The 2011 World Series, the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, was a captivating best-of-seven playoff between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. Ultimately, the Cardinals emerged victorious in seven games, securing their eleventh World Series championship. This series was notable not only for its dramatic conclusion but also for several individual and team achievements,
making it a memorable event in baseball history.
The Cardinals earned home-field advantage for the series due to the National League's victory in the 2011 All-Star Game. The series itself was the first to go all seven games since 2002, and the last one where Game 7 was won by the home team, as of 2026. The Cardinals' path to the World Series was particularly remarkable, as they completed one of the largest comebacks in history. After trailing the Atlanta Braves by 10.5 games in the NL wild card standings on August 25, the Cardinals amassed a 21-9 record over the next month, while the Braves faltered. On the final day of the regular season, the Cardinals secured their second wild card postseason berth in franchise history, finishing one game ahead of the Braves.
Texas Rangers' Road to the Series
The Texas Rangers, making their second consecutive appearance in the World Series, had a strong season, leading the American League West for most of the year. They finished with a franchise-record 96-66 (.593 winning percentage) and claimed their second consecutive and fifth overall division title, 10 games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Rangers also set a franchise record for home attendance with 2,946,949 and led the American League in shutouts. Their pitching staff was consistent, with all five opening day starters remaining in the rotation for the entire year, and several pitchers achieving at least 13 wins.
Offensively, the Rangers also had a productive year, with three players hitting 30-plus home runs for the first time in team history, and Ian Kinsler completing his second 30-30 season. In the postseason, the Rangers, as the #2 seed in the AL, defeated the wild-card Tampa Bay Rays in four games in the American League Division Series. They then overcame the third-seeded Detroit Tigers in six games in the American League Championship Series to reach the World Series. However, they lost home-field advantage in the World Series because the AL team, managed by Rangers manager Ron Washington, lost the 2011 All-Star Game.
Memorable Moments and Broadcast Details
Beyond the dramatic Game 6, the series featured other significant moments. Game 3 saw Cardinals player Albert Pujols hit three home runs, a feat previously accomplished in the World Series only by baseball legends Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth, and later by Pablo Sandoval in 2012. This individual performance added another layer of historical significance to the series. The series was broadcast on Fox in the United States, with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver providing the television commentary. ESPN handled the radio broadcast, featuring Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser, and Bobby Valentine. The series also saw the first World Series assignment for umpires Greg Gibson and Ron Kulpa, while the other umpires had previous experience. The Cardinals' run was also famously supported by fans brandishing "Rally Squirrel" memorabilia, alluding to a squirrel that ran across the field during a playoff game, adding a unique cultural element to their postseason journey. ESPN later recognized the 2011 World Series as the fifth greatest of all time, a testament to its enduring impact and unforgettable moments.
