Baseball's All-Time Greatest Teams

[Wassit3]

It isn't an easy task choosing between them, but statistically these are the four best teams in baseball history. Enjoy this journey through the glorious past of baseball greats.

Ask baseball fans who the greatest team of all time is and the most common answer would probably be the 1927 Murders Row New York Yankees of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. But was that really the greatest baseball team of all time statistically? Were any other teams as good as or better than the 1927 Yankees? In order to try and answer that question I statistically analyzed all Major League baseball teams from 1901 until today.

What constitutes a great team? Obviously winning is a hallmark of a great team and so is dominating the opposition. So how did I quantify that statistically? I used five markers that teams must meet to be considered great.


1. Winning Percentage - Great teams should win the vast majority of their games. I used .700 as the cutoff.

2. Run Differential - The difference between how many runs scored minus how many runs given up per game on average. The higher the number the more dominating a team is. I used 1.80 as the cutoff.

3. Total Number of Great Players - Great players being defined as Hall of Fame players or Hall of Fame caliber players. Hall of Fame caliber players are players who fall short of the Hall of Fame but had Hall of Fame caliber seasons and failed to make it due mainly to longevity issues. I used a combination of at least 6 players who are Hall of Fame players or Hall of Fame caliber players as the cutoff.

4. Led League in Both Runs Scored and Fewest Runs Allowed - Teams should do both to be considered great and dominating. Some might argue that park effects play a great role in determining which teams lead the league in runs scored and runs allowed. That is true but great teams overcome all obstacles which is what makes them the greatest. (The Brooklyn Dodgers played in a bandbox in Ebbets Field yet led the National League in both categories in the 1955 season, while the Los Angeles Dodgers have played in the greatest pitchers park in baseball since Dodger Stadium was opened and they too led the National League in both categories in 1974 and 1978. None of the Dodger teams qualify on all categories though.)

5. Winning the World Series (provided there was a World Series) - how can a team be considered great if they did not win the World Series if they played in it? The 1906 Chicago Cubs won 116 games and had a winning percentage of .763, the best ever for regular season since 1901, but lost the World Series to their cross-town rivals the Chicago White Sox.

Only Four Teams Meet All Five Markers (Players Stats For The Year In Parenthesis):
1902 Pittsburgh Pirates - 103-36 (.741), led league in runs scored with 775 while allowing the fewest runs at 440, which works out to 5.58 runs scored per game while allowing 3.17 runs per game for a 2.41 run differential. No World Series played in 1902.

Three Hall of Famers on the team in Honus Wagner (105 runs, 91 RBI's, 42 SB's, .330 avg) Fred Clarke (103 runs, 29 SB's, .401 OBP) and Jack Chesbro (28-6, 2.17 ERA). Three more Hall of Fame caliber players in Jesse Tannehill (20-6, 1.95 ERA), Deacon Phillippe (20-9, 2.05) and Sam Leever (16-7, 2.39).

1927 New York Yankees - 110-44 (.714), led league in runs scored with 975 while allowing the fewest runs at 599, which works out to 6.33 runs scored per game while allowing 3.89 runs per game for a 2.44 run differential. Swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.

Six Hall of Fame players on the team in Babe Ruth (158 runs, 60 HR's, 164 RBI's, 1.26 OPS), Lou Gehrig (149 runs, 49 HR's, 175 RBI's, 1.24 OPS), Tony Lazzeri (92 runs, 18 HR's, 102 RBI's, 22 SB's, .865 OPS), Earle Combs (137 runs, .356 avg, .925 OPS), Waite Hoyt (22-7, 2.63 ERA) and Herb Pennock (19-8, 3.00 ERA). Another player, Urban Shocker (18-6, 2.84 ERA), was Hall of Fame caliber and would be in the Hall of Fame if not for his untimely illness and death in 1928 from heart disease and pneumonia. Bob Meusel (103 RBI's, 24 SB's, .337 avg, .903 OPS) was also a Hall of Fame caliber player.

1939 New York Yankees - 106-45 (.702), led league in runs scored with 967 while allowing the fewest runs at 556, which works out to 6.40 runs scored per game while allowing 3.68 runs per game for a 2.72 run differential. Swept the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series.

Five Hall of Fame players on the team but Lou Gehrig does not really count as the Iron Horse's iron man streak of 2,130 consecutive games played came to an end just 8 games into the season due to Gehrig's unfortunate illness with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. Which is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease today.

http://www.sportales.com/Baseball/Ba...st-Teams.37150

[Wassit3]

cont.

