Summary: <p>From 1969 to 1993, there were two divisions per league, leading to an immediate Division Series game. This changed in 1994 when the divisions transitioned into 3, leaving a bizarre number of teams. Pretty basic, highest number of wins outside of the division leaders gets in. Wild Card plays 1 seed, 2 and 3 play. Still touching up these notes a bit.</p> <p>2012 began the new system, with the top two winning teams that did not win their division duking it out in a one-game playoff. That team then advances to play the #1 seed. </p> <p>2002 to 2007 was a weird stretch of five years as a wild card team was featured in the World Series, including 2002, when both teams that made the World Series were wild cards (San Francisco Giants losing to Anaheim Angels). This was the first in a stretch of 3 World Series titles where it was won by a wild card team. </p> <p>That’s great that they finally figured out the Wild Card, although some would argue a one-game playoff is stupid (ask Buck Showalter), but when did the playoffs themselves begin?</p> <p>Initially it was straight to the Championship. The two best teams from 1880 through 1969 would square off and play in the World’s Championship Series, then the World’s Series, then finally just the World Series. The World Series has always been best of seven. </p> <p>In 1969 each league split into two divisions, forcing a League Championship before they could get to the World Series. The League Championship was best of five and expanded to best of seven in 1985. </p> <p>In 1994 when the divisions split to 3 and the Wild Card began, there needed to be another round as there were now 8 total teams competing to be crowned World Series Champions. This new round is what we know as the best of five Division Series. </p> <p>I did not realize this, but bonuses are awarded to teams that make the playoffs.</p> <p>*The World Series winner gets 36%, the World Series loser gets 24%, both League Championship Series losers get 12%, the four Division Series losers get 3.25%, and the two Wild Card playoff losers get 1.5%.</p> <p>*The players’ bonus pool is funded with 60% of the gate receipts for each of the Wild Card games, the first three games of each Division Series, the first four games of each LCS and the first four games of the World Series. The MLB sets ticket prices, not the home team. </p> <p>World Series Fun Facts </p> <p>The first scheduled night game for a World Series happened in 1971.</p> <p>There has only been one no-hitter in the World Series and that was in 1956 thrown by Yankees pitcher Don Larsen.</p> <p>*Philadelphia’s Chase Utley (pictured) hit five home runs in the 2009 World Series to tie Yankees Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson for most homers in a single World Series.</p> <p>San Francisco’s Barry Bonds walked in 13 of his 30 plate appearances during the 2002 World Series. The 13 walks are a single-season record. Bonds also hit three home runs in that series.</p> <p>Highest total of total World Series games played is held by Yogi Berra at 75.</p>
