Chart: What defines success?

A great regular season doesn't guarantee a title, but to win the World Series you first have to get to the playoffs, then perform when it counts the most. A look at the past 10 champions and the statistics that defined their success:

2014: San Francisco

Only one pitcher had more than 12 wins, but he was an ace: Madison Bumgarner.

2013: Boston

Led AL in runs (853), OBP (.349) and slugging (.446), plus ace Jon Lester, left, went 4-1 in the postseason.

2012: San Francisco

The Giants had four starting pitchers who each had between 14 and 16 victories.

Five pitchers with at least 11 victories, plus the Cardinals led the NL in runs (762) and OBP (.341).

2010: San Francisco

Led NL pitching in ERA (3.36) and strikeouts (1,331), while giving up the fewest hits (1,279).

2009: N.Y. Yankees

Led AL in runs (915), OBP (.363) and home runs (244). Plus they had Mariano Rivera.

Three players with at least 33 homers, second in runs (799), fourth in ERA (3.88).

2007: Boston

Josh Beckett won 20 games, staff led the AL in ERA (3.87) and David Ortiz led league in RBI (117).

2006: St. Louis

An ace in Chris Carpenter, and Albert Pujols had 49 HR and 137 RBI.

Staff led the AL in ERA (3.61), led by an ace in Mark Buehrle, right.