1960s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 20 through 16

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the first countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1960s. After decades with eight teams per league, the 1960s brought two waves of expansion – two new AL teams in 1961, two new NL teams in 1962, and two more for both in 1969. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1960s (1960-1969), a total of 198 teams were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 10% for the decade. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #20 through #16.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1960s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#20: 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers, 47.3 WAR162

The 1965 Dodgers held off the rival Giants by two games to claim the NL pennant. The Dodgers projected as a 92-win team, so they were fortunate to win 97 games, but they made the most of it by defeating the Twins in a 7-game World Series.

Offense was not a strength for the Dodgers – their 608 runs placed 8th in a 10-team league, and they hit the fewest homers in the NL. Even within the pitching-friendly environment at Dodger Stadium, these were low numbers. The Dodgers ranked 7th, 6th, and 8th, respectively, in BA, OBP, and OPS. Fortunately, they had exceptional pitching, with league-leading numbers in ERA, WHIP, and shutouts, and ranked near the top in strikeouts and walks.

Maury Wills swiped 94 bases to lead the NL, while batting .286 and scoring 92 runs. His double-play partner Jim Lefebvre was effective at second base, earning Rookie of the Year honors, and Ron Fairly batted .274 with a .361 OBP. Additional support came from veteran Jim Gilliam (.280 BA), Wes Parker, and Willie Davis (25 steals). Interestingly, Wills, Lefebvre, Gilliam, and Parker were all switch-hitters, while Davis and Fairly batted from the left side. Sandy Koufax had a monster season, going 26-8 with a 2.04 ERA, 382 strikeouts, and a 0.855 WHIP, topping the NL in each category and winning the Cy Young award. Don Drysdale was an excellent second option, going 23-12 with a 2.77 ERA, and Claude Osteen added another 15 wins with a 2.79 ERA.

#19: 1968 St. Louis Cardinals, 47.8 WAR162

The Cardinals repeated as NL champs, defeating the Giants by 9 games before losing to the Tigers in a dramatic 7-game World Series.

The Cardinals’ offense was quite average, tying for fourth in runs scored, and ranking just 8th (of 10) in home runs. They did place second in stolen bases, but were fourth or worse in BA, OBP, and OPS. The pitching was exceptional, even by the standards of the so-called Year of the Pitcher (NL-average ERA of 2.99). The Cards’ ERA of 2.49 topped the league, as did their 1.120 WHIP and 30 shutouts. They also ranked near the top in strikeouts and walks.

Lou Brock led the league in three metrics – doubles (46), triples (14), and steals (62). Outfield mate Curt Flood batted .301, and Mike Shannon had 15 homers and 79 RBI. Bob Gibson compiled a season for the ages with a 22-9 mark, 268 strikeouts, 13 shutouts, and a 1.12 ERA on his way to Cy Young and MVP honors. Ray Washburn posted a 14-8 record with a 2.26 ERA, and a young Steve Carlton provided a glimpse of the future with 13 wins.

#18: 1967 San Francisco Giants, 48.0 WAR162

The Giants finished second in the 1967 NL pennant race, trailing the Cardinals by 10.5 games. According to Pythagorean projections, the gap should have been about 4 games, but the Cardinals were clearly the better club.

The Giants were a middle-of-the-pack offensive team, ranking 4th in runs and OPS, 6th in BA, and 5th in OBP. The team did have some power, trailing only the Braves in home runs. Pitching made the Giants a contender, as their 2.92 ERA and 1.177 WHIP topped the league. They ranked a bit lower in other metrics, but always above the NL average.

Third baseman Jim Ray Hart had a fine season, belting 29 homers to go with a .289 BA, 99 homers, and 98 runs scored. Willie McCovey led the Giants with 31 homers while batting .276 with 91 RBI, and 36-year-old Willie Mays added 22 homers. Tom Haller had an all-star season behind the plate, adding 14 homers to the mix. Gaylord Perry had a bad-luck 15-17 record despite his 2.61 ERA, while Ray Sadecki won 12 with a 2.78 ERA, and Mike McCormick claimed the Cy Young with a 22-10 mark and 2.85 ERA. Juan Marichal had a quiet season by his lofty standards, posting a 14-10 mark with a 2.76 ERA. He also posted the highest strikeout-to-walk rate in the NL. This foursome provided the Giants with a deep and consistent pitching staff for the 1967 season.

#17: 1966 Baltimore Orioles, 48.0 WAR162

The 1966 Orioles topped the AL, beating the Twins by a solid 9-game margin to claim the AL pennant. The O’s then stunned the Dodgers in a 4-game World Series sweep.

The 1966 edition of the Orioles had a strong offense relative to their AL rivals. Their 755 runs were 36 more than the Tigers managed, and they finished just behind Detroit with 175 homers on the season. The team also led the AL with 243 doubles, and made a clean sweep of the BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS categories. The Orioles’ pitching was decidedly more ordinary, but possessed some young talent that would emerge over the next several seasons. The O’s ranked 4th in ERA and WHIP, and second in strikeouts behind the Indians.

Triple Crown winner Frank Robinson was the offensive standout, leading the league in numerous batting metrics. Robinson batted .316 with a .410 OBP, 1.047 OPS, 122 runs scored, and 49 homers with 122 RBI on his way to MVP honors. His primary support came from defensive standout Brooks Robinson (23 homers, 100 RBI) and slugging first baseman Boog Powell (34 homers, 109 RBI). Shortstop Luis Aparicio added speed to the O’s lineup, swiping 25 bases and scoring 97 runs. The pitching staff was led by veteran Steve Barber, who posted a 10-5 record with 3 shutouts and a 2.30 ERA. Youngsters Dave McNally (age 23, 13-6 record) and Jim Palmer (age 20, 15-10 mark) provided a glimpse of future greatness on the mound for the Orioles.

#16: 1965 Pittsburgh Pirates, 48.1 WAR

The Pirates finished third in the 1965 NL pennant race, trailing the Dodgers by 7 games and the Giants by 5 games. However, Pythagorean win projections have the Dodgers and Pirates at 92 wins, and the Giants at 91. The Dodgers and Giants had some favorable luck on their side; the Pirates did not.

The Pirates were not impressive offensively, finishing 5th in runs, 6th in homers, and 3rd in OPS. They were a bit better in the BA and OBP categories, ranking second behind the Reds. The Pirates’ pitching was solid, with the second-best NL ERA and 3rd-place rankings in shutouts and WHIP. The staff was average at best in the walk and strikeout categories.

Roberto Clemente led the NL with a .329 average while scoring 91 runs and adding 14 triples along with his superlative defense. Young shortstop Gene Alley provided excellent defense, and Willie Stargell bopped 27 homers with 107 RBI. Catcher Jim Pagliaroni added 17 homers, and Donn Clendenon had 17 homers and a .301 BA. Vern Law had a terrific age-35 season, posting a 17-9 record with a 2.15 ERA, while Bob Veale went 17-12 with a 2.84 ERA despite leading the NL by dishing out 119 walks. Veale yielded just 5 home runs in 266 innings on the season, striking out 276 batters.

Summary

That’s it for the first entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1960s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #15 to #11, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1950s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 5 through 1

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the final countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1950s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1950s (1950-1959), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #5 through #1.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1950s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#5: 1958 Milwaukee Braves, 53.2 WAR162

The Braves cruised to a second consecutive NL pennant, topping the Pirates by 8 games. Their season finished with a 7-game World Series defeat in a rematch with the Yankees.

The Braves were not a powerful offensive squad despite the presence of some big-name stars. Their 675 runs ranked fourth, as did their 167 home runs in a power-laden NL season. They did manage to lead the league in BA (a virtual tie with the Phillies) but were third in OPS behind the Cubs and Giants. Pitching is what sets the Braves apart from their rivals, as they paced the NL in ERA, WHIP, shutouts, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

As usual, Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews starred on offense for the Milwaukee club. Aaron batted .326 and stroked 30 homers, scored 109 runs, and had 95 RBI. Mathews belted 31 homers while drawing 85 walks, and catcher Del Crandall added 18 homers in his 131 games. Wes Covington homered 24 times in just 90 games played, batting .330. Warren Spahn had a fine age-37 season, posting a 22-11 record with 23 complete games and a 1.148 WHIP, all numbers topping the NL. Lew Burdette issued the fewest walks per 9 innings while winning 20 games, and the trio of Joey Jay (7-5), Bob Rush (10-6), and Carl Willey (9-7) combined for 26 wins behind the Spahn-Burdette duo.

