TEAM # 27 - 1953 BROOKLYN DODGERS

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BRO/1953.shtml

MANAGER - Chuck Dressen
105-49 (.682) - First Place National League
Post Season - Lost to the Yankees in the world series, 4 games to 2.
Runs Scored - 955
Runs Allowed - 689
OPS+ - 121
ERA+ - 104

The 1955 team that finally won the world series was almost as good as this team, but not quite. This team was an offensive powerhouse with all 8 starting position players having an OPS+ of 104 or better. Six of the eight scored 100 or more runs. C Roy Campanella (OPS+ 154) was the league MVP and had 41 HRs and 142 RBIs. CF Duke Snider (OPS+ 165) scored 132 runs and had 42 HRs and 126 RBIs. 1B Gil Hodges (OPS+ 139) went .302-31-122. SS Pee Wee Reese scored 104 runs. 2B Junior Gilliam drew 100 walks and scored 125 runs. RF Carl Furillo (OPS+ 144) won the batting title at .344. LF-3B Jackie Robinson (OPS+ 137) scored 109 runs and had 95 RBIs. Campanella, 3B Billy Cox, Reese, Robinson, Snider, Gilliam and Hodges were all really good fielders, and RF Furillo had a cannon for an arm. This team is a lot like the Big Red Machine of 1975-76 in that they easily had the best starting position players in baseball, but only had average pitching. They finished 13 games ahead of second place Milwaukee.

This 1953 squad is a great baseball sim team, especially when Carl Erskine (20-6, 3.54) is pitching. The rest of the starters were around league average or worse. Russ Meyer (15-5, 4.56), Billy Loes (14-8, 4.54). Preacher Roe (11-3, 4.56) and Johnny Podres (9-4, 4.23) formed the rest of the rotation. They all had very good W-L records as the 8 position players were so strong. Like that 75-76 Reds team this team had a very good and deep bullpen. Jim Hughes (3.47 ERA with 9 saves), Clem Labine (11-6, 2.77 with 7 saves), Ben Wade (7-5, 3.79) and swingman Bill Milliken (8-4, 3.37) all pitched really well in relief. The team's best pitcher, Don Newcombe, was in the military at this time and did not play at all in the season.

It was a high scoring world series with the Yankees, who won games 1,2, 5 and 6, outscoring Brooklyn 33 to 27 in the series. The Dodgers trailed 3-1 in the 9th inning of game 6 and tied the game on a 2 run HR from Furillo. In the bottom of the 9th Labine walked the leadoff batter Bauer. Yogi lined out to RF, but Mantle beat out a dribbler to 3B to make it first and second with one out. World series MVP Billy Martin then delivered a walkoff single to win the game and the series for the Bombers. It was Martin's 12th hit, a record at the time for a 6 game series.

This team led the league in runs scored, hits, homers, walks, batting average, OBP, SLG%, OPS, OPS+ and stolen bases. The pitchers led the league in strikeouts. The defense led the league in fewest stolen bases allowed and in fewest errors.

TEAM # 26 - 1974 LOS ANGELES DODGERS

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/1974.shtml

MANAGER - Walt Alston
(102-60 .630) - First Place National League West
Post Season - Beat the Pirates 3 game to 1 in the NLCS, lost to the A's 4 game to 1 in the world series.
Runs Scored - 798
Runs Allowed - 561
OPS+ - 119
ERA+ - 114

I know you're thinking "why this team?" Check out their run differential and their OPS+ and ERA+. Their Pythagorean W-L record was 106-56. They were a great team that was built more for a regular season than a short series, as they had 5 really good starting pitchers and 7 of their 8 starting position players had an OPS+ of 109 or higher.

1B Steve Garvey (OPS+ 130) won the MVP with 21 HRs and 111 RBIs, but their best hitter was actually CF Jim Wynn (OPS+ 151 with 104 runs scored, 32 HRs and 108 RBIs, along with 108 walks). RF Willie Crawford (OPS+ 130), LF Bill Buckner (OPS+ 117), 3B Ron Cey (OPS+ 113, 97 RBIs), catcher Steve Yeager (OPS+ 119), 2B Davey Lopes (OPS+ 109, 59 steals) were all plus offensive players. SS Bill Russell (OPS+ 96) was not that bad. C-OF Joe Ferguson (OPS+ 132) got 430 PA at various positions. Garvey was a write-in starter in the all star game.

