Why is it called "The World Series"?
Asked by
angelld (
35
)
September 29th, 2010
Why does everyone call it “The World Series” if it is only played in the United States?
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56 Answers
To make it sound all-encompassing. Since baseball is orginated in the U.S., but it now played all over the world, there is worldwide interest in the World series.
Because nothing is bigger the what the USA does.
Arrogance and it is pretty much only truly an American (meaning the U.S.A.) pastime. Of course it’s also a U.S. controlled monopoly.
U.S. Arrogance – plain and simple.
Would it help to mention that there are two Canadian teams, and many players are citizens of Japan and several Latin American countries? There is definitely a world-wide interest in American baseball.
@erichw1504 Well… I was thinking of the Montreal Expos. I forgot they moved to Washington and are now the Nationals.
I don’t think it was arrogance to name it the World Series in 1903, just enthusiasm/hype/salesmanship.
Major League Baseball (MLB) didn’t even cover most of the US. Until 1953 the only team west of the Mississippi was St. Louis (which is located exactly zero miles west of the Mississippi.).
A REAL World Series would be AWESOME, though, if the MLB players played for their home teams.
In no particular order and I am sure I missing someone, I can think of a bunch of contenders.
US
Venezuela
Cuba
Canada
Dominican Republic
Taiwan
Japan
Nicaurauga
Mexico
I think fear of getting hurt in the MLB off-season is the biggest barrier.
And why isn’t their a Mexican MLB team? Will someone get to work on that, please? TIA!
It got its name back when it probably was only played in the US. Back then, that was the world’s championship game as well as the baseball world’s championship game.
@jaytkay A World Cup baseball series would be amazing. I’d love to see that.
A World Cup of baseball would indeed be great. Sometimes I have the hardest of times falling asleep.
OH SNAP!
@BoBo1946 The World Cup of football (soccer)? It was first played in Uruguay, in 1930.
The World reference was bestowed on American baseball long before communication and marketing were so globally connected.
@bob_ A World Cup of baseball would indeed be great. Sometimes I have the hardest of times falling asleep. OH SNAP!
Dood, you are making my point. Not enough people know the joy of attending a baseball game. You are deprived!
I think it’s only interesting if it’s your team and if you have watched them win or get close enough enough times that you live and die with them.
Go Phillies!!!
Believe it or not, I grew up a Red Sox fan, but I was released from them after their first Series win—and now I can take up the Phillies because they are one of the best teams in baseball and have been so for several years.
@wundayatta – I grew up in a Subway Series battle. Daddy’s a Mets fan, Mom’s family are Yankees fans. I’m a Cubs fan, because Cubs fans aren’t douchebags (even though they’re sometimes really fucking stupid)
…Cubs fans aren’t douchebags…
I see you have not spent time in my neighborhood
@jaytkay Compared to the retired Yankees fans in Florida, they’re angels and saints.
Also, the best players in the World play in the USA! Those players come from all over the World. That would make it a World event. Wouldn’t it?
@Seek_Kolinahr I’ve thought about the Cubbies—and how it might be worth being a fan thereof, simply because the sweet anguish of almost is something they have a plentiful supply of. But you know what? I’ve decided it’s ok to be happy.
@Seek_Kolinahr Ahhh, I understand. Apples and oranges. We have drunk frat boys with backwards baseball caps breaking bottles and pissing on my sidewalk. I guess when they grow old they will move your way. Enjoy!
Well that’s the yanks for you. Baseball = Rounders, a girls game played in schools in England. American Football = Rugby, played by wimps in crash hats. Just dawns on him that the overwhelming majority of users are indeed from the US!!.........gulp, err ahem….....yeah. Oh shit!!!
One word, @ucme:
Cricket.
‘nuff said.
@ucme – I’m totally with you on the Football thing. Seriously, you weigh 350 lbs and are contracted for a measly 17 games a year. Man up and take off the damn armour.
@wundayatta Now why on Earth are you bringing Jiminy into this. Leave the ickle fella alone, now come on!
@ucme ummm…. okay, one of those 350lbs guys (and these are great athletes) that runs a 4.8, hits one of those Rugby guys….I’m wondering which planet he would end up on???? We are not talking apples and oranges here.
@Seek_Kolinahr :¬)
Hey just one guy talking here.I mean you have some truly great sports…...err, no don’t tell me.Let me think. Wrestling…that’s it! :¬)
@ucme You can run, but you can’t hide! Jiminy ain’t a-goin’ ta save ya.
Wrestling hasn’t been a sport in over a hundred years.
@wundayatta Raises white flag in mock submission
@Seek_Kolinahr Yeah, less of a sport more a hobby for frustrated over the top actors.
@BoBo1946 I was just messing around fella. Anyone would’ve thought we’d brought up religion. Hoo hah extinguished.
like yourself, i don’t take this serious. not brain surgery!
What!?! I happen to take this very seriously indeed i’ll have you know. My gast has never been so flabbered :¬)
@jaytkay Professional “wrestling” is choreographed.
@bob_ Yes, pop-TV wrestling is nonsense, but Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling are legit sports. Wrestling has always been a modern (and ancient) Olympic sport.
@jaytkay Yes, but the TV variety is the one the great majority of people know, and is the one being discussed here.
@bob_ I thought we were talking baseball.
Yes, that was a disingenuous diversion, why do you ask?
Oh, I’m all about Greco-Roman wrestling. Unfortunately, I only get to see that in the Olympics, as I don’t subscribe to ESPN47
@ucme You may raise the flag in mock surrender, but you will have to pay real reparations. I suggest buying me a pint (or ten) and watching the Phillies win the World Series with me. That should be pleasant torture, no?
I still have hope for the Rays this year! Woo!
@Seek_Kolinahr I’ll be happy if they knock off the Yankees (which would put them in the World Series).
We’ve been back and forth half the season. I think we’re neck and neck right now, but I’ll admit I’m not paying close attention
Good question and one I thought about myself. I’m not saying this is the actual reason but the Major League teams are most likely the best and most talented in the world as well as the highest payed. Players from every other country want to play in the Major Leagues, which would be a childhood dream come true for these players.
Interesting info about baseball I stumbled on….
Baseball was probably derived from “Rounders,” a game played in Ireland since the 15th century. By the 18th century, rounders incorporated many of the basic elements of modern baseball: two opposing teams with one in the field and one batting; successive batters trying to hit a small ball and then make the “round” of four bases to score. Three strikes and you’re out!
During the 1820s-50s, Irish immigrants brought rounders with them to the New World, where local variations developed. In the Massachusetts variant, the batter stood between home plate and first base, and the opposing team could “out” someone by beaning them with the ball. Runners weren’t required to stay on the baselines, meaning there was an element of “tag.” The Philadelphia game gave us the familiar diamond-shaped field and nine players to a team.
In 1845 it was decided to standardize the rules of New York’s game. The Knickerbocker Rules decreed nine innings and said any “knock” outside the lines of first and third base was foul. In 1858 they added the “strike zone,” and in 1863 they added the automatic “walk” after four balls.
Why is it called Kansas City International Airport? Because there’s one flight to Canada and one to Mexico.
Woo hoo! The Rays stay alive for another day. 1–0 Rays right now. C’mon boys!
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