#4: 1953 New York Yankees, 56.4 WAR162

The Yankees repeated as AL champs in 1953, finishing 8.5 games ahead of the Indians. They then defeated the crosstown Dodgers in the World Series for the second consecutive season.

This edition of the Yankees had both a powerful offense and strong pitching. The offense produced 801 runs, 31 more than the Indians, and swatted 139 home runs, second in the league. The Yankees swept the BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS categories, with the Indians trailing them in each case. The pitching staff ERA of 3.20 was well ahead of the White Sox, and the team recorded the most shutouts, the best WHIP, and the second-best strikeout-to-walk rate in the AL.

The offense was led by 21-year-old Mickey Mantle and veteran catcher Yogi Berra. Mantle scored 105 runs, had a .398 OBP, and launched 21 homers, while Berra had 27 homers with 108 RBI. Hank Bauer posted a .394 OBP, and teammate Gene Woodling had an AL-best .429 OBP for the season. Veteran shortstop Phil Rizzuto also excelled with a .383 OBP, and Gil McDougald batted .285 with 83 RBI. Whitey Ford went 18-6 with 3 shutouts, Eddie Lopat went 16-4 with a league-best 2.42 ERA, and veteran Johnny Sain went 14-7, largely in a relief role.

#3: 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers, 56.9 WAR162

The 1955 Dodgers cruised to the NL title, finishing 13.5 games ahead of the Braves, and then conquered the Yankees (at last!) in a 7-game World Series. The Pythagorean projections had the Dodgers as a 95-win club, so they were a trifle lucky, but easily the top team in the NL.

The Dodgers scored nearly 100 more runs than any of their rivals, with 857 for the season. They also blasted 201 homers and 230 doubles, and swept the BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS categories in 1955. This was a powerful offensive team that especially thrived at cozy Ebbets Field. Their pitching also led the NL in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and strikeout-to-walk rate, making the Dodgers the class of the league.

Duke Snider had an exceptional season, leading the NL with 126 runs scored and 136 RBI while batting .309 with a .418 OBP and 1.046 OPS fueled by 42 home runs. Roy Campanella was named NL MVP after a 32-homer, 107 RBI, .318 BA season, and Carl Furillo batted .314 with 95 RBI. Gil Hodges (27 HR, 102 RBI) and Pee Wee Reese (99 runs, .282 BA) also made strong contributions for a deep Dodgers lineup. Don Newcombe was the pitching star, logging a 20-5 record with an NL-best 1.113 WHIP, aided by Carl Erskine (11-8), Johnny Podres (9 wins), and reliever Clem Labine, who appeared in an NL-high 60 games, earning a 13-5 record.

#2: 1954 Cleveland Indians, 57.7 WAR162

The 1954 Indians had the most impressive record of the decade, and one of the best of all-time. Luck played a role, as the Indians’ projection was for 104 wins. The team claimed the AL crown by 8 games over the Yankees, but was stunningly swept by the Giants in the World Series.

The Indians had a strong offense, although they trailed the Yankees in several categories. They ranked second in runs, home runs, and OPS, and just fourth in BA and OBP. Pitching was the strength of this team, as they posted a 2.78 ERA, well ahead of the White Sox and Yankees. The Indians staff issued the fewest walks, posted the best WHIP, and had the league’s highest strikeout-to-walk rate.

Bobby Avila was the offensive leader, batting .341 (AL-best) and scoring 112 runs. Larry Doby led the league with 32 homers and 26 RBI, Al Rosen batted .300 with 24 homers and 102 RBI, and Al Smith posted a .398 OBP. Mike Garcia (19-8, AL-best 2.64 ERA and 5 shutouts) and Early Wynn (23-11, 2.73 ERA) led the pitching corps, with Bob Lemon close behind, with a 23-7 record and 21 complete games.

#1: 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, 58.9 WAR

The 1953 Dodgers posted an impressive 60-17 home record on their way to 105 wins (versus a 99-win projection). This was plenty to beat the Braves by a 13-game margin for the NL pennant, before losing a 6-game World Series to the crosstown Yankees.

The Dodgers’ offense was likely the best of the 1950s, rolling up 955 runs, 187 more than their closest pursuers. They whacked 208 home runs and 274 doubles to top the NL in both categories, and swept the BA (.285), OBP (.366), SLG (.474), and OPS (.840) metrics. Their pitching was not quite as strong, ranking third in ERA and WHIP, but first in strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Duke Snider had a career year, batting .336 with NL-best numbers in runs (132), SLG (.627), and OPS (1.046). Catcher Roy Campanella earned NL MVP honors, driving in an NL-best 142 runs while batting .312 with 41 home runs. Jackie Robinson had a fine season at age 34, stealing 17 bases, batting .329, and scoring 109 runs, and Pee Wee Reese scored 108 runs while playing his usual stellar defense at shortstop. Carl Furillo led the league with a .344 BA, Gil Hodges amassed 31 homers and 122 RBI, and Jim Gil liam earned Rookie of the Year honors with 21 steals, 17 triples (NL-best), and 100 walks. Carl Erskine was easily the top pitcher for the Dodgers, posting a 20-6 mark, while Clem Labine earned 11 wins with a 2.77 ERA in a primarily relief role.

Summary

That’s it for the final entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1950s decade! Here’s a summary of the most dominant franchises of the 1950s:

1950s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 10 through 6

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the third countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1950s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1950s (1950-1959), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #10 through #6.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1950s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#10: 1954 Chicago White Sox, 52.3 WAR162

The White Sox won 94 games in 1954, and were projected for 98, and finished just third in the AL pennant race behind the Indians (111-43) and Yankees (103-51). However, the ’54 season set the table for multiple Southside Chicago contenders for the rest of the decade.

The White Sox were not a prolific offensive team; their 711 runs were well behind both the Yankees and Indians. They did rank second in BA and OBP, but just fourth in OPS due to a lack of home-run power. The Sox excelled in stealing bases compared to their rivals in the decade, and piled up 98 in the 1954 season. Pitching was a comparative strength, as the team’s 3.05 ERA and 1.281 WHIP trailed only the Indians. They were first in both strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk rate for the season.

Outfielder Minnie Minoso was the offensive leader for the team, recording 119 runs scored, 116 RBI, 19 triples (AL-best), and 20 homers to go with a .320 BA. Chico Carrasquel (.348 OBP) at shortstop and Nellie Fox (.319 BA) at second formed a strong defensive pair in the middle of the infield. On the mound, Virgil Trucks was the top gun, recording a 19-12 record with a 2.79 ERA at age 37. Jack Harshman went 14-8 with a 2.95 ERA to provide further support.

#9: 1955 New York Yankees, 52.7 WAR162

The rest of this countdown post features four Yankees teams ranked #9 through #6, starting with the 1955 club. The Yankees won the AL pennant by three games over the Indians (and five ahead of the White Sox) before dropping the World Series in a 7-game thriller versus the Dodgers.

The Yankees easily led the AL with 175 homers and finished second in runs scored, behind the Tigers. Their mediocre BA (.260) and OBP (.340) were offset by a league-best .758 OPS, courtesy of the team’s long-ball power. The pitching staff had a strong season, leading the AL in ERA and hits per 9 innings, but finished just third in WHIP due to a high propensity to issue walks.

Mickey Mantle had a big season, leading the AL in OBP, SLG, OPS, walks, triples, and home runs. Gil McDougald (.361 OBP), Hank Bauer (20 homers), and Yogi Berra (27 homers, 108 RBI) provided strong offensive and defensive support for the Yanks. Whitey Ford was the standout on the mound, authoring an 18-7 record with 18 complete games (AL-best) while Bob Turley posted a 17-13 campaign. Both Ford (113) and Turley (AL-high 177) were prone to issuing free passes to batters, but excelled despite their control issues.