Andy Messersmith (20-6, 2.59) led the league in wins and WIN%. Don Sutton (19-9, 3.23), Doug Rau (13-11 3.72), Tommy John (13-3, 2.59) and Al Downing (5-6 3.66) rounded out the rotation. John was off to a great start when he blew his elbow out and then became much more famous as the first pitcher to have what became to be known as "Tommy John Surgery," coming back in 1976 with a whole new career. Mike Marshall (15-12, 2.42 with 21 saves) set a record by appearing in 106 games and he became the first reliever to win the Cy Young award. Charlie Hough (96 innings), Geoff Zahn (2.03 ERA) and Jim Brewer (2.52) were other bullpen mainstays. Not having Tommy John for the post season did not help against Oakland.

The team led the league in most runs scored, fewest runs allowed, home runs, SLG%, OPS and OPS+. The defense led the league in fewest hits allowed, fewest walks allowed, strikeouts, ERA, lowest batting average allowed, and lowest OBP allowed.

TEAM # 25 - 2007 BOSTON RED SOX

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/2007.shtml

MANAGER - Terry Francona
96-66 (.593)
Post Season - Swept the Angels 3 games to none in the Division Series. Beat the Indians 4 games to 3 in the ALCS. Swept the Rockies in 4 games in the world series.
Runs Scored - 867
Runs Allowed - 657
OPS+ - 107
ERA+ - 123

Their Pythagorean record was 101-61 as they were the better of the two Red Sox world championship clubs of this decade. Leading the league in fewest runs allowed is very difficult to do when you play in Fenway Park.

Josh Beckett (20-7, 3.27) turned the season around when he won game 5 in Cleveland and got them back home in the ALCS. Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-12, 4.40) and 40 year old Tim Wakefield (17-12, 4,76) were big winners. Curt Schilling (9-8, 3.87) had an injury plagued season but went 1-0 in each of the 3 post season series. Mid season callup Jon Lester (4-0, 4.57) got 11 starts following the successful treatment of his lymphoma. These ERAs don't look so hot, but the league ERA this season was 4.50 and this team was playing in a ballpark with a pitcher's park factor of 105. Closer Jonathan Papelbon (1.85 ERA) saved 37 games in 40 chances. Hideki Okajima (3-2. 2.22) had 5 saves. Mike Timlin (2-1, 3.42), Kyle Snyder (2-3, 3.81), Javier Lopez (2-1, 3.10), Manny Delcarmen (0-0, 2.05) and Kason Gabbard (4-0, 3.73) were also part of what was a very strong bullpen.

DH David "Big Papi" Ortiz (OPS+ 171) was the best hitter on this team, slashing (.332/.445/.621) with 116 runs scored and 117 RBIs. 3B Mike Lowell (OPS+ 124) had 120 RBIs. 1B Kevin Youkilis (OPS+ 117) had 83 RBIs. 2B Dustin Pedroia (OPS+ 112) would later be a league MVP. RF J.D. Drew (OPS+ 105) scored 84 runs. LF Manny Ramirez (OPS+ 126) had 20 HRs and 88 RBIs and caught fire in the AL playoffs with 4 HRs and 14 RBIs in 10 games. C Jason Varitek (OPS+ 103) had 68 RBIs. Youngster Jacoby Ellsbury slashed .353/.394/.509 in 33 games and took over from Coco Crisp as the starting CFer in the world series, slashing .438/.500/.688 in the 4 games against the Rockies. CF Crisp was a superb fielder, and IF Alex Cora, 3B Lowell, 2B Pedroia and SS Julio Lugo were all very good. Even 1B Youkilis had good fielding numbers this season.

