AMP | Kids is proud to announce an ongoing partnership with The Mini Page, now in its 50th year of providing engaging and fun learning opportunities to young readers across the country. This feature was originally syndicated in newspapers the week of October 11 – October 17, 2019. It is distributed digitally here with permission from Andrews McMeel Syndication. Enjoy and share with the young learners in your life!

Are you a baseball fan? If so, you may be watching closely as major league teams compete in the playoffs in advance of the World Series. This week, The Mini Page learns more about the World Series, which begins on Oct. 22.

Baseball champions

The World Series is a series of games played between two professional baseball teams. Major league  teams are divided into two leagues, the American League and the National League. The team that wins the pennant, or championship, for their league plays in the series. The World Series is a best-of-seven series. To win, a team must win four games. The series is our country’s longest-running championship event for a professional team sport. It has been played every year but two since it started in 1903.

In the first World Series in 1903, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Pilgrims played to see which team was best. The Huntington Avenue Grounds stadium in Boston, built in 1901, allowed some fans to stand in the outfield behind ropes.

What winners get

All baseball players dream of playing on a team that wins the series. Even those who hold individual records, such as the most home runs or the most strikeouts, still want to win the series before their days of playing baseball end. Besides the glory of playing on a championship team, winners get two things: a lot of money and a beautiful ring.

In the first World Series, each member of the Boston Pilgrims got a bonus of $1,182. In 2018, each Red Sox player received $416,000 for the series win. Players on the losing team get a bonus, too.

Fact-a-roonies

  • The New York Yankees have won more World Series than any other team (27).
  • The Toronto Blue Jays are the only Canadian team to win a pennant or a World Series.

Resources

On the Web:

At the library:

  • Ballpark Mysteries: The World Series Kids by David A. Kelly

Teachers: For standards-based activities to accompany this feature, visit Andrews McMeel Syndication. And follow The Mini Page on Facebook!

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