#8: 1957 New York Yankees, 52.8 WAR162

The 1957 Yankees claimed the AL pennant by 8 games over the White Sox, their third consecutive pennant, and a remarkable 7th since 1950. Only the 1954 Indians kept the Yankees from winning every pennant of the decade through 1957. Unfortunately, the Yankees were defeated by the Milwaukee Braves in a 7-game World Series.

The Yankees’ offense ranked at or near the top in most categories in 1957 – first in runs, triples, BA, SLG, and OPS, and second in homers and OBP. The pitching staff carved out a 3.00 ERA, far ahead of the White Sox’s 3.35. The staff also earned the most saves (42), and yielded the fewest hits per 9 innings (7.7). They ranked third in WHIP due to issuing lots of walks and ranked second in strikeouts.

Mickey Mantle had one of his greatest seasons, earning AL MVP honors with 121 runs, 146 walks (both AL-best), and batting .365 with a 1.177 OPS. Gil McDougald had another strong season, batting .289 with a .362 OBP from his shortstop position, and Yogi Berra (24) and Bill Skowron (17, .304 BA) added home run power to the mix. Tom Sturdivant led the way on the mound, posting a 16-6 mark with a 2.54 ERA, and Bobby Shantz went 11-5 with a league-best 2.45 ERA. Bob Turley (13-6, 2.71 ERA) and Whitey Ford (11-5 in just 129 innings) rounded out a balanced staff.

#7: 1958 New York Yankees, 52.8 WAR162

The 1958 Yankees land at #7, just ahead of the 1957 team. The 1958 team was projected to win 96 games based on run differential, but still cruised to the title 10 games ahead of the White Sox. The New Yorkers then avenged their prior year World Series defeat by topping the Braves in seven games.

The Yankees easily topped the AL with 759 runs scored, 62 more than the Red Sox. They also topped the AL with 164 homers, a .268 BA, .416 SLG, and .751 OPS. The pitching staff once again topped the AL in ERA, as well as shutouts and saves, while placing second in strikeouts and third in WHIP.

Once again, Mickey Mantle led the Yankees offense, belting 42 home runs, scoring 127 runs, drawing 129 walks (all AL-best) while batting .304 with a 1.035 OPS. Norm Siebern turned in a fine age-24 season, with a .300 BA, and Yogi Berra had 22 homers and 90 RBI from the catcher position. Elston Howard batted .314 as a utility player, and Andy Carey slugged 12 homers with 45 RBI in just 366 plate appearances. The pitching was again led by Whitey Ford (14-7, AL-best 2.01 ERA with 7 shutouts) and Cy Young winner Bob Turley (21-7, 2.97 ERA).

#6: 1952 New York Yankees, 52.9 WAR

The 1952 Yankees continue our run of consecutive teams from the Bronx. The Yankees topped Cleveland in a hotly contested pennant race, claiming the pennant by a two-game margin. They then went on to defeat the Dodgers in a 7-game World Series.

The Yankees had a very good offense in 1952, although they trailed the Indians in both runs and home runs. The 1952 team boasted the league’s highest BA and ranked second in OPS, close behind the Indians. Pitching was a strength, with the staff leading the AL in ERA and shutouts, while ranking third in WHIP and strikeout-to-walk rate.

The offense was led by the 20-year-old Mickey Mantle, who batted .311 with an AL-best .924 OPS, and veteran catcher Yogi Berra, who slugged 30 homers and accumulated 98 RBI. Shortstop Phil Rizzuto had a fine age-34 season, stealing 17 bases and scoring 89 runs while playing excellent defense. More depth was provided by Hank Bauer (.293 BA, 17 homers), Gene Woodling (.309 BA, .397 OBP), and Gil McDougald (11 homers, 78 RBI). Allie Reynolds led the league with a 2.06 ERA and 6 shutouts while compiling a 20-8 record at age 35. Vic Raschi contributed 16 more wins, and Eddie Lopat added 10 as a capable third starter.

Summary

That’s it for the third entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1950s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #5 to #1, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1950s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 15 through 11

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the second countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1950s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1950s (1950-1959), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #15 through #11.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1950s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#15: 1954 New York Yankees, 50.8 WAR162

The Yankees put together a 103-win season, only to finish 8 games behind the Indians, who enjoyed a historic season. Even accounting for a hefty dose of luck for Cleveland, they were the better team in 1954.

The Yankees had a dominant offense that outscored the Indians by 59 runs and placed second in doubles, triples, and home runs. They were just ahead of the White Sox in BA and OBP, and well ahead of their rivals in OPS. While the Yankees’ pitching was sound, their performance was far behind the Indians’ numbers. The New Yorkers ranked third in ERA, third in WHIP, and second in shutouts. Their other pitching metrics were typically ahead of league average, but not comparable to the Indians’ or White Sox’ performances.

Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra were the offensive stars for the Yankees, with Mantle batting .300, belting 27 homers, and leading the AL with 129 runs scored. Berra (AL MVP) batted .307 from his catcher spot, with 22 homers and 125 RBI. Gil McDougald was a standout at second base, Irv Noren batted .319 as a fourth outfielder, and Andy Carey batted .302 from his third base position. Whitey Ford led the pitching staff with a 16-8 record and 2.82 ERA, followed by Rookie of the Year Bob Grim (20-6, 3.26 ERA).

#14: 1956 New York Yankees, 51.0 WAR162

The 1956 Yankees coasted to a 9-game margin over the Indians to repeat as AL champs. They then avenged their 1955 World Series loss by defeating the Dodgers in seven games.

The Yankees’ pennant odds were enhanced by a powerful offense that totaled 857 runs, 68 more than the Tigers. They also walloped 190 homers, leading to the top OPS ranking despite placing third in BA and fourth in OBP. The Yankees’ pitching was solid, if not at the level of the Indians. The team ranked second in ERA, third in WHIP, and third in strikeouts.

Mickey Mantle had a monster Triple Crown season, batting .353 with 52 homers and 130 RBI. He also led the AL in runs (132), SLG (.705), and OPS (1.169). Yogi Berra was a capable second act, belting 30 homers with 105 RBI, and Gil McDougald batted .311 with a .405 OBP from the shortstop position. Bill Skowron added another 23 homers to go with a .308 BA for a loaded Yankees offense. Whitey Ford again topped the Yankees staff, winning 19 games with an AL-best 2.47 ERA, ably supported by Tom Sturdivant (16-8, 3.30 ERA) and Don Larsen (11-5, 3.26 ERA).

#13: 1951 New York Giants, 51.0 WAR162

The 1951 Giants shocked the world with an amazing stretch run to catch the rival Dodgers and then top them in a single tiebreaker game to claim the NL pennant. However, they couldn’t top the other New York team, losing to the Yankees in a six-game World Series.

The Giants trailed the Dodgers by a considerable 74 runs for the season, ranking second for the season. They also trailed their rivals in home runs (184-179), OBP, and OPS, and ranked just fourth in BA. This was a solid offense, but not quite as potent as the crosstown Dodgers unit. Pitching helped offset the offensive gap, as the Giants’ 3.48 ERA easily topped the NL. They also led the league in WHIP and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Monte Irvin had a fine season for the Giants, stroking 21 homers and batting .312 with a .415 OBP, while leading the NL with 121 RBI. Al Dark provided pop from the shortstop position, tallying an NL-best 41 doubles, batting .303, and scoring 114 runs. Eddie Stanky (127 walks, .401 OBP) and Bobby Thomson (32 homers, 101 RBI) provided strong support, further aided by catcher Wes Westrum (.400 OBP) and a 20-year-old Willie Mays (20 homers). Sal Maglie and Larry Jansen were the pitching star, with each winning 23 games. Maglie led the NL in fewest hits per 9 innings (7.7) while Jansen led in strikeout-to-walk rate (2.59).

#12: 1954 New York Giants, 51.7 WAR162

Another Giants team takes #12; the 1954 team topped the rival Dodgers by five games before stunning the favored Indians in a World Series sweep.

The Giants offense ranked third in runs, well behind both the Cardinals and Dodgers, although they matched the Dodgers with 186 home runs. Their .264 BA and .332 OBP were around league average levels, and even their OPS was a distant third in the NL. This was not a great offensive team, despite the presence of some star players. Pitching carried the Giants in ’54, led by an NL-best 3.09 ERA. The staff ranked third in WHIP, but first in the fewest hits per 9 innings.