TEAM # 24 - 1896 BALTIMORE ORIOLES

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BLN/1896.shtml

MANAGER - Ned Hanlon
90-39 (.698) - First Place National League
Post Season - Swept Cleveland in the Temple Cup Series 4 games to none.
Runs Scored - 995
Runs Allowed - 662
OPS+ - 120
ERA+ - 116

This was the only team that won the regular season championship and won the Temple Cup in that same season. They crushed Cleveland by scores of 7-1, 7-2, 5-0 and 5-2 in the 4 games. Cy Young (0-1, 6.00) had beaten them 3 times in the upset loss in the 1895 Temple Cup, but they hit him well this time around.

SS Hughie Jennings (OPS+ 151) was the best player in the league, going .401/.472/.488, and also being the best overall fielder in the league. Hughie did not walk much (just 19 times), but he was hit by an all time record 51 pitches this season. LF Joe Kelley (OPS+ 164) went .364/.469/.543 with 148 runs and 100 RBIs. RFer Willie Keeler (OPS+ 142) went .386/.432/.496 with 153 runs scored. 1B Jack Doyle (OPS+ 115) chipped in with 101 RBIs. Steve Brodie in CF was a defensive whiz along with Jennings. John McGraw (OPS+ 115) had less than 100 PA and must have had injury problems this season.

Bill Hoffer (25-7, 3.38) was the ace of the pitching staff. Arlie Pond (16-8) and George Hemming (15-6) were the next two biggest winners. Former ace Sadie McMahon (11-9) was winding down his career and southpaw Duke Esper (14-5) was solid as the 5th starter. Of all the great dynasties in baseball history this one had the weakest pitching with only McMahon being a big star at any point in their run. They did it with great offense and great fielding, which made their mediocre pitchers much better. They were a well oiled machine by this time, and even though they finished two games behind Boston the following season they beat them in the Temple Cup 4 games to 1.

The Hall of Fame includes Wilbert Robinson, Hughie Jennings, Willie Keeler, Joe Kelley, John McGraw and manager Ned Hanlon from this team. This is the top team on the list from the 1890s. They led their league most runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, fewest strikeouts, batting average, OBP, SLG%, OPS, OPS+ and stolen bases. They stole 441 bases. The other 11 teams in the league averaged 238 stolen bases. The team batting average was .328.

TEAM # 23 - 1961 NEW YORK YANKEES

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1961.shtml

MANAGER - Ralph Houk
109-53 (.673) - First Place American League
Post Season - Beat the Reds in the world series, 4 games to 1.
Runs Scored - 827
Runs Allowed - 612
OPS+ - 118
ERA+ - 107

This team has been overrated by many historians due to the 240 HRs they hit and the publicity they had with Maris and Mantle chasing Babe's HR record during the season. In reality they did not have good table setters at all, with neither Richardson or Kubek scoring 85 or more runs as they both had an OBP around .300. The fielding was just okay other than Boyer at 3B, and they only had 3 good starting pitchers. They did not lead the league in runs scored or fewest runs allowed. A really good world championship team, but not among the greatest teams of all time. But certainly good enough to make this list.

The offense was of course led by CF Mantle (OPS+ 206) with 54 HRs, 131 runs and 138 RBIs, and RF Maris (OPS+ 167) with 61 HRs and 141 RBIs. Maris batted third all season, with Mantle 4th, and Roger did not have ANY intentional walks the entire year. C Elston Howard (OPS+ 153) was great with 21 HRs and 77 RBIs. Yogi played mostly LF and had 22 HRs and 61 RBIs. 1B Moose Skowron had 28 HRs and 89 RBIs. Johnny Blanchard (OPS+ 168) was a backup catcher and pinch hitter deluxe, with 21 HRs and 54 RBIs in just 275 PA.

Whitey Ford (25-4, 3.21) had his biggest season as he pitched every 4th day for the first time in his career. He led the league in wins and innings and won the Cy Young award. Bill Stafford (14-9 2.68) had the best ERA among the starters finishing second in the league in both ERA and ERA+. Ralph Terry (16-3, 3.15) was the third really good starter. Rollie Sheldon (11-5, 3.60) was a pretty good 4th starter. Jim Coates (11-5, 3.44, 5 saves) was a valuable swingman, and closer Luis Arroyo (15-5, 2.19 with 29 saves) had a sensational season in 119 innings out of the bullpen.

