If you walk into a bar in Back Bay and ask a local how many World Series has the Red Sox won, you might get a history lesson that spans over a century. It's not just a simple number. It's a saga of extreme dominance, a nearly century-long "curse," and a modern era that has turned the franchise into a juggernaut.
As of 2026, the official count stands at nine.
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Nine World Series titles. That puts them in a tie with the Oakland Athletics for the third-most championships in Major League Baseball history, trailing only the St. Louis Cardinals (11) and the New York Yankees (27). But the way those nine wins are spread out tells the real story of Boston.
The Early Dynasty: Five Titles in Sixteen Years
Believe it or not, before the heartbreak became a brand, the Red Sox were the first real dynasty of the American League. They didn't just win; they owned the sport.
In 1903, the team—then known as the Boston Americans—played in the very first modern World Series. They beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5 games to 3 in a best-of-nine format. Cy Young was on that mound. Imagine that.
Then came the golden era of the 1910s.
- 1912: A nail-biter against the New York Giants.
- 1915: A 4-1 series win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
- 1916: Defeating the Brooklyn Robins (who we now know as the Dodgers).
- 1918: A victory over the Chicago Cubs.
By 1918, the Red Sox had five championships. At that point in time, the New York Yankees had exactly zero.
The Longest 86 Years in Sports History
You can't talk about how many World Series has the Red Sox won without addressing the massive, painful gap between number five and number six. Most people call it the "Curse of the Bambino."
In 1920, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees to fund a Broadway play (or so the legend goes). Ruth went on to become the greatest hitter in history, the Yankees became a powerhouse, and the Red Sox entered a desert.
There were close calls. 1946 saw Enos Slaughter’s "Mad Dash" beat them. 1967 was the "Impossible Dream" season that fell one game short. 1975 had Carlton Fisk waving his home run fair in Game 6, only for the Sox to lose Game 7. And then, the ultimate gut punch: 1986. Bill Buckner. The ball through the legs.
For 86 years, the answer to "how many" stayed stuck at five.
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Breaking the Curse: The Modern Golden Age
When 2004 happened, it didn't just change the record books; it changed the city's DNA.
Trailing 3-0 in the ALCS against the Yankees, the Red Sox did what no team had ever done—they came back to win the pennant. By the time they reached the World Series against the Cardinals, they were a freight train. They swept them in four games.
Since that breakthrough, the Red Sox haven't just been "good." They’ve been the most successful team of the 21st century.
2007: Another sweep, this time against the Colorado Rockies. Dustin Pedroia was a rookie. Josh Beckett was untouchable.
2013: This one felt different. Following the Boston Marathon bombing, the team became a symbol of "Boston Strong." They beat the Cardinals again, clinching the title at Fenway Park for the first time since 1918.
2018: Arguably the greatest Red Sox team ever assembled. They won 108 games in the regular season and steamrolled through the playoffs, finishing off the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
Every World Series Win at a Glance
To keep it simple, here is the breakdown of the years the duck boats paraded through Boston:
- 1903: (As Boston Americans) Beat Pittsburgh Pirates (5-3)
- 1912: Beat New York Giants (4-3-1)
- 1915: Beat Philadelphia Phillies (4-1)
- 1916: Beat Brooklyn Robins (4-1)
- 1918: Beat Chicago Cubs (4-2)
- 2004: Beat St. Louis Cardinals (4-0)
- 2007: Beat Colorado Rockies (4-0)
- 2013: Beat St. Louis Cardinals (4-2)
- 2018: Beat Los Angeles Dodgers (4-1)
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that the Red Sox are "the team that always loses." That narrative died twenty years ago. If you look at the stats since the turn of the millennium, they have four titles. The Yankees have one.
Another weird fact? The Red Sox actually won the American League pennant in 1904, but there was no World Series that year because the New York Giants refused to play them. They basically took their ball and went home. If that series had happened, the "nine" might actually be "ten."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this history, start by visiting the Red Sox Hall of Fame at Fenway. Seeing the 2004 trophy in person is a spiritual experience for some.
For those tracking the team’s current trajectory in 2026, keep an eye on the luxury tax threshold. The "Fenway Sports Group" era has been defined by spending big to win, but the last few seasons have shown a shift toward "sustainability." Whether that leads to title number ten remains the biggest question in New England.
If you want to understand the modern era better, watch the documentary "Four Days in October." It perfectly captures the shift from 86 years of misery to the dominance we see today.
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Check the current MLB standings to see where they sit in the AL East race today, as the division remains the toughest gauntlet in professional sports.