The 23-year-old Willie Mays was now a full-blown star for the Giants, batting .345 with a 1.078 OPS and 13 triples, all topping the league. Mays also launched 41 homers, had 110 RBI, and scored 119 runs while winning the NL MVP award. His supporting cast included Hank Thompson (26 homers, .389 OBP) and Al Dark (.293 BA, 20 homers). Johnny Antonelli was the top pitcher, winning 21 games with NL-bests in ERA (2.30), shutouts (6), and hits per 9 innings (7.3). Veteran Sal Maglie won 14 games at age 37, and Rubén Gómez added 17 wins with a 2.88 ERA.

#11: 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers, 52.0 WAR

The 1951 Dodgers are famously recalled as the team that lost a tiebreaker game to Bobby Thomson and the Giants after holding a substantial lead late into the season. In WAR162 terms, the Dodgers rank two spots ahead of the Giants; the Giants had a bit more luck on their side in the 1951 season.

The Dodgers had a high-powered offense, scoring 855 runs to easily top the NL, and also leading the league in doubles, home runs, stolen bases, BA, OBP, and OPS. There were multiple stars on the offensive side of the ball to keep the team in contention. The pitching was not as strong, ranking fifth in ERA and third in WHIP, although they led the NL in strikeouts and had the second best strikeout-to-walk rate.

Jackie Robinson had one of his best campaigns, batting .338 with a .429 OBP, 25 steals, and 106 runs scored. Roy Campanella was the NL MVP with 323 homers, 108 RBI, and a .325 BA from his catcher spot, and Gil Hodges launched 40 homers and scored 118 runs. Pee Wee Reese batted .286 while excelling in the field, and Duke Snider belted 29 home runs. On the mound, Don Newcombe won 20 and led the NL with 164 strikeouts, and Preacher Roe went 22-3. Ralph Branca added 13 wins as the Dodgers third starter.

Summary

That’s it for the second entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1940s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #10 to #6, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1950s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 20 through 16

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the first countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1950s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1950s (1950-1959), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #20 through #16.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1950s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#20: 1957 Chicago White Sox, 49.4 WAR162

The 1957 White Sox had a fine season, but finished second, 8 games behind the Yankees. This edition was part of a group of very competitive Chicago teams starting in the mid-50s, and including the 1954 and 1955 teams.

The Sox had a good offense, finishing third in runs behind the Yankees and Red Sox, and easily leading the league in stolen bases. They ranked third in BA and OPS, but first in walks and OBP; the team was built on reaching base and manufacturing runs. Pitching was a strength, although the team’s 3.35 ERA was a distant second to the Yankees. The White Sox staff led the AL in shutouts and ranked second in WHIP.

Nellie Fox and Minnie Minoso were the star position players for Chicago, with Fox batting .317 (.403 OBP) and scoring 110 runs while playing a standout second base. Minoso led the league with 36 doubles and batted .310; he also was hit by 21pitches as part of his .408 OBP. Shortstop Luis Aparicio led the AL with 28 steals as part of a productive supporting cast. Dick Donovan (16-6, 2.77 ERA) and Billy Pierce (20-12) led the pitching staff.

#19: 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers, 50.1 WAR162

The Dodgers nosed out the Braves (by 1 game) and the Redlegs (by 2 games) in an exciting NL pennant race before falling to the Yankees in a seven-game World Series. The loss was especially bittersweet, as the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles for the 1958 season, leaving their fan base behind.

The Dodgers scored 720 runs on the season, well behind the 775 from the Redlegs, and trailed them in home runs as well. They ranked just fourth in BA, but first in OBP, thanks to drawing 64 more walks than their closest competitor. Their .761 OPS ranked second for the season. The pitching was solid, ranking a distant second (to the Braves) in ERA and first in WHIP, strikeouts, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Duke Snider had one of his best seasons, belting 43 homers, drawing 99 walks, and sweeping the OBP (.399), SLG (.598), and OPS (.997) categories. Jim Gilliam enjoyed a fine season, stealing 21 bases while batting .300 with a .399 OBP, and 37-year-old Jackie Robinson posted a .382 OBP with 12 steals in 117 games. Gil Hodges (32 homers, 87 RBI) and Randy Jackson provided additional support. The mound was anchored by Don Newcombe, who led the NL in wins (27) and WHIP (0.989) on his way to the NL MVP and Cy Young awards. Sal Maglie had a fine age-39 season, winning 13 games with a 2.87 ERA.

#18: 1957 Milwaukee Braves, 50.5 WAR162

The Braves bounced back from their near miss in 1956 with a comfortable 8-game margin over the Cardinals to claim the 1957 pennant. They went on to defeat the Yankees in a seven-game World Series.

The Braves topped the NL with 772 runs, 25 more than the Redlegs. They also slugged 199 home runs, had 62 triples, and a .442 slugging percentage, all tops in the league. The team ranked second in BA and OPS, a single point behind the Redlegs. The Braves’ pitching posted the second-best ERA in the NL, but had only the fifth-best WHIP, due to issuing the second-most walks in the league.

Hank Aaron and Eddie Matthews formed a fearsome power duo for Milwaukee; Aaron slugged 44 homers with 132 RBI and 118 runs scored, all NL-best numbers. Mathews popped 32 homers of his own to go with 109 runs scored and 94 RBI, and Johnny Logan batted .279 while providing exceptional defense at shortstop. Red Schoendienst batted .310 from his second base position to round out the top position performers. The ageless Warren Spahn posted a 21-11 record with 18 complete games at age 36, winning the Cy Young award in the process. Bob Buhl was the next best option for the Braves, going 18-7 with a 2.74 ERA, and Lew Burdette had an ordinary season by his standards, but still managed 17 wins.

#17: 1955 Chicago White Sox, 50.6 WAR162

The 1955 White Sox finished third in the AL, behind the Yankees and Indians. Their Pythagorean win projection had them winning 95 games, 8 more than the Indians’ projection, but still trailing the Yankees.

Offense was an issue for the Sox, as their 725 runs ranked just fourth for the season, even though they topped the AL with a .268 BA. Unfortunately for Chicago, they lacked power, ranking just sixth in home runs, seventh in triples, and third in doubles. This combination led to a fifth-place OPS ranking. Pitching kept the Sox in the hunt, with the second-best ERA and top WHIP in the AL. The pitching staff issued the fewest walks in the league, leading to the second-best strikeout-to-walk rate behind the Indians.

The White Sox lacked big-name hitters in their lineup, relying on their pitching and contributions from a variety of batters. Second baseman Nellie Fox led the way with a .311 BA, and an AL-best 17 hit by pitches, followed by Minnie Minoso and his .387 OBP and 19 steals. Catcher Sherm Lollar had a strong season behind the plate while batting .261 with 16 homers, and shortstop Chico Carrasquel played fine defense and scored 83 runs for the Sox. Billy Pierce was the mound ace, winning 15 while topping the AL in ERA (1.97), WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate. Dick Donovan was the team’s next best option, and also logged 15 wins.

#16: 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers, 50.7 WAR

The Dodgers rebounded from their 1951 collapse and loss to the Giants by finishing 4.5 games ahead of their crosstown rivals to claim the NL pennant. They then lost to the Yankees in a seven-game World Series.

The Dodgers easily topped the NL in runs and had a curious split where they were better on the road (51-24) than at home (45-33). Their 153 homers were tops in the league, as were the team’s 90 stolen bases. They ranked just third in BA, but topped the NL in both OBP and OPS. The Dodgers pitching ranked second in ERA and first in strikeouts, but just fourth in WHIP, as the staff issued plenty of walks.

Jackie Robinson had one of his finest seasons, leading the NL with a .440 OBP and stealing 24 bases while drawing 106 walks and scoring 104 runs. Gil Hodges drew 107 walks and hammered 32 homers, and Pee Wee Reese led the league with 30 steals while drawing another 86 walks. Duke Snider batted .303 with 21 homers, and Andy Pafko added another 19 long balls. Carl Erskine posted a 14-6 mark with a 2.70 ERA to lead the pitching corps, aided by Billy Loes (13-8, 2.69 ERA) and Joe Black (15-4, 15 saves, 2.15 ERA).