With Mantle injured and hardly playing in the world series they still rolled over the Reds in 5 games, with bench players like Hector Lopez (7 RBI in 9 AB) and Johnny Blanchard (2 HRs and a double) picking up the slack. A very, very good Yankee team, but not up there with the 1927, 1939, 1953 or 1998 clubs.

They led the league with a record 240 HRs, also led in SLG%, OPS and OPS+. The defense led the league in saves, WHIP, fewest stolen bases allowed, fewest errors made, and most double plays.

TEAM # 22 - 1968 DETROIT TIGERS

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1968.shtml

MANAGER - Mayo Smith
103-59 (.636) - First Place American League
Post Season - Beat the Cardinals in the world series, 4 games to 3.
Runs Scored - 671
Runs Allowed - 492
OPS+ - 113
ERA+ - 111

Underrated by historians, this was the best world series champion in the decade. They had the Grand Slam of leading the league in most runs scored, fewest runs allowed, OPS+ and ERA+. Not many teams have done this. Not even the team that is ranked number one on this list. They famously came back from a 3 games to one deficit in the world series, beating the seemingly unbeatable Bob Gibson in game 7 in St. Louis to take the title. Gibson had already won 2 games in the series, including striking out a world series record 17 batters in a game one shutout. Mickey Lolich of Detroit ended up as the MVP of the series with 3 wins including one in game 7.

The staff was led by the last pitcher to win 30 games, Denny McLain (31-6, 1.96). He won the Cy Young award and the MVP award too. Mickey Lolich (17-9, 3.19) and Earl Wilson (13-12, 2.85) also had big years. Wilson was a very big hitter too, with 7 HRs and 17 RBIs in just 92 PA. Pat Dobson (5-8, 2.66, 7 saves) and John Hiller (9-6, 2.39) were great swing men. Daryl Patterson (2.12 ERA, 7 saves) and Fred Lasher (5-1, 5 saves) were also strong relievers.

The offense was led by LF Willie Horton (36 HRs, 85 RBIs), RF-CF Jim Northrup (21 HRs, 90 RBIs), CF Mickey Stanley (88 runs), 2B Dick McAuliffe (95 runs), 1B Norm Cash (OPS+ 142 25 HRs) and Bill Freehan (OPS+ 145, 25 HRs, 84 RBIs), who finished second in the MVP voting. The offense was really weak at SS with Ray Oyler (OPS+ 20), Tom Matchick (OPS+ 60) and Dick Tracewski (OPS+ 43) all playing there doing the season. Veteran Al Kaline (OPS+ 156) had an injury plagued season and missed 60 games. Gates Brown (.370/.442/.685) had one of the greatest pinch hitting seasons ever, with 15 extra base hits in just over 100 PA. Freehan, McAuliffe, Tracewski, 3B Don Wert, Northrup, Stanley and Oyler were all really good fielders.

Manager Mayo Smith had a big dilemma going in to the world series. Al Kaline was the biggest star on the team, yet the outfield of Northrup in RF, Stanley in CF and Horton in LF had been great all year. Somebody was going to have to sit, but who? Northrup led the team in RBI, Horton led the team in HRs and Stanley was a gold glove CFer who batted second in the lineup and scored 88 runs during the season. But Kaline was also great when he was healthy which he was come October. Smith made a real radical decision and moved Stanley to SS for the series with Northrup going to CF and Kaline back in RF. Oyler, Matchick and Tracewski would be used as late inning defensive replacements with one of the outfielders coming out of the game when Stanley moved to CF. The move looked bad when the Tigers lost 3 of the first 4 games, including a 10-1 shellacking in game 4. Stanley was 3 for 16 in the first 4 games with an error. Smith stuck with his guns, and they won game five 5-3 behind Lolich with Stanley getting a triple, scoring 2 runs, and playing errorlessly at SS before moving to CF late in the game. They then won game six 13-1 with McLain going on 2 days rest. Game 7 pitted the 2-0 Gibson on 3 days rest against the 2-0 Lolich on 2 days rest. It was 0-0 into the 7th inning when this play broke the game open for the Tigers.





