As the New York Yankees officially clinched the World Series over the Cincinnati Reds in seven games, the entire New York dugout flooded onto the diamond to celebrate their championship, their 28th in Yankees history. With Yankee Stadium erupting with cheers, the likes of designated hitter Reggie Jackson, shortstop Derek Jeter, third baseman Alex Rodriguez, and centerfielder Joe DiMaggio, as well as other Yankee legends, all mobbed relief pitcher Waite Hoyt on the mound after he recorded the final out to win 11-6 in the decisive game of the series.

If you’re confused and realizing that all these players are retired, well, they are. But, thanks to the baseball simulation and strategy game Out of the Park Baseball 21, each club’s legends were able to suit up in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Dream Bracket, a 32-team tournament, where each series was a best-of-seven. Beat writers from MLB.com selected the best possible lineups for each team to do battle in the bracket-style competition. Although there are only 30 major league clubs, the last two teams were comprised of all-stars from the Negro Leagues and a squad loaded with current starlets that are 25 years old and under. 

The Bronx Bombers had the top seed in the American League (AL), with an absolutely loaded lineup featuring the likes of Babe Ruth, the eventual Most Valuable Player of the tournament, and Lou Gehrig, as well as solid pitching depth including Whitey Ford, Andy Pettitte, and legendary closer Mariano Rivera. In the National League (NL), it was the St. Louis Cardinals that boasted the top seed, with a batting order that had Yadier Molina, Albert Pujols, Ozzie Smith, Stan Musial, and Mark McGwire leading the charge for the Redbirds. The Reds, who represented the NL in this hypothetical World Series, downed the Cardinals in seven games led by batters Johnny Bench, Joey Votto, and Pete Rose, while the pitching unit, with Tom Seaver and Aroldis Chapman headlining, held off St. Louis in 12 innings to oust the NL’s top seed in the quarterfinals.

For the Yankees, their road to the inaugural championship didn’t come easy by any means, as all of their series lasted for at least six games. New York knocked out the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, and the Boston Red Sox before beating Cincinnati in the Fall Classic. As for the fourth-seeded Reds, they defeated the Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cardinals, and the Los Angeles Dodgers to represent the NL in the final. 

After much praise lobbed towards the MLB’s way, it wouldn’t be shocking for a second edition of this competition to be launched. This tournament filled to the brim with legends and current stars can continue to entertain baseball fans around the world while play is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, there seems to be a plan in place for baseball to return in the near future, so baseball-deprived fans might not need to wait much longer. While baseball is gone, though, the dream bracket is a good alternative for supporters craving the return of baseball.