Summary

That’s it for the first entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1950s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #15 to #11, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1940s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 5 through 1

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the final countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1940s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1940s (1940-1949), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #5 through #1.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1940s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#5: 1942 St. Louis Cardinals, 58.1 WAR162

The seasons between 1942 and 1945 are a bit unusual, due to the impact of World War 2 on team rosters. Some teams suffered greater harm by losing star players such as Ted Williams (Red Sox) or Joe DiMaggio (Yankees). The war-era Cardinals maintained an edge by retaining their biggest star (Stan Musial), which helped propel them to the top of the rankings. The 1942 Cardinals won just enough to hold off the Dodgers by two games in the NL race. The Cards went on to defeat the Yankees in a five-game World Series.

The Cardinals nosed out the Dodgers by a scant 13 runs on the season, and also led the NL in doubles, triples, BA, OBP, and OPS. Their pitching staff easily led the league in ERA and WHIP, as well as strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Enos Slaughter led the offensive charge, totaling 17 triples and 188 hits (both NL-bests) while batting .318. A 21-year-old Stan Musial batted .315, and shortstop Marty Marion laced 38 doubles (NL-best) with a .276 BA while standing out defensively. Mort Cooper had a great year on the mound winning 22 with 10 shutouts and a 1.78 ERA, all tops in the NL. Johnny Beazley (21-6, 2.13 ERA) and Max Lanier (13-8, 2.96 ERA) rounded out a strong threesome on the hill for the Cards.

#4: 1943 St. Louis Cardinals, 60.3 WAR162

The Cardinals followed up their 1942 pennant with another title a year later. This time, the Yankees defeated them in a five-game World Series rematch.

The 1943 version of the team trailed the Dodgers in runs scored (715 to 679), and also placed second in doubles, triples, and home runs. They easily topped the NL in BA and OPS, and were second in OBP. The pitching staff had an ERA a half-run better than their closest rival, and also led the NL in WHIP, shutouts, strikeouts, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Stan Musial had a big 1943 season, leading the league in hits (220), BA (.357), doubles (48), and triples (20), while scoring 108 runs. Lou Klein provided strong support with a .287 BA and 91 runs scored, while Marty Marion batted .280 and played sterling defense at shortstop. Catcher Walker Cooper added a .318 BA and 81 RBI from the catcher spot. On the mound, Mort Cooper was again the ace, winning 21 games with a 2.30 ERA, and Max Lanier posted a 15-7 mark with an NL-best 1.90 ERA. Howie Pollet went 8-4 in limited duty to bolster the staff.

#3: 1942 New York Yankees, 60.7 WAR162

The 1942 Yankees coasted to an easy AL pennant by 9 games over the Red Sox. Their 103 wins were actually four shy of their Pythagorean projection for 107 victories. The season ended with a disappointing five-game World Series loss to the Cardinals.

The Yankees topped the AL with 801 runs, 40 more than the Red Sox, and totaled 108 homers to top the AL. They ranked second behind their Boston rivals in BA, OBP, and OPS. Once again, it was the team’s pitching that outshone their rivals. The staff posted a splendid 2.91 ERA and led the league in nearly every meaningful category except strikeouts, where they ranked second to the Tigers.

Second baseman Joe Gordon had a career year in 1942, batting .322 with a .409 OBP, 18 homers, and 103 RBI. Charlie Keller belted 26 homers with 114 walks and 108 RBI, and Joe DiMaggio batted .305 with 123 runs scored and 114 RBI. Shortstop Phil Rizzuto batted .284 with 22 steals and formed a great double-play combo with Gordon. Tiny Bonham starred on the mound with a 21-5 mark, 2.27 ERA, and 6 shutouts (AL-best). Veteran Spud Chandler won 16 at age 34, and the 37-year-old Red Ruffing added 14 more wins.

#2: 1948 Cleveland Indians, 61.8 WAR162

The 1948 Indians prevailed in one of the great three-team pennant races in AL history, topping the Red Sox in a single-game tiebreaker to capture the flag. The third-place Yankees finished 2.5 games back (just 2 games before the tiebreaker). The Indians went on to defeat the other Boston team (the Braves) in a six-game World Series.

The Indians scored 840 runs, well behind the Red Sox’s 907, and slightly behind the 857 scored by the Yankees. They did lead the league in homers, BA, and OPS, and were second in OBP. Pitching was the team’s major strength, as they posted a 3.22 ERA, more than half a run ahead of the Yankees, and more than a full run better than Boston. The Indians staff tossed 26 shutouts, 10 more than their closest rival, and were far ahead of everyone on WHIP.

Shortstop Lou Boudreau had an amazing campaign, batting .355 with a .453 OBP, 116 runs scored, and 106 RBI. Infield mates Joe Gordon (32 homers, 124 RBI) and Ken Keltner (31 homers, 119 RBI) supplied the power for the club. Larry Doby batted .301 in his age-24 season, and Dale Mitchell batted .336. The pitching was led by Bob Lemon, who had 20 complete games and 10 shutouts in his 20-win season. Gene Bearden also won 20 and posted an AL-best 2.43 ERA, while Bob Feller had a down year by his standard but still led the league with 164 strikeouts and managed a 19-15 record.

#1: 1944 St. Louis Cardinals, 64.9 WAR

The 1944 Cardinals blitzed the NL on their way to a 14.5-game margin over the Pirates before defeating the crosstown Browns in a six-game World Series.

The Cards possessed both the best offense and pitching in the league in 1944. Their 772 runs scored led the NL, as did their 274 doubles and 100 home runs. They also swept the BA, OBP, and OPS rankings by a comfortable margin. The pitching was even better, leading the NL with a 2.67 ERA and 26 shutouts, 9 more than their closest competitor. They also ranked first in WHIP, strikeouts, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Stan Musial had a huge age-23 season, leading the league in doubles (51), OBP (.440), and OPS (.990) while batting a robust .347 and scoring 112 runs. His primary support came from Johnny Hopp (.336 BA, 106 runs) and Marty Marion, the Cards’ outstanding defensive shortstop. Whitey Kurowski slugged 20 homers with 87 RBI, and Ray Sanders added 102 RBI. Catcher Walker Cooper posted a .317 BA to round out the offensive firepower. Veteran hurler Mort Cooper posted 22 wins with a league-best 7 shutouts, and Ted Wilks led the NL in WHIP on his way to a 17-4 mark. Harry Brecheen (16) and Red Munger (11) added another 27 wins; Munger posted a microscopic 1.34 ERA for the season.

Summary

That’s it for the final entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1940s decade! Here’s a summary of the most dominant franchises of the 1940s:

1940s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 10 through 6

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the third countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1940s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1940s (1940-1949), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #10 through #6.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1940s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#10: 1945 Chicago Cubs, 53.9 WAR162

The 1945 Cubs returned to the top of the National League for the first time since 1938, outpacing the Cardinals by 3 games. This would also be their last pennant until 1984. The Cubs lost the World Series in seven games to the Tigers, their nemesis from the 1935 series.

The 1945 edition of the Cubs succeeded despite a rather ordinary offensive output. The Chicagoans ranked just fourth in runs scored and were near the bottom in home runs. They did rank first in BA, and second in OBP and OPS behind the Dodgers. Pitching is what carried the Cubs to the top of the NL, led by a 2.98 team ERA, far ahead of their rivals. They easily led the NL in WHIP, yielded the fewest walks, and sported the best strikeout-to-walk rate.

Veteran third baseman Stan Hack had a fine age-35 campaign, batting .323 with 110 runs scored. Phil Cavaretta led the league with a .355 BA and .449 OBP, and Andy Pafko provided further support with 12 triples, 12 homers, and 110 RBI. Don Johnson batted .302 from his second base pot, scoring 94 runs. Claude Passeau had an excellent age-36 season on the mound, winning 17 games with a 2.46 ERA and 5 shutouts, while Hank Wyse went 22-10 with a 2.68 ERA. Ray Prim (at age 38) led the league in both ERA and WHIP while adding 13 wins, and Hank Borowy posted an 11-2 mark in limited duty.

#9: 1940 Cincinnati Reds, 54.3 WAR162

The 1940 Reds ran away with the NL pennant before defeating the Tigers in a seven-game World Series. The Reds were a bit fortunate to win 100 games (their projection was 96), but they were easily the best club in the NL for the season, besting the Dodgers by 12 games.