The Tigers held on for a 4-1 win to win the series. The bookmakers probably made a fortune that day as everybody and his brother must have bet Gibson at home. This was the year that Gibson had 13 shutouts and posted a modern record 1.12 ERA for the year.

The last championship team before MLB went to a playoff system that has now become a crap shoot whereby the best regular season team only wins the world series every 3 or 4 years. This Tiger team led their league in runs scored, home runs, SLG%, OPS and OPS+. Their defense led the league in fewest runs allowed, complete games, WHIP, ERA+, and also made the fewest errors in the league.

Starting tomorrow my choices for the top 20 teams in MLB history.

14 world champions
3 great pennant winners that lost the world series
1 great pennant winner from a season with no world series
2 great teams that did not get to the world series

TEAM # 21 - 1995 CLEVELAND INDIANS

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1995.shtml

MANAGER - Mike Hargrove
100-44 (.694)
Post Season - Beat the Red Sox 3 games to none in the Division Series. Beat the Mariners 4 games to 2 in the ALCS. Lost the world series to the Braves 4 games to 2.
Runs Scored - 840
Runs Allowed - 607
OPS+ - 114
ERA+ - 122

This team was on fire at the end of the regular season, winning their last 5 games to get to 100 wins. If this was a full 162 game season they would almost certainly have won 110 or more games. Tremendous hitting and even better overall team pitching gave them 100 wins in just 144 games. They exceeded their Pythagorean record by 7 games. If they had won the world series I'd have to move them up to #2 here, but #3 is pretty good too.

The offense was led by MVP candidate LF Albert Belle (OPS+ 177) with 52 doubles and 50 HRs and 126 RBIs in the shortened season. The baseball writers did not like Belle much and they screwed him out of the MVP award, giving it to Mo Vaughn of the Red Sox in a very close vote. 3B Jim Thome (OPS+ 157) had 25 HRs and scored 92 runs. RF Manny Ramirez (OPS+ 147) had 31 HRs and 107 RBIs. 2B Carlos Baerga hit .314 with 87 runs and 90 RBIs. 1B Paul Sorrento had 25 HRs and 79 RBIs. CF Kenny Lofton (OPS+ 110) stole 54 bases and scored 93 runs. DH Eddie Murray (OPS+ 129) had 21 HRs and 82 RBIs. Six of the 9 offensive starters were .300 hitters. Even Omar Vizquel (OPS+ 78) scored 87 runs in this lineup. Two other .300 hitters (Sandy Alomar Jr, Herbert Perry) were backups on the bench. Their best fielders were Lofton and Vizquel, who each won a Gold Glove this season.

The top 3 starting pitchers were Dennis Martinez (12-5, 3.08), Charles Nagy (16-6 4.55) and Orel Hershiser (16-6, 3.87). Rounding out the starters were Mark Clark (9-7, 5.27), Chad Ogea (8-3, 3.05), and the former Expos ace Ken Hill (4-1, 3.98). The bullpen was very strong with closer Jose Mesa (3-1, 1.13 with 46 saves), Julian Tavarez (10-2, 2.44), Eric Plunk (6-2, 2.67), Jim Poole (3-3, 3.75) and LOOGY Paul Assenmacher (6-2, 2.82).

The final game of the world series was a 1-0 loss to Tom Glavine who gave up just one hit in 8 innings. The Braves got a solo HR from David Justice to win their only world series in 5 tries in the decade.

Pretty tough to lead a 14 team league in runs scored fewest runs allowed, OPS+ and ERA+, but this team did just that.

The offense also led the league in hits, home runs, fewest strikeouts, batting average, OBP, SLG%, OPS and stolen bases. The defense led the league in saves, fewest walks, ERA, and lowest OBP allowed. A truly dominant team.

Good teams, but not in their league. I had $200 to win $280 on the 97 team in the world series. Mesa cost me $480. The $200 I lost and the $280 I would have won.

There's still one more Indians team to come in the countdown.