The other four Hall of Famer's on the team were Joe Dimaggio (108 runs, 30 HR's, 126 RBI's, .381 avg, 1.12 OPS), Bill Dickey (98 runs, 24 HR's, 105 RBI's, .916 OPS), Red Ruffing (21-7, 2.93 ERA) and Lefty Gomez (12-8, 3.41 ERA). Also on the team were Hall of Fame caliber players Joe Gordon (92 runs, 28 HR's, 111 RBI's, .876 OPS), Red Rolfe (139 runs, 80 RBI's, .329 avg, .899 OPS) and Charlie Keller (87 runs, 83 RBI's, .334 avg, .947 OPS).

1998 New York Yankees - 114-48 (.704), led league in runs scored with 965 while allowing the fewest runs at 656, which works out to 5.96 runs scored per game while allowing 4.05 runs per game for a run differential of 1.91. Swept the San Diego Padres in the World Series.

Two sure Hall of Famers on the team in Derek Jeter (127 runs, 19 HR's, 84 RBI's, 30 SB's, .324 avg, .865 OPS) and Mariano Rivera (36 Saves, 1.91 ERA). The 1998 New York Yankees had a remarkable number of Hall of Fame caliber players in Jorge Posada (.825 OPS), Tino Martinez (92 runs, 28 HR's, 123 RBI's, .860 OPS) Chuck Knoblauch (117 runs, 31 SB's), Bernie Williams (101 runs, 26 HR's, 97 RBI's, .339 avg, .997 OPS), Paul O’Neill (95 runs, 24 HR's, 116 RBI's, .317 avg, .882 OPS), Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez (12-4, 3.13), Andy Pettitte (16-11, 4.24 ERA), David Wells (18-4, 3.49 ERA) and David Cone (20-7, 3.55 ERA) all playing regularly (with Darryl Strawberry and Tim "Rock" Raines playing part-time).

How Do They Stack Up?
Winning Percentage:

1. 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates - .741
2. 1927 New York Yankees - .714
3. 1998 New York Yankees - .704
4. 1939 New York Yankees - .702

Run Differential:

1. 1939 New York Yankees - 2.72
2. 1927 New York Yankees - 2.44
3. 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates - 2.41
4. 1998 New York Yankees - 1.91

Number of Great Players:

1. 1998 New York Yankees - 11
2. 1927 New York Yankees - 8
3. 1939 New York Yankees - 7
4. 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates - 6

All four teams led their league in both runs scored and fewest runs allowed.

Except for the 1902 Pirates, the other three Yankee teams all won the World Series by sweeping their opponents. No World Series was played in 1902.

What do we end up with? The four greatest teams in Major League baseball history. Trying to separate them is difficult. What's interesting to note is that 1902 Pirates had the best winning percentage of the four, the 1939 Yankees had the greatest run differential of the four, and the 1998 Yankees had the greatest number of Hall of Fame caliber players.

The 1927 Murders Row New York Yankees of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig did not lead in any of the categories but were second in each one.

http://www.sportales.com/Baseball/Ba...-Teams.37150/2

[HoustonGM]

Sounds good.

Just weird how he classified "Hall of Fame caliber" players. I mean, Tino Martinez is not "Hall of Fame caliber" and it has nothing to do with longevity issues. A good player with a great season or three isn't a "Hall of Fame caliber" player. But thats just nitpicking.

[Wassit3]

Sounds good.

Just weird how he classified "Hall of Fame caliber" players. I mean, Tino Martinez is not "Hall of Fame caliber" and it has nothing to do with longevity issues. A good player with a great season or three isn't a "Hall of Fame caliber" player. But thats just nitpicking.

yeah but which team do you think is the greatest???

[RickD]

Love seeing all those Yankees teams there!

[HoustonGM]

yeah but which team do you think is the greatest???

I don't think there is one single "greatest team."

[metsguy234]

How is Jeter a sure Hall of Famer?


I HATE when people automatically assume a player is great because he has one (or more) World Series rings.

Bobby Kielty has a World Series ring (he won one last year), but that does not make him a great player. If he stays with the Sox for the next four years, solely off of the bench with a start or two here and there, and the Sox win each of the next 4 years (giving him 5 rings), would that make him a great, surefire HOF'er?

[HoustonGM]

Derek Jeter is a surefire Hall of Fame for reasons beyond his World Series rings. Those are just "icing on the cake" so to speak. Comparing him to Kielty is a silly comparison.

[metsguy234]

Derek Jeter is a surefire Hall of Fame for reasons beyond his World Series rings. Those are just "icing on the cake" so to speak. Comparing him to Kielty is a silly comparison.

And those reasons are???

All-star games? Arrogant Yankee fans vote him in every year undeservingly.