The Reds were the third-best run-scoring team in the NL, finishing 102 runs behind the Pirates. They finished in the middle of the pack in almost all offensive categories, but were saved by their pitching. The pitching staff led the NL in ERA and WHIP, and had solid metrics in other categories.

The Reds’ offense was a collection of relative unknowns, led by Lonny Frey, their second baseman. Frey led the NL with 22 steals and drew 80 walks with 102 runs scored. Frank McCormick led the league with 44 doubles and batted .309 with 127 RBI. Third Baseman Billy Werber was the third wheel of the offense, scoring 105 runs with 35 doubles and 12 homers. Bucky Walters led the pitchers with 22 wins, a 1.092 WHIP, and a 2.48 ERA across 305 innings, all tops in the NL. Paul Derringer posted a 20-12 mark, and Jim Turner (14) and Gene Thompson (16) combined for an additional 30 wins.

#8: 1949 Brooklyn Dodgers, 54.9 WAR162

The 1949 Dodgers had a fine season, at least until they ran into the Yankees in the World Series, where they lost in five games.

The Dodgers were by far the most prolific offensive team in the league in 1949. Their 879 runs were 113 ahead of their closest rival, and their 152 homers also ranked first. The Dodgers also had speed on the basepaths, stealing 117 bases; their closest competitor stole 53 bases. The team ranked second in BA and first in both OBP and OPS. The pitching was also good, albeit not the equal of the offense. The Dodgers ranked second in ERA and WHIP, and led the NL in strikeout-to-walk rate.

Jackie Robinson had a sensational year, leading the NL with a .342 BA and 37 steals. He also scored 122 runs. His double-play partner Pee Wee Reese led the NL with 132 runs scored and drew 116 walks on the season. The 22-year-old Duke Snider batted .292 with 23 homers, and outfield mate Carl Furillo batted .322 with 18 homers and 106 RBI. Catcher Roy Campanella batted .287 with 22 homers to round out the top position performers. On the mound, Don Newcombe assembled a 17-8 record with five shutouts at age 23, while veteran lefty Preacher Roe won 15 games with a 2.79 ERA.

#7: 1948 Boston Braves, 56.9 WAR162

The 1948 Braves make a rare appearance for the Boston club, which more often was relegated to the lower depths of the NL. The Braves outlasted the Cardinals by 6.5 games to win the NL pennant before losing a six-game World Series to the Indians.

The Braves were a solid offensive team, ranking fourth in runs scored, fifth in home runs, but first in doubles, BA, OBP, and OPS. Pitching was their real strength, with ERA and WHIP numbers far ahead of their NL rivals. They also ranked first in strikeout-to-walk rate, largely due to an NL-best walks level.

The Braves’ offense lacked star power, but received strong performances from Bob Elliott, Jeff Heath, Alvin Dark, and Eddie Stanky. Elliott drew an NL-best 131 walks, leading to a .423 OBP, while belting 23 homers and driving in 100 runs. Heath added 20 homers and a .319 BA, and Dark batted .322 from his shortstop position. Stanky added a .320 BA with a .455 OBP in just 67 games. The pitching was led by Johnny Sain, who won 24 games, tossed 314 innings, and completed 28 games, all NL-best numbers. Lefty Warren Spahn added 15 wins, and Nels Potter, Vern Bickford, and Bill Voiselle provided solid support behind the Braves’ big two of Sain and Spahn.

#6: 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers, 57.2 WAR

The 1941 Dodgers fought off a challenge from the Cardinals, eventually taking the pennant by 2.5 games. However, their World Series drought continued after a five-game defeat at the hands of the Yankees.

The Dodgers’ offense was the class of the NL in 1941, scoring 800 runs versus the Cardinals’ 734. They also swept the BA, OBP, and OPS rankings, and led the NL in both walks and triples. The pitching was also very good, leading the league in both ERA and WHIP.

Outfielder Pete Reiser paved the way for the offense, scoring 117 runs with 39 doubles, 17 triples, and a .343 BA, all topping the NL. Dolph Camilli led the league in homers (34) and RBI (120), and posted a .407 OBP. Dixie Walker batted .311 with just 18 strikeouts in 606 plate appearances, and Joe Medwick batted .318 with 100 runs scored and 88 RBI. Whit Wyatt had a career year at age 33, winning 22 games with 7 shutouts, a 2.34 ERA, and topping the NL in WHIP. Kirby Higbe also posted 22 wins, and Curt Davis added 13 more.

Summary

That’s it for the third entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1940s decade! Stay tuned for the final countdown from #5 to #1, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1940s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 15 through 11

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the second countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1940s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1940s (1940-1949), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #15 through #11.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1940s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#15: 1943 New York Yankees, 51.0 WAR162

The Yankees continued a dominant era where they typically wound up on top of the AL standings. In 1943, they coasted to a 13.5 game margin over the Nationals, and then defeated the Cardinals in a five-game World Series.

This was not an offensive powerhouse compared to the Yankees teams of just a few years earlier, in part due to the impact of the Second World War and its effect on MLB rosters. Without Joe DiMaggio and Phil Rizzuto on the field, the Yankees’ 669 runs were just three ahead of the Nationals. The New Yorkers did lead the AL in triples, homers, OBP, and OPS, all at lower levels than in the pre-war years. Their pitching was dominant in 1943, easily leading the league in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

In the absence of DiMaggio and Rizzuto, other Yankees stepped to the fore, led by outfielder Charlie Keller, who thumped 31 homers and led the league with a .922 OPS. Joe Gordon batted just .249 but earned 98 walks while playing a strong second base defensively, and 36-year-old catcher Bill Dickey batted .351 in part-time duty. Spud Chandler was the pitching star, posting a 20-4 mark with a 1.64 ERA and 0.992 WHIP, all topping the league. Tiny Bonham posted a 15-8 mark, and Hank Borowy (14) and Charles Wensloff (13) combined for 27 wins.

#14: 1949 St. Louis Cardinals, 51.7 WAR162

The Cardinals lost the 1949 NL pennant by a single game to the Dodgers, although the Pythagorean projection had them at 92 rather than 96 wins. So they were a bit lucky and came so close to capturing a pennant.

The Cardinals came very close due to their pitching. The offense was good, not great, totaling 766 runs, far behind the Dodgers’ 879. They did lead the league in doubles, and were second in triples, but far back in home runs and last in stolen bases. The Cards led the league in BA, and placed second to the Dodgers in OBP and OPS. On the pitching side, the Cards staff easily topped the NL in ERA and WHIP, and ranked near the top in other categories.

Stan Musial was the offensive leader for the Cards once again, leading the NL in hits, doubles, triples, and OBP, drawing 107 walks (to just 38 strikeouts). Enos Slaughter was the second big contributor, batting .336 (to Musial’s .338) and driving in 96 runs. Second baseman Red Schoendienst scored 102 runs while batting .297 as the third wheel in the offense. Howie Pollet topped the pitchers with a 20-9 mark and 2.77 ERA, and led the NL with 5 shutouts. Harry Brecheen won 14 games, and Gerry Staley won 10 as a hybrid starter/reliever.

#13: 1941 New York Yankees, 52.4 WAR162

The 1941 Yankees powered and pitched their way to a 17-game edge over the Red Sox, although win projections suggest the Yankees were on the lucky side to the tune of 5 games. In any case, they were clearly the top team in the AL and went on to defeat the crosstown Dodgers in a five-game World Series.

The Yankees were outscored by the Red Sox by 35 runs on the season, but managed to bash the most homers (151) by a wide margin. They ranked third in BA and OBP, and second in OPS, trailing the Boston club each time. Pitching is where they outperformed their closest pursuers. Their team ERA was a whisker behind the White Sox (3.53 vs. 3.52), and they also ranked second in WHIP, but first in the fewest hits per 9 innings.

Joe DiMaggio had a big season in 1941, the year of his famous 56-game hitting streak. DiMaggio batted .357 with 30 homers and 125 RBI (AL-best) while scoring 122 runs. His principal support came from Charlie Keller (33 HR, 122 RBI), Joe Gordon (24 HR, 104 runs scored), and Tommy Henrich (31 HR, 106 runs scored). Shortstop Phil Rizzuto batted .307 and swiped 14 bases. The pitching was led by Marius Russo, who won 14 games with a 3.09 ERA, and the veteran Red Ruffing, who won 15 in his age-36 season.