TEAM # 20 - 1998 ATLANTA BRAVES

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1998.shtml

MANAGER - Bobby Cox
106-56 (.654)
Post Season - Beat the Cubs 3 games to none in the Division series. Lost the NLCS to the Padres 4 games to 2.
Runs Scored - 826
Runs Allowed - 581
OPS+ - 113
ERA+ - 128

Unfortunately this team could not get past the Padres in the NLCS, because everybody was hoping to see them meet the Yankees in the world series. It would have been a great matchup of the 2 best teams in baseball, with the Braves looking to return the favor from 1996 and upset the 114 win Yankees. But it did not happen as Sterling Hitchcock went 2-0 with an ERA under 1.00 and the big 3 of Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine combined to go 0-3 in the series. Reality then set in for San Diego as they got whipped in 4 straight games against the powerhouse Yankees.

Starting in 1991 the Braves were very good to excellent to even great in every year of the 1990s. They were in the world series 5 times in the decade, winning just once. Hard to believe, but I think their best team was this club that failed to even get to the world series.

As usual, the starting pitching was the best part of the team. Greg Maddux (18-9, 2.22) led the league in ERA and ERA+. Tom Glavine (20-6, 2.47) led the league in wins and won his second Cy Young award. John Smoltz (17-3, 2.90) missed some time but led the league in win%. But what made this the best of the 1990s Braves teams is that their 4th and 5th starters also had big seasons at the same time of the Big Three. Kevin Millwood (17-8, 4.08) had a high ERA but won 17 games. Denny Neagle (16-11, 3.55) was also big, as the 5 starters had a combined record of 88-37. The closer was Kerry Lightenberg (2.71 ERA with 30 saves). John Rocker (2.13 ERA in 30 innings) and Rudy Seanez (2.75 ERA in 36 innings) were the only other relievers who had real good seasons. Former Closer Mark Wohlers (10.18 ERA in 20 innings) famously could not throw anything near a strike, walking 33 batters and throwing 7 wild pitches. So they had a super strong starting staff, but a fairly thin bullpen. Dennis Martinez (4-6, 4.45) and Mike Cather (2-2, 3.92) were the other relievers who saw a lot of action.

The offense was led by 3 strong hitters. 3B Chipper Jones (OPS+ 148) scored 123 runs and had 34 HRs and 107 RBIs. C Javy Lopez (OPS+ 124) had 34 HRs and 106 RBIs. 1B Andres Galarraga (OPS+ 157) had a monster year with 44 HRs and 121 RBIs. Andruw Jones chipped in with 31 HRs and 90 RBIs. LF Ryan Klesko (OPS+ 117) had 18 HRs and 70 RBIs. Backup OF Gerald Williams (OPS+ 122) and Maddux's personal catcher Eddie Perez (OPS+ 145) also hit very well, as this team had plenty of offense to support their great starting pitching. Both catchers (Perez, Lopez), and most of the infielders (3B Jones, SS Walt Weiss, 2B Tony Graffanino, SS Ozzie Guillen) fielded well. Andruw Jones had one of the greatest ever fielding seasons in CF with a dWAR figure of 3.9, as the Braves were now playing their home games in Turner Field, which had a vast outfield as compared to when they were playing in Atlanta Fulton County Stadium.

The Braves hitters led the league in SLG% and OPS. Their defense led the league in fewest runs allowed, complete games, shutouts, fewest hits allowed, fewest home runs allowed, WHIP, ERA, ERA+, lowest batting average allowed, lowest OBP allowed, and fewest errors.

They got to the WS just 3 times with Maddux, who was not the greatest post season pitcher. He was 11-14, 3.27 in the post season, with the LCS being his worst round (4-8, 3.67). He played in the LCS 9 times, winning just 3 times.

TEAM # 19 - 1912 BOSTON RED SOX

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1912.shtml

MANAGER - Jake Stahl
105-47 (.691) - First Place American League
Post Season - Beat the Giants in the world series 4 games to 3.
Runs Scored - 799
Runs Allowed - 544
OPS+ - 110
ERA+ - 124

This was Smokey Joe Wood's season. He went 34-5 with a 1.91 ERA and 10 shutouts. He had an ERA+ of 177, and won 3 games in the world series, including the deciding game. He did not pitch that well in the series, probably having a tired arm after throwing 344 innings in the regular season. He never started as many as 20 games in a season again after this year, and his arm trouble forced him to switch to the outfield after a few years. He was already a good hitter, with an OPS+ of 120 this season. He hit .290 and had 13 doubles in 141 PA. Buck O'Brien (20-13 2.58) and Hugh Bedient (20-9, 2.92) also had big seasons. Ray Collins (13-8, 2.53) and Charley Hall (15-8, 3.02) rounded out the starting rotation. Eddie Cicotte started this season with the team but was traded to Chicago after 6 starts.

