30 greatest World Series in MLB history
28. Cleveland Indians vs. Atlanta Braves, 1995
The 1995 Fall Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians featured a pair of franchises that had not won a World Series title in a combined 84 years. It was also the first World Series since the players’ strike that ended the 1994 season.
The Braves were known for their pitching dominance, while the Indians developed a reputation for their hitting prowess.
Cleveland was the hottest team that season, finishing the year with a 100-44 record. It was difficult to consider them a heavy favorite in the series, though, as the Braves had just won their third National League Pennant in five years.
The series went to six games, five of which were one-run contests, and the champion was ultimately decided by which team’s strength was more prevalent.
Indians outfielder Albert Belle was the American League MVP runner-up that season after hitting 50 home runs and recording a .317 batting average, but he failed to make much of an impact in the World Series. Belle knocked two home runs, but hit just .235 on the series. To make matters worse, he had the best batting average among Cleveland’s everyday players.
Meanwhile, the Braves’ pitching staff stepped up in a big way. They posted a 2.67 ERA and held the Indians to three or less runs in four games, all of which were victories. Atlanta closed out the series at home in Game 6 with Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combining for a one-hit shutout. Glavine was named MVP after picking up a pair of wins and allowing just two runs in 14 innings pitched.
The Braves reached the World Series on five occasions during the 1990s, but this was the only time that they came away victorious.
Next: 27. St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox, 2004