10 Reasons Why the 2024 World Series Will Be Historic
The 2024 World Series matchup is set, and it’s shaping up to be a truly memorable affair. Witnessing legendary players like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Mookie Betts, Gerrit Cole, Freddie Freeman, Giancarlo Stanton, and more, battle it out on baseball’s biggest stage is a dream come true for fans. But beyond the individual brilliance, there are numerous reasons why this World Series promises to etch itself into history.
A Powerhouse Slugfest
Prepare to witness a barrage of homers! Judge smashed 58 home runs this season, while Ohtani launched 54. This marks the first World Series featuring two players who each hit at least 50 homers in the regular season, setting the stage for explosive offensive fireworks.
Not only that, but their incredible feats led their respective leagues. This matchup echoes six previous World Series occasions, the last being back in 1956 with Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider. Other notable instances include 1937 (Joe DiMaggio and Mel Ott), 1936 (Lou Gehrig and Ott), 1928 (Babe Ruth and Jim Bottomley), and 1921 (Ruth and George Kelly).
Elite Offensive Trio Takes Center Stage
Adding to the offensive firepower is Juan Soto, who ranked third among qualified players in wRC+ this season with an impressive 180. Joining forces with Judge (218) and Ohtani (181), this trio forms a historic offensive powerhouse. Notably, this will be the first postseason series in history to feature the top three qualified players in wRC+ from the regular season, promising a captivating clash of offensive titans.
Their dominance extends beyond pure stats. Soto, Judge, and Ohtani led the Majors in barrels this year, showcasing exceptional raw power. Statcast’s tracking data highlights this, revealing that it’s the first postseason series since 2015 to feature each of the top three in barrels from the regular season.
Furthermore, Giancarlo Stanton, another prodigious hitter, adds depth to this offensive arsenal.
Breaking Records: Exit Velocity Reign Supreme
Ohtani, Judge, and Stanton’s elite exit velocities amplify the excitement. Over the past four seasons, playoffs included, they dominate the leaderboard for 110+ mph home runs. Judge leads with 89, followed closely by Ohtani’s 82, and Stanton’s impressive 70. Incredibly, no other player boasts more than 65 during this period.
When focusing on the even more exclusive 115+ mph homers, Ohtani reigns supreme with 24, followed by Stanton’s 23, and Judge’s 11. Baseballs beware!
This season alone, Ohtani leads the charge with 29 110+ mph home runs, followed by Judge’s 28, Stanton’s 23, and Soto’s 17. Prepare for a visual spectacle of pure power!
A Clash of League Champions
Beyond individual brilliance, the 2024 World Series features a captivating clash of league champions. Judge and Ohtani, strong contenders for 2024 MVP, represent the pinnacle of talent. While official MVP announcements await, history suggests this World Series will be the seventh in the divisional era (since 1969) to feature both leagues’ MVPs. The last such occurrence was in 2012, when Buster Posey and Miguel Cabrera claimed the honors. Other notable instances include 1988, 1980, 1976, 1975, and 1970.
Could we witness another historic double dip? Five players have achieved the extraordinary feat of winning both World Series MVP and regular season MVP in the same year. Mike Schmidt accomplished this feat in 1980, followed by Willie Stargell in 1979 (who also won NLCS MVP), Reggie Jackson in 1973, Frank Robinson in 1966, and Sandy Koufax in 1963.
A Glimpse into Baseball’s Future
With a roster brimming with talent, the 2024 World Series presents a unique opportunity to witness potential future Hall of Famers in action. Soto, Judge, Stanton, Cole, Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, and possibly Kershaw (who will not appear due to injury) are already on strong Hall of Fame trajectories. The 1996 World Series, featuring nine Hall of Famers, serves as a reminder of the generational talent on display. This 2024 World Series could potentially showcase a similar caliber of brilliance, leaving an indelible mark on baseball history.
Don’t miss the chance to witness this historic World Series unfold.