Superstar CFer Tris Speaker (OPS+ 189) was the best position player on this team, hitting .383 and leading the league in OBP (.464), doubles (53), and home runs (10). He also led the team with 136 runs scored. Duffy Lewis (OPS+ 112) led the team with 109 RBIs. 3Bman Larry Gardner (OPS+ 134) scored 88 runs and had 86 RBIs. 1Bman (player-manager) Jake Stahl (OPS+ 125) hit .301 and had 60 RBIs in just 95 games. This team is famous for having one of the best defensive outfields in history, with Lewis in LF, Speaker in CF, and Harry Hooper in RF. They combined for 80 assists. The left side of the infield, Gardner at 3B and Wagner at SS, was very strong.

The offense led the league in runs, doubles, HRs, walks, OBP, SLG% and OPS. The defense led the league in complete games, shutouts, fewest walks, WHIP, lowest OBP allowed, and fewest total of wild pitches and passed balls combined.

This team won what was perhaps the greatest ever world series. There were 8 games played as one game was a tie. There were 4 one run games, including the deciding game which went into extra innings tied at 1-1. The Giants took a one run lead in the top of the 10th and had Christy Mathewson on the mound, but CFer Fred Snodgrass dropped a fly ball in the bottom of the inning and the Red Sox rallied for 2 runs to win the series. Tris Speaker's single tied the game, and Larry Gardner's walkoff SF won the series for the Red Sox.

TEAM # 18 - 1905 NEW YORK GIANTS

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYG/1905.shtml

MANAGER - John McGraw
105-48 (.686) - First Place National League
Post Season - Beat Philadelphia (AL) in the World series, 4 games to 1.
Runs Scored - 780
Runs Allowed - 505
OPS+ - 119
ERA+ - 122

Legendary performance by Christy Mathewson in the World Series this year, as he threw 3 shutouts in 6 days in a series where all 5 games were shutouts. McGinnity had their other series win with the A's getting their one win on a Chief Bender shutout. Big Six allowed just 14 hits and one walk and struck out 18 in 27 scoreless innings. The Athletics never even got a runner to 3B against Mathewson in the 3 games.

Mathewson (31-9, 1.28) won the pitching triple crown with 206 strikeouts to go along with his league leading ERA and win total. He also led with an ERA+ of 230 and had 8 shutouts and 3 saves too. Iron Man McGinnity (21-15, 2.87) and Red Ames (22-8, 2.74) filled out the top 3 starters. Dummy Taylor (16-9, 2.66) and Hooks Wiltse (15-6, 2.47) were no slouches either on this deep staff.

The team's hitting stars were RFer Mike Donlin (.356/.413/.495, 107 runs, OPS+ 167), 1B Dan McGann (OPS+ 143), C Roger Bresnahan (OPS+ 132) and LFer Sam Mertes (OPS+ 126, 108 RBIs). 3B Art Devlin and Mertes each stole over 50 bases. The infield was extremely good defensively with 3B Devlin, SS Bill Dahlen and 2B Billy Gilbert. Both catchers (Bowerman and Bresnahan) were also very good fielders.

The offense led the league in run scored, doubles, home runs, walks, batting average, OBP, SLG%, OPS, OPS+ and stolen bases. The defense led the league in saves, strikeouts, fewest walks, lowest OBP allowed, and fewest stolen bases allowed.

TEAM # 17 - 1902 PITTSBURGH PIRATES

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1902.shtml

MANAGER - Fred Clarke
103-36 (.741) - First Place National League
Runs Scored - 775
Runs Allowed - 440
OPS+ - 124
ERA+ - 119

This team is never talked about, probably because they played one year before the modern world series started. But their W-L record and their run differential show them to be an all time great team. Not many teams since 1900 have had a winning percentage over .740.