MVP Awards? Wait, he has none...

World Series rings? Take note of my previous point.

I consider him the type of player that I hate most- which I call the "sampler".

Other "samplers" include, IMO, Curtis Granderson and Jimmy Rollins.

Samplers are players who aren't very good in any one area, but are OK in many areas. Being a sampler (as Jeter is), IMO, does not warrant HOF induction.

[metsguy234]

Here are his statistics:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jeterde01.shtml

Tell me how that man is a Hall of Famer...

[dickay]

Although they only won 99 games, in my lifetime....judging solely by the 'eye test', I'd say the 1989 Oakland Athletics were the greatest team I've seen. I disagree with what you claim are 'HOF caliber' players on the NYY great teams of the 90's, but none the less it's hard to argue with their success.

I chose the A's of 89 because they had a similar swagger and brought all aspects of the game. The rotation was solid with four starters winning at least 17 games (Dave Stewart, Bob Welch, Mike Moore, and Storm Davis). Of course they had the Eck ending the games, the second best closer of alltime (next to Mariano of course) and arguable the most intimidating. On the offensive side they had arguably the biggest game changing offensive player of his era in Rickey Henderson. The commercials of him at 1st base making the pitchers sweat were classic. The bash brothers, steroids and all were fantastic. Canseco, McGwire...although neither having career years (canseco was injured much of the year) they were very intimidating to face and you have to remember that HR's were much much harder to come by during this time in baseball. Add Carney Lansford, Dave Parker, and Dave Henderson...and this team was a terror for opposing pitchers.

[dickay]

Here are his statistics:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jeterde01.shtml

Tell me how that man is a Hall of Famer...

Jeter is very likely to obtain 3000 hits in his career which will MOST CERTAINLY make him a surefire HOF'er. I agree many Yankees overrate him, but compare his statistics to Kirby Puckett.

Jeter is a HOF'er if he retires today, and this is from an avid red sox fan. Despite his numbers being below the usual bar, they are equal to Puckett and Jeter is the captain of one of baseballs dynasty ballclubs, he has a handful of WS rings, and is one of the most clutch players of all time. A consistent 200 hit player who will reach 3000 barring injury ala Puckett.

[RedsoxRockies]

I agree with Mets, Jeter has never been amazing, just ok. He benefits from playing in new york and on good teams. If he was on, say Tampa Bay, He would not stand a chance. I think a player who does is Troy Tulowitzki. Though young, he combines outstanding and likely to get better offence with gold glove caliber defence. Not to mention he also has gotten off to a young start, and should play for years to come. I think out of all active players, these stand out as the ones most likely to make the hall(in majors). Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson, Johan Santana, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Ben Sheets(if he can stay healthy), Ken Griffey, Grady Sizemore, CC Sabathia, Roy halladay, Dustin Pedroia, Manny Ramirez, Troy Tulo, Matt Holliday, Todd Helton, Felik Hernandez, Ichiro, Hideo Nomo(only as a pioneer, even though early on he was good) and so on.....

[dickay]

I agree with Mets, Jeter has never been amazing, just ok. He benefits from playing in new york and on good teams. If he was on, say Tampa Bay, He would not stand a chance. I think a player who does is Troy Tulowitzki. Though young, he combines outstanding and likely to get better offence with gold glove caliber defence. Not to mention he also has gotten off to a young start, and should play for years to come. I think out of all active players, these stand out as the ones most likely to make the hall(in majors). Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson, Johan Santana, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Ben Sheets(if he can stay healthy), Ken Griffey, Grady Sizemore, CC Sabathia, Roy halladay, Dustin Pedroia, Manny Ramirez, Troy Tulo, Matt Holliday, Todd Helton, Felik Hernandez, Ichiro, Hideo Nomo(only as a pioneer, even though early on he was good) and so on.....

Wow...talk about a homer. If I read this correctly you put Dustin Pedroia as more likely to be a HOF'er than Derek Jeter???????????????

Cmon now, look at the statistics. Jeter has been one of the most solid performers of all time in the playoffs, and i'm not talking about total number i'm talking average's. Although I too laughed at Yankees fans who called him 'Captain Clutch' when he laid in egg in the playoffs last year (as all yankees did) but i'm honest when I say that I know why he has that nickname. His regular season stats are on par with many HOF'ers of his age and none of them have the postseason success Jeter has had nor had they carried the 'C' on their chest for a dynasty ballclub.

There is no doubt Jeter will be in the HOF. You guys really need to get real with this one. I hate on the yankees with the best of them, but this argument is beyond silly. Best part is you left AROD off your list!?!?!?!?!?

[Wassit3]

I don't think there is one single "greatest team."