For the first time since 1995, the Atlanta Braves are World Series champions. The Braves blanked the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Game 6 on Tuesday, giving the franchise its first title since the days of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. It's only the second championship since the club moved to Atlanta in 1966.
The title also means Joc Pederson gets another World Series ring. Pederson won the World Series with the Dodgers last season, and now he has another championship with the Braves. He is only the ninth player in MLB history to win the World Series in back-to-back years with two different teams (among players who actually played in the World Series).
"I've been fortunate enough to be on a team every year and be in the playoffs," Pederson said following Game 3 last week.
Here are the other eight players to win the World Series in consecutive years with different teams. Not surprisingly, the list skews recent given all the increased player movement we see these days.
Ben Zobrist
2015 Royals
2016 Cubs
Signed as free agent
Jake Peavy
2013 Red Sox
2014 Giants
Traded at deadline
Ryan Theriot
2011 Cardinals
2012 Giants
Signed as free agent
Jack Morris
1991 Twins
1992 Blue Jays
Signed as free agent
Don Gullett
1976 Reds
1977 Yankees
Signed as free agent
Moose Skowron
1962 Yankees
1963 Dodgers
Traded in offseason
Clem Labine
1959 Dodgers
1960 Pirates
Signed as free agent
Allie Clark
1957 Yankees
1948 Cleveland
Traded in offseason
Pederson did not take a direct route from the Dodgers to the Braves. He signed with the Cubs as a free agent last offseason, then Chicago sent him to Atlanta prior to the trade deadline as part of their fire sale. It was a one for one trade: Pederson for Bryce Ball, a 23-year-old first baseman who hit .205/.351/.387 in Single-A in 2021. I'd say Atlanta won that trade.
In 64 regular season games with the Braves, Pederson authored a .249/.325/.428 batting line with seven home runs. His overall postseason numbers weren't great (9 for 44 in 16 games), though he has several big moments, most notably his game-winning three-run home run in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers.
Pederson is also a Grade A clubhouse guy who is popular among teammates and keeps things loose. He started wearing a pearl necklace late in the season because, well, why not? Before you knew it, fans at Truist Park followed suit and were wearing pearl necklaces all throughout the postseason. Pederson impact transcends his on-field production.
No player has ever won three straight World Series championships with three different teams. Pederson will become a free agent again this offseason -- his contract includes a $10 million mutual option for 2022 and it seems likely one side will decline that -- and depending where he lands, we could see him in the Fall Classic again next season.