This team led the NL in virtually every offensive category. Honus Wagner (OPS+ 162) played SS and 1B this season along with all 3 OF spots as well, leading the league in SLG%, steals (42), runs (105) and RBI (91). LFer Fred Clarke (OPS+ 159), the manager, scored 103 runs. CFer Ginger Beaumont (OPS+ 151) scored 100 runs. 3Bman Tommy Leach (OPS+ 134) scored 97 runs and was second in the league with 85 RBIs. 1Bman Kitty Bransfield (OPS+ 123) and 2Bman Claude Ritchey (OPS+ 114) were no easy outs either. The Pirates had the top 4 players in the league in runs scored. SS Wid Conroy, along with Leach, Ritchey and Wagner all played great in the field.

Jack Chesbro (28-6, 2.17), Deacon Phillippe (20-9, 2.05), Jesse Tannehill (20-6, 1.95), Sam Leever (15-7, 2.39) and Ed Doheny (16-4, 2.53) formed a great starting rotation that had to be the first one to have 5 pitchers each win 15 or more games. Tannehill (OPS+ 118) also hit very well. Chesbro led the NL in wins.

The offense led the league in runs, hits, doubles, triples, HR's, walks, fewest strikeouts, batting average, OBP, SLG%, OPS and OPS+. The defense led the league in fewest runs allowed, shutouts, fewest HR's allowed, strikeouts, fewest walks, WHIP, and lowest OBP allowed. A truly dominant team. The only reason that they are not in the top 10 is because one of the reasons that they were so dominant is that they were the only NL team that was able to keep any of their star players from signing with the new rival American League. The other 7 NL clubs all lost varying numbers of good players to the AL. So part of the Pirates dominance was because of weakened opponents. Otherwise they'd have to be in the top 10.

TEAM # 16 - 1984 DETROIT TIGERS

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1984.shtml

MANAGER - Sparky Anderson
104-58 (.642) - First Place American League East
Post Season - Swept the Royals 3 games to none in the ALCS. Beat the Padres 4 games to 1 in the world series.
Runs Scored - 829
Runs Allowed - 643
OPS+ - 114
ERA+ - 112

Close call between this team and the #14 team here. This team was great in the post season, but they played two mediocre teams. The #14 team on this list struggled some in the post season, but faced much tougher competition than this Tigers club did. The other club was clearly better in the regular season.

The Tigers got off to a best ever 35-5 record after the first 40 games. Their bullpen had the best 1-2 punch ever. League MVP and Cy Young winner Willie Hernandez (9-3, 1.92 with 32 saves) appeared in 80 games with over 140 innings pitched. Aurelio "Senor Smoke" Lopez (10-1, 14 saves) threw almost 140 innings. The starting rotation featured Jack Morris (19-11, 3.60), Dan Petry (18-8, 3.24), Milt Wilcox (17-8, 4.00), and Juan Berenguer (11-10, 3.48) with swingman Dave Rozema (7-6, 3.74) getting 16 starts.

Seven of the eight starting position players were league average or better hitters, and 3B Howard Johnson (OPS+ 99) was right there. They had the league's best offense even though nobody scored 100 runs or had 100 RBIs. C Lance Parrish 33 HRs and 98 RBIs. SS Alan Trammell (OPS+ 136) scored 85 runs. 2B Lou Whitaker (OPS+ 112) scored 90 runs. CF Chet Lemon (OPS+ 135) had 20 HRs. RF Kirk Gibson (OPS+ 142) had 27 HRs and 91 RBIs. Rupert Jones (OPS+ 137), Johnny Grubb (OPS+ 131), and Rusty Kuntz (OPS+ 125) were all real good hitters on the bench. Lemon and Trammell and backup 1B Dave Bergman were great fielders. Whitaker and 3B Tom Brookens were very good gloves too. Lance Parrish was an excellent defensive catcher who threw out 46% of stolen base attempts this season. An all around excellent team.

The offense led the league in runs scored, home runs, OBP and OPS+. The defense led the league in fewest runs allowed, saves, fewest hits allowed, WHIP, ERA, ERA+, lowest average allowed, lowest OBP allowed, and fewest stole bases allowed.