The wildcard. Since 1995 it has been in effect to give non-first place teams with the next best record after the divisional leaders the chance to make it to the playoffs. In the 13 years since the wildcard’s inception, wildcard teams have won four World Series. In the 2002 World Series, both the Anaheim Angels and the San Francisco Giants were wildcard teams. The World Series champions in 1997, 2003 and 2004 were also wildcard teams. (...continue reading)