take over Arlington today – CBS Texas|date=November 3, 2023|website=www.cbsnews.com}} Arlington's police department estimated a crowd of 250,000 to 300,000 prior to the parade, but an estimated crowd of 500,000 to 700,000 attended.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox4news.com/news/texas-rangers-world-series-parade-arlington-friday|title=Texas Rangers World Series Parade 2023: Watch Live|first=Dionne|last=Anglin|date=November 1, 2023|website=FOX 4}}
Jordan Montgomery would sign a free-agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks before the start of the 2024 season.{{Cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Steve |title=D-backs ink Montgomery to 1-year deal with player option |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jordan-montgomery-d-backs-deal |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He was the first player to sign with the opposing World Series team since Will Harris (formerly with the Astros) joined the Nationals after the 2019 World Series. Montgomery had a disastrous 2-year tenure with the Diamondbacks, so much so that owner Ken Kendricks said he regretted the signing after Montgomery's first season with the club.{{cite web |title=D-backs owner: Montgomery a 'horrible' signing |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/41552657/d-backs-owner-blames-self-horrible-jordan-montgomery-add |website=ESPN.com |access-date=25 March 2025 |language=en |date=1 October 2024}} He would end up missing the entirety of his second season due to Tommy John Surgery.
In the regular season the following season, the Diamondbacks and Rangers split four games, with the Rangers sweeping at their ballpark in late May and the Diamondbacks sweeping in Arizona in September.{{cite web |title=Arizona Diamondbacks at Texas Rangers Game Story, Scores/Highlights - 05/29/2024 |url=https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/745011 |website=www.mlb.com |access-date=12 November 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Texas Rangers at Arizona Diamondbacks Game Story, Scores/Highlights - 09/11/2024 |url=https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/747154 |website=www.mlb.com |access-date=12 November 2024 |language=en}} Neither the Rangers nor Diamondbacks qualified for the 2024 postseason, marking the first time since 2007 that both teams from the previous year's World Series failed to make the playoffs the following year.{{cite web |last1=Hardin |first1=Jacob |title=Diamondbacks postseason hopes shattered after Braves win over Mets |url=https://burncitysports.com/2024/09/30/diamondbacks-postseason-hopes-shattered-after-braves-win-over-mets/ |website=burncitysports.com |access-date=September 30, 2024}}
{{multiple image
| footer = Catcher Will Smith (left) and reliever Will Smith (right)
| align = right
| total_width = 250
| image1 = Will Smith Los Angeles Dodgers (48427251081) (cropped).jpg
| image2 = 201205025-0812a Will Smith.jpg
}}
='Will Smith' World Series streak=
Texas pitcher Will Smith became the first player in history to win three consecutive World Series championships with three different franchises, having previously won with the 2021 Atlanta Braves and the 2022 Houston Astros.{{cite web |last1=Postins |first1=Matthew |title=Will Smith Sets World Series Record |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/rangers/news/texas-rangers-will-smith-record-third-straight-world-series-title |website=Sports Illustrated Texas Rangers News, Analysis and More |language=en |date=2 November 2023}} His bid to win a fourth straight World Series came with Smith's homegrown club, the Kansas City Royals, as Smith signed there in the off-season. That bid ended when the Royals lost in the 2024 American League Division Series to the Yankees. In a remarkable coincidence, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (no relation) would win the World Series in 2024, extending the 'Will Smith' streak. The streak began to 2020, which is when catcher Will Smith won his first World Series that season.{{cite web |last1=Langs |first1=Sarah |title=This is the fifth straight season in which a Will Smith wins a World Series: 2024: C Will Smith (LAD) 2023: LHP Will Smith (TEX) 2022: LHP Will Smith (HOU) 2021: LHP Will Smith (ATL) 2020: C Will Smith (LAD) |url=https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1851839876443816291 |website=X |access-date=31 October 2024}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
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