#12: 1942 Brooklyn Dodgers, 52.4 WAR162

The 1942 Dodgers won 104 games and finished second to the Cardinals. While it was a tough pill to swallow in Brooklyn, the Cardinals’ edge on the mound brought them the NL pennant.

The Dodgers finished close behind the Cardinals in run production, trailing 755 to 742. They were not a power-hitting team, finishing in the lower half of the NL in triples and homers, and second in doubles. The Dodgers led the league in stolen bases with a rather modest total of 81, and ranked second behind the Cardinals in BA, OBP, and OPS. Pitching was a strength, except when compared to the Cardinals. The Dodgers ranked third in ERA, second in shutouts, second in WHIP, and second in strikeouts.

Shortstop Pee Wee Reese compiled the highest WAR numbers, largely due to his defensive prowess, although he did earn 82 walks on the season. Pete Reiser batted .310 with an NL-best 20 steals in just 125 games, and Dolph Camilli slugged 26 homers with 109 RBI. Larry French fashioned a fine 15-4 record with a 1.83 ERA in combined starter and relief pitcher duty, while Curt Davis also won 15 games and posted a 2.36 ERA. Starter Whit Wyatt went 19-7 with a 2.73 ERA as the third effective hurler for the Dodgers.

#11: 1949 Boston Red Sox, 53.4 WAR

The 1949 Red Sox were another 1940s team to lose out in a close pennant race; in this case, their projection was two games better than the Yankees, but the Sox wound up a game back in the standings.

The Red Sox had a high-powered offense that led the AL in runs, home runs, doubles, BA, OBP, and OPS. Unfortunately, the pitching couldn’t keep pace with the offense, winding up fourth in ERA, third in WHIP, and fourth in strikeouts. The Yankees’ pitching was just effective enough to make a difference in the standings.

Ted Williams again led the Sox, as he batted .343 with 150 runs scored, 39 doubles, 43 homers, 159 RBI, 162 walks, a .490 OBP, and a 1.141 OPS. Except for BA, he led the league in each category. Shortstop Vern Stephens tied Williams with 159 RBI and belted 39 homers of his own, and second baseman Bobby Doerr batted .309 with 109 RBI. Johnny Pesky (.306, 111 runs) and Dom DiMaggio (.307, 126 runs) provided additional support. On the mound, left-hander Mel Parnell had a career year with a 25-7 mark and a 2.77 ERA across 295 innings, leading the AL in wins, ERA, and innings pitched. Ellis Kinder had a fine 23-6 season behind Parnell, and Joe Dobson won 14 games.

Summary

That’s it for the second entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1940s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #10 to #6, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1940s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 20 through 16

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the first countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1940s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1940s (1940-1949), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #20 through #16.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1940s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#20: 1940 Detroit Tigers, 49.3 WAR162

The 1940 Tigers prevailed in a tight AL pennant chase, finishing one game ahead of the Indians and three up on the Yankees. The Tigers were then defeated by the Reds in a 7-game World Series, denying them a second crown in six years.

The Tigers had a high-octane offense, scoring 888 runs to edge the Red Sox (872). They also placed first in BA, OBP, OPS, and doubles, and third in home runs. The pitching was not on par with the offense, ranking just fourth in ERA and WHIP, although they topped the league in strikeouts.

Hank Greenberg provided much of the offensive spark, leading the AL with 41 homers, 150 RBI, a 1.103 OPS, and 50 doubles, while batting .340. Rudy York added 33 homers and 134 RBI, and Barney McCosky batted .340 with 19 triples. Veteran second baseman Charlie Gehringer batted .313 at age 37 to round out the offense. The pitching corps was led by Bobo Newsom (21-5, 2.83 ERA) and Schoolboy Rowe (16-3, 3.46 ERA). Tommy Bridges added 12 wins from the second spot in the rotation.

#19: 1946 St. Louis Cardinals, 49.4 WAR162

The Cardinals continued their strong decade with the 1946 NL pennant and World Series winners, who defeated the Red Sox in seven games in the fall classic. The Cards’ 98 regular-season wins edged the Dodgers by two games in a tight NL pennant battle.

The Cardinals’ 712 runs topped the NL during a period when scoring continued to decline from the inflated offensive numbers of the 1930s. They also topped the NL in BA and OPS, and finished second in home runs with a modest total of 81. Pitching was a strong point for the 1946 team, as they led the NL in ERA, shutouts, and strikeout-to-walk rate, while placing third in WHIP.

Stan Musial was the driving force of the offense, leading the NL in many offensive categories, including BA (.365), OPS (1.021), doubles (50), and triples (20). Whitey Kurowski batted .301 with 89 RBI, and Enos Slaughter led the NL with 130 RBI while compiling a .300 BA. Shortstop Marty Marion batted only .233, but was a strong defender at shortstop for the Cards. The pitching was led by the strong one-two combo of Howie Pollet and Harry Brecheen, both left-handers. Pollet led the league with 21 wins, a 2.10 ERA, and 266 innings pitched; Brecheen tossed a league-best 5 shutouts while posting 15 wins, a number matched by Murry Dickson, a combination starter and reliever.

#18: 1947 New York Yankees, 49.7 WAR162

The 1947 Yankees cruised to the AL title, finishing 12 games ahead of the Tigers. The Yanks were armed with the best offense and pitching in the AL, and capped the season by defeating the crosstown Dodgers in a seven-game World Series.

The Yankees’ 794 runs easily topped the AL; they also led the league in BA, OPS, triples, and home runs. Their pitching was also strong, as they led the league in ERA and strikeouts, and finished second in WHIP behind the Indians.

The Yankees’ offense was well distributed across multiple players, with 34-year-old Tommy Henrich leading the way. Henrich totaled 13 triples (AL-best), 109 runs scored, and 98 RBI; Joe DiMaggio had a quiet year (by his standards), batting .315 with 20 homers and 97 RBI, and 37-year-old George McQuinn batted .304 with a .397 OBP. Phil Rizzuto played his usual strong defense at shortstop while batting .273, with his infield partner Stuffy Stirnweiss picking up 89 walks, leading to a .358 OBP. Spud Chandler posted a fine 2.46 ERA as the fourth starter, and Spec Shea allowed the fewest hits per 9 innings from the second spot in the rotation. Reliever Joe Page saved an AL-best 17 games, and veteran righty Allie Reynolds posted a 19-8 mark.

#17: 1942 Boston Red Sox, 50.1 WAR162

The Red Sox fielded a very solid team in 1942, but were no match for the Yankees, who won the pennant by a comfortable 9 games over the Red Sox. The Boston squad would have to wait four more years to break through for an AL pennant.

The Sox were a strong offensive team, but trailed the Yankees in several categories. Their 761 runs ranked second, as did their 103 homers, but they did lead the AL in BA, OBP, and OPS. If their offense was at a similar level to the Yankees’, their pitching was not. The staff ranked a distant third in ERA, second in WHIP, fourth in strikeouts, and fifth in strikeout-to-walk rate.

Ted Williams was indisputably the star for the Red Sox, leading the league in multiple categories. Williams batted .356, had a .499 OBP, .648 SLG, and 1.147 OPS, while swatting 36 homers, drawing 145 walks, scoring 141 runs, and amassing 137 RBI. His excellent supporting crew included shortstop Johnny Pesky (.331 BA, 205 hits), Bobby Doerr (.290 BA, 102 RBI), and Dom DiMaggio (.286 BA, 110 runs scored). On the mound, Tex Hughson was by far the most effective hurler, leading the league in wins (22), complete games (22), innings pitched (281), and strikeouts (113). Joe Dobson was the next most effective starter, but had just an 11-9 record for the season.

#16: 1946 Boston Red Sox, 50.7 WAR

The Red Sox finally broke through for their first AL pennant in 28 years, winning 104 games (7 more than projected) to top the Tigers by 12 games. Unfortunately for the Sox, they fell short in the World Series, losing to the Cardinals in seven games.

