The World Series is a chance for Major League players, from wily veterans to energetic rookies, to step up and prove their mettle on the game's biggest stage. Since the first Fall Classic, numerous first-year players have led their teams to glory with unexpectedly bright postseason play. This list singles out some of the best rookies that carried the weight for their respective teams and helped them march deep into October. 
Joe DiMaggio, 1936
Hit .346 in the Yankees' six-game victory over the cross-town rival Giants. He struck out just three times in 26 at-bats, drove in three, and helped New York win the first of its four straight World Series titles.
Andruw Jones, 1996
Jones made his WS debut for the Braves at just 19 years old and surprised everyone with a .400 average, two homers and six RBI as Atlanta fell to the Yankees in six games. He became the youngest player ever to homer in a World Series in Game 1, when he went deep twice.
Chipper Jones, 1995
A year before his longtime teammate Andruw made his WS debut, Chipper reached base 10 times in 26 plate appearances against the Indians, posting a .385 OBP in a Braves Series win. 
Jacoby Ellsbury, 2007
Ellsbury was vital in giving Boston its second title in four years. The then-24-year-old hit .438 with an even .500 OBP at the top of the Boston lineup that featured David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. He collected four hits, including three doubles, in Game 3.
Adam Wainwright, 2006
Wainwright thrived as Tony La Russa's closer in the 2006 postseason, shutting the door on the Mets in the NLCS and making three scoreless appearances as the Cardinals defeated the Tigers, and he earned the save in the clincher.
Buster Posey, 2010
Posey caught every inning of the 2010 playoffs for the Giants, who began their stretch of three titles in five years as Posey hit .300 and became the fourth rookie catcher to homer in World Series history with a blast in Game 4.
Ricky Ledee, 1998
In a lineup full of stars, it was Ledee who led the charge against the Padres in the World Series. He hit .600 and drove in four runs in the Series win, at one point reaching base in seven consecutive plate appearances. 
Brian Doyle, 1978
Doyle, who played in just 110 career games, exploded for a .438 average in the Yankees' victory over the Dodgers.
This article appears in the World Series Program. To purchase a copy, visit mlbshop.com.