The Los Angeles Dodgers hold a commanding 3-0 lead on the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series, leaving them on the cusp of being the first team to sweep the World Series since the 2012 San Francisco Giants.
Since 1907, there have been 22 instances of a World Series sweep, starting with a technicality — the 1907 Chicago Cubs tied the Detroit Tigers in Game 1, but would go on to win the next four games. Without further adieu, we present the complete list of World Series sweeps in MLB History.
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2012: San Francisco Giants sweep Detroit Tigers
The San Francisco Giants dominated the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 World Series, securing their second championship in three years. Led by stellar pitching performances from Madison Bumgarner and Ryan Vogelsong, the Giants outscored the Tigers 16-6 over the four-game series. Pablo Sandoval‘s three-home run performance in Game 1 set the tone for the Giants’ impressive sweep.
2007: Boston Red Sox sweep Colorado Rockies
The Boston Red Sox continued their 21st-century success by sweeping the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series. This victory marked their second championship in four years, with strong performances from Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, who was named World Series MVP. The Red Sox’s powerful offense proved too much for the Rockies, who had entered the series on a remarkable hot streak.
2005: Chicago White Sox sweep Houston Astros
The Chicago White Sox ended their 88-year championship drought by sweeping the Houston Astros in the 2005 World Series. The White Sox’s pitching staff was dominant, with four consecutive complete games from their starting rotation. Jermaine Dye was named World Series MVP for his clutch hitting and solid defense in right field.
2004: Boston Red Sox sweep St. Louis Cardinals
The Boston Red Sox made history in 2004 by not only breaking the “Curse of the Bambino” but also sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. This victory came after an unprecedented comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Manny Ramirez was named World Series MVP for his outstanding offensive performance.
1999: New York Yankees sweep Atlanta Braves
The New York Yankees capped off their dominant late-1990s run by sweeping the Atlanta Braves in the 1999 World Series. This victory marked their third championship in four years and second consecutive title. Mariano Rivera was named World Series MVP for his flawless relief pitching, securing three saves in the series.
1998: New York Yankees sweep San Diego Padres
The 1998 New York Yankees, considered one of the greatest teams in MLB history, swept the San Diego Padres in the World Series. This championship was part of their three-peat from 1998 to 2000. Scott Brosius was named World Series MVP for his clutch hitting, including two home runs in Game 3.
1990: Cincinnati Reds sweep Oakland Athletics
The Cincinnati Reds pulled off a surprising sweep of the heavily favored Oakland Athletics in the 1990 World Series. Known as the “Nasty Boys” for their formidable bullpen, the Reds shut down the powerful A’s offense. Jose Rijo was named World Series MVP for his two stellar pitching performances.
1989: Oakland Athletics sweep San Francisco Giants
The Oakland Athletics swept their Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco Giants, in the earthquake-interrupted 1989 World Series. The series was paused for 10 days following the Loma Prieta earthquake, which struck just before Game 3. Dave Stewart was named World Series MVP for his dominant pitching performances.
1976: Cincinnati Reds sweep New York Yankees
The Cincinnati Reds, known as the “Big Red Machine,” swept the New York Yankees in the 1976 World Series to claim their second consecutive championship. This Reds team, featuring stars like Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Pete Rose, is considered one of the greatest in MLB history. Johnny Bench was named World Series MVP for his outstanding offensive performance.
1966: Baltimore Orioles sweep Los Angeles Dodgers
The Baltimore Orioles swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1966 World Series, marking their first championship in franchise history. The Orioles’ pitching staff was dominant, allowing only two runs in the entire series. Frank Robinson, who won the Triple Crown that year, was named World Series MVP.
1963: Los Angeles Dodgers sweep New York Yankees
The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the New York Yankees in the 1963 World Series, led by the dominant pitching of Sandy Koufax. Koufax won two games in the series, including a 15-strikeout performance in Game 1, and was named World Series MVP. This sweep marked a changing of the guard in baseball, with the Dodgers dethroning the long-dominant Yankees.
1954: New York Giants sweep Cleveland Indians
The New York Giants swept the heavily favored Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series. This series is famous for Willie Mays‘ over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1, known simply as “The Catch”. The Giants’ pitching staff, led by Johnny Antonelli, shut down the Indians’ powerful offense throughout the series.
1950: New York Yankees sweep Philadelphia Phillies
The New York Yankees swept the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1950 World Series, continuing their dominance of the 1950s. This series featured the infamous “Whiz Kids” Phillies team, which was the youngest team to reach the World Series at that time. Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford made his World Series debut in this sweep.
1939: New York Yankees sweep Cincinnati Reds
The New York Yankees swept the Cincinnati Reds in the 1939 World Series, marking their fourth consecutive championship. This Yankees team, featuring legends like Joe DiMaggio and Bill Dickey, is considered one of the greatest in baseball history. The series was notable for being the last World Series appearance for Lou Gehrig, who was forced to retire due to ALS.
1938: New York Yankees sweep Chicago Cubs
The New York Yankees swept the Chicago Cubs in the 1938 World Series, securing their third consecutive championship. This series featured a dominant performance by Yankees pitcher Red Ruffing, who won two games and hit a home run. The sweep continued the Yankees’ dynasty of the late 1930s.
1932: New York Yankees sweep Chicago Cubs
The New York Yankees swept the Chicago Cubs in the 1932 World Series, which is famous for Babe Ruth‘s “Called Shot” in Game 3. Ruth allegedly pointed to the center field bleachers before hitting a home run to that exact spot. This sweep marked the Yankees’ fourth championship in seven years.
1928: New York Yankees sweep St. Louis Cardinals
The New York Yankees swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1928 World Series, led by the powerful hitting of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Both Ruth and Gehrig hit three home runs in the series, with Ruth batting .625. This sweep avenged the Yankees’ loss to the Cardinals in the 1926 World Series.
1927: New York Yankees sweep Pittsburgh Pirates
The 1927 New York Yankees, considered one of the greatest teams in baseball history, swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series. This Yankees team, featuring the famous “Murderers’ Row” lineup, dominated the regular season and continued their dominance in the World Series. Babe Ruth hit two home runs in the series, including one in the clinching Game 4.
1922: New York Giants sweep New York Yankees
The New York Giants swept the New York Yankees in the 1922 World Series, which actually ended in a 4-0-1 result due to a tie in Game 2. This all-New York series featured future Hall of Famers such as Frankie Frisch for the Giants and Babe Ruth for the Yankees. The Giants’ pitching staff held the powerful Yankees offense in check throughout the series.
1914: Boston Braves sweep Philadelphia Athletics
The Boston Braves, who had been in last place on July 4th, completed their “Miracle” season by sweeping the heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics in the 1914 World Series. This improbable run earned the team the nickname “Miracle Braves”. The Braves’ pitching staff, led by Bill James and Dick Rudolph, shut down the Athletics’ potent offense.
1907: Chicago Cubs sweep Detroit Tigers
The Chicago Cubs swept the Detroit Tigers in the 1907 World Series, which actually ended in a 4-0-1 result due to a tie in Game 1. This championship was the first for the Cubs franchise and featured stellar pitching performances from Mordecai Brown and Orval Overall. The Cubs would go on to win again in 1908, but then began their infamous 108-year championship drought.