The Sox topped the AL standings primarily via their high-scoring offense. Their 792 runs were 88 more than the Tigers could muster, and they easily led the league in BA, OBP, and OPS. The pitching was generally middle of the pack, ranking fourth in ERA, third in WHIP, fourth in strikeouts, and second in strikeout-to-walk rate.

Ted Williams again powered the offense with help from the supporting crew of Johnny Pesky, Bobby Doerr, and Dom DiMaggio. Williams led the AL in runs (142), walks (156), OBP (.497), SLG (.667), and OPS (1.164) while batting .342. Pesky batted .335 with an AL-best 208 hits, Doerr totaled 116 RBI, and DiMaggio batted .316. Tex Hughson (20-11, 2.75 ERA, 3.37 strikeout-to-walk rate) and Dave Ferriss (25-6) supplied a strong top of the rotation for the Boston squad.

Summary

That’s it for the first entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1940s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #15 to #11, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1930s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 5 through 1

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the final countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1930s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1930s (1930-1939), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #5 through #1.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1930s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#5: 1935 Detroit Tigers, 57.0 WAR162

The 1935 Tigers defended their AL pennant and went on to defeat the Cubs in the World Series. Their 93-58 mark landed them 3 games ahead of the Yankees; the Tigers win projection was a few games higher at 97-54. They would then go on to defeat the Cubs in 6 games for the World Series title.

The Tigers had a very strong offense, scoring 918 runs, 95 ahead of the Nationals. They were second in the AL in doubles and homers, and topped the league in BA, OBP, and OPS. Their pitching was also very good, leading the AL in shutouts and finishing second in strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Charlie Gehringer and Hank Greenberg formed a potent 1-2 offensive punch, with Gehringer accounting for 123 runs, 108 RBI, and a .330 BA. Greenberg led the league with 36 homers and 168 RBI while batting .328. Billy Rogell excelled at shortstop, scoring 90 runs and taking 80 walks, and catcher Mickey Cochrane batted .319 with a .452 OBP. The pitching staff was led by Schoolboy Rowe, who tossed an AL-best 6 shutouts with a 2.06 strikeout-to-walk rate. Tommy Bridges won 21 games and led the AL with 169 strikeouts, and Elden Auker added 18 wins.

#4: 1931 Philadelphia Athletics, 59.9 WAR162

The 1931 A’s won an impressive 107 games, finishing 13.5 games ahead of the Yankees, to claim their third consecutive AL pennant. Win projections tell a different story, as the A’s were a full 10 games ahead of their 97-win Pythagorean estimate. In simple terms, they were an excellent team, but not as dominant as their record indicates. The A’s would go on to lose a 7-game World Series to the Cardinals.

The A’s ranked just third in runs scored, trailing both the Yankees and Indians, and placed second in both doubles and home runs. They ranked third in BA and OBP, and a distant second to the Yankees in OPS. Pitching set the Athletics apart from their rivals in 1931, as they led the AL in numerous categories – ERA, shutouts, WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Al Simmons was the A’s offensive leader for the 1931 season, leading the AL with a .390 BA, adding 22 homers, 128 RBI, and a 1.085 OPS. Max Bishop had a fine .426 OBP and 115 runs scored, and catcher Mickey Cochrane batted .349. Jimmie Foxx stroked 30 homers with 120 RBI to round out the Athletics’ top offensive producers. The mound was anchored by veteran Lefty Grove, who compiled a career season with a 31-4 record, 2.06 ERA, 27 complete games, 175 strikeouts, and 4 shutouts. All these numbers were tops in the league for 1931. George Earnshaw (21-7, 3.67 ERA) and Rube Walberg (20-12, 3.74 ERA) rounded out a formidable pitching staff.

#3: 1936 New York Yankees, 60.6 WAR162

The 1936 Yankees were a powerhouse club that ran away with the AL pennant, finishing 19.5 games ahead of the defending champ Tigers. Their 102 wins were not a fluke, as the New Yorkers dominated the AL in scoring and preventing runs. The Yankees finished business by defeating the crosstown Giants in a 6-game World Series.

The Yankees scored 1,065 runs, 144 more than both the Indians and Tigers. They also clobbered an absurd (for the time) 182 homers, 59 ahead of the Indians. The team ranked second in BA, first in OBP, and a resounding first in OPS. This was an offensive powerhouse. The pitching was also very good, leading the AL in ERA and strikeouts, and placing second in WHIP.

Veteran Lou Gehrig led the offense for the Yanks, scoring 167 runs, belting 49 homers, drawing 130 walks, and compiling a .478 OBP, .696 SLG, and 1.174 OPS, all topping the league. Catcher Bill Dickey had one of his best seasons, batting .362 with 22 homers, and Red Rolfe added an AL-best 15 triples to go with 116 runs scored and a .319 BA. The 21-year-old Joe DiMaggio made an auspicious debut, batting .323, hitting 29 homers, driving in 125 runs, and matching Rolfe’s 15 triples. George Selkirk (18 HR, 107 RBI) and Frankie Crosetti (18 steals, 137 runs scored) were also major contributors. The pitching was led by veteran Red Ruffing, who authored a 20-12 mark, and Monte Pearson, who posted a 19-7 record. Pat Malone led the league with 9 saves.

#2: 1931 New York Yankees, 60.7 WAR162

The 1931 edition of the Yankees finished 13.5 games back of the Athletics, but this was quite a deceiving result. Based on Pythagorean projections, the Yankees were a 100-win team (versus the A’s 97), but would have to wait until 1932 to return to the top of the AL.

The Yankees’ 1067 runs topped the league by a staggering 182 runs over the Indians, and belted 155 homers while stealing 139 bases, all tops in the AL. The New Yorkers also swept the BA (.297), OBP (.383), and OPS (.840) categories. Their pitching staff was not as strong as some other editions – they placed third in ERA and WHIP, while leading the AL in strikeouts.

Babe Ruth put together a great season at age 36, swatting 46 homers with 162 RBI, 149 runs scored, and AL-bests in walks (128), OBP (.495), and OPS (1.195). Lou Gehrig belted 46 homers with 185 RBI to go with a .341 BA and 1.108 OPS, while Ben Chapman stole 61 bases (AL-best) and batted .315. Lyn Lary drove in 107 RBI with a .376 OBP, and veteran Earle Combs batted .318 with 13 triples. Lefty Gomez (age 22) posted a 21-9 record with a 2.67 ERA to lead the pitching staff. Red Ruffing won 16 games, and 37-year-old Herb Pennock posted an 11-6 mark.

#1: 1939 New York Yankees, 71.1 WAR

The 1939 Yankees were the last of four consecutive pennant winners, coasting to the AL pennant by an astounding 17 games over the Red Sox. They then swept the Reds in the World Series. Not only was this the highest-rated WAR team since the 1927 Yankees, but their 106 wins actually fell five games short of their Pythagorean projection.

The Yankees led the league in both run scoring and run prevention. The team’s 967 runs easily topped the Red Sox, as did their 166 homers. The New Yorkers ranked second in BA, first in OBP, and first in OPS. The pitching was perhaps even more impressive, with a team ERA (3.31) more than 0.75 runs better than their closest rival. They also led the AL in complete games, shutouts, WHIP, and hits per 9 innings.

The Yankees had a staggering six position players above 5.0 WAR162, led by Joe DiMaggio, who led the AL with a .381 BA, while swatting 30 homers, driving in 126 runs, and posting a 1.119 OPS. Red Rolfe had a career year, scoring 139 runs with 213 hits and 46 doubles (all AL-best) and batting .329. Joe Gordon had a great age-24 campaign, with 28 homers, 111 RBI, and a .370 OBP, while George Selkirk batted .306 with 21 homers and 101 RBI. Veteran catcher Bill Dickey batted .302 with 24 homers and 105 RBI, and 22-year-old Charlie Keller batted .334 with 83 RBI and a .447 OBP. Veteran hurler Red Ruffing posted a 21-7 mark with a 2.93 ERA and AL-best 5 shutouts, and Lefty Gomez went 12-8. The depth of the staff was a strength, with 8 men earning at least 2.1 WAR162 on the season.

Summary

That’s it for this entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1930s decade! Here’s a quick summary of which franchises dominated the decade: