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Ranking MLB World Series winners of the 21st century by greatness

As the 21st century’s MLB dynasty debate rages, the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers stand out for their championship depth, with four and three World Series titles respectively. The Dodgers’ 14-year postseason streak, including three rings, is unmatched, though their rivals, the San Francisco Giants, also claimed three titles in six years.

Yet dominance isn’t just about rings—some teams built squads that thrived in both the regular season and October. The 2006 St.

Louis Cardinals, for instance, overcame a 83-win season and a rain-delayed World Series to win, thanks in part to manager Tony La Russa’s bold gamble on closer Chris Carpenter. Meanwhile, the 2021 Atlanta Braves defied injury crises—losing star Ronald Acuña Jr.

midseason and starter Charlie Morton to a broken leg—yet still triumphed with bullpen heroics, Max Fried’s pitching, and a versatile outfield trio. Other underdog stories, like the 2011 Cardinals (who clawed back from 10½ games out) and the 2000 Yankees (who relied on late-season trades like David Justice’s 20-homer surge), highlight how resilience and clutch performances shape legends.

Even the 2014 Giants, despite a shaky pitching duo like Tim Hudson and Jake Peavy, proved that consistency in key moments can elevate a team’s legacy.

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