Baseball is widely considered America’s pastime by most folks. Stadiums are generally filled to the tippy top with eager fans during the summer months. The aroma of peanuts and freshly mowed grass consumes nearly everyone who walks through the stadium doors. Baseball has been around for numerous decades. Dozens of games have given fans countless memories to reflect on. Two of the most storied franchises in baseball are the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. However, both have experienced long droughts from winning.
The Chicago Cubs have one of the most all-in fan bases in all of sports. They have fans in every city they play in. The stands are nearly halfway filled with Cubs fans whenever they play road games. What makes their passion even more impressive is how long they were bad for. The Cubs went for more than a century without winning a World Series. The Cubs didn’t even appear in a World Series between 1945 and 2016. The team went down three games to one in 2016. However, they came back and won one of the most memorable games in baseball history. It gave them their first title since 1908.
Another team that experienced a drought in winning titles is the Boston Red Sox. Fans said they were given the “Curse of the Bambino” after they traded legendary baseball player Babe Ruth to their arch-rivals. For 86 years, the Red Sox couldn’t capture a title to break the curse. However, after a memorable ALCS against the New York Yankees, the Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals to win the World Series. For more baseball content, click here to read 19 facts that the biggest fans don’t know.
To compile this list of the biggest wins in the history of baseball, 24/7 Tempo consulted baseball-related sources. These include ESPN, Baseball-Reference, and MLB.com.
Chicago Cubs over Cleveland Guardians Game 7, 2016
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after scoring on a RBI single by Yan Gomes #15 in the second inning at Truist Park on September 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs were one referred to as “the lovable losers.” No matter what the team did, they couldn’t win a World Series for more than 100 years. There used to be different names of curses bestowed upon the Cubs. None are more famous than the “Curse of the Billy Goat.” In 1945, during their last World Series appearance until 2016, a man named William Sianis was at Game 4 with his pet billy goat. He was asked to leave because the animal was bothering other patrons. He claimed the Cubs wouldn’t win again, thus bringing upon the title of the “Curse of the Billy Goat.”
The Cubs finally made it back to the World Series in 2016 when they faced off against the Cleveland Guardians, (formerly known as the Indians). The Guardians took a three games to one series lead. However, the Cubs battled back and forced a Game 7. In what’s become known as one of the greatest games ever played, the Cubs won 8-7 in extra innings. There was a rain delay late in the game, which only built up more anticipation. The Cubs are looking for their next World Series title in 2024.
Boston Red Sox over St. Louis Cardinals Game 4, 2004
The Chicago Cubs weren’t the only team who struggled to bring home a title. For 86 years, the Boston Red Sox couldn’t figure out how to close the deal. The team had reached four World Series between 1918 and 2004. Fans often claimed the Red Sox inability to win was because of the “Curse of the Bambino.” Before tearing it up for the New York Yankees, Babe Ruth was once an esteemed member of the Boston Red Sox. However, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth to the New York Yankees.
There was already a tremendous rivalry between the two teams. Ruth’s success only ignited it further. In 2004, the Red Sox found themselves matched with the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. They had taken a three games to zero lead after storming back in the ALCS. However, fans in Boston weren’t ready to celebrate yet. They had seen too many instances of blown opportunities by the Red Sox over the years. The team closed out the Cardinals in Game 4. The title has propelled the Red Sox to success in the 21st century.
Boston Red Sox over New York Yankees Game 7, 2004
Before reaching the 2004 World Series, the Boston Red Sox had to face off against their rivals in the Bronx. The New York Yankees were looking to continue their historic run of success. The Yankees had long been the proverbial big brother to the Boston Red Sox. As the series started off, it appeared like things were heading in the same direction. The Yankees smacked the Red Sox, winning the first three games of the ALCS pretty easily.
Boston won Game 4, which gave them hope. They continued to play well and forced a Game 7. There was tremendous pressure on both sides. For the Yankees, they didn’t want to surrender a three games to zero lead to their foes. The Red Sox didn’t want to make it this far all the way back, just to come up short. The Red Sox famously prevailed and reached the World Series. Fans in Boston were thrilled that the “Curse of the Bambino” appeared to be broken.
Chicago White Sox over Houston Astros Game 4, 2005
The last of the three major championship droughts in baseball belonged to the Chicago White Sox. In 1919, the White Sox faced off against the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series. The White Sox were heavily favored, as they had compiled one of the greatest rosters in history. However, the Reds upset the White Sox. Shortly after the series ended, it came out that several players on the White Sox lost on purpose. They did so for a variety of reasons.
All eight players were banished from the game forever. The team only made it to one World Series between 1919 and 2005. When the White Sox finally made it back, they looked like they would break the infamous curse of the Black Sox team. They dominated every team they played against, only losing once in the entire postseason. Once Game 4 hit, fans of the White Sox anxiously awaited to see if their team could pull off the seemingly impossible. They did, and as of 2024, are looking to make it back to their first World Series since 2005.
New York Mets over Boston Red Sox Game 6, 1986
Few games stand out in the minds of Boston Red Sox fans like Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. The Red Sox were up three games to two against the New York Mets and were looking to capture their first title since 1918. With two outs in the bottom of the tenth inning, the Red Sox only needed to get one more Mets player out. There was even a moment at the Mets stadium where the words “Congratulations Boston Red Sox, 1986 World Champions” appeared on the big screen in the stadium.
However, the Red Sox allowed multiple base runners on and the Mets tied the game. The most memorable moment of the game is when first baseman Bill Buckner allowed an easy ground ball to roll through his legs. This allowed the Mets to win the game and proceed to win Game 7 against the Red Sox. Had the Sox been able to close this game out, their fans wouldn’t have had to go through nearly 20 more years of waiting for a championship.
Boston Red Sox over Kansas City Royals April 20, 2013
One of the biggest news stories in Boston took place in 2013 when the Boston Marathon was hit by a terrorist attack. Typically, the Red Sox play an afternoon day game to commemorate the event and all of Patriots’ Day. While they played the day of the attacks, folks most remember what happened on April 20th against the Kansas City Royals. On April 19th, the brothers who facilitated the attack were captured.
David Ortiz, the face of the 2013 Boston Red Sox appeared out of the dugout ready to talk to the crowd. The team wore jerseys that said Boston instead of the usual Red Sox. Ortiz claimed that Boston was “our… city, and nobody is going to dictate our freedoms.” The Red Sox beat the Royals in a game that seemingly united the entire New England region of the United States.
New York Mets over Atlanta Braves September 21, 2001
No terrorist attack is more engrained in Americans’ minds than September 11th. Both the New York Yankees and Mets were in the middle of memorable seasons. The two teams had faced off the prior year in the World Series against each other. However, the New York Mets were the first of the two New York teams to take home a victory at home after the attacks. The game on September 21st was the fist time the Mets had returned to the Big Apple.
They were facing off against their rivals in the Atlanta Braves. The Mets won the game 3-2 and restored some sort of normal feeling to the city. There are plenty of New Yorkers who put their heart and soul into every pitch the Mets throw and face. Them getting the win uplifted the city in ways few people can imagine.
Los Angeles Dodgers over Oakland Athletics Game 1, 1988
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics were two of the powerhouse teams during the 1980s. Both ended up winning World Series titles, but none provided the same memorable moment that came from Game 1 of their 1988 matchup. Prior to the series starting, Kirk Gibson was unable to take his normal spot in the outfield for the Dodgers. Both of his legs were injured and fans didn’t expect him to contribute during the series.
However, manager Tommy Lasorda rolled the dice in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 1. The Dodgers were down by one run with two outs with their last chance to win the first game. Gibson’s only at-bat of the entire World Series was there. He hit a home run to win the game for the Dodgers. There’s memorable footage of Gibson thrusting his arm while he lightly jogged around the bases.
Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies Game 6, 1993
Every baseball players dream is to come up to bat with a chance to win the World Series for their team. Joe Carter had that fantasy become a reality in 1993. The Blue Jays were fresh off a World Series title in 1992 and looked prime to repeat. They met the Philadelphia Phillies in the Fall Classic, where they were up three games to two. They needed one more win to complete the repeat.
Joe Carter stepped to the plate with the Blue Jays down by one run. There were two men on and Carter saw a pitch he liked. Carter jumped for joy as he rounded the bases after winning the World Series with a home run. Few moments in sports compare to hitting a walk-off home run during the regular season. There’s no better feeling than doing so to lead your team to a championship.
St. Louis Cardinals over Texas Rangers Game 6, 2011
For nearly 40 years, baseball fans didn’t take the Texas Rangers seriously. They couldn’t get the job done when it mattered most. The St. Louis Cardinals were seen as one of the staples of Major League Baseball. After getting beaten in 2010 by the San Francisco Giants in the World Series, the Texas Rangers made it back for their second ever trip. They had a commanding lead and looked like they were going to capture their first title in franchise history.
However, down to their last strike, David Freeze hit a triple to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. The Rangers then took another lead in the top of the 10th, only to be tied again by the Cardinals. Then, in the bottom of the 11th, Freeze hit a walk-off home run to force a Game 7. The Cardinals took Game 7 and forced the Rangers to wait until 2023 to claim their first championship. Fans often see both of Freeze’s hits on greatest sports moments compilations online.
New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers Game 5, 1956
Whenever a pitcher steps onto the mound, they want to get every batter they face out. While doing this is incredibly rare, it has happened in the MLB. This accomplishment is called a perfect game. Prior to 1956, there had been no perfect games in the playoffs. Don Larsen changed all of that when he graced the mound for Game 5 against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Fans were thrilled watching the two teams square off against each other.
Coming into the game, the series was tied up two games apiece. In sports, the winner of Game 5 typically wins the series. Larsen came out hitting all of the corners. He pitched the only perfect game in the playoffs as of 2024. The Yankees went on to win the World Series that year, with Larsen going down in history. For more sports content, click here to read about the biggest wins in American basketball history.