The New York Yankees won the World Series in 2000 - their third consecutive championship - then lost the World Series in 2001. Since then, only one champion has even returned to the World Series the following year. Over half the time - 12 times in 23 years - the World Series champion did not even qualify for the postseason the following year. Seven champions lost in the next year's league championship series. Three lost in the next year's division series.
Oleksander Usyk solidified his No. 1 spot with a one-sided demolition of Daniel Dubois in their rematch at London's Wembley Stadium, dropping Dubois in Round 5 twice.
Goring's leadership and versatility proved to be the final ingredient in the recipe for a championship. The team went from hovering around .500 at the deadline to finishing second in the Patrick Division after acquiring Goring from the Kings.