NationStates Jolt Archive

Why is the American baseball championship 'the world series' called that, when the world doesn't play in it?

I've always wanted to know.

ahahha. the americans want to think that they are good at an international sport!

Named after the newspaper (now defunct) that sponsored the inaugural event. Said newspaper went by the (surprise surprise) name of 'The World'.

Because the Americans are the only country in the world that plays baseball. :)
*pats America on the back* There, there. It's okay to be different.

Because the Americans are the only country in the world that plays baseball. :)
*pats America on the back* There, there. It's okay to be different.

cuba, japan?

Demented: Good response. I never knew that.


But, the Yankees usually play Japan before the season starts, which is technically a "'round the world series". Also, remember that thing they had before the 2006 season started? About the players being on teams that represented their country?

Mind you, this is NOT why they call it the WS. If I didn't know what Demented just said, I would think that what I said was the reason.

Because the Americans are the only country in the world that plays baseball. :)
*pats America on the back* There, there. It's okay to be different.

But baseball just like rounders and surely other countries play that?

Named after the newspaper (now defunct) that sponsored the inaugural event. Said newspaper went by the (surprise surprise) name of 'The World'.

I've read that before but when I looked for it on the interwebs I couldn't find any proof of it. Do you know a site where it states it?

Demented: Good response. I never knew that.
Read it in one of those 'Did you know' type trivia books a few years back.
Prior to that, I always thought 'The World Series' smacked of US arrogance and so felt a bit chastened and embarrassed to find out otherwise.
Nice bit of trivia to throw out at ppl, cause not many know it.

I've read that before but when I looked for it on the interwebs I couldn't find any proof of it. Do you know a site where it states it?
Actually I've just checked on snopes and it's false:

http://www.snopes.com/business/names/worldseries.asp

whoops. Now I'm no longer embarrassed and chastened by falsely thinking it an example of American arrogance and now embarrassed and chastened by believing everything I read in trivia books.
Luckily, this is alleviated in no small way by being able to once again dismiss 'The World Series' baseball tournament as an example of US arrogance.

Do what most of us do .... call it the "Fall Classic".

Happy now, world?

cuba, japan?

You could name many countries in Latin/South America, the Carribean and Korea, China... all play baseball to some extent.

As for the World Seires go with Demented Hamsters answer, that sounds pretty good. Anyway, I do have one thing to say: relax. :)

You could name many countries in Latin/South America, the Carribean and Korea, China... all play baseball to some extent.
That's just because they either want America to not invade them, to trade with them or simply feel sorry for the USA :)

You could name many countries in Latin/South America, the Carribean and Korea, China... all play baseball to some extent.
I thought most of them played softball, which truly is a world game.

John Cleese - The difference between Britain and America is that when we have a World Series we invite other countries to play.

I always liked that quote and it would have been a shame to never be able to use it had the New York World thing been true.

John Cleese - The difference between Britain and America is that when we have a World Series we invite other countries to play.

I always liked that quote and it would have been a shame to never be able to use it had the New York World thing been true.
Very true. My embarrasment at being wrong is alleviated even further.
Thank you John Cleese!

That's just because they either want America to not invade them, to trade with them or simply feel sorry for the USA :)

Or, it could be that those countries all love baseball as much as the U.S. Of course you could complain about the nasty 'ol US of A poaching other nations best players but... meh. We pay more. :)

I thought most of them played softball, which truly is a world game.

Considering we import so many players these days I can't see how that is possible. And there were plenty of entries in the World Classic (which we got slaughtered in).

Shouldn't remember that. Kinda embaressing...

Because the Americans are the only country in the world that plays baseball. :)
*pats America on the back* There, there. It's okay to be different.

no. those japs will watch anything as long as there are cheerleaders.

no. those japs will watch anything as long as there are cheerleaders.
and said cheerleaders are dressed as schoolgirls who hurl raw meat at the audience.

no. those japs will watch anything as long as there are cheerleaders.

Cheerleaders ...... in baseball?!

Cheerleaders ...... in baseball?!

Not even in Japan.

It's called the world series cause the U.S. was the only country in the world that played baseball when it started. Then other countries started playing, but it already had a name. Plus Canada always has a chance at winning. Ok, not really.:p

cuba, japan?

