Tom Verducci: 10 Ten Teams
1. 1927 Yankees: 110 Wins, 4-0
2. 1939 Yankees: 106 Wins, 4-0
3. 1998 Yankees: 114 Wins, 4-0
4. 1929 A's: 104 Wins, 4-1
5. 1975 Reds: 108 Wins, 4-3
6. 1961 Yankees: 108 Wins, 4-1
7. 1970 Orioles: 108 Wins, 4-1
8. 1907 Cubs: 107 Wins, 4-0-1
9. 1932 Yankees: 107 Wins, 4-0
10. 1902 Pirates: 103 Wins
They all won the World Series, except for the 1902 Pirates, because the first World Series wasn't held until 1903. The first 9 teams on the list won at least 104 regular season games and the World Series. Other teams that have done this:
- 1905 Giants: 105 Wins, 4-1
- 1909 Pirates: 110 Wins, 4-3
- 1912 Red Sox: 105 Wins, 4-3-1
- 1942 Cardinals: 106 Wins, 4-1
- 1944 Cardinals: 105 Wins, 4-2
- 1984 Tigers: 104 Wins, 4-1
- 1986 Mets: 108 Wins, 4-3
I can't quibble too much with Verducci's list, although I'm kind of skeptical of only having one team on the list (1998 Yankees) since 1975. What if the list was done only since 1920? Who would be the final two teams? I would round it out with the
- 1976 Reds: 102-60; Swept the Yankees (also swept the Phillies in the NLCS)
- 1984 Tigers: 104-58: 4-1 over Padres (swept the Royals in the ALCS)



My problem with this is the idea that a team that didn't win the World Series can't be among the greatest teams. 154 or 162 games tells you a lot more about the team than 4-7 games (or even up to 19 games in the current system). The 116-win 1906 Cubs were almost certainly a better team than the 1907 team.
ReplyDeleteI think the top few would look something like this:
1939 Yankees
2001 Mariners
1906 Cubs
1998 Yankees
1927 Yankees
I think all the alternate teams you mentioned were probably better than the 1961 Yankees. Highly overrated.
what about the 2001 seattle mariners?? a 116-46 record doesnt lie
ReplyDelete2005 White Sox? Only won 99, but had the best record in the AL every day of the season and of course dominated the playoffs by going 11-1. Probably a good choice if you're looking for a modern day team.
ReplyDelete