Obviously, my australian friend Tim isn't the only one who finds the naming for the "World Series" somewhat odd. Another Tim has noted this in his blog. He also found an explanation of sorts on Wikipedia.

My guess would have been that to Americans, the US and Canada are "the world". They probably think that "jurop-thing" is on another planet.

Note to americans: Don't take this too offensively. You know we like to mock you, right? Hell, I know you like to mock yourselves ;)