Dominican Republic, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Italy, etc.

Has anyone here heard of the WBC?

Why is the American baseball championship 'the world series' called that, when the world doesn't play in it?

I've always wanted to know.

Why is this important a month after the series is ended?

;) Surely with Canadian teams, and players from Japan, the Carribean, and South America to name a few, it's no longer just "American"?

Considering we import so many players these days I can't see how that is possible. And there were plenty of entries in the World Classic (which we got slaughtered in).

Shouldn't remember that. Kinda embaressing...

What was embarassing about it? Did you see the US roster? We had fucking Michael "I'm going to punch AJ and be a jackass" Barrett as the catcher. Most good American players like AJ Pierzynski, Jermaine Dye, Mark Buehrle, Joe Crede, etc decided not to play. Heck there were more Flubs on the roster than White Sox. There's your problem.

I've read that before but when I looked for it on the interwebs I couldn't find any proof of it. Do you know a site where it states it?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Origin+of+the+%22world+series%22&btnG=Google+Search

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Origin+of+the+%22world+series%22&btnG=Google+Search

And the top result is?

http://roadsidephotos.sabr.org/baseball/name.htm ;)

It be an urban myth.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Origin+of+the+%22world+series%22&btnG=Google+Search

hold on doesn't that link counter your opinon on the naming of the series?

And as for why its important, well I have aboslutly no idea when it starts/finishes. To be honest I thought it was an american football contest until I was looking for it before posting the tread. :p

And the top result is?

http://roadsidephotos.sabr.org/baseball/name.htm ;)

It be an urban myth.

Actually, what I was responding to was your saying you couldn't find any sites to prove or disprove it.

And yes, I am surprised to find out that it's an urban myth... go figure.

Maybe because when it first started, it was the only major league championship at the time ?

Plus, Canada has 1 team so it's not exclusively American. *nod*

One thing that has always bothered me is Miss Universe contest. Clearly, only earth participates. The Gloganorks from Glaygon V deserve representation too!

What was embarassing about it? Did you see the US roster? We had fucking Michael "I'm going to punch AJ and be a jackass" Barrett as the catcher. Most good American players like AJ Pierzynski, Jermaine Dye, Mark Buehrle, Joe Crede, etc decided not to play. Heck there were more Flubs on the roster than White Sox. There's your problem.

No other good players then those on the White Sox, eh? :p

And the fact that few American All-Star players wanted to play for the American team doesn't make it any less embarassing. For a nation that prides itself on the sport of baseball and to have so few interested in representing on the world stage is really sad. :(

Maybe because when it first started, it was the only major league championship at the time ?

Plus, Canada has 1 team so it's not exclusively American. *nod*

One thing that has always bothered me is Miss Universe contest. Clearly, only earth participates. The Gloganorks from Glaygon V deserve representation too!

Used to be two -- The Montreal Expos and the Toronto Blue Jays.
But the Expos, if I recall, are now the Washington Nationals.

Why is it the world series?

Pretty simple. In 1905, when it was officially instituted, America was the only country with baseball leagues. We had the National and the American leagues (which exist pretty much in name only now). Boston(AL) played Pittsburgh(NL) in 1903, and Boston won. Despite that, the New York Giants (NL) refused to play against Boston the next year because the AL was supposed to be inferior. Therefore, they created the official series between all the leagues in the world. The AL and NL formed something of a union (the MLB). No other leagues have joined.
Today, it is a brand name. Everyone knows the World Series, same as everyone knows the Stanley Cup or Superbowl.
It isn't American ignorance or superiority complexes, it is branding and marketing.


Most people call it the Fall Classic now, anyway.

Why is the American baseball championship 'the world series' called that, when the world doesn't play in it?

I've always wanted to know.

Because America thinks it is world?

Used to be two -- The Montreal Expos and the Toronto Blue Jays.
But the Expos, if I recall, are now the Washington Nationals.

You can thank Jeff Loria for that. In case you're wondering who he is, he's the douchebag who gave the Marlins and $15 million payroll and then fired Girardi for trying to win with that team.

He's the real life incarnation of "Major League's" Rachel Phelps.

Because America thinks it is world?

Why don't you go play with your Al Qaeda buddies