High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1996 World Series matched the defending champion Atlanta Braves against the New York Yankees, with the Yankees winning in six games, despite being outscored 26–18, to capture their first championship since 1978, and their 23rd overall. The Yankees became the third team to win a World Series after dropping Games 1 and 2 at home, following the 1985 Kansas City Royals and the 1986 New York Mets. They also became the first team since the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers (Yankees lost to the Dodgers in 1981) to win four straight games after